Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I wasn't watching. I feel all the guilt in the world because I wasn't watching him. I don't know what happened. I sent him outside to use the restroom while I got ready to go do errands. 20 minutes later I look out to see him sitting in the field with his leg in the air. He looked confused. His leg was swollen up and trembling.
His symptoms since we discovered this horrible desease on Monday has been a slight limp. Nothing else. It was crazy to me to think about removing his leg when that is all that has been going on. Whatever happened to him yestereday changed everything. He couldn't walk and there was obvious swelling. He didn't cry but he didn't put any weight on his hurt leg. I managed to drag/carry him across the yard, through the house, and up into the car. I called the vet crying and she said to come right in.
Sammy's x-rays revealed his cancer has done much more damage in a weeks time so it was hard to tell but he might have a fractured leg. The best thing to do for him was to get him up to the hospital where they could sedate him and keep him from doing any further damage. My husband met me at the vet's and we took him up to the hospital together. He was panicky to be put into a small cage and he didn't want us to go. His eyes were huge and he started to cry.
The vet at the hospital didn't see a fracture but promised to care well for him. The house is completely empty feeling. My other two dogs aren't the social butterfly that Sammy is. My Mastiff is a dominant, independent, strong kind of personality and doesn't like it when I play kissy face with him. My sheppard doesn't like hugs and just wants to sleep after a brief pet.
I called the hospital last night and Sammy hadn't eaten dinner. I know he won't eat breakfast. He has lost 8 lbs this week. I am going to go check on him today and hopefully spend a little time with him.
Thanks for listening,
Elizabeth
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
oh elizabeth this is such scary news. stop beating yourself up, think of all the things you did right. as soon as you saw him lying down, you got to him and you took him to the vet to get help. we're sure you're scared and sammy is scared, but have faith in his resilience. he's a brave boy, right?? you will get through this, sammy has alot of stories yet to tell!! our thoughts are with you this morning, paws crossed for a healthy appetite, and a good outcome!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
I can only imagine the panic you feel. Try not to feel guilty. Whatever happened could very well have happened even with you watching. A fracture at the cancer site is not uncommon, thus one of the reasons for surgery.
Trust that the hospital will take good care of Sammy and try to get some rest so you will be ready when he comes home.
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.
Guilt does nothing but harm and throw you off your course. You did everything you needed to do. It is impossible to watch your pet every minute of every day. Our thoughts will be with you for a healthy return home soon.
DannyBoy turned 8 on May 25th 2010
DannyBoy was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the front left leg August 10, 2010
DannyBoy's amputation was August 20, 2010
Thanks for the good advice all of you. I am scared, I am sad, I just want to hold him and make this go away. If wishes were horses...
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
I agree that you shouldn't be beating yourself down especially with your quick action for getting him to the vet. Unfortunately these things happen with progressing cancer and I don't know that you could have done anything different. I know that when Chloe seemed like a pro going up and down the stairrs (post amp), we took for granted that she most likely wouldn't slip anymore. However one morning she let out a painful yelp because she slipped on the last stair (wooden) presumably because the carpet mat was being washed and probably made more of a difference than originally thought. She wouldn't move around for quite some time and I know my parents felt very guilty about that since they are taking care of her until she can move up with me. Luckily by the end of the day she was fine, so my mom thought that maybe she hit her healing incision site rather than injuirnig her remaining back leg. But let me tell you it was a scary thing and unfortunately events occur which are totally our of your control do happen...
Hope sammy recovers.
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Sammy boy, my mom and I are sending good wishes your way. Tell your mom that whatever happened to that leg could have happened if she was standing right next to you!
We tripawds know that legs are something unpredictable, one minute your are standing or running the next your are on the ground. One minute you have four and then you have three! 
Give your mom and dad licks for us and eat your breakfast!
JD and her mom
JD
One Tough Girl
(1999-2010)
-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –
-Amputation July 23 2010 –
-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-
-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-
Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya
Elizabeth
I know you are distraught right now, but what happened to Sammy is not that surprising and he should be fine. OSA does predispose dogs to a fracture at the site, which is why we amputate the leg (as Miss Trouble just said) despite our misgivings when the dog only has a slight limp. Many other dogs on this site have had fractures prior to surgery. Some fractures are small and we don't know they exist until the leg is biopsied later (my Tazzie had one of those) and some are more severe as Sammy's sounds.
