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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We made the appointment. She goes in mon 2/9 at 7am. Im scared to death and i feel sick to my stomach. But i dont think we should wait much longer. She's starting to limp, just this week, on a regular basis, just a short walk will bring out the limp. She has stumbled a couple of times now. We are still waiting on some lab results (cytologies on a few sm lumps that i think have had FNAs in the past - just making sure...)
We really dont want to do this but we have 3 specialistst telling us its the best thing. Its just a really hard thing to have to do because we cant explain it to her...
Just remember, going through this is much harder on people than it is on our dogs.Listen to the experts, and everyone here – you are doing the right thing.
Keep your spirits up, and keep us posted. We're all rooting for you and Polly!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We will be on the same schedule as you... our 12 yr old chocolate lab Marley is having her left hind leg amputated Monday. I know how you are feeling right now. Somehow we will get through this! the waiting has been agony... looking forward to getting on the road to recovery...
Holly and Marley
Waiting has to be the hardest part. Rest easy knowing you have made a good decision. Don't spend these extra days second guessing what you have already decided.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, everyone. I think hubby and I really need some "handholding" right now. Our brains tell us its the right thing but its heartbreaking. Marley, good luck to you - I hope it all goes well and its good to know we have a friend @ the same stage we are in! (Thanks for posting up her picture 🙂
kty8 said:
I think hubby and I really need some “handholding” right now.
That's what we're all here for. Just take things one day at a time and remember to be a strong balanced pack leader.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks. We will. I do have a few questions re behavior/commands, etc. Im wondering if there are certains commands or habits that we will need to stop asking her to do. For instance, I imagine it could be difficult for her to heel next to the stroller after this. Im thinking she may need to be allowed to go at her own pace. And I need to come up with an order of events for getting her and the kids safely up and down the stairs. Do i have the toddler or the tripod wait at the top or bottom for my help? Do we need to let her go in and out through doorways at her own pace instead of paying attention to who is going first? Is it fair to ask a tripawd to sit for her dinner? Though she was clearly the more dominant when we had two dogs, Polly has never exhibited any kind of problem behaviors as far as dominance goes. She is gentle and sweet with the kids - sleeps outside their bedrooms at night and actually follows our toddler around (even when she is noisy!) I want to maintain order for her sake and ours, but I dont want to ask her to do things that are difficult or impossible for her. I dont want to expect or try to enforce things that are just asking a bit too much for a 12yr old tripawd girl. Any thoughts?
Hi everyone. I took her in this morning. It was so hard to do. I know she is in good hands and Im confident that in 3 or 4 weeks we will be glad we did this. But right now I just feel sick and its going to be a long day waiting for them to call...
We are feeling the same today... don't know what time Marley's surgery is today. Not sure I want to know. I jump whenever the phone rings! I'm so looking forward to getting on the road to recovery, and no more pain!!!
Yeah - we are definitely in the same boat today, arent we? Where do you live? Sure wish we could meet for a nice round of drinks while we wait! (But Im pretty sure you are still pregnant...maybe we could overindulge in ice cream instead???) 
Best of wishes to you all today - Marley is in our prayers as well!
Karen
kty8 said:
But right now I just feel sick…
Ask yourself, what would Polly want? I bet she'd say "Relax, mom ... I'm just happy to be out of pain soon!"
Best wishes for a successful procedure, and speedy complete recovery. Try to remain strong, or the next few weeks may be long and hard ones. Keep those spirits up! And keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
kty8 said:
But right now I just feel sick…
Ask yourself, what would Polly want? I bet she'd say "Relax, mom ... I'm just happy to be out of pain soon!"
Best wishes for a successful procedure, and speedy complete recovery. Try to remain strong, or the next few weeks may be long and hard ones. Keep those spirits up! And keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We sure are!! I have been crying all day... actually for 4 weeks now I haven't make it longer than a few hours or so without a good cry. Yes, I'm pregnant - due 2 weeks from tomorrow! I also have two kids - 4 and 2 so I have my hands full, though they are a great distraction.. Marley is our FIRST child! she sleeps in bed with us though my kids are not allowed! ha! We live just north of Boston. Where are you? I can't decided if I want to call the hospital to check in.... can't bear to hear that she's in the middle of surgery right now. only want to hear that she's DONE and resting comfortably. My husband didn't ask what time the surgery would be when he dropped her off early this morning. Maybe it's better not to know though. did they say how long the surgery would take? I don't know even know that...
thinking good thoughts for Polly....
Holly
My heart goes out to you - dealing with this while pregnant. We have a 2yr old and a 4 mo old. I totally understand the pup being the "first child"! Actually, Polly is our second. We lost my lab to cancer about 1.5yrs ago - HE was my first...
We were told surgery would be about 1.5 -2hrs. Polly's is a front leg - I think a back leg would take longer because its a little more complicated than a front leg. (I apologize - I cant remember now if Marley's is front or back.) I assumed that Polly would be in surgery pretty early because we dropped her off at 7am. Turns out her turn isnt up until about noon, so she wont be out until about 2 or 3pm. Im glad i asked because otherwise id be waiting for that call around noon and id be getting worried.
We are outside San Diego, CA. Yes - the kids are a great distraction, arent they? How have you explained this to your kids? That was a tough one for me. I started with asking my toddler if she remembered when Mommy went to the hospital for a couple of days with my BIG belly and then came home without the big belly! I told her Polly will be home in a few days but that we will need to let her sleep for a while before she can play. Did you know that Clifford the Big Red Dog has a tripawd friend named K.C.? I found at least one episode that includes K.C. on netflix! I also showed our daughter a few pictures on this site, just so its not a total surprise.
Best of luck to you!
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