Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Everyone. I have a 7 year old healthy, female Chocolate lab named Hazel. She has her amputation surgery scheduled for 1/11/23 and I am so lost at navigating all of this. I live alone in a 4th-floor walkup building. I will have my mother here for the first 6 or so days after surgery. Will that be enough? Should I expect to need help for 2 weeks following surgery?
For context: Hazel has been managing very well on 3 legs as the leg that is going to be amputated is broken and she hasn't been able to walk on it for a week already.
Can anyone share what I should expect for the first week after surgery?
The radiologist + vet have told me they can't 100% say its not cancer but they believe it is a cyst. Treatment for both are the same which is why i am going ahead with the amputation without a biopsy. The biopsy will take place after the surgery. If there is anyone who would be up for taking a look at her x-rays and offering their opinion i would greatly appreciate it.
Any ideas on cost for chemo/radiation in the NYC area?
Thank you in advance.
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are dealing with this but glad you found us.
A good thing about a rear amp is that you can use a harness right away to help Hazel get around and up those stairs. HERE is a chart with some of the popular harnesses people around here use.
I've had two rear amp Tri's, although both were/are small. I'm partial to the WebMaster.
The Reading List has links to lots of information on what to expect with amputation and recovery.
Since Hazel is getting around OK now she is a little ahead of the curve, but her gait will be different once the leg is gone. New Tripawds tend to tire easily and the pain meds can make them a little loopy. I'm still thinking that you will be OK on your own after 6 days- you'll know better as she starts to recover. My first rear amp Tri was a little Pug who lost a back leg to cancer. She could hop on her own the day of surgery- she just couldn't get very far.
Our surgeon told us that Maggie (the TriPug) was only allowed short, leashed potty breaks for two weeks post surgery so the first two week for Hazel should be lots and lots of rest. What pain meds is she on now? That will give you an idea about how she might react after surgery. It's not unusual for pain meds to need adjustment to the dosing to get it dialed in so don't be shy about talking with your vet if you think she is in pain.
Traction is really important for Tripawds, especially new ones so keep Hazel off any slippery floors and consider using throw rugs or yoga mats for long traction .
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Would it be possible to stay somewhere with fewer stairs for her recovery? Or maybe get one of those grass patches for inside pottying? Stairs are tough on a tripawd. A 4th floor walk up is a LOT of stairs, especially for multiple potty breaks per day. Immediately after surgery, your dog will be drugged and learning her balance as a tripawd. She may be non-weight-bearing on the leg she's about to lose, but she can use it for balance right now. Once it's gone, she'll have to learn to balance again. Plus going up stairs is mostly work on the hind legs for propulsion.
I'd also argue for the Flagline over the WebMaster. I prefer the look of the WebMaster, but it only has buckles on one side, which means you have to pull one front leg through to get it on. The Flagline has buckles on both sides, so no lifting of legs is necessary. I have a 40 lb rear-amp tri and any time I need to help her balance to lift a front leg, it's a challenge for both of us.
Hi and welcome! I'm sorry you are facing this situation, we will try to make it as easy as possible for you and Hazel.
I agree that those stairs will be tough. Rear leg amputees have a harder time going up stairs than down, so if you are physically able to assist her with a harness like the Ruffwear Flagline or Ruffwear Webmaster . Both have a handle on top and allow you to assist in challenges like stairs and getting in and out of cars. When our Jerry lost his leg that's when we discovered how helpful a harness like the Webmaster can be.
As @mischief said, the Flagline is easier to put on, especially for dogs missing a front leg. And although it does have a bottom piece built in that covers some of the chest and belly area, the Webmaster Plus (with brush guard), gives more fabric coverage underneath in the belly area. This fabric more evenly distributes the pressure when you lift and help her up the stairs. If Hazel is good about getting into a Sit, you can put the harness on while she's in position. Otherwise you do have to ask her to lift one front leg to put it on.
Our What to Expect articles are good to check out right now.
