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 everyone, Lady Mica Elise Steele lost her RF leg to spindle sarcoma today. She is a 10.5 Y.O. Dane. Will be 11 in February. I am, of course, the one it seems to be affecting the most. Other than the paw/leg, Doc says she's a horse. I guess I just need..... well, I don't know what I need. I know that I want to build her a custom wheelchair . I know that she needs me to be as strong as she is while she adjusts. I just wanted to hear from others and want to know how older big dogs adjust. Thanks in advance....I wanted to share the whole story right now, but, I guess that will have to come later. I have to adjust as well.....I hope I do right by her.
Hi Mica and family, welcome. I'm sorry that you're in this spot but we are here to help make the journey on three legs easier. Not that you'll need much help there, Mica sounds pretty darn amazing!
Can I just say one thing? I love your vet who gave the go-ahead. Many vets hang onto outdated perspectives about canine amputees and will automatically dismiss a giant breed dog as a Tripawd candidate without taking the dog's unique health profile into consideration. We salute your awesome vet! Who is it? We would love to send them some Tripawds Outreach brochures.
Meanwhile, if you click on that link about a wheelchair , you'll see some information about when they are a good choice and how to go about getting one. In the meantime hopefully she won't need one. Check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books for lots of great tips about life on three legs. This discussion forum also has tons of great examples about big dogs on three and if you search our member blogs for "Dane" you'll find tons of inspawrational tales.
When does she get to go home?
And yes, you are already doing right by her, never doubt that for a second.
{{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Lady Mica Elise Steele! Your avatar picture show a very pretty Lady indeed!
Sorry you have to be here, vut under the circumstances there is no better place to be! We understand the fear, the panic, the second guessing, the doubting, the non stop crying, the intensity of this whole situation like no others can! This stupid piece of crap disease puts us in situations where we have to make "forced choices" that none of us ever want to have to make! You are doing everything possible for your girl to give her the best chance at quality time full of .ore loving and spoiling a d cookies and tummy rubs than you ever thought possible!!
From this point forard YOU ARE NOT ALONE, OKAY?
Check out the great links Jerry gave you. They will help you feel more confident.
BTW, one of our SuperStars who beat the odds was a Great Dane named Atlas. When he was given the diagnosis of osteosarcoma, the vet suggested he be "put down", not only because of his size, but because he had Wobbler's Disease too. He recently crossed over to the other side of this life after TWO YEARS of living life to the fullest!
Mica is not a "statistic" and could care less about any ole' prognosis. She does NOT have a timeframe stamped anywhere on her butt.
Recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks. It can take bigger dogs a bit longer to work things out mobility wise sometimes. Plus the pain meds will be making her a little whacky too.
Whennyou get a moment to catch your breath, let us know where shenis in her recovery process and how we can best support you. If she's still at the hospital, try and get some rest. She may be a little whiny and restless when she comes home. For now she just needs rest.
Oh...and don't forget to keep plenty of chocolate on hand for yourself! It's a "medicinal" in times like these!!
((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Howdy and welcome!!!
Sorry you're here, but can't wait to see updates on your sweet Mica. AND PICTURES!!!
10.5 Dane? IMPRESSIVE! Our Harmony (Lab) was only 9 and I second-guessed every decision I made.
Kudos to you and your pack!!!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Hi Mica,
Our tripawd was 10+ yr old Pyr mix when we amputated her rear leg because of osteosarcoma. The best advice I can give about having a bigger pup w/ an amputation is to be patient and don't get discouraged. There will be ups and downs and it will probably take Mica a bit longer to get back on her feet (figuratively) but she'll get there!
For Ellie, the biggest issues post-amp were managing the pain meds and getting her to eat. We thought that lack of appetite was "expected" because of all the medications and antibiotics so we didn't let it concern us too much. We should have intervened sooner. So if you have any concerns at all about how she's doing, I would definitely talk to your vet.
We had really good quality of life post-amp, but we regret not paying more attention to rehab. We probably could have helped her more regaining strength w/ some targeted exercises. I think it probably is more important for the big guys.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
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