Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi All
I don't know if I'm just starting to get a little anxious as I get closer to Jill's surgery day, but I feel a little unprepared. Is it normal that her vet hasn't really told me anything about the surgery? Just not to give her any food and water starting at midnight the night before. The only information I've gotten is from the Internet and I've read a few thing about vets having dogs and cats start with a dose of pain medicine the night before the surgery. My vet didn't say anything about that. Also, do I need to ask what will be biopsied after surgery (just the mass, her whole leg, etc?). Ahhh I'm starting to lose it. I'm so happy Jilly is an animal and doesn't know what's coming. The anticipation is the worst!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
If you have questions about the surgery, it is appropriate to ask your vet! They shouldn't mind, and if they do... there is a problem.
I typically will give a sedative to an animal as soon as they are admitted to the hospital, just to calm them down and make them less anxious. Once they are more relaxed, an IV catheter is put in, and narcotic pain meds are administered IV. Most will start on some kind of anti-inflammatory as well. But I'm sure your vet has their own protocol. Your vet may have not gone over the specifics, because honestly, I think most clients don't want to know all the details. I'm not saying you are wrong at all for wanting to know, just let your vet know you have questions.
I do not submit the entire leg. Typically I will send in the portion of the bone with the tumor with normal bone on either side.
When is Jill's surgery?
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
Her surgery is Wednesday. She doesn't have a tumor on bone this time. She had one on her toe in June and they amputated her toe and got clean margins. Now we've discovered a lump in her thigh, not on bone, it's more like in her skin (hard to explain like if you pinch behind her ligh you can feel the lump). They aspirated the lump and it came back as some type of sarcoma. Given her history the vet has recommended amputation followed by chemo.
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
It's not uncommon for folks to feel nervous and scared before surgery, so you're not losing it. As Wookie says, don't hesitate to ask your vet any questions whatsoever. Write them down and take them to your appointment, or call ahead of time to get them answered. By being a good advocate for Jill and asking all of your questions, you will be saving your sanity and make the recovery process easier.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I agree with Wookie and Jerry. Ask them questions if you have any. In Hank's case I didn't had to request that the leg be sent. They offered it to me. Hank was admited the day before the surgery and was discharged the day after. But this varies from clinic to clinic. I know Michelle's dog got home the same day. Start a Journal to be able to not everything in it. Michelle recommended it to me and I'm glad I listen. This way I have all the information I need in a book.
All the best on Wednesday for both.
Dogs: Friends for life, faithful and true.
Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyways.- John Wayne
bikeintime.wordpress.com (will soon have Hank story)
hank said
Start a Journal...
Exactly why we have blank journal books in the Tripawds Gift Shop! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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