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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Sending every positive wish for Freddy's surgery. We are all thinking of you!
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Just picked up Freddy from the vet. He did well today. Seems in relatively good spirits (wagging his tail some). People at the vet's office said he was a very high spirited and outgoing dog.Â
The shock of seeing the incision was tough.
The vet said that after surgery, when they tried to take samples from the removed bone, they found so much of it was eaten away from the tumor and lots of little mini fractures. He estimated that the cancer has been there several weeks and that it was fast-growing.
Have to go shower my boy with love now. Thanks for all your kind words and thoughts. We appreciate it.
Okay! Now I can finally say YAAAAAAAAAY FOR FREDDY!! Surgery is done!!! And that painful leg is gone! And boy oh boy, sounds like it jad to be really painful and was removed bedore anymore major cractures happened!!
Part of the shock of seeing the iincision is because they shave soooo much fur! Freddy could care less though! All he knows is that painful leg is gone! Okay, he may not actually know much about anytime right now because hopefully, he's still pretty drugged!!
So glad surgery is done!!
Hugs to all!
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!
Just want to add that picki g Freddy up same day as surgery can be a little...er...disturbing as he starts coming completely out of anesthesia and heavy hospital meds. Some dogs stay zonked out, some are very, very reste and whiny.
Leeing is important but pooping is no big deal if that happens for a few days. He may not feel like eating at first either. Some dogs, like my Happy Hannah, never missed a meal though! Drinking is more important.
Most dogs come home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an antibiotic. Some come home with a pain patch. Complete a d total rest for now and getting the pain managed ate top.priorities.
Stay connected!! We'll belp in anyway we can!!
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!
Yep, some have said that their dogs are restless and vocal. Some of us may be in the chat room later if you need some advice, or you can try the help line. Remember to alternate the medications for adequate coverage. You can also apply an ice pack, wrapped in a thin towel to the incision for about 10-15 minutes.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & MurphyÂ
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17 Â
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
How's Freddy today? How are you? Do hope you both got some sleep.
Update us when you can. We are thinking of you!
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Day one post-op went well. We had a rough night (he slept in a dog bed on the bed with me so I could reach and pet him when he whimpered). Woke up to crying/whining at 2:30am and 5:30am.Â
He was in rough shape in the morning, so my hubby stayed home with me to help with him. Some more crying on occasion, but his appetite was good.
Took him to the vet at 1:00pm. Carried him in in a blanket. As soon as we got there, he started showing off for all the staff. Walking around, sniffing everything in sight. The vet techs got on the floor with him and he wagged his tail and was all over them. Treats and praise and "Oh, what a little trooper! He's the sweetest dog ever! Look at how great he's doing." It was as if he realized he had to lose the pitiful act.Â
Came home and he's been in fine spirits. Is walking and eating/drinking well. We put a loose dog t-shirt on him to discourage him from scratching or licking his wound. He's left it alone for the day. The vet said this was an option in case we didn't want to do the cone of shame and socks on his paws. So far so good.
Took his meds like a champ this evening (I've developed a system) and I am looking forward to a good night's sleep.
Thanks again for all your lovely replies! I'll update more tomorrow.
So today Freddy did really well. Very happy and content. Pain seems to be under control. He is getting used to walking. Is doing fine eating and peeing, but no pooping yet.
We just had his first incident. He was getting up to come to bed and when he stood up, he tried to shake (like most dogs do). He slipped and fell on his incision. Cried for a bit. Luckily, he had his evening pain meds only a half hour or so before, and has since sort of zonked out.Â
Whenever I feel sad or sorry for him, I just have to watch him figuring out his new way of doing things and it makes me smile. He's so resilient. I'' so proud of my Little Trooper.
Freddy is a Little Trooper indeed!! 🙂
Yeah, Freddy will have a few slips and topples at first, but they'll become fewer and fewer as he continues to adjust.
The hospital meds shoukd be out of his system now, so he may have a down day or two and the pain meds may have ro be tweaked a bit.
Eating, drinking, peeing...yeah, Freddy is doing really well!
And tripawds don't feel sorry about anything! They're just glad their pain is gone a dd they're home bei g spoiled and loved!
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!
Sounds great! Â And he will get it figured out. Â It just takes time. Â For now, rest and leashed potty breaks. Â
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. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
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