Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone!
I'm brand new to tripawds.com. I just joined last night and I'm so glad I did. This is a wonderful place for info.
This morning, actually right now as I type, my 10 y/o chocolate lab, Macy, is in surgery having her left front leg amputated. She does not have cancer, but she does have a very large tumor that could not be removed and at the recommendation of two vets, we decided amputation was best for her since she is in so much pain and can't put any weight on her leg.
This morning I asked the vet and surgeon how long the procedure would take, but all he said was each surgery is different so he couldn't give me an answer. This made me so nervous. I just hope to hear from them very soon once the surgery is over and they can tell me that everything went well.
Can anyone tell me if they went to their vet's clinic after the surgery to visit their dog? I just really want her to see me after she comes to and hopefully I can pet her and give her comfort. Is this possible?
Thank you for listening.
Hi deeshette, welcome. We're glad you found us too, we'll try to help any way we can.
Oh the waiting is so tough isn't it? Generally most dogs are out in a couple of hours, but like your docs said, it really depends on the location and type of tumor they're dealing with. Hang in there, it'll be over before you know it.
Most vets don't recommend seeing your dog until the next day. This gives your dog a chance to just sleep off the anesthesia and get some much-needed rest before going home. Oftentimes when a dog sees their person so soon after surgery, it causes more stress than comfort because the dog doesn't know why she has to stay there overnight. Some people do visit their pups right after surgery though, so why not ask your vet his/her opinion?
This is the toughest part of the journey, hang in there, things will get better! We will be here to help however we can. Oh, let's see some pics of Macy!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Lucky for Macy that she is getting that painful leg removed! I know the waiting is awful, but even though you are stressed, Macy gets to sleep right through it!
I am a veterinary surgeon and people often ask to visit after surgery. As Jerry said, I usually strongly discourage this as the majority of the time it only upsets the pet. They see their people and often struggle to try and move or stand up, when all we want them doing after surgery is sleeping and resting! So even though it will likely be a long, stressful night for you... Macy is likely to be in LaLa land on her happy drugs. But always check with your own vet, they may feel differently.
Hoping for a very speedy recovery for Macy!!!
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.
I did not go visit Maggie after her surgery- I don't know if it was an option but I wouldn't have gone if it was.
My reasoning was that it would have upset her to see me- then have me leave again. And honestly I'm not sure I could have handled seeing her, then leave the hospital without her.
I hope you have found something to occupy your time today- I know the wait seems endless.
Keep us posted on how Macy is doing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
I feel your anxiety as I was in your shoes a few weeks ago. This is a great place for support. I want you to know that I am a few weeks ahead of you in the journey and if there is any support I can be...here I am. I am rooting for you and Macy!!
Hi! I think we all gone through what you feel. The waiting is tuff. I either don't think visiting is a good idea. Soon she will be home and you can give her all your love again. Good to hear it's not cancer. Wish you all the best! /Gunilla, Penny and Wilbur
Hi Deeshette! I'll echo what everyone else said: I didn't go visit Max until the day after the surgery, at the request of the surgeon. Max had his surgery on a Sunday, I visited him on Monday. Because Max was so strong, the surgeon had me get into the kennel cage with him! It was funny, I didn't even question his request at the time, I just got in the kennel and I was with Max for about 30 minutes; then they asked me to leave so he could get his rest. My husband's one regret from that visit is that no one took a photograph of me and Max in that cage!
Sending positive thoughts to you and Macy for a quick, uneventful recovery!!
The waiting is awful! I believe our surgery was about 3 hours. We also didn't visit until the next day. Sam stayed at the hospital for 2 nights - the 2nd night they asked us to come for a short visit so we were less anxious when we picked him up the following day. They just wanted us to get used to the stapes etc. We did fear that visiting him would make him want to come home but in reality, he still felt crappy and was ready for us to leave - by the next day, we were greeted with a wagging tail and he was ready to come home! Good luck! Xo Sue
Thank you all for your wise and kind words of encouragement. I did call the vet and he told me that it was not a good idea to see Macy yesterday after her surgery. He said she did very well and everything went "A OK". She is resting and recovering at the clinic and might be able to go home sometime today, maybe 
They did find another tumor just under her skin on her chest, so they removed it and sent it off to pathology. He said it looked like a fatty tumor and he wasn't worried about it being malignant, but he'll know for sure in a few days.
