Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello,
We are new to the tripaw community and blogging so bare with me. I have a 9 year Golden Retriever who just recently was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. His name is Beamer. We are 2 days post surgery and i am in tears as i write this with fear that i made the wrong decision. Can someone please offer me some encouraging words. He made it through surgery fine and came home yesterday. Appetite is wonderful and tongue still full of kisses. But it breaks my heart to see him struggle so hard just to go out to potty. It just seems to take so much energy to do that simple task. Please tell me it gets easier for him. I know Rome was not built in a day and if it were I going through this I would not be near the trooper he is. The struggle just terrify me that i made the wrong decision. If he were able to talk would he have said my leg hurts so bad mommy i want it removed or would he have told me that it was tolerable?
Welcome and best wishes for Beamer's speedy recovery. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
This will get easier. The best thing you can to to help hm now is to remain strong and provide a good example as a strong balanced pack leader. As Dr Kramer says, if you want life to be normal again, you must act as though life is normal. Crying is OK, just never in front of Beamer! That's what these forums are for.
It is still very early on Beamer's road to full recovery, but he will get it. Dogs are very resilient, they adapt. Many members have found the book Without Regret helpful in coping with the human emotions you're feeling. Bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for more helpful recovery advice and care tips.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The recovery period is very hard. VERY. And it can be an emotional rollercoaster, sometimes for 10 days to 2 weeks, sometimes even longer. Plus you probably haven't been sleeping well because of worrying, so that makes everything seem even worse. I've been on this site a while and sometimes folks do express regrets DURING the recovery process, but once the meds are done and the staples are out, I've honestly only seen 1 person still say they regretted it. Everyone else realizes they did the right thing - it just can take a little while.
Your baby's spark will be back. Hang in there. There can still be lots of wonderful times ahead for you and your pup.
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Oh goodness, YES it gets better. You are in the middle of the worst time right now but it most certainly gets better. It just takes the pups a little time to adjust to the new balance and way of doing things and, of course, to recover from the surgery. Hang in there and try to get some rest because everything seems worse when you are tired! Good luck with recovery!
Lisa, Angel Zeus' mom
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
There is a reason we refer to the recovery as 'recovery hell'. It isn't easy for them and it is even worse for us. They will adjust quicker than we do.
Most do adjust by sometime in the second week, but others just take longer. Each one is different and unique.
Hang in there, the akwardness will subside and the new tripawd will emerge - king of the mountain.
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.
Thank you all for the encouraging words. Yes, rest might help. I don't know why they love their dog beds so much. I hardly slept a wink lying next to him last night. They are definitely not that comfortable.
I'm VERY glad you found this site!!! I wish I had right after my dog's amputation...I had my sister, a Vet Tech, THANKFULLY, as she was my sounding board! As others have said, yep, it can be recovery hell...it WILL get better!!!! You'll celebrate the tiniest of triumphs!!! Just try to get thru these next two weeks as best you can...your dog will get better and better each day and will surprise the heck out of you soon in his progress!!
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Hi Beamer's Mom. Trust me you are just like the rest of us Tripawd Moms! Everyone is right, this is a lot harder on you than it is them. I remember bawling my eyes out when we picked up Chester after the surgery and everything I read said don't look at his incision, just took straight in his eyes and show how happy you are to see him. The first two weeks are the hardest as they are adjusting, on medication, etc. Our Chester didn't pee for almost 48 hours after surgery (causing me to freak out...needless to say I cried when he peed because I was so happy...ha ha) and I used a towel as a sling to support him outside the first few days until I knew he could and wanted to do it on his own. Like you, my husband and I took turns sleeping right beside him for two weeks straight as our bedroom was upstairs. We gave him lots of room in the living room, removing the coffee table, etc so there were not a lot of things to bump into. Kept his water close to him and at the beginning had to fee him by hand. I also found Chester would constantly circle to lie down and realized he had to adjust as I am sure it was not comfortable to lie on his incision. The day he lied down right on his incision, I knew all was well. Tiny steps for both you and your baby and everyone of them is worth it!
Now we are over 1 year post-surgery and you would never know he is missing a leg and he loves life. Runs, plays, wrestles with other dogs, and loves to run in the ocean, albeit doesn't like to swim. To us he is a normal dog like all the rest of them...just maybe a little extra special 
This is a great forum...glad you found it!
Chester's Mom
Hi Beamersmom,
We all know what you are going thru. I promise it gets better! As I read your post it made me feel exactly where we were with Dylan two weeks ago. It has been two weeks today since he had his left front leg amputated due to myxosarcoma. He came thru it great, came home the next day . It was so hard to see him struggle and it made me cry. Although I knew we had done the right thing, my heart just broke for him. Somedays will be better than others and he may tire easily but it does get better every day.
