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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Hi everyone. Tanner is 8 days post op and seems to be progressing "normally". He is not the old Tanner just quite yet but I do see baby steps. His mood still seems down and is not playful but I know we need to be patient. I guess I just need reassurance that I did the right thing by him. He is young (almost 3) and I know (well should I say I have been told by the vet) this disease will come quicker for him. Did I put him thru this major surgery and trying recovery period only to possibly lose him in a couple months, if not sooner? I know we cant see the future and we made the best decisions with the information we had at the time. I guess what I need is some feedback from you guys. What are your thoughts? Thank you all so much.
We felt the same way especially leading up to the surgery. Cody is on the opposite spectrum in age. He is 12 (He will be 13 in Jan.) but acts much younger. We were worried that with his bad hips and his age that amputation would not be the best decison for him...ultimately we did go ahead with the surgery on Aug. 29th. and although those first few weeks were rough on all of us....many times asking ourselves if we did the right thing....I can tell you we did...absolutely no regrets! Cody is happy, pain free, jumping up on his favorite couch, swimming, playing...He's our daily inspiration and we try to be his in return! Cody had 2 chemo treatments but alas on his visit for his 3rd treatment his x-rays showed lung mets. He was accepted into a clinical trial for a new chemo treatment. He had his first treatment two weeks ago. He has done exceptional through all the treatments and is still doing great. Although the outcome of the lung mets and the new chemo treatment is all unknown territory for us I can tell you still.....No regrets...we are all snuggled up on the couch right now up late. Every day is a gift. Tanner is much younger and stronger. I just know he will do well. It's a world of new firsts when you have a tripawd so it's great to have a support system like this site. Good luck Tanner with everything. You are lucky to have such great pawrents!
Cathy and Cody
I'm a 21 month old black lab, nearly 8 weeks post surgery. At first my pawrents were very unsure about whether they had done the right thing. I just didn't seem to be myself for what felt like ages. It took four weeks for the real Alfie to come back and now I'm FAB. Chasing the cat, stealing the kids toys, eating anything I can lay my paws on. All things the family thought they might never see again.
Just got back from playing with an 8 week old labradoodle in the park, we had such fun! I have a great zest for life. No one knows how long I'll get at the moment, but we're all just enjoying this "bonus time" that we've got. My family wanted to give me as much quality time as they could, as I'm unlikely to get the quantity they'd like, and that's exactly what we're all enjoying.
I'm sure in a few more weeks you'll feel exactly the same way. Hang on in there, it will be worth the wait!
Alfie x
Hi Amy,
We have all had moments where we felt the same way as you....did I do right. The answer is emphatically YES. Of the two choices... 1) no amputation and Tanner's final days in extreme pain and on heavy meds, or, 2) his final days (weeks or months) without pain. You chose to take his pain away. No matter how long he has left you gave him that gift. After recovering from the surgery you will feel differently as you see Tanner get back to his old self, playing, running, snuggling and you will know that you did right.
Hang in there and be positive for Tanner
Hugs
Connie & Radar
Amy,
You made the decision you had to to relieve Tanner of his pain. The first 2 weeks of healing is such a difficult thing to watch and you are always wondering if you did the right thing. If anyone says this is an easy thing, they are nuts. The post-amp pain our pets have and the emotional upheaval we have is enough to cause anyone to have a melt down. That is why we are here for one another, to have a fellow to lean on.
As long as Tanner is doing the basics, eating , peeing, pooping and moving around on his own, this will all pass, I promise.
If it will help you at all, I have a day by day blog of Calamity's recovery period you can compare to : http://www.trix.....gspot.com/ feel free to read all you want.
Janie & Calamity
Janie & Calamity http://www.trix.....gspot.com/
Hi Amy,
Well what great news to hear he's progressing normally! Eight days isn't very long but before you know it, it'll be two weeks, three weeks, and so on. Each day of getting better is a day to celebrate.
Of course you did right. You took away the pain, and that is the best gift you could've given him. I know that doctors say your other option is to medicate until it's time to say goodbye, but really, what kind of life is that? Being all hazy and dopey? And if you didn't do that, would you have wanted to say goodby prematurely, with him in pain, and the chance that you could've had more time together? You took a big gamble, and so far, it's turning out OK. Celebrate!
As far as whether it was worth it for a even just a couple of months. . . .remember what I said, only humans have this thing called "time." A day, a week, a month, that's an eternity to us dogs! We don't mark time in days. We mark it in love, in playtime, in walks. That's all that matters to us. So whether you get what you humans call "a month" or "a year," remember that it's all about how you spent that time with us. Quality, not quanity my friends!
It's hard for you humans not to beat yourselves up, but try not to OK? We dogs sure don't! And I know that Tanner absolutely loves you for going the distance for him. Now go give him a big hug.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Amy,
I love Jerry's post! Remember, we have to "think dog" right?! We silly humans can get so overcome with guilt and fear. Trust me, all of us pawrents have been there with our tripawds... I just thank God that we have this site because it certainly has helped us through those dark and doubtful moments. You are an incredibly loving pawrent for taking Tanner's pain away. We can only imagine how excruciating bone cancer must feel. Our fur babies certainly aren't going to let us know, it's simply not in their nature. We just have to have trust in our vets and in ourselves that we are giving them the best care they deserve to have.
This disease certainly teaches us how to see things differently. It teaches us to truly appreciate our fur babies and everything wonderful about them. It teaches us to not take our health or "good days" for granted. I don't mean to get all philosophical and/or spiritual but I am beginning to think that God gives us these incredible tripawds because #1. He knows that we will be loving pawrents and do what is best for them and #2. We are learning valuable lessons about life, strength, having faith, acceptance and making the most out of each and every single day.
Tanner will continue to get better and better. He is healing from his surgery which he only had about a week ago. It takes a couple of weeks for even the most energetic of dogs to bounce back. Be patient, keep pawsitive and remember to "think dog"! Please give Tanner lots of warm hugs from Jake and I and please post a picture of Tanner when you get a chance! We would love to see his handsome face! 
Luv Spirit Jake, Smooch, Baby Gus & Mom (Sherri)
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