So, hopefully Macy can come home today, if not, we can visit her tonight.
I'm so glad I found this site and all you wonderfully, helpful people. I'll keep you all posted on her recovery.
Thank you again.
Welcome Deeshette,
I'm so glad that you found us here and it sounds as if everything went as planned during Macy's surgery. Rest up for when you get bring Macy home. It is great to have them home after the surgery and exhausting too. So you need to rest when she rests as this first week can be pretty messed up sleep-wise and exhausting.
We are wishing you a speedy and smooth recovery and any questions you have once Macy is home you know you can come and ask here.
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
Hello again. Macy is now home and slowly getting used to her new means of getting around. Like many of you have mentioned, I also notice that she seems to be depressed. It could be the meds, and I hope that's all it is. I wish there was someway I could lift her spirits.
Unfortunately, I just got off the phone with my vet and he got the result back from the biopsy and she does have a sarcoma. He said it was in the soft tissue around the joint, and he feel she got it all, but time will tell.
So what do I do at this stage of the game? He did not mention anything about chemo or any other treatment. Macy is an older chocolate lab. She'll be 11 on Oct. 31st. Maybe she's not a candidate for chemo?
I'll see the vet next tuesday to have the staples removed. Which questions should I ask him?
Thank you for your advise. 
Hi deeshette,
Sorry I have not welcomed you before - we had a lot going on. I am glad to hear that Macy is home. I am terribly sorry to hear that you have reason to worry about cancer now. I don't know if you have read any of Zeus' story, but he was the same age as Macy when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. We were never told that chemo wasn't an option because of his age. Fortunately he did well with the chemo but that really varies from dog to dog. Some struggle with sick stomachs while others breeze right through regardless of age. I do think that the lethargy (expected after a treatment) is a bit more with the older dogs.
Regarding your question "what do I do at this stage of the game?" - you become an advocate for your dog. You are obviously very invested in making sure that she gets the right care. Don't wait on the vet to take the initiative - call them and ask any question that you have. As much as I loved Zeus' vet, he wasn't the best with communication and, sometimes, follow-up. Early on I decided that I would have to guide the path we were on and not depend on others to guide our fight. There could be many reasons for your vet not discussing chemo - waiting until Macy is recovered from the amp, the type of sarcoma is not known to metastisize, doesn't offer chemo at that practice so just not familiar with what to advise, etc etc etc. It might be worth a call to the vet to confirm the type of sarcoma and pointedly ask what the recommended treatment is.
Good luck with the rest of recovery and keep us posted!
Lisa
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/
I couldn't agree more with Zeus' mom. I think it always best to know what your treatment options are. I would call your vet to see what his or her recommendations are, and if they don't include a consult with an oncologist, I would ask for one.
Some people say up front that they are not interested in chemo and that is fine. Everyone needs to try and make the best decision given their own dog and circumstances. But I think the more knowledge you have, the better decision you will be able to make for you and Macy.
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.
I'm hoppy to hear Macy is home. Yes, keep in mind the pain meds can really make her loopy and out of it. Try to put yourself in her paws. If you've ever taken serious pain meds or had surgery you know you don't want to be jumping around a whole lot either. She'll get back to her old self in a few days once the meds are tapered off.
Zeus' mom gave you excellent advice. We do have a lot of questions you can ask the vet in our ebook, Three Legs & a Spare and Dr. Dressler's Dog Cancer Survival Guide is also an excellent place to begin gathering your thoughts. You basically want to ask the vet exactly what kind of cancer she has, what the treatment options are and what are the expected benefits and drawbacks of each treatment based on her current health and age.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Glad to hear that Macy is home and on the road to recovery. My pug Maggie really took her time getting used to her new situation. She was not a happy girl for several weeks. Most pups seem to bounce back faster but even off all the meds Mag was a slug. She did come around though, in her own time.
One thing I would add to your prep for your vet visit. Decide what your priorities are, and what you are willing to do with Macy as far as treatment. I did a little research before we talked about treatment for Maggie, and I decided what I was willing to do, and more importantly what I was not willing to do. Of course I listened to all the options, and recommendations, but knowing what I was prepared to do helped me make choices.
Karen and the pugapalooza
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