Dylan had his staples out this morning. He was doing so well he ran into the vets hopping and barking, letting everyone know he was there. I swear I think he was laughing! I think he feels great having the staples out and the tight bandage off. The wound looks really good and I will keep a tee shirt on him for awhile to keep the incision clean.
So keep your chin up-stay close to him and you'll probably be amazed at how well he will adapt.
We used to laugh all the time saying Dylan was my third leg as he always follows me wherever I go, now I get to be his fourth leg and he's still following me everywhere. Just takes him a little more time.
Helen, Dylansmom
Feeling overwhelmed is part of the healing process. I cried so hard and then realized I needed to do that out of Lupe's company. Try to get some rest, we all know that is easier said than done. I also recommend giving both Beamer and you some space...him to rest and recover and you to be able to breathe. Hell week or weeks is very appropriately named.
Take care,
Kori & Angel Lupe
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
Maggie had her amp before Tripawds existed so we went it alone. I was convinced that I had done the wrong thing- Mag was not happy, was easily discouraged when she fell down (rear amp) and spent most of the first 4 weeks in her bed. My vet had only said ' most dogs do fine on three legs' so I thought 'yea, most dogs but not mine!'
Everything is harder on three at first- try hopping around on one leg and do all your daily chores that way. You will see that is amazing that our pups do so well even few days after surgery! Beamer has to learn balance, and is using his muscles in new ways. Be a good, strong, pack leader for him and show him everything is OK. He will come around and he will be amazing and inspiring you soon.
And I can tell you from personal experience that bone pain is excruciating, and bone pain that won't heal (like bone cancer) can not be controlled with pain meds for very long. You did the right thing choosing amputation, the pain from the surgery will go away soon.
This part is really hard and emotionally draining. Hang in there, you will get through it. Come here as often as you need to vent or ask questions.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Welcome to the club! Sorry you had to find us but glad that you did.
As Karen said, bone cancer pain is supposed to be about the worst thing imaginable. Many people here say that they only realized how much pain their dogs were in after the surgery, because the amputation pain was less and the dogs acted so much happier. So imagine if having your leg cut off made you happy! That means the cancer pain must be horrendous.
Every dog has a different recovery schedule but right away is the worst time. Pain meds are a double edged sword. They are needed to take away the surgery pain but they can affect the dog's mood. Sometimes a dog appears depressed or anxious and it's just the drugs messing with them. Don't judge Beamer's recovery till he's off the pain meds. Just decide that you'll hold off judgment till then and you'll probably be very surprised at how well he's doing in a couple of weeks.
Potty stops get much easier, believe me. Right now Beamer is struggling to find his new balance and to do things he's never had to do before. But he'll get it. The other leg will migrate to form a true tripod stance and he'll be a pro in no time. My Dakota is a front amputee and he is the most efficient pooper in the world! Get it done is his attitude! Beamer will be there before you know it!
Shari
P.S. Remember: Beamer got a second chance, so any tears should be tears of happiness. 
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Dakota Dawg said
P.S. Remember: Beamer got a second chance, so any tears should be tears of happiness.
I LOVE this! 
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.
Hang in there. It is still very early days. Beamer has had a HUGE operation. It does get better. Before you know it he will be running around as if he was born with 3 legs!
And, yes, Dakota Dawg said it perfectly - "Beamer got a second chance, so any tears should be tears of happiness."
We are here to offer you any support we can.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
It is hard to believe that we were where you are less than one month ago. Day two was really hard for us. We were exhausted, Sam was loopy and clouded. The first few days after that were a mixed bag.
Looking at him today, one month since he came home, he is amazing. Everytime I think he cant do something, he does it anyway.
Hang in there. I can say without a doubt in my heart, it will get better. It isn't all peaches and cream, but it gets better.
Take a minute to write it down. In a few short weeks, you will look back and be amazed at the difference. Celebrate every little victory and love on your pup. Put energy into that and the time goes faster, at least it did for me.
This community saved my sanity. If you need help, ask for it and these amazing people will rally for you and your beautiful Beamer. Healthy thoughts from far away friends tonight.
Samdog was a 10 yr old Golden and retired SAR dog. We found a bone mass on 8/17/12, needle biopsy showed sarcoma 8/22/12, amputation on 8/23/12, post-amp biopsy confirmed osteosarcoma on 8/28/12. Sadly, we found lung mets on 11/27/12 and my Spirit Sam earned his wings on 12/2/12.
We didn't know where we were headed and we don't regret a single step along our path. It all happened too fast, but he left a legacy of love that we will always cherish. Good bye my heart.
You can find our story at http://samdog.t.....ipawds.com
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