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 Frazier and family,
We were in your shoes only last week. My Lucy just had her front leg amputated and is on a Fentanyl patch post op. she too has minimum appetite, is drinking but panting a lot. In one of the replies someone said panting is a side effect from the patch...Thank you for that information...The patch comes off tomorrow and we will see if her appetite increases and the panting decreases.. We too will be starting chemotherapy in the next few weeks. Thank goodness for this site as I would be totally loosing myself without the information, support and help that it has been....It will be a long day when your pup is operated on but hang in there. They do get the three legged walking thing in no time.....Wishing Frazier a quick recovery.....We found that real chicken and beef help with recovery.....
Whew!! Things moved fast after I posted this AM. After contacting my vet regarding Frazier's weekend adventure and our decision to have the amp performed by the oncology surgeon specialist, I immediately received a return telephone call regarding a final consult meeting with the surgeon at 11:30 AM today.
That meeting went well and armed with the advanced research I did from this Tripawds website, I feel confident that we asked the right questions and got excellent responses. So blessed that I found ya'll!
Cutting to the chase, Frazier remained behind for final cell confirmation, his pain patch removal and a fluid drip. The surgeon just called stating that Frazier was added to tomorrow, Tuesday, schedule for amp at late morning time. He's doing well on Tramidol tab currently. I miss him with me now, but I know this procedure MUST be done!
Everything has happened so quickly these last few days . . . like we were all swept into some giant vortex!
I'll continue posting our experiences as we move forward.
Thanks
Wow! Good luck to you and we will be thinking and praying that all goes as planned for Frazier tomorrow. I am so glad that our site was able to help arm you with pertinent questions for your Oncologist and help you make informed and quick decisions. You'll be in our thoughts! Go Frazier!
All our Best
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
Sending our best pawsitive thoughts and prayers to you that the surgery goes well and you can stay sane in the meantime. The waiting can be very nerve-wracking!
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
We did a bit of the whirlwind thing too- not quite as fast as yours though.
Surgery day can be very long while you wait for word. Take today and tomorrow to be sure your house is ready for Frasier's return home as a tripawd. And try and get some rest- the first few days home can be very tiring and stressful. Mostly for you though, Fraz will come home on lots of meds 
.
Are they going to keep him overnight tomorrow? Most pups seem to spend at least one night post op, but some do come home the same day.
Karen and the pugapalooza
As Karen said, be sure to rest up! And let us know how the surgery goes.
Hope everything goes well!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
"Giant vortex" is a great description of what the process feels like. Scary, for sure, but a relief once it's over. I'm glad neither one of you will have more agonizing waits. Good luck tomorrow and please keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good news so far!! According to the surgeon, Frazier's amp was a success and he's resting comfortably (as possible). He will remain attended overnight and evaluated tomorrow morning. If no complications are present, he will be released.
We have prepared the home for his joyous return. I am so pleased to know Frazier's cancer pain is gone!
Another big step completed in our journey!
Woo hoo on the successful surgery! Vortex, rollercoaster, whirlwind...all really good ways to describe the diagnosis and decision process, but the important part is that he has had his surgery and hopefully will be home tomorrow.
Make sure you get rest and remember to remain pawsitive. The best advice I got when going to see Lupe for the first time was to look into her eyes (in her case, eye) and not to focus on the incision site. I also found it helpful to look at pictures of other dogs post surgery...I expected the worst and when she came walking in with her tail wagging, none of it mattered.
Definitely a big step but remember to count the little ones because they add up to leaps forward!
-Kori & Angel Lupe
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
Oh good- I bet that is a relief!!
Rest up tonight and be ready for a few stressful days. Hopefully Frazier is one of those lucky pups that sails right through recovery- but don't get discouraged if he has some down time. Sometimes they come home with some energy and crash for a few days.
If you want to follow Kori's suggestion about looking at post op pictures there are some in the Gallery. Just scroll down to the Surgery and Treatment pics.
Let us know when you get him home.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Congrats on successful surgery!
And, yes, it's a good idea to be ready for what the incision will look like. Even though our vet warned us that Abby looked like "Frankenstein's dog" (her surgery was appropriately right before Halloween...), we weren't ready for how very big it would be!
We're here if you have questions during the recovery!
Jackie
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Great News!!! Sounds like everything went great....and you get your boy home hopefully tomorrow. He will be so happy to see you and you him. Now I wish Frazier a speedy and bumpless recovery at home. Any time you need help with a question or just a quick confirmation make sure to ask as we have all seen quite a bit and can help. Give that Frazier boy a love from us tomorrow.
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
So happy that everything is going well for your precious Frazier!! I remember how happy I was to have Lily home after surgery-it was stressful for a few days, so get some rest tonight just in case. Sometimes they sail through everything with no problems-hopefully Frazier will have an easy time.
I really liked the advice about focusing on his eyes instead of the incision-I also looked at pictures to try to prepare myself. In the end, all that mattered was that my Lily felt better, and we were together! She did come hopping out wagging her tail:)
You are in our thoughts-thank heavens you are past the surgery.
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
That's wonderful news. Hopefully Frazier will sail through the recovery. We are here for you if you have any questions.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Just catching my breath before the next sprint! Again, please let me voice my sincere appreciation for everyone's comments and best wishes. The vet called this morning to say that Frazier was being weened from his pain meds and to call after noon time to check on his response.
As recommended, I viewed the photo gallery regarding incisions and feel confident that I am mentally prepared for his return. I just want to see those brown eyes and "pointy"ears coming towards me soon!
Out for now.
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