I'm sure the vet can control the pain until the leg is removed and a few vets start administering pain meds even before the surgery anyway. Sammy probably doesn't want to eat much either because of the pain or the pain meds. But, it is good to be lean when a dog becomes a tripawd - less weight to carry around.
Try to take care of yourself and focus on the recovery that will start following Sammy's surgery.
Susan
(p.s. in case you are confused, my Tazzie showed up on this site after Dr. Pam's "tazziedog" Tazzie.)
Elizabeth,
Don't be to hard on yourself. Fractures are scary and painful for sure, but you were right there and did everything you could for your Sammy. He is a big guy and you got him into the car and to the vets. That's amazing and it shows just how much you love him. Before you know it the pain will be removed and Sammy will be back home with his family recovering.
I hope you got to spend some time with him today. Sending lots of positive thoughts your way. Please let us know how he is doing.
Fortis'Dad
first things first like everyone else has said...STOP BLAMING YOURSELF....It very well could have happened with you standing next to him...or a foot away or whenever. It IS the reason (along with the pain) most of us make the decision to amputate...to eliminate that fracture possibility. One minute they are fine, the next ... a fracture.
So now move on to the next step....if you make the decision to amputate (and it sounds like that is where you are right now), get prepared for his homecoming. The first two weeks...well you have heard about the first two weeks!
Get some non skid runners for slippery places in your house. Check your exits, entrances for which ones may need ramps (Magic HATED the ramps and preferred the steps...who knew ahead of time!!) and get a Ruffwear Harness to help you help him in and out of vehicles or up and down steps or whenever.
and most of all...get some rest NOW because you have a patient who will be coming home soon and you want to be rested and above all...POSITIVE...if you are upset, he will be upset...so get all your upset out before he comes home and if you have some moments...go have them in the car...or the garage or somewhere away from your boy.
And know that we are all here to support you....so now...you have heard it from all of us..lose the guilt, it isn't your fault, it just has moved you a little faster down the road.
Keep us posted...big cyber hugs being sent your way
Oh poor Elizabeth!
As everyone said, it's common to happen but that doesn't make it less scary! I would have freaked, too! There's nothing worse than seeing your baby hurt!
Let us know how your visit went today. Correct if I'm wrong, but isn't he scheduled for amputation tomorrow? Regardless, at least you can see why you can never have regrets about the amputation. That leg is of no use except to cause misery and pain now!
Big giant hugs to you and your baby Sammy!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Hi Elizabeth,
I'm sorry to hear what happened to Sammy... 
I know how upset you're feeling...
My Jake snapped his front leg, out of the blue while he was playing with Wolfie. After the x-rays... the vets told me it looked like a pathological fracture due to bone cancer. Jake had a bone biopsy done 2 days later to confirm... and a week later it came back osteosarcoma. He had his leg amputated a week after that.
Sending you and Sammy a big loving hug! Keep us posted on how he's doing...
Angel Jake and Wolfie's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Hi Elizabeth,
As everyone else has said- don't blame yourself. He is a big boy, even if you were holding on to him his leg may have broken. You had already made the decision to amputate, now you know you were right in your decision.
He is in good and capable hands at the vet, and they can control his pain and keep him comfortable. I always hate leaving my pups at the vet- but it is short term and for the best.
Sammy won't be mad at you, he will be very happy to get home. He may not eat for a few days after surgery either- so don't stress too much about that. The pain meds keep many dogs from eating normally for awhile.
You still have the recovery ahead of you, so take this time to BREATHE and relax and be ready to be positive and supportive when Sammy comes home.
We are here to help and support you through this- so feel free to vent and ask questions anytime.
Karen
Karen's right; Sammy will not hold any of this against you. He knows it's not your fault, not at all. Dog's don't feel blame, or regret, or any of those silly human emotions. That's why they make great Tripawds!
What matters now is that he's getting the care and the meds that he needs to feel better. We're so sorry this happened. Hang in there and remember we are here to help OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Elizabeth, how scary. But the pain meds will work and the next thing he knows, he'll be seeing you again and the pain will be mostly gone. Dogs only know what's going on right now.
Sending you hugs and leans and I'll be looking for the rest of the story.
Mary and Cemil
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
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