Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Is it normal to change your mind over and over again the day before surgery? I feel sick to my stomach, im worried Porthos wont make it through the surgery and his last moments will be at the vets and not being held in my arms.
Im worried that he wont get up and be able to walk. Im worried that the cancer will just progress so fast. is this normal to feel like this?
Angel Porthos, Pyrenean Mastiff, 7 years old Os front right leg, DX 18 May 2012, Amputation 14 June 2012, Hip Dysplasia, Two TPLO surgeries. Is now somewhere over the rainbow, 21 November 2013.
I think it is human nature to worry, second-guess and over-analyze. I have to say that we were terrified of losing him - surgery is always scary - but we never waivered on the decision to amputate. Zeus was in obvious pain and we knew that not amputating would mean that his suffering would only increase as the tumor grew and the bone got weaker and that he would eventually die from the cancer (or have to be put to sleep due to the leg breaking). We felt like, with amputation, we were at least giving him a chance at some good quality time.
That said, this is a very personal decision. You know your dog, your availability to deal with recovery, your finances, etc. In the end you must feel comfortable with your decision because it is you that must live with it. I wish you peace with this whole journey!
Lisa
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/
Your feelings are so normal. I've think that every time I did a teeth cleaning! Surgery is scary. But you have to do this for Porthos. And that mean you have to be strong. It's okay to panic inside but don't show it to him.
Let's step back for a moment and think about this......
Remember you went through 2, TPLO's and he came out fine. AND knowing now about bone surgery, I can tell you that the TPLO is harder. This won't be easy but it is easier. Instead of thinking about him dying from surgery, think about him suffering now in pain. Surgery means no pain. It's just like the TPLO, he needed it then and now he needs his leg gone. He is suffering with bone cancer since it is a constant throb. After surgery, he won't be suffering. Embrace this surgery for his sake.
A little personal story to hopefully help you:
I lost my brother suddenly and just buried him and got back home. Two days later, Comet being three legged and already having 1 TPLO done got up that morning and couldn't walk. Her other knee went out. I just faced the most devastating death by losing my brother and I couldnt believe I was facing surgery with her. Death was in the forefront of my mind and if I lost her too, I didn't think I could go on.
The following week she was scheduled to have the knee done. I looked at the doctor and started crying when I dropped her off and begged him with all my heart to not let her die because I just buried my brother from a sudden death and I couldn't lose her too. He took me by the shoulder and said, "I won't let her die, I promise.".
He didn't. And not only that, he had her dressed out in bright pink dressing and a scarf and had drawn smiley faces all over her cast. The 1st surgery he did on her was a flesh color drab cast! It was so sweet and meant a lot to me.
Please remember, this is for Porthos. It has to be done. And it will be fine.
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.
As the others said, it's very normal to be scared and wonder if you are doing the right thing and start to second guess. I'm not sure if this helps, but when we faced Abby's amputation, my thinking was: if we didn't do the surgery there was nothing left ahead for her but pain management until we let her go. To me that was no way for her to live. If we did do the surgery and she made it through (which she did!), then there was hope that she'd be happy and pain free again for a long time - of course I also dreamed we'd maybe cure her, but that wasn't to be. Still, we had a wonderful 15 months with her post-amp.
Hang in there. You are doing the right thing. Your decision is made out of love for him and wanting what's best for whatever time he has left, so that can't be a wrong decision. Sending out our best pawsitive thoughts that surgery goes well. Try to keep yourself occupied tomorrow. The waiting is very hard, but you'll get through it.
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!
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