Expect about 2 weeks of some serious couch time with Hazel while she heals. It would be good to get her into rehabilitation therapy as well, and Tripawds Foundation can pay for your first rehab visit so there's nothing to lose. Therapists can instruct you about the best type of activity for her to prevent injury and help her stay strong. I would call now since therapists like to see new Tripawds within 10 days of surgery. If you want help finding one just let me know.
As for NYC oncology care, have you been to Animal Medical Center? They're amazing and one of the best in the country. One of their oncologists, Dr. Hohenhaus, is an incredible vet. We've had quite a few members here like Stacy and Griffin who went to AMC and were very, very pleased. If you want to meet or chat with Stacy I know she'd be happy to do it. Just PM her from our system (the envelope icon under her avatar).
Also if you'd like Dr. Pam our Fairy Vet Mother to check out your x-rays, post the images (here's how adding images works) in Ask a Vet. Let me know if you need help with that.
Keep us posted on how things are going OK? We are here to help!
Madison said
Hi Everyone. I have a 7 year old healthy, female Chocolate lab named Hazel. She has her amputation surgery scheduled for 1/11/23 and I am so lost at navigating all of this. I live alone in a 4th-floor walkup building. I will have my mother here for the first 6 or so days after surgery. Will that be enough? Should I expect to need help for 2 weeks following surgery?For context: Hazel has been managing very well on 3 legs as the leg that is going to be amputated is broken and she hasn't been able to walk on it for a week already.
Can anyone share what I should expect for the first week after surgery?
The radiologist + vet have told me they can't 100% say its not cancer but they believe it is a cyst. Treatment for both are the same which is why i am going ahead with the amputation without a biopsy. The biopsy will take place after the surgery. If there is anyone who would be up for taking a look at her x-rays and offering their opinion i would greatly appreciate it.
Any ideas on cost for chemo/radiation in the NYC area?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Jerry. Thank you for your response. I teared up reading it. I just found tripawds and I am so thankful for everyone's generosity and helpfulness. I was reluctant to post thinking no one would see it but I am overwhelmed with gratitude.
I am easily able to help her up and down the stairs. The first few days after the incident I actually carried her. My muscles are very happy to have a break from that, she weighs 65 pounds. She can just barely do it by herself at the moment but I have a harness that has a handle on the top that I use to assist her. The 3 steps outside our building she can always do on her own. I think it's more a mental thing seeing all the stairs in front of her rather than the ability to. She also protested stairs before the incident, so I know that doesn't help things. She has always been an old lazy girl at heart
I will certainly call the therapist about rehab post-surgery. Thank you for the links.
I am really hoping and praying the oncologist won't be needed but I know where to go once I know for sure. Thank you.
@mischeif - thank you for the grass patch idea. She has never had an accident in the house since I adopted her at 1 y/o, so I am not sure if she will use it but I ordered it!
Thank you everyone for all the advice. I am beyond thankful.
Best,
Madison & Hazel
As you can see from the replies, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! We know facing all the "unknowns" of recovery, overcoming the hurdles of the stairs, etc can be quite daunting. STAY CONNECTED and, as you can already see, we are all here to help you navigate through recovery and celebrating as Hazel gets rid of that painful bum leg and becomes pain free again!
Mostly just reinforcing the great advice everyone has already given. Guess it doesn't hurt to do a little "ditto".
I agree that the stairs will be a challenge at first. Just having one leg to propel (push up) will be difficult while trying to recover, especially with good pain meds. My Happy Hannah was a rear legger and, although she mastered going down stairs, it took many many months before she could go up. She was a bit on the "fluffy" side, so that didn't help.
So yeah, if you are avle to carry her without interfering with the incision, etc, I guess that's the only option if a harness cant be used effectively at first.
I live by myself and no Spring chicken. Handling recovery on your own is exhausting as you have no one to trade off some sleep time with. The fact that your Mom is staying with you at first is wonderful! And yes, those six days should be enough to get yiu over the roughest part of recovery.
