Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey all -
Jersey had his amputation and laminectomy on June 18 (right front). I guess the surgery was tougher than they expected & they had to do a blood transfusion. He had a peripheral malignant nerve sheath tumor which required taking off a bit of his vertibra (laminectomy) as well as his leg. We had a really tough night Friday night - he can't tolerate the Fentanyl patch so I had to remove it which left him in a great deal of pain, panting, pacing and miserable all night. Finally called the vet a second time at 6AM and they had me up his Tramadol which worked well (200 mg every 6 hrs - he'd been on 150 mg 3x/day for 2 months prior to surgery).
He'd been doing really well - spirits up, great appetite, and hopping around well until this evening. I had taken him to the vet to have his drain removed and as we were trying to leave he vomited a bunch of fresh blood. Vet had me take him off his Metacam & add Sucralfate & Pepcid. I guess it's a good thing he vomited there so I didn't have to pay $95 emergency visit fee if he'd done so at home.
He didn't want to get up off the floor at the vet and then when we made it in my apartment building he just laid down on the floor in the lobby and wouldn't get up. After 10 mins of rest I finally picked him up and carried him upstairs - luckily his leg took 4#s off him and he's only 72# now.
I know folks here have written that they hit bumps in the recovery process but this is our first and has me a little scared - he wouldn't/couldn't look at me and hasn't moved at all from the entry hall in my apartment. Hate seeing him so uncomfortable. I'm trying to keep spirits up but am scared that I've made a decision (amputation) that will just leave him in pain and miserable instead of improving his quality of life.
We see the oncologist Friday - generally these situations have a good prognosis when the tumor is low grade and removal is complete. Unfortunately, the prognosis is worse when the spinal column is involved as Jersey's was. I am not ready to consider letting him go, but these past 3 months have cost over $10k (including the red herring surgery) and I just can't afford to send him through daily radiation treatments.
I think you're handling all these complications incredibly well and Jersey is very lucky to have you!
Regarding your concern about whether amputation was the right choice, I'm sure you'll hear from everyone here that 4 days post-op is still much too early to judge how well Jersey will get along without his leg. Yoda is 17 days post-amp and gets around well, has been very outgoing about visiting with neighbors, and is trying to convince me to let him attempt the stairs to the basement. He tires fast, but as was pointed out in another forum, that opens the opportunity to lay down for a break to smell the roses. Jersey reaching this point and beyond, to where he's one of those tripawds in the videos running and playing like a fourth leg would just get in the way, is still very possible!
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
Sorry to hear that Jersey had a tough first couple of days, but just remember that things will get better and better.
He might feel pain if too little meds, but many tripawds had bad reactions with too much pain meds, e.g. whining, crying as if they were in pain, panting, pacing. All these can lead us to think that more pain meds is needed. Check with the vet, if the panting, pacing persist; that it could be too much Tramadol.
In most cases, the first 2 weeks after surgery weres the most challenging. After all amputation is a major surgery, be patience, he will back to his old self in no time.
I am sure Jersey is thanking you to help him get rid of the brutal pain from the tumor, so don't second guess yourself.
Wish Jersey have a speedy recovery.
Cheers.
There are others whose dogs wouldn't look at them--it's very easy to think that they're mad at you for the decision, but it turns out to be the pain meds. This is a tough time. When guilt comes around, put it off for three weeks. Things will look a lot different then.
We couldn't do chemo either, but there are lots of alternative treatments. An acupuncturist (board-certified) would be a good place to go to find one.
Hang in there, and try to be strong for Jersey. He needs that from you right now.
Mary and Cemil
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
In the wild, sick or injured dogs will run away from the pack to heal. By not looking at you Jersey is just trying to hide his current weakness. He doesn't want you to think he is vulnerable. Give it time, he will regain his strength. And with that, his spirits.
Sorry to hear about the bumps in the road, but thanks for the update!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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