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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New member to the group and so glad I have found you.
Our girl, an 11yr old boxer mix, was just diagnosed with 2 tumors: a 12cm mass in her left front shoulder (possible angiosarcoma) and a 7cm mass in her abdomen/intestines near ICJ (possible neuro-endocrine). I just scheduled her amp and abdominal resection for next Monday the 11th. Her vet and oncology/surgeon say she’s a good candidate for both surgeries. But I keep second guessing myself. Are we making the right decision? Is she going to survive surgery? Will she have quality of life after surgery? I feel angry, sad, guilty, heartbroken. I know we cannot continue to watch her decline without intervention and I know she’s not ready to cross the bridge because she still has her 5. So amputation and resection are what’s best. Has anyone had a pup have 2 surgeries? Angiosarcomas? Any advice you could give would be much appreciated.
-Reecie’s Mom, Trina
Trina and Reecie, welcome.
Rest assured your feelings are very common. Anyone who has been through this feels the same way. It's totally natural. But I promose, once you see her sparkle come back you will be glad that you decided to give her a chance at beating this disease.
I need to run for a bit but will be back shortly with some input. Stay strong! More input coming... your future posts won't need approval.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello Trina and Warrior Reecie. I have no doubt that your sweet Reecie is a fighter and has a Warrior attitude to help her heal from these surgeries.
Of course you are ,scared and chock full of uncertainty. We understand those emotions all too well.
While I can't address the resection surgery directly, there have been times when another surgery was done at the same time as amputation. I have no idea what's involved with the resection, but it sounds like it needs to be done, as does the amputation, to add quality back to her life. Living a life of pain that prevents Reecie from being Reecie is not what she would want.
Yes, there is always risk with any surgery, no matter how major or how minor. Everyone here takes that risk because we are not ready to let our pets go and our pets are not ready to go either!
How long will she be at rhe clinic z(assuming it's a fully staffed overnight clinic)? Just with amputation alone, most dogs spend at least one night. She may need a bit more recovery time before she goes home.
Some dogs are mobile (to some degree) within the first 24 hra. Some take several.days to get their sea legs, espec6 more "mature" puppers.
Just some tips as far as the amputation recovery. You'll wa t non slip scatter rugs for traction if you have hardwoods. You can slightly raise the food/drink bowls to help prevent. strain. You'll want to avoid stairs if possible, no running, jumping etc during recovery. Short leashed potty breaks and back in for rest, rest, rest.
pain management is crucial. Most dogs come home with Gabapentin, an antiinflmmatory and antibiotic. Because of Reecie's tummy surgery their may be additional meds and specific instructions as far as eating, etc.
Drinking and peeing are important. Pooping and eating may be off a bit at first.
Make sure alln your questions are answered so you know what to expect during recovery. So she has an Orthopedic Surgeon, as well as an Oncologist and your refular Vet as her team assessing her situation?
We're here for you and look forward to getting to know Reecie vetter as we cheer her on through all her victories.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
P.S. Just curious, I did mean to ask you if the amputation was something that could wait a couple of weeks and do the tummy surgery first......or do amputation first and then tummy resection two weeks later??
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!
I'm so glad Sally chimed in with such wise words! Thanks Sally.
When it comes to angiosarcoma, do you mean hemangiosarcoma? That is the more typical wording used. I hadn't heard of angiosarcoma before, but all search results here and on Dr. Google come up with hemangiosarcoma. What diagnostics have they done to confirm her diagnosis? If it is hemangio, then they are doing two surgeries for the same cancer, correct?
Yes, those are two major surgeries so it creates an extra worry for you. It sounds like she had a good vet team and specialists looking out for her, which is great. I would agree in my non-vet opinion that two surgeries require more recovery time so don't be too surprised if she takes a bit longer to get her sparkle back. Try not to compare her recovery to any that you see here or elsewhere. She is her own girl with a unique situation. The hardest part of recovery is 1) making sure there's good pain management , and 2) keeping our expectations in check. It's always harder on us than it is on them.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much for your kind words Sally. They want to minimize the number of surgeries and anesthesia so want to do the surgery together. I’m assuming she will be there overnight. We have her regular vet, the oncologist and surgical team. We are spoiling her and treating her like the queen she is! McDonald’s fries, chicken and sweet potatoes. I have prayed every day since the diagnosis that we are doing what’s best for her and hope to see that sparkle back-Reecie being Reecie. Thank you all!
Sounds like she has everything on her side for a speedy recovery! We are sending lots of Tripawd Power your way, keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Any decision out of love is always thr "right" decision 💖
I know Reecie is thoroughly enjoying all her special foods! Spoiling a dog is so much fun!
Not knowing the particulars of the resectioning surgery, or does sound like it is somewhat MAJOR surgery, as is the amputation. So I would clarify with them exactly how much overnight stay she would need to start out. My completely uninformed opinion is that she would need at least two or three. at their fully staffed 24/7 clinic.
It would give you a xhance to catch up on some rest too, knowing she would be in good hands.
Additionllu, IF she does need some assistance with a "sling" the first couple of days as she adapts to three, make sure the Vets can advise you on proper placement, etc. Ahe'll obviously have a stitched incision at her should area, and guessing she'll have stitches incision in her tummy area.
And yeah, one surgery, one anesthesia, one recovery is a good approach.
(((((((Hugs)))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
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