Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our 7 year old Rottweiler Chaos is going for chest x rays on Friday and if it comes back clear than he goes straight into surgery to have his leg amputated. We where just wondering how long you waited to use the ruff wear harness? Did you use it on the day of surgery? Because we have to take him from our vets to emergerncy for him to be monitored overnight . We have read a lot about people using chemotherapy and their results, but we use an alternative vet and she uses herbs, homeopathics and western pain medications after amputation, has anyone gone with this option for their dog and what where your results? Thanks for any help, time just goes by so fast we found out on Thursday that he has cancer and now he has his surgery booked for Friday to have his leg amputated. Wow, it's crazy how quickly you life can turn upside down.
It should be fine to use the ruffwear harness even right after the surgery if it was Chaos' hind leg to be amputated.
If it was his front leg, we would recommend not to use the harness until the staples were removed. The harness' straps could rub against the wound and also putting pressure onto it when it was lifted. For the time being, you could wrap a bath towel under his chest as a sling to support him right after the surgery. Or you could also cut a reusable grocery bag on both sides to serve as a makeshift sling, and lift him with the handles.
Genie didn't have chemo. She was on all natural home prepared diet, with lots of antioxidants, supplements, chinese herbal medicines, acupuncture treatments. She had lived 7.5 months as a tripawd.
Good luck on Friday's surgery, and best wishes to Chaos. Hugs.
Everyone here can relate to how quickly life's direction changes. I knew that I was on borrowed time with Cherry since she essentially was eleven but the diagnosis made it even more of an extended life.
Cherry's surgury sent her home with a sling very similar to one used for broken arms for people. It was especially helpful for getting her outside because I placed the sling around her chest, the handles around my neck (like I was going to use it for my broken arm), then had both arms free to lift. It worked out great. When the staples came out two weeks after the surgery, they brought her out without the sling and told me that it was no longer necessary. Her RufWare harness did not come until the two month mark, but that was primarily because we really did not need to provide much assistance. Now we use it a great deal to help her into the truck, fifth wheel trailer, or other times when she needs to get up.
Cherry started her chemotherapy just hours after the surgery. We all wanted to agressively fight the cancer and attack the cells before they settled anywhere else in the body. While each responds differently, for Cherry the chemo was far worse than the amputation. I had to stuff nearly every morsel of food for the two months of treatment. However, having passed the eight month mark last week, Cherry is doing wonderfully and has fully regained the quality of life that defined her prior to the diagnosis. The sparkle is back in the eyes, the curious nature that gets her into so much mischief, and a very great desire to live life to the fullest. While at Yellowstone in June, our Geyser Gazer friends remarked how great she looked and had to do a double take to really realize that she now was a TriPawd. While the chemo was very hard on all of us (including my fingers), I would do it again without hesitation because it provided the greatest chance of success for returning Cherry to her quality of life.
I often remind those starting this journey to remember to treat the spirit as well as the body. Find something that Chaos loves and exploit that love. They truely do need a reason for life. In Cherry's case, it was rides in the truck or car. You could see her energy level rise and her body quiver with excitement as the time approaches for these rides.
Best of luck for all our family and know that no one else knows Chaos like you do. Thus, regardless of the direction you choose, it will be the best for all your family.
Bob & Cherry
It is crazy how fast life can change! One moment you think your dog has an infection, and the next it turns out to be cancer! I was so distraught I spend about 5 minutes in the car after we got the news just dry heaving. That was 2 months ago. Over these past couple months I have gone from crying every day to "fighter mode" and now I have arrived at acceptance. For some reason we all have been given this little blip in our plans, but we just have to learn how to incorporate it into our lives. Our dogs don't know they have cancer, and for me, I have come to realize that as long as Jack has everything he needs and we allow him to enjoy everyday, we have done our duty. I think this whole thing is harder on us humans than it is on our dogs! In fact, Jack loves going to his oncologist for chemo because he gets sooooo much attention! As far as treatments go, I feel that people make the decision of which path to go down based upon their beliefs and what they feel is best for their dog. For us, we just put all our faith in our oncologist and asked what she thought was the best way to go...and that is what we went with (we do adriamycin every 3 weeks). For my own peace of mind, I have been researching supplements that may help with aspects of the cancer (immunity, respiratory function, inflammation, etc) and giving Jack things that may help a little (it may not, but at least it makes me feel better, hehe). Talk with your vet, see what treatments she recommends, and maybe see if she can refer you to an oncologist...you don't have to do chemo, but it may help just to see what "traditional" therapies are like so you can have another point of view. We started using our ruffwear harness about 3 weeks after surgery even though the stitches came out after 2 weeks. I just felt that I wanted more time for the scabs to heal and fall off a bit more before I covered them with something that could rub at his side (he's a front amputee). Welcome to the community and best of luck on Friday!!!
chaos said:
... just wondering how long you waited to use the ruff wear harness? Did you use it on the day of surgery?
We recommend not using the harness until the surgery has completely healed and stitches or staples are removed. We have heard of no specific cases where any harness has hampered healing, but we believe direct pressure from the straps may irritate the wound. PYou might want to consult your veterinarian with any specific concerns.
