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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Hello all - I am new here, but have been visiting for a while - ever since my golden retriever, Winston was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left hind leg. Like everyone here, I spent ages researching options - and infact convinced myself for a week that the palliative option of just pain killers then euthenasia - would be our course of action. But as the week progressed - and I saw Winston in more pain - I just couldnt bring myself to even imagine that last trip to the vet. So I quickly arranged the surgery, ransacked a savings account and here we are. He had surgery today - and is now recuperating. I pick him up on Monday morning and I am longing to see him! I just didnt want him to be in pain anymore. I am hoping we will have a smooth recovery period. Luckily I am at home most of the time - so I can care for him. I am feeling nervous about this period though and hope there will be no complications. He is my first baby ( I also have 3 year old human twins!) - but I am devoted to him as he is a typical sweet natured big hearted golden and I want to do my best for him.
Think of us over the next few days - both he and I will need it!
Winston's mom.
Welcome! We're glad to hear from you and happy you chose to opt for the amputation. You have our best wishes for a speedy recovery.
You have every right to be nervous, as the next few weeks will be trying, to say the least. But they should soon be pain free for Winston. For whom you have most likely also just bought extra time!
My best friend is a Weimreiner named Winston. So I'm especially glad you've joined the discussion here!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Winston's Mom!
My mom is glad that you finally made the decision. We all wish Winston a smooth and speedy recovery.
Love,
Genie.
Welcome Winston's mom! I had my amputation 9 days ago. My mom had a very hard time trying to make her decision about amputation also. Just like you, she felt that it was right to give me a chance to live the remainder of my life pain free. Plus my mom has been so encouraged by Jerry andf other tripawds on this website.
I am still recovering. My pawrents watch me improve day to day. Some days have been hard. My mom has found comfort in the fact that we are not alone in this journey. I hope that we are able to "pay it forward" and help you along also.
Best wishes to Winston and the rest of your family. Here's to a very speedy recovery!!
Love,
Charlie Brown and his mom, Wendy
Hi Winston and humans *wave*
Wishing you a smooth and speedy recovery!
Darcy – tripawd since 16th October 2007.
***Darcy would love to be your friend on Facebook - just search for Darcy Deerhound***
Welcome to the gang Winston and pawrents...Like Charlie I had my surgery just recently (11 days ago). My pawrents are in awe to how fast I have recovered and are happy that I am doing so well. There will be moments when you will feel tired and need to take "naps" more often but all in all it is the best decision my pawrents made for me. I am pain free and happily hopping along. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. You will find much love and encouragement with this group. Lots of licks.....
Kellie
We all know how tough the decision to amputate is to make. You made a good decision! You will be reassured of that with the tail wags and licks you’ll get when your baby comes home.
Like Jerry said, it is tough at first, but it is worth the extra pain-free time you'll get together. We wish you a speedy recovery!
Tripawds Rule!!!
Nellie and I wish Winston and his pawrents a speedy recovery. Nellie is a rear amputee as well- about 7 weeks ago and we found this site invaluable!! The first 2 weeks are tough, so hang in there and you'll be up and running in no time!!!
Thanks to everyone for their good wishes! Winston came home yesterday morning and so far is doing very well. He is eating well, and dutifully taking his pain meds and antibiotics ( fortunately he likes pill pockets - I dont know what I would do without them!). This morning, day 5 after his surgery, he was playing ( a very gentle) game of chase on the front lawn and rolling in the grass - clearly very happy to be home! I dont know if I am going to do chemo at the moment - my instincts say he has been through enough and if we can give him a good summer with lots of swimming and walks in the woods, then it will have been so worth it. But we shall just take each day as it comes - and try to limit the planning ahead, because you cant with this disease. I am just happy that for the most part he is much more pain free, than he was prior to his op.
I will write a further update in a week or so when his stitches are taken out, and he is off the meds.
Best wishes to all going through this- hang in there!
Winston's mom
Hi Winston's mom, just wanted to let you know that my pawrents also went through the indecision of whether they were making the right thing or not by giving me chemo. They decided to go ahead and nick this thing in the butt. I had my first chemo this past Monday and am doing absolutely fine. I have not had any side effects (so far) I am still very alert and have lots of energy, maybe because after reading this site my mom just pumps me with good supplements and food to boost my immune system. As I am 11yrs young they did a senior profile blood work before my chemo and proud to say that the vet called today and said it was absolutely great and was so happy that with everything that I am going through, I am doing so well. Jerry taught me my new motto which is NEVER GIVE UP ...so you do the same and keep on trucking. Lots of licks going your way.
Kellie
We are soooooo hoppy to hear Winston is doing great. Congratulations on getting over the first hurdle!
Deciding to go on chemo is such an individual decision. Of course there are no "right" answers, it all depends on so many different things about a dog's life up to that point. Whatever you decide about chemo, we are rooting for you to have a long and healthy life as a Tripawd, Winston.
Isn't it incredible how quickly the amp gets rid of the pain? Amazing!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Winston's Mom,
Can we see some pics? Your a good mom for taking his pain away...Do you have him on a holistic diet to help his immune system?
Kim & Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Hi Kim - thanks for your post - yes, I will try to post a picture of Winston. He is one of those big stocky goldens - 96lbs infact! He has a big square head and is very loving and has never ever bitten anyone. I read your own post last night about mourning the loss of Busters leg. I can very much relate. Although I am so glad I arranged the surgery for Winston - as I know he is in much less pain now - I have been feeling depressed about being responsible for so dramitically changing his appearence. I am hoping that when his fur grows back that it wont be so noticeable. My husband says that the only person who has really noticed is me - and that other people hardly glance twice at him when I walk him now. And he is right - some people walk right past and clearly dont see anything different about him! I am also exhausted from the strain building up to the surgery and having to wait 4 days while he was in hospital before I could collect him. ( We went away for a weekend - and I didnt want to risk post op complications while we were staying in our remote cabin - so I paid a little more and he stayed in a little longer.) I think it was worth it - he got 24 hour care and lots of TLC and was a big favourite in the ICU in the hospital.
He is doing well - getting stronger by the day - but I think it will take me a while to get over the surgery. Its only a week post op now - so I am hoping both he and I will be much stronger next week!
Take care and licks to Buster from Winston.
Winston's mom.
OKim1 said:
Winston’s Mom,
Can we see some pics? Your a good mom for taking his pain away…Do you have him on a holistic diet to help his immune system?Kim & Buster
Its Winstons mom again - sorry - forgot to reply to your question about Winston's diet. He is now on Innova Evo, vitamin tablets, fish oil, antibiotics and painkillers ( Tramadol). I will start giving him raw vegtables soon as well, as I have been reading about the diet Jerry is on.
What kind of diet is Buster on and how is he doing now?
Winston's mom.
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