Maybe get some raised food/water bowls to help prevent any straining. I think non slip traction rugs have already been mentioned if you have hardwood.
When you do go pick her up from surgery, don't even bother to draw attention to the incision. Just look into her druggy eyes and tell her what a good girl she is and she's going home!! When you do sneak a peek be aware that they can get a little clipper Happy and a lot of furnis shaved!
She's spending the night in a staffed 24/7 clinic? Try and get some sleep whil she's at the clinic. She'll be seeing pink elephants and feeling no pain.
Hazel will probably come home with Gabapentin, an antibiotic and an inflammatory. Some come home with a Fentanyl patch. It may take a few days to get her sea legs. Some dogs can do some hopping right off the bat, some need more time to get mobile, and that's okay.
Okay, update us when surgery is done! We're by your side the all the way!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Thank you so much, Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too. Hazel's surgery went really well the doctor said. She stood up the night we brought her home and was taking small steps the morning after. We carried her up and down the stairs the first 2 days and then she was doing them with very little assistance from us via the harness. By the third day she had noticeably more energy and walked further by half a block. 4th day was basically a duplicate of day 3. I am so amazed by her bravery and strength.
Advice needed:
Unfortunately, starting early morning on Day 5 (1/16) she became much more restless and has an anxious pant while standing after not being able to get comfy, when i took her outside she didn't even want to walk to pee (I helped coax her to do so), and didn't eat her food for 48 hours (interested in treats and water). I am still able to lightly touch all around the incision area with no reaction. On the evening of day 5 Hazel took her last codeine pill (1.5 tabs, 30mg), so these symptoms started prior to her pain med change. I am worried about her pain level because the Nocita (3-day pain block) has now worn off. I spoke with hazel's doctor and doesn't seem too concerned. In the evening, she gets Gabapentin 400mg at 7p but is restless off and on (getting up every 10/20/30 minutes to stand and circles a bit before laying down, lightly pants after standing up for a minute while trying to readjust again) until about 2/3a. She only seems comfortable from 3a - 10am ish.
As a note, prior to surgery she was taking 300mg of gabapentin every 10 hours for her fractured leg and she was definitely sedated and was never restless.
Any ideas on what I could try to help with the restlessness at night? Is regressive behavior just part of the process? Any thoughts on how long it takes for her to get some energy back?
Medicine currently:
400mg gabapentin every 8 hours
60mg Galliprant every 24 hours
Thank you in advance!
- Madison & Hazel
I am not an expert in this area. However, it sounds like Hazel is exhibiting pain signals . As you've noted, the good meds have worn off. I'd call your vet again. Do they know how many stairs Hazel is contending with? If you are able to, I'd try to carry her at least part of the way up the stairs for now.
Call me the stair police if you want. My feelings on stairs are informed by my rehab vet friend. I mostly carry my tripawd when dealing with full flights of stairs.
Hazel is a Tripawd RockStar! So glad surgery is done and she is home recovering! And good job Madison!!
What stands out to me is most likely she has done too much too soon. It is sooooo easy, so very, very easy for a dog to tweak a muscle, strain her back, shoulders, etc. To go up four flights of stairs, even with harness help, then to go half a block....that's a lot. Of course, we know you have no other option.
The first several days all the hospital meds, novicta, etc were in her system. Now she only jas the Gaba to rely on.
Try massaging up and down her spine, her neck, shoulder. Do3s she show any tenseness when you hot certain spots?
Sogs are used to sleeping kn certain ways at night, more on one side than the other. If she is "forced" to lay on a different side right now because of the incision, that could be making her restless too. It does sound like pain signals as well.
Jist throwing some quick thoughts out there. And yes, this early part of the recovery is called a roller coaster ride....full of ups and downs.
Higs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
So glad she came out of surgery and is on the mend!
Yep, I'm 100% with Sally, it does sound like she is doing too much, too soon. The anxiety and inability to get comfortable are common pain signals .
