Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Pearl is an 11.5 year old Australian Shepherd and she is in surgery right now having her right front leg amputated. She was diagnosed a few weeks ago with Lymphangiosarcoma and her tumor has been dripping and draining for over 7 weeks now. The first vet diagnosed blunt force trauma, the second vet thought it was a spider bite, and the third vet finally figured out what was going on. She also has a MRSA infection so we have had her confined to a section of hall for 7 weeks to contain what she is dripping on and protect the other dogs and ourselves. We are hoping the surgery will remove the cancer, the infection and allow her to rejoin the family.
The things I have read here have helped ease my mind about what to expect when she comes home in a few days, but I am still scared and worried. Any other advice on what to do to help her transition and recover would be great.
Thanks,
Pearl's mom
sweiss said:
Any other advice on what to do to help her transition and recover would be great.
Welcome, and thanks for joining! We're sorry to hear about Pearl, but she sounds like quote a trooper. You'll find lots of recovery and care tips in Jerry's Required Reading List, and for immediate answers to the most common dog amputation questions consider downloading the new Tripawds e-book Three Legs and A Spare.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Pearl's Mom!!
My dog Chloe had spindle cell sarcoma and amputation cured her of the cancer. I briefly looked up lymphangiosarcoma online and it seems that as long as it hasn't metastisized, amputation will cure Pearl too! Anyway, I KNOW its troubling when you have NO idea how things will turn out! Saturday Chloe celebrated her 6 month ampuversary and she can:
1. go up/down stairs proficiently (up is harder since she is a rear amp)
2. RUN on the beach
3. Play with other dogs
4. Go on 2-3 mile walks (preferrably sand but she can do paved or dirt)
5. Tear down a screen door
6. Chase her squeakers
7. Act like having 3 legs is no big deal
It will take a good 2 weeks for most of the healing to occur and I know it will seem like it is taking forever, but she will relearn how to do everything she used to. Chloe did (for better and for worse (see number 5))! I'm giving you the long term outlook and I'm sure others will chime in more with the short term things to face!
Here is a link to my blog if you want to read her story or check out a few posts to see her progress over the last 6 months!
Good Luck!
-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
Welcome to the family, you've come to the right place. So you want to know about transition and recovery. OK, on recovery, first of all you need take a deep breath and relax a little, put some of your anxiety in check, these guys will pick up on your tension, so act and treat her as you always have, it will do wonders for her, especially the first couple weeks, those are the toughest for both of you. On transition, you will be amazed at how they adapt to three legs, some adjust quicker and better than others, but usually they figure things out pretty good themselves. Any floors that might be considered slippery you might want to put some carpet runners down until she gets her new walk and a hop figured out. Pay attention to how she acts once she's home and on the pain meds, they sometimes make them loopy, not themselves, some dogs don't get along with certain meds, tramadol seems to be one that some dogs just can't handle. There is the possibility of phantom pain , Gus started having it about 5 days post op, lasted about 4 weeks, Gabapentin worked well to take some of that pain away. Expect these first 2 weeks to be a roller coaster, Pearl not being herself, thats all normal. Appetite might come and go, she may do nothing but lay around, let her, you really don't want her overdoing it to soon. I foy u have a concern about somthing, call your vet, they want to know right away to make sure all is going the way it is suppose to. You are about to learn a whole lot about the resilience and determination of these guys, it's us humans that get all wound up. Good luck, Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Sorry to hear about Pearl, but you've definitely come to the right place for advice, words of wisdom, funny stories, etc...
Get sleep now before she comes home. You'll spend lots more time awake than she will, watching her, worrying, etc... But, she will be out of the pain she's probably been feeling for the past 7+ weeks, and you will be amazed at how well she adapts in a relatively short time. During the first two weeks, there will be little ups and downs, but hopefully at this time next month, you'll be looking back and hardly able to believe it is the same limpy dog from today.
Please keep us posted on the surgery and recovery.
Zack, King of Dogs, 1996 to 2010
Zack lived a full 14 years, even to the end.
