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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Day 9 post surgery and Wolf got up on his own, walked down the stairs on his own, looked like he wanted to chase the cat again <img class="spSmiley" title="little-devil" onclick="spjEdInsertSmiley('smiley15.gif', 'little-devil', 'https://tripawds.com/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/', '
');" src="/wp-content/sp-resources/forum-smileys/smiley15.gif" alt="little-devil" /> and ate like a champ. Honestly, in the past couple of days I swore he was dying (I know I'm being melodramatic but he wouldn't even stand on his own) but I finally believe he is going to make it through this. Just wanted to give those of you going through the first week post-op some hope that as this community has repeatedly told me, it will be rough but everything will get better (and you will sleep again!). Thank you to all for your kind and needed support and I will eventually have the energy to get some pictures up.
Two things: Wolf is now letting me pat with two fingers and massage directly on his stump as the rehab vet suggested to get the nerves to stimulate. So, while I didn't think he would tolerate that so soon, it seems to have really helped him.
Also, we went to see my regular vet who hadn't seen Wolf since the surgery and she dumped a load of guilt on me. She was shocked that nobody could fix his injury (we had 6 different consultations with different surgeons and all told us the same thing: they all felt that amputation was the best option because they all felt he would have lifelong pain otherwise) and just kept shaking her head and said what a shame it was since he is only a puppy and now if he screws up his remaining front leg he is done for. I absolutley could not believe that she would make us feel that we had not tried hard enough to fix his leg. I was so upset and, of course, overwhelmed with guilt. I did read the section in the ebook about guilt and understand that it is a normal feeling but, wow, it's one thing to put guilt on ourselves but to have your own vet do that was hurtful.
Anyway, I'm shaking it off this morning and will not end on a bad note. Wolf is on his way back to feeling like himself and you all were right - he's going to be fine!
Eileen and Wolf
I'm so glad your precious pup is doing better. I tend to be melodramatic too. That's ok sometimes, as long as you recognize the good stuff when it happens for something truly good.
As for the vet...i don't know. I would be tempted to find another vet to go to. Sounds to me like you did plenty of work, getting six opinions. I wouldn't have done that much I don't think. I know me, after the third one said the same thing I would have gone with it. For her to talk to you like that burns me up. There are so many things wrong with that....
Leslie
Wow, I would be MORE then tempted to dump that vet. Guilt is the last thing you need dumped on you at this point - and from a vet no less. i can't believe that. I hope you have other options for another vet.
Ok, now to focus on the good news - I'm glad to hear that your pup is doing so much better and that you too are now in a better mindframe about the whole thing! I don't wanna say "we told you so" but.... welll...... 🙂 🙂 🙂
Keep us posted,
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!
Two things:
1) Really glad to hear Wolf is doing well, and getting back to himself.
2) Dump that vet! She had no business saying any of that to you!
glad wolf is doing better. and, we agree - find another vet, you need someone that is on wolf's side, not a naysayer!!
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
I can assure you that I would never again darken the doorway of that vet's office. Any vet worth their salt will understand that quality of life is paramount. Yes, injury to the other leg is a concern. But I would much rather have my baby happy and pain free for as long as those three legs hold out than to have extended years with a dog in pain that cannot appreciate life anyway. It is obvious that you love sweet Wolf and that is what matters!
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
In the words of those annoying but loving monkeydogs......"Your old vet is a dummyhead!"
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Yaaaaay Wolf! That's terrific news! And yes, this does give hope for people who feel like there is none.
I'm stunned that your vet would lay that kind of trip on you after all the work you did before the amp. Wow. I'm so sorry.
I agree: find a more compassionate vet. Here's a great book that will help:
Dr. Kay’s 12 Things to Expect from Your Vet
Now, go give that big awesome boy of yours a big ol smooch from us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So happy Wolf is getting better, wonderful news!! ....doing the happy dance for Wolf!! We are newbies to Tripawds. My Skye had her surgery on April 24 and even though we are still working on mobility, I am beyond sure she is happier being free of pain. Ditto on finding a caring vet, Don't waste your energy on her nonsense.
Ya know, so far all the unsolicited advice is the same. You need a new vet. Wolf needs a new vet. One day Wolf is going to need something more than antibiotics for an illness or flagyl for an upset tummy, and you don't want to question the treatment. Find Wolf a doctor willing to advocate for his lifelong needs just as much as you do. (For tough stuff, I ask my vet what he'd do if it was his dog. Mine's a practical guy who never pushes anything on me but instead gives me perspectives. That's what I need.)
So happy to hear that Wolfgang is doing well. He deserves a long, happy life and he's well on his way.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Atta boy Wolf!! You sure are taking the hard road- but it makes the full victory that much sweeter!
One thing I treasure from all the vets I see with the pugs that they give me all the options for whatever situation we are facing, then support me with what ever path I choose. I'm surprised your vet reacted like she did- I would be shopping for new primary care.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Keep it up Wolf!!! And definitely change vets! I had been considering switching vets but Lupe's vet was actually wonderful in the diagnosis and treatment of her leg and was a great resource for us...she found us the surgeon who did the surgery who has been a blessing. It shocks me that finding a compassioniate, knowledgable, non-pushy vet is as difficult as it is.
More healing vibes coming Wolf's way!!!
-Kori & 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/
Thanks to all for your best wishes and YES! I am getting a new vet!!!!!! Eileen and Wolf
...Man. You really need to find a new normal vet. I can't believe that a vet would even tell that to you, especially since amputation is NOT an easy decision and never will be. She would rather that Wolf possibly live with pain all his life than be a happy puppy and enjoy life? She needs to go. There are so many other vets out there that understand the decision you made and that will never tell you it was the wrong decision. I'm so sorry you had to go through with that; don't let it make this a bad experience. I'm sure Wolf is happy, right?
Gees. I'm so appalled that your vet would even do that...I don't even know what to think. I'd be worried about keeping this vet because she already sounds like she's not going to do the best she can for Wolf...definitely a reason to find someone who will.
I'm so glad that he's doing so great now! He's such a handsome boy!
Jack - adopted with a crooked leg at 4 months old, managed for six years, and now much-happier Tripawd as of 5/24/2012!
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