Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi,
My name is Mary and I would like to introduce Beasley, my 9 year old wheaten terrier. Beasley had his right hind leg amputated on Wednesday. I picked him up a couple of hours ago and I am having a hard time dealing with it. He just looks so sad! I don't know what to do to make it better for him - I feel so helpless! What can I do to make him comfortable? Any special tips?
Beasley was diagnosed with Fibrosarcoma in December 08. We had the lump removed and the surgeon thought he had gotten it all (clean margins). We didn't do any chemo or radiation. Had I found this site earlier or did more research I would have done things differently
. Fast forward to about 2 weeks ago when I noticed a small lump growing back where the tumor was removed. Its back!!! I learned a very hard (and expensive!) lesson. In December, my gut was to amputate but after discussing with surgeon, thought we would be able to spare his leg. My poor boy, he's been through so much. Lesson is to follow your gut - its usually right.
Prior to his amputation, my new surgeon did chest xrays and didn't see evidence of the cancer spreading. We will know more when we get the biopsy results.
I came here to share my story and hopefully help someone who may be in our situation.
I apologize if this post seems scattered - I'm a bit shaken up right now. I am looking at Beasley and he is lying on his bed with his back to me - as if he is angry.
Any words wisdom appreciated. Thanks for listening.
I'm so glad you have found this wonderful source of support. Please do not second guess your decisions. You made the best decision you could have made with the information you had. So far things sound positive. The amputation is behind you and there is no evidence of mets. All of that is great news. And Beasley will not have any pain from the cancer.
Beasley will need a couple of weeks recovery time and then you will begin to see the Beasley you've always known. The tripawds make remarkable recoveries for the most part and adapt more quickly than you would ever imagine. When I look at Trouble, I don't even see she has only three legs, I see a vibrant older dog full of life and love. She's happy as she is and I'm betting Beasley will be too. He isn't angry with you, he's just needing his rest. The first couple of weeks they rest a LOT.
Hang in there. Take one day at a time, make one decision at a time, and always make the decisions based on what is best for Beasley.
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.
Hi Mary,
Thank you for coming here and joining us, we hope we can help during this ruff time. Cancer is a difficult thing to deal with, but if you can, take a deep breath and watch how well Beasley will cope with his new reality. Follow his lead, you won't regret it.
Shanna is right; don't beat yourself up. You made the best decision with the information you had at the time. No need to look back or regret . . . Beasley won't, and neither should you. The important thing is to move forward now, making one little decision at a time. There's a lot of information about canine cancer out there, so try not to overwhelm yourself with too much too soon.
The best thiing you can do is allow him plenty of time to heal. He just had major surgery. He is not angry at you, he wants to rest, that's all. In the wild, dogs will go off by themselves to heal. Since Beasley can't do that, he's just needing his space, that's all.
The next couple of weeks will be ruff, but they aren't anything that you or he can't handle. To help you out, we've posted these tips, here and here, that can help shed some light on what you can expect.
We know how hard it is to cope with this. But hang in there, because you will be amazed at how well Beasley will adapt and continue loving life despite the adversity. By watching him cope, he will change your life in pawsitive ways you never imagined.
Get some rest, and hang in there. If you want to talk, we are here. Good luck.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Mary,
Thank you for coming here and joining us, we hope we can help during this ruff time. Cancer is a difficult thing to deal with, but if you can, take a deep breath and watch how well Beasley will cope with his new reality. Follow his lead, you won't regret it.
Shanna is right; don't beat yourself up. You made the best decision with the information you had at the time. No need to look back or regret . . . Beasley won't, and neither should you. The important thing is to move forward now, making one little decision at a time. There's a lot of information about canine cancer out there, so try not to overwhelm yourself with too much too soon.
The best thiing you can do is allow him plenty of time to heal. He just had major surgery. He is not angry at you, he wants to rest, that's all. In the wild, dogs will go off by themselves to heal. Since Beasley can't do that, he's just needing his space, that's all.
The next couple of weeks will be ruff, but they aren't anything that you or he can't handle. To help you out, we've posted these tips, here and here, that can help shed some light on what you can expect.
We know how hard it is to cope with this. But hang in there, because you will be amazed at how well Beasley will adapt and continue loving life despite the adversity. By watching him cope, he will change your life in pawsitive ways you never imagined.
Get some rest, and hang in there. If you want to talk, we are here. Good luck.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Mary,
Hope things are going better. Recovering from amputation is a lot of work for both dog and pawrent. So try and stay strong. Beasley is counting on you to be the strong pack leader. His look of sadness, can also be tiredness, or dopiness from the meds. I am sure he is very happy to be home.
Just make sure for the next few weeks Beasley is given his space and time to heal. His body needs it.
We will be sending good thoughts your way.
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
Cherry's dad here,
You can tell from the common thread above that you will get a great deal of support here. You know Beasley better than anyone so you have to trust that you will make the very best decisions for Beasley given the data as you know it at the time. Now we are need to look forward to a recovery. Cherry had her left fore-leg amputated in mid November last year and started her chemotherapy treatment literally hours after the operations. The chemotherapy was far worse than the amputation. We are approaching the six month mark and I can tell you that she is doing nothing short of wonderful. This will be the toughest portion of your journey, but know that better times for all your family are ahead.
A few things to help: keep your spirits up as much as possible around Beasley. They pick up on our feeling so quickly, so if you are optimistic Beasley will be optimistic. At times, I just left Cherry in the care of Emily, I went outside by myself, and totally lost it. But always I found the strength to go back in upbeat. Also, remember to treat the spirit as well as the body. For Cherry, it was her nearly daily rides in the car/truck. Our companions need purpose to their life and Cherry looks forward to these trips. I am keeping a journal about this recovery and posting the journal on the internet. It allows me to look back analytically and properly access progress. Cherry has had an easier journey than some and harder than others. You can follow our journey at http://home.com.....ryjourney/
We all wish you the best, will remember you in our prayers, and look forward to hearing of you journey.
Mary,
I am sorry you are struggling with Beasley and his diagnosis and amputation. It looks like others have been giving you great advice and support. This is the place to find that and more. Jerry and his pawrents recently reminded me on a tough day that Paris ( my 4 yr old black Lab) does not know she has cancer. Wise words.
Get through one day at a time right now and in a week or two Beasley will be smiling at you again!
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
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