The joy and memories he provided us will last a lifetime.
Surviving him is his sister, Izzy, a 12-year-old boxer mix quadpawd.
And the latest addition, Zula, an 11-month-old pit bull mix tripawd.
Hi Pearl and Co.,
Thank Dog that the third time's a charm and you found a good vet, what an ordeal. "lymphangiosarcoma" is a new one here, I can't recall a dog with that condition. Not the distinction I'm sure you wanted but at least by joining us, you will be able to help some other dog going down a similar path in the future. So thanks!
Like Admin said, our best advice is in the Required Reading list and E-Book. I would just add that I know you're scared about what to expect, but if it's any comfort at all, I'm betting you're going to be so impressed at how well Pearl does when she comes home, you'll wonder why you were ever afraid to begin wiht.
Yes, it will be rough going for a few days (usually) and you'll be nervous as all heck. The scar will not be pretty either. But if you just watch how Pearl doesn't let it get her down, how she figures things out without getting frustrated, you'll be fine. Follow her lead, take things one step at a time, and all will be fine.
Easier said, I know...but we're here for you when you need us OK? Good luck.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Pearl and pack,
Welcome to the club no one ever thought they would need to join!
Most of us have been where you are now- and we made it through, you will too. You have lots of good advice already. Do some reading and be sure and get your rest before Pearl comes home. The first couple of weeks can be tough- although some pups seem to sail through. Don't get discouraged if Pearl takes her time getting back to her old self, but she will at her own pace.
My pug Maggie had her amp before Tripawds was here. I spent much of the first two weeks thinking I had done the wrong thing. It didn't help that Mag was an obstinate pug, and not the most adaptable dog. But she was eventually walking a mile or more on her own (on short pug legs!).
Come back with questions or if you just need a shoulder. And we always like pictures!
Karen and the pugapalooza
thanks for all the support! We got the report that surgery went as well as could be expected. They had to take more tissue then originally planned, so we have our fingers crossed for recovery. Pearl is only the 17th reported case of lymphangiosarcoma in dogs so we dont have a lot of data to go on, just hoping for good news in the morning.
sweiss said:
Pearl is only the 17th reported case of lymphangiosarcoma in dogs...
No wonder we hadn't heard of it! Please keep us posted on her progress. And if you have any links to more information about lymphangiosarcoma, please share them here. Thanks!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Pearl & Family,
Welcome! Happy to hear that the surgery went well. In addition to the advice given so far, I would add that it's not a bad idea to look at pictures of dogs that just went through the same surgery. I made sure I looked at some pictures prior to picking up Skyler, as I really didn't know what to expect. I know our pups can pick up on our emotions, so I wanted to maintain a "poker face" the first time I saw her. And yes, get plenty of rest!
Sending lots of prayers & golden hugs your way. Please keep us posted! You've come to the best site for info/support!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
What a horrible experience you have had to go through with Pearl. I'm glad you finally got a diagnosis and that it sounds like the amputation can cure it. It sounds like Pearl has probably been in so much pain that maybe amputation might not be as hard for her as it normally is My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Debra
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Welcome to Tripawds, Pearl and family.
Good news that the surgery went well. Check out the postings about the 'cone of shame ' and alternatives.
Our dogs are amazing animals - they adapt very quickly to the new normal. It takes us humans much longer to make the adjustment.
As has been said above - stay calm - get lots of rest - and heap lots of love on your Pearl when she comes home.
We're here when you want to talk, need a shoulder, have some information to share, or are looking for some.
Tana and Angel Sophie
Sophie (1998 – 2010)
"Going Dog" def: living every day in the moment
"It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are."
–Unknown
Welcome Pearl and mom,
So sorry to hear. But I'm so glad you finally got the diagnoses.
I'm glad the surgery is over. It's okay to be scared and worried. But come over here and tell us. We'll offer a shoulder and ear.
Healing wishes to Pearl,
Angel Comet's mom
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.
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