Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well, I'll second the post from shelbysmom that I am so sorry for the recent losses I've been reading about.
I have some good news to share, hope that will help. Ajax just came home - walked right out of the hospital pulling me, got in a cab, sat quietly, got out of the cab, went to the bathroom, walked into the house, went to bed, got up, ate and drank and went back to bed wagging his tail.
No tramadol. Rimadyl and the fentanol (wrong word, can't remember it at the moment) patches are still on. Vet thinks he might not need the tramadol, though we have it.
You guys were right. Amazing. So happy.
That IS amazing! Yay Ajax! Yay you!
Their unblinking, uncomplaining acceptance is enough to take your breath away.
Speedy recovery, Ajax.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
That's great news about Ajax coming home today!!
The Fentanyl patch and Rimadyl should control Ajax's pain well for around 3 days. He may or may not need the tramadol after that. Be sure not to let him lick at or eat the patch! Hopefully it is wrapped so he can't get to it. Even though he seemed perfectly fine today... be prepared for some possible ups and downs over the next 2 weeks.
Keep us posted... and put up some pictures of Ajax here!!
Angel Jake and Wolfie's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Aren't tripawds just awesome! So very happy to hear Ajax is adjusting so quickly.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
isn't it just the most amazing thing....and I'll second Jakesmom's caution that there can be ups and downs...the fentanyl patch is great and a big help...if you are the one taking it off, don't do what I did.....I assumed the bandaging was the patch, thought I was all done THEN noticed the clear patch on his leg....after he started chewing it off!!!
I don't think I will ever cease being amazed at what they can do and do so quickly and in most cases we aren't talking young sprightly dogs!!
Now, take a deep breath and give Ajax a HUGE hug and sloppy people kiss
Yea Ajax !
Way to go!
These kids of ours are SO AMAZING !
I'll second what the others have said, there are ups and downs, so don't freak.
I know that every little thing now I over-analyze and second guess.....
Ajax says Thank You! You got rid of that pain!
hugs,
Denise
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
Sounds like Ajax is off to a wonderful start. Thanks for the great update!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
SWEEEEEET!!!!!!!
Yes, good news like this is what everypawdy needs today. What a pawesome homecoming. Hope his night is restful and healing.
P.S. I think that Ajax may be the first Tripawd here who has gone home from surgery in a cab (at least that I know of). Here's to City Dawgs!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome back home Ajax, sounds like things are off to a great start. I pray for a speedy and uneventful recovery for you. Hoping very soon you will be amazing everyone and showing the world how awesome us 3 legged dogs are!
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
That's great news that Ajax is home now!! I think that's the first many of us here have heard about going home in a cab - LOL- city dog at his best! 
Like everyone said, there will be ups and downs - they seem to have a lot of adrenaline when they first get home and then it all catches up to them.
Keeping our paws crossed that Ajax has a smooth and speedy recovery!
Sending you lots of golden hugs from LA.
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
First Taxi Tripawd - that cracks me up. He is a total city dawg. I grew up in St. Louis, but Ajax came to Manhattan at 9 weeks old. He shops, goes out to dinner, goes to concerts in Central Park, and generally behaves as an only child -- and in fact better than some NYC children. And he likes his rides in the yellow car.
Thanks everyone for the "ups and downs" warning - I had read it before, but now I've read it to my husband, who is more willing to listen to others than to me. ....
Can anyone tell me why there are ups and downs? Is it that the fentanyl controls the pain, and when it comes off, they have to go on pain meds which make them wonky?
Thanks for the happy notes ...
ps no idea how to upload anything to anywhere, hence no photos
Hey Kami - please go have a chopped salad for me, ok? (I lived in LA for 10 years before moving here)
sorry folks, that was just an aside. So great hearing from you. Ajax sleeping on expensive orthopedic dog bed . Ajax's dad sleeping on floor.
Ajax's mom going to people bed ...finally
kazy55 said:
Can anyone tell me why there are ups and downs? Is it that the fentanyl controls the pain, and when it comes off, they have to go on pain meds which make them wonky?
Thanks for the happy notes ...
ps no idea how to upload anything to anywhere, hence no photos
It's really just the meds in general. First, they come home from surgery and they're all hopped up on anesthesia that's still in their systems. At that point they think they can do anything. Then, they'll often crash hard a day or two later. I imagine it's kinda like an addict coming off of drugs and going through withdrawals.
While it's important to control the pain, it's the same painkiller drugs that also make the pups kinda crazy. You gotta figure that dogs don't know why they're feeling so weird, so it freaks them out enough to the point where they're a little paranoid, a little foggy and even seeing pink elephants too. But it's not forever, thank dog.
As for photos, here's a link for you, hope it helps because we wanna see Ajax!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Excellent news!
Yep! Get your rest! Let us know how tomorrow goes. It may not be as swell as it was today. That morphine patch will be wearing down some.
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.
Thanks everyone - little rough in the night, but not too bad really. A lot of moving from spot to spot, then we finally took him out at 4:30 am (even though he had done everything at 10pm) and that helped.
I am prepared for the crash, thanks for the explanation. I could tell this morning some of the oomph was wearing off. But I guess the thing to remember is if he could be the way he was yesterday, then he can get back there, even if there is an interim tough part ...
Today is a day of rest.
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