Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello! My name is Stacy just joined this online support forum and chat platform recommended by our oncologist vet specialist and I’m glad to be here to share Yogi’s story and experience thus far.
Yogi is A woolly Siberian husky six years + 2 months young. At the end of February 2024 I noticed him limping slightly and I thought that maybe it was from him rough housing and a slip and fall. I thought maybe his hip is sore from that. Then around mid to end of March. I noticed the hardened lump on his hock joint right hind leg and then thought maybe he dislocated it so I took him to the vet and they ruled out dislocation and I they said maybe it’s inflammation. So we begin treatment for 7 days Using anti-inflammatories and pain medication as we monitor any further progression. Only change we noticed is that it softened up some but It did not go down so I took him to his regular vet and she thought maybe it’s a cyst or an abscess or possibly a Paloma or some type of sarcoma And he was treated for two additional weeks same medication, same dosage. After those two weeks, I agreed to a recommended x-ray test, followed by a biopsy, and when lab results came back, it was determined that he had grade 2 fibrosarcoma around the hoc joint.
Well, after the sutures came out of the incision site where the biopsy was performed. I was told that cancerous tumor area Would not heal completely, and It would always continue to ooze and bleed due to the nature of what it is!
We went to a consult with a recommended local veterinarian specialist for oncology and radiation. They ran some additional tests using a CT scan. They also found that his lymph node in his leg was enlarged amongst two other concerning observations on the Ct scan as well.
The treatment recommendation would be surgery, but due to the way the tumor wrapped itself around the soft tissue muscles it would be extremely difficult to completely remove it all so the recommendation was now amputation of the whole right leg.
needless to say I was not thrilled with that being the only option but the reality was that the tumor wasn’t healing and ended up infected beginning to