Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Hello all,
My dog Nosey was diagnosed with a malignant tumor on his left rear leg this afternoon. We went to the vet last Thursday when I found a large lump on Nosey's leg. the vet took several aspirated samples, sent them off and gave me the news today. She sent me estimates this evening for 1) additional tests and scans to see if the cancer has spread to nodes or lungs and 2) amputation. I plan to get the leg amputated unless she finds the cancer has spread past the leg. My head's a jumble of questions which I will include below, logical or not, in hopes that someone may have some answers.
1. Nosey Flynn is 11.5 years and a Glen of Imaal Terrier. He's a pretty mellow guy but I'm wondering if he'll have trouble adapting to three legs given his odd body shape. (Glens have a body similar to a welsh corgi, long and wide with short legs, but Glens have scruffy hair.)
2. How old is too old to do this and have a good recovery?
2. We have another dog, a large sweet dog who is sometimes playful in a rough-housey way. How will that work? How long before I can leave them alone together?
3. How much time will I have to take off work to stay with Nosey post-op. I work fulltime, too far away to come home for lunch. My daughter lives nearby and can be here some of the time but she goes to school and works so.... I guess I'm wondering how long before Nosey can be alone after his amputation?
4. Do people put giant plastic collars on their dogs to prevent licking and chewing on the incision?
5. How do I do aftercare? WHat will I need to have on hand?
6. Man this is expensive.
7. and scary
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not require moderation.
I'm sorry cancer has brought you here, what kind of cancer are you dealing with?
We've had all types of pups here with all types of bodies. Most important is that your vet thinks Nosey is a good candidate for amputation, and he is otherwise healthy. That answers the age question too- it's not so much about years, it's about health and attitude- does he still have a zest for life? We have had lots of 'mature' pups do just fine. After the amp it is important that Nosey rests, and the incision is protected. That means no rough housing until the sutures come out, usually about 14 days.also the cone! It is also very important that Nosey can not lick or chew on the incision. My little pug Maggie was a rear amp- she had a Buddha belly and a short pug nose and she couldn't get to her incision! There are some alternatives to the cone of shame
here: http://gear.tri.....ernatives/. I used the inflatable collar on my quad pug Obie when he had knee surgery- it worked well.
Yes, it is expensive! Here is a forum topic discussing some options: http://tripawds.....ncer-care/.
And yes, it is scary! Cancer diagnosis and deciding on amputation is a lot to take in. We have been there and can offer lots of experience and support. Just look at Nosey- he doesn't care about any of this! Recovery can be ful of ups and downs, but we all got through it - you guys will to!
Some other good resources here are Jerry's Required Reading List
: http://tripawds.....ding-list/, and the ebook Library: http://download.....com/store/.
Keep us posted!
Karen
What a Cutie!! Cannot wat to see ore pictures" He ust looks adoravle
Karen a swered a lot of your questins a d gave you some good links to research. I'll just add, as far as preparation goes, if you have hardwood floors, you'llwant scatter rugs for traction . If you have a lot of stairs to go in a d out, you ma want to build a ramp...with rails.
Scarey? you betcha'! Iwas scared oit of my feele mi d! 'Felt li,e I was stuck in a nightmare and would never wake up! It's now almost eight mnths past Happy Hannah's amputatuon...and still moving forward and still knoxking on wood......and it is the best decisi ever! We have had the gift of quality and time to cram loving and spoiling and happiness i to every sngle second of every day!!
Every dog's recoveey is different...some easier than others...but once you get past the recovery peiod, yoj will see more sparkle and nappiness from Nosey than you could ever imagine! The loving bond you two will share is not of this earth! It is so sacred, so deep and s blissful,you will treasure every momentlike never before!
You are doing this FOR Nosey and not TO Nosey. You are taking away his pain. He doesn't know he's "sick" and he doesn't care about any stupid diagnosis or statistics! Nosey lives in the moment, not worrying avout anything! Stay in the moment and let nothing rob you of this wnderful tme you have!. You clearly are a strong advocate for Nosey and you are making a decision out of love. And that's always the right decision.
Your vet feels like Nosey will do fine and, just based on what you've said, Osey has o intention of throwi gin the towel!
You are NOT alo e,okay? We are here y your side the whole way! Holdonto us, we won't let go!
Oh, just wanted t add, and I'm sure Jerr willpost it for you, there's a link fkr questions to ask the vet.
I keep thinkingof "one more thing".....I never had to use the cone for Happh Hannah Just get lots of squishy pillows and slft blankes for his bed. If he sleeps with you in your bed, you may not get much sleep at first.
You hangn there and hold tous, okay? Ask questions, vent, scream, cry...here.....but always be a positive, clam co fident pack leader fr yojr pups. That also helpsin the healing process.
B R E A T H E.......B R E A T H E....B R E A T H E.....B R E A T H E....B R E A T H E...
Now go hug Nosey' watch his tail wag and know that all is well!
Lots of love and hugs to ya'!
Sally and Happy Hananh
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Few random bits of advice:
If your dog is healthy, he should not have much of an issue adapting to 3 legs. Its actually easier to lose a rear than a front leg.
Shop around for surgical prices. There was a survey thread and people saved quite a bit of money by simply calling around or inquiring at a vet school. I paid $1700 all told for TJs amputation. That's about normal.
Make up your mind if you will do chemo or not... I didn't get TJ biopsied because I never planned for chemo... and if you don't do chemo a biopsy is of little value.
Even with chemo there is no guarantee.... live every day to the fullest and enjoy your hound. I'd rather spend money on treats and time walking/playing with TJ that buy tests and sit on the vets office. TJ will go when it's TJs time to go.
Hello!
I just wanted to say welcome. My tripawd Jill is a kitty cat, so many of the dog pawrents will have many more answers for you about playing, etc, but I wanted to offer my support and say welcome!
Jill is 10 months post amputation for osteosarcoma. YES it is expensive and scary. But you get through it! Once you get through the rough first couple of weeks, you see the spark in them start to come back! Jill is doing simply amazing now. She did four rounds of chemotherapy, she started that just two weeks after amputation and I was SO worried how she would handle that after such a major surgery.....but she was FINE. It's really much much harder on us than it is on them!
Please come over to the chat room if you get a chance. There are usually at least one or two of us in there (usually more in the evenings) to lend some support and answer questions.
Keep us posted!
xoxo,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
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