She should not be doing any walks right now other than to go outside and potty on leash. Couch time, and interactive brain games are a way to keep her safe from overdoing it. The stairs are unavoidable, I know what that's like when you've got to get your dog in and out of the house. But the more you can assist her with the harness handle so that she's not doing the majority of the work, the better.
Her medication dosages and timing is standard but it does sound like she needs a longer course of pain management . Let your vet know asap so you can fine tune her meds for another week. Let us know what they say OK?
Hi Everyone. I wanted to share an update.
Hazel is doing well and is fully operating at her new normal. She went to Central Park last week for the first time since before the injury. It was a day I'll remember forever. She didn't let 3 legs hold her back. If it were up to her she would've done the long loop, but I told her we have to work our way up to it. She started getting her personality back right at 3 weeks post-surgery. If your dog likes people, having friends visit her was the best for us. She greeted them at the door (doesn't even greet me at the door!) and wagged her tail and stood up for a few minutes with excitement. People are the best medicine ♥
On 1/25 we got the news we have been fearing this whole time. The biopsy results were consistent with OSA. I am trying really hard to remain optimistic by focusing on the facts I know. She is a very healthy 7-year-old lab who has no pre-existing health issues. Her APL levels are in the ideal range. There were no signs of mets on her x-ray. The tumor that was removed was along the distal tibia. I have read that all of these facts support the idea that she has a better chance for a longer life expectancy.
I have an appointment with Dr. Loops on 2/21 as I have decided to go the holistic route. I have started her on a grain-free diet, fish oil, multivitamins, and a mushroom supplement. I'm struggling with understanding what is to come and how she may show signs that the cancer is affecting her. How soon would she start to show symptoms? What are the symptoms to look for?
It's really hard to "just sit and wait". I know I'm not, but I can't help but feel like I'm not doing enough.
YAY Hazel! You're back living the big city life and showing the world nothing will stop you! 
I'm so happy for this pupdate, thank you for letting us know. How are you guys doing with the stairs?
Try not to think the worst. Osteosarcoma has a prognosis that isn't great, but we see the disease play out in all sorts of surprising ways, and it doesn't have to follow the worst-case scenario either. Our Jerry lived 2 years without chemo, and many others have too. Statistically chemo and now with immunotherapy, does give a dog a higher odds of longevity, but you have to do what you believe is best for you both. Dr. Loops is pretty cool, I'm happy to know that he's still practicing. He helped our friend Eisen live an incredibly long life after osteosarcoma, and many other Tripawds members too.
Always remember you are already doing so much. You got rid of the bad pain Hazel was having, And now you are taking steps to find out your options. If you'd like a really good book to help you decide on what's next after Dr. Loops sets you up with a therapy, the Dog Cancer Survival Guide is a must-read. I wish it was around when our Jerry was fighting cancer, it's an amazing resource.
As for what osteosarcoma looks like when it metastasizes, it generally comes with tiredness and gradually a lack of appetite, some coughing that doesn't sound like a typical cough. But that is hopefully a long way off so try not to focus on that right now OK? Live life to the fullest with Hazel, follow her lead and you can't go wrong.
Such a great update!
I love your observation about how happy human visitors make Hazel. My tripawd LOVES to be petted. Unknown people are just new friends to her. She's in her glory when she can lean against someone's leg and be rubbed all over.
Hazel, we are going through the same ordeal with our chocolate lab Lacey. Her front left wrist swelled up and I thought I was playing ball too rough. In a matter of days I was a mess when we found out it was osteosarcoma. She is in day 5 ish after her amputation and she is beside me right now and just that makes me happy! This site is beyond amazing! Keep posting how things are going, you give me and others like us hope with your long walks. Stay strong! We are in this together!
AYAAAAAY FOR HAZEL! Love the visual of her soing a Happy tripawd walk enjoying all the attention. Be sure and video next trip. We would love to see that joyous walk.
One of the best lessons Hazel is teaching you is to love in the now. She has no worries about the tomorrows and is thoroughly enjoying being Hazel.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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