We suggest using a soft towel slung under the belly if additional support is required in the meantime. A reusable canvas shopping bag slit down the sides also makes a handy temporary sling. Hope this helps
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
When we found out Emily had cancer I was so scared I could barely breathe. This web site is a God-send and I purposely spelled it that way! We have been lucky in that Emily had a pretty quick recovery and has tolerated chemo well. That is not to say she hasn't had any problems. She has, and I keep coming back to this site to all of you that know what I am going through. Will Chaos have a rear or front leg amputation. I think that it seems like rear is easier but all dogs are different. Good luck to you. Post when you have concerns. These are a wonderful and encouraging and informative group of people.
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Hi everyone, we just wanted to say thank you for all the positive thoughts and prayers you sent Chaos's way. We think it really payed off. Chaos had his chest x rays today and all was well, so he went straight into surgery and now we have a tripawd in the family. We went and transported Chaos from our vets office to the emergency for the night to be monitored! Boy oh boy, it didn't matter how many post op pictures we looked at trying to prepare our self's for when we seen him. Let me tell you it feels totally different when it's your family member laying there with almost 75 staples and only 3 legs. Our big guy is a fighter though, he tried to stand up and it didn't work out so well but it is was nice to see him try.
We are a little scared to bring home tomorrow because it looks so painful, and we don't want anything to go wrong. But we will be glad to have him home safe and sound once he's settled into his bed. So now we just hope his recovery goes smoothly, and the cancer does not return. Once we have him home, we will let everyone know how things are going.. Thanks again we really appreciate all the responces to help us through this rough time. Things will only get better from here on out!
Hi Chaos
Glad you made it through the big first step, the surgery, and are already trying to stand. Yes indeed, it is different when you see your own pup as a tripawd. I think it helps when the fir starts to grow back.
Don't be surprised if he lies around like a lump for a while. Tazzie's surgery was 2 weeks ago and finally he is starting to get up on his own, phew. His reluctance to move was a big worry the last two weeks - hopefully you won't go through that or at least you won't worry as much as I did.
If you aren't comfortable bringing him home yet, maybe you can ask if he can spend another night at the emergency clinic. I kind of wish Tazzie had stayed longer, since they were probably better at controlling pain. But I suppose most dogs come home after 1 or 2 nights and they have to adjust (so do we!) at some point.
Best of luck in the next few days, weeks,
Susan and Tazzie 2
chaos said:
laying there with almost 75 staples and only 3 legs.
"only"? wait, don't forget, we're born with three legs and a spare! 
Glad everything went well, surgery-wise. You'll all do just fine tomorrow. Stay strong and pawsitive, remember that his recuperation isn't forever, and things will be OK. Hang in there and holler if you need anything OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The incision looks scary, but you'll be surprised how quickly YOU adjust. The first few days were hard, making sure nothing 'hurt' it, but after you find Chaos laying on it the first time, you'll be a little more relaxed. Trouble layed on hers almost from day one.
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.
I hope Chaos is managing well. Our boy Cosmo, 2 year old Lab, had his surgery a week ago Friday. It certainly came on fast, amputation after a week of the diagnoses. This website was a tremendous help. Had I not seen pictures of recent surgeries I'm not sure how I would have reacted. It is truly a scary sight. The ”observations” of the days after surgery on this website have been right on for our baby. He was given Tramedol for pain, which really hyped him up. He was active the first couple of days he came home. He was then switched to Gabapentin to settle him down. After we adjusted the dosage he seems to be resting comfortably but not so sadated he doesn't want to get up. I know each dog is different but I felt he was too doped up to even try to walk. He has slipped twice on the hardwood floors and it is the most awful sound you have ever heard. I have placed area rugs everywhere he might walk, which has helped. I even considered the booties to lessen the slipping. I ordered Cosmos harness and should have it tomorrow. I'm going to start using it immediately so I'm prepared for the appointment this week to remove the staples. I don't want him to fall especially when we are in the vet. I would recommend reading “The Holistic Dog Book” by Denise Flaim. It's very helpful in understanding the changes you need to make in feeding to manage cancer. I wished I would have started feeding my labs holistic before I HAD to. Also, the icing every 6 hours does seem to help. We used the alcohol/water in a plastic bad so it will mold to the incision. We also placed a rolled up beach towel under the ice pack to limit the weight.
Good luck to you and hope this helps. It helps to share!
Joyce
Joyce said:
“The Holistic Dog Book” by Denise Flaim. It's very helpful in understanding the changes you need to make in feeding to manage cancer.
Thanks Joyce, we will look for this book and give it a good reading. The harness will really help you out, we have had him in his harness since surgery. He had his rear leg amputated. The harness also gives you the extra confidence you may or may not have in your dog. Chaos went for his first walk today, his Mommy and him really had to convince me (Daddy) that he could go down and back up the big hill in front of our house. Having the harness on gave me (Daddy) that extra bit on confidence that if Chaos needed help we would be right there to give it to him. He needed no help from anyone.... Chaos has always been a very independent dog. We are taking it one day at a time, well really moment by moment. We don't have any expectations other than we want to make his recovery as easy as possible. Chaos has been on a homeopathic version of chemo, and he doesn't seem to have any bad reactions to it. It's only day 3 since his amputation and he is getting up and down on his own, and today he actually waged his tail for a treat (the famous donut). This website & people like you have really helped put us at ease which helps us keep Chaos at ease.
Lots of Love
Chaos & Family
Hi Chaos and family
Welcome to another Canuck! I hadn't noticed your address (a mere 5000 km or so away from here in southern AB!) until now. The Canadian dogs seem to be underrepresented on the website.
It is great and impressive that Chaos is making such a quick comeback!
Susan and Tazzie 2
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