Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi! Can anyone describe what their pets mood was before having their limb removed? My dog Belle is eating and using the potty but overall her spirits are way down. She just lies around all day. Wondering if this is because of the pain. 5 weeks ago, she was running around and generally a very happy pet. Thank you!
Many times not eating is a pain indicator. If you know it's going to hurt when you get up and move around you tend not to do it. Dogs will do the same. Tell us more about Belle. Has she been diagnosed with bone cancer? We're here to help you. Let us know how we can do that. Hugs,
Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
This might depend upon where she is in her journey. For many dogs, the first two weeks (or sometimes three) are a time of low activity/lots of sleeping. This is normal, and beneficial for the dog. Once the staples come out, you start to see a bit more activity, and as time progresses, your dog will return more and more to her normal personality. There might be some changes. My Otis, for example, cannot walk more than 7 houses, with a long rest stop at house 5. Before (even the day before his leg fractured) we walked about a mile a day. But, in all other ways, he is the same dog - chases cats and squirrels, steals food off the counters, begs, sleeps on the sofa, goes up and down stairs, etc.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hi Belle and family
I agree with Linda, she is probably in pain and therefore stays quiet in her little corner.
If she has bone cancer, staying put can be normal, the pain is totally excruciating as the bone is eaten away from the inside.
Dogs are experts at hiding pain from us so you wouldn't know until it becomes beyond unbearable.
If it is bone cancer, has she stopped using that leg whilst walking? That would be a confirmation that pain is becoming too strong.
When my girl was initially diagnosed I asked the vet how fast is bone cancer (eating the bone away) and he said it moves incredibly fast so if pain was minimal to begin with it can become extra strong in 5 weeks.
When is she having her amputation?
Sending you lots of pawsitive energy, please keep us posted and ask any questions, big or small, we are all here to help and support you and your baby girl
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Yeah, can you give us a little more infoo?
If it is osteosarcoma, it can become very painful very quickly. Also, there is a risk of fracture that sometimes happens.
Yes, the pain can cause a dog to not want to eat or move around much at all.
Is Belle on pain meds now?' Tramadol? What kind of tests have been done?
Looking forward to hearing more about your sweet Belle and hkw we can help further.
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!
Belle & family, welcome. Sorry I missed you in the chat earlier today. I'm there now if you want to talk.
Yes, not eating, lethargy, it sounds like a pain indicator. I think I showed you this last night in the chat but if not, hop on over, it's a good article about how to tell if your dog or cat is in pain
http://tripawds.....utee-pain/
Tell us more about Belle's diagnosis. What kind of situation are you dealing with? When will the amputation be? Is she on any pain medication right now?
Let us know, we're here to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for the support everyone.
We found out yesterday from the stain results that she does not have an aggressive form of cancer, but the name is escaping me of what she was diagnosed with. Her amputation is scheduled for tomorrow.
Belle is 14 years old and a retriever/collie mix. She has been my constant since I took her home from the shelter. Currently she is on Gabapentin and Tramadol. They also have given her a Fentanyl patch which allowed her to move around so much better last night! It may be wearing off a bit but she is resting peacefully right now.
She battled cancer back in December overcoming a very invasive surgery and made a full recovery. We went through several rounds of chemo to hit an infected lymph node as well. We have opted to go ahead and remove that lymph node during surgery tomorrow. (This lymph node is in the opposite leg that is being amputated).
Needless to say I am terrified that she will not make it through the surgery because of her age but this is the only way to ensure that she is pain free for the rest of her life. Any additional advice you could offer would be helpful.
WOW!! What an amazing warrior Belle is! You two have really been through a lot.
Any surgery is a risk. Of course, age can sometimes add to the risk factor. Right off the bat I can think of three seniors who were 13 plus a d did very well with surgery and as a tripawd....Shooter, Franklin and Sammy.
When you make a "forced choice" like this to remove her pain, you are doing it out of love. That is always a right decision. She is on a lot of pain meds and even though it definitely helped her feel better, it's not how you would want her life to be. The amputation is giving her a chance to be pain free and not on heavy drugs (except during recovery). I'm sure the vet will do a lot of work up to make sure she is in good shape for surgery.
If you have hardwood floors, you'll want to get non slip scatter rugs for traction . Stock lots of yummy foods to help make her want to eat. And stock up on lots of chocolate for yourself! 'It helps!
Some dogs come home very lethargic, some or more restless and whiny. My Happy Hannah was so restless a dd barely slept at all tne first couple.of days.
Just short potty breaks and rest, rest, rest. She may have mobility issues for a few days and you may need a sling at first to help. Obviously, no jumping, stairs, etc.
Clearly you love your Belle very much and she knows it! She won the puppy lottery when she picked you! 🙂
STAY CONNECTED! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
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!
Hi Belle and family
Wonderful news your baby girl does not have an aggressive form of cancer
She sounds like she is a true fighter having fought cancer in December and having sailed through it.
Every surgery has its risks but it is really important to stay pawsitive!
You are giving her a pain free life and your love will pull her through recovery.
It is too easy to think about all the awful things that may happen but crucial for us to concentrate on what can go right instead!!!
Sending you a huge cloud of pawsitive energy, we will be thinking about you and your baby tomorrow
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
I'll be sending healing thoughts and prayers for both you and Belle tomorrow. You are doing this for Belle to get her out of pain and because you love her. The same reasons almost all of us have had to take this journey. Belle is a warrior, Belle is a fighter. Please keep us posted on this beautiful girls journey. We'll be here to help you whenever you need us. Hugs!
Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
This group is incredible! I am so thankful for the support and encouraging words. Belle goes in at 7am tomorrow morning. I am not sure when the surgery will occur but I will be sure to keep you all informed. She has slept most of the day so hoping she will be nice and strong for the surgery tomorrow. I have uploaded a pic of Belle so you can put a face with the name. I am incredibly nervous about tomorrow and just hope with all my heart that all goes well. Thank you again for the love!
Her avatar photo is sooooo cute! She is absolutely ADORABLE!
Glad Belle got some good rest today. I know it was a relief to see her relaxed today.
We're all sending .positive energy and best wishes for a successful surgery and a flawless recovery.
Lots of 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!
The surgeon just called for a pre-op conversation. Can someone please tell me why he would say this: "Yes, we are amputating and removing the lymph node, but there are no guarantees on how much time you'll have with her after."
I have over analyzed this decision so many times, and then to have our surgeon call and say this is scaring me now...and right before her surgery too.
I realize her time is going to be limited after all of this, mainly because she has hit her life expectancy. But why would he feel the needto convey this minutes before her procedure? Thanks for any insight you can offer.
I'm guessing it's because you are dealing with cancer and that's always such a crapshoot and there are never any guarantee's with it. He's taking the lymph node but he can't guarantee for sure the cancer is going to be completely gone? That would be my take on. In much younger dogs the spread of cancer can be fast spreading due to their upped metobalism etc. Cancer doesn't spread as fast in senior dogs usually so that may be a benefit for your beautiful girl. Hugs!
Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
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