Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My Vet finally called and Maddie is in recovery and doing fine after her rear leg amputation.
I should be able to pick her up tomorrow afternoon.
The Vet said that it was his most difficult amputation because she had a LOT of scar tissue from 2 breaks and the leg attempting to heal itself.
So now I wait until tomorrow to see my baby with my own eyes. Hope I handle it well....for her sake.
Thanks for all the advice and responses. Makes me feel not so alone in all of this.
I am so glad for Maddie, that is good news! Just remember she is going to look to you for whether this will be okay or not. So your reaction will be big on how she feels about it.
I was told if I have to, to go outside and cry, but when my guy saw me make sure I was smiling and happy to see him. It wasn't hard, after the first few seconds all I could think of was he was in my arms again, How lucky was I. He made it through the surgery and he is standing there for me...
Just pretend she was overnight at a friends, and you are happy to see her. I know you won't have to pretend to be happy to see her, but don't let her see your fear. You can do it!
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
You will handle it well! If I could, and I'm a big wienie, then you can too. I hope your baby is home soon where she belongs.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
My Bud's surgery took 3 hrs because of the scar tissue and an infected bone. I was so worried but once we saw him and his tail wagged everything was OK. She is gonna feel sooooo much better once this is all behind her! Get some rest Maddie's mama so you can greet her tomorrow and hop outta that joint!!!
Thanks everyone.
Will she really be up on her own feet by the next day? I pictured myself having to carry her to the car and into the house.
I will keep my smiley face on while in front of her. 🙂
Hi Kelly,
Good news that she made it through the surgery. Now on with the healing!
You can handle this. Don't focus on what is missing - focus on what is still there. She looks like a great pup from the video you posted on your blog- I bet she will be rolling that kong in no time!
Karen and the pugapalooza
We were posting at the same time- so in answer to your question about walking-
They had Maggie walking- well hopping the day of surgery, she had a left rear amp too. She couldn't get to far without resting at first- but she was walking mostly on her own from day one.
You will need to help her in and out of the car. Some pups try to hop in on their own, but I would be careful with her while she is healing.
Karen
She most definitely will be on her feet tomorrow. She may slide a bit because the floor at the vet's is likely slippery, but she will be on her own 3 feet. When I picked up Dakota, I took his Power Paws socks (there is a demo on the gear page here) and we plunked them on him so he could walk without slipping.
I think you'll do fine when you pick Maddie up, largely because you heard how painful her leg had to be. You did her a huge favor, and you'll know it right away. I watched the video of her, tentatively putting that leg down but mostly holding it under her belly. Think how much effort and energy that took, and how it must have hurt for her to have to keep raising it. Now that she doesn't have to hold it up, she'll have tons of extra energy for that thing she was chasing in the yard!
If Maddie tires, you may have to carry her into the house. I've read about some here who just tuckered out on the driveway and needed a boost. If I were a betting person, I'd wager that Maddie will make it, though, because she's young and active. If she could talk, I think she would say "stand back and be amazed! And thanks for getting rid of all that hurty bit."
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/
Oh great news! It's such a relief when the surgery is over.
Most dogs do get up on their own the next day. I hopped out of the hospital all by myself even though the doc wanted to put me on a gurney! I said "noooo way mister, I'm back!"
I'm betting that Maddie will be OK moving around but yes, I agree that she will need help getting in and out of the car for a while.
Good luck! Please let us know how things go OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
What a sweetie! Maddie has beautiful eyes, and I can just tell that she'll do great. I love the video! Don't worry if she does really great for a day or two and then backslides a little. She will need lots of rest to heal, and well...she doesn't look like much of a "rester." She will probably wear herself out a little, so you will need to try really hard to find the balance between too much and possibly too little activity. Please keep us posted. I can't wait to see her "post amputation" video!
Lisa, Ranger and Spirit Sadie
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
Welcome to the family. Gus was a front leg amp, so I can't say anything about rears, but if Maddie was already using three legs, as Gus was, the adjustment might go better than you think. Try to get past the look of the shaven area and incision, consider it the reason she is going to have a new, painfree life. One thing several notice, they look great coming home from the vet, and about a day or so after seem to go down, expect lots of ups and downs the next couple weeks. Some people start to feel guilty for what they have done, DON'T, once healed, these guys do amazingly well, it's the humans that have all the anxiety. Treat her, talk to her, and do anything else just like you always did, if you show distress Maddie will pick that up, so just act normal around her. Yep, if you feel a good cry coming on, go to another room. You are going to find out these next 2 weeks won't be the easiest you ever had, so if you get a chance to sleep, take it, but you are also about to find out how resilient and determined these guys are. Good luck, don't be afraid to ask anything, experience gives the best answers, Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Congrats on clearing the first hurdle which is the surgery itself. The next couple of weeks will be tough but stay positive and strong for her. You are her leader and she'll look to you for reassurance. Tai really wanted to get back to her "normal" pre-amp routine as soon as possible. I think it comforted her. As Dan said, these Tripawd dogs are so determined and resilient. When you think they couldn't possibly do something they just get up and do it. Keep us posted on her progress. And get some sleep whenever you can!!! 
Laura, Kali and Angel Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Thanks for all of the encouragement everyone.
I will be calling the Vet in about 10 minutes, and I'll find out when I can go get her. I will most definitely keep ya'll updated, and will probably have many questions along the way.
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
Happy to hear Maddie did well. Every dog is different, but even at her age, with arthritis, Isabelle was up & walking on her own as soon as she got home. I let her figure things out on her own. She fell a few times the first couple of hours, but I resisted the temptation to help her up. Once she figured things out, she didn't have much trouble. I started taking her for short walks as soon as we got home. She too, wasn't using her other leg much pre-op, so I don't think the transition was that difficult for her. She was also in good physical condition & had a strong remaining leg, which was to her advantage, as she didn't need to build muscle mass. Maddie's young & looks to be using her other leg, so hopefully she will have a similar experience. Hope you get the socks today, they were very helpful the first few days.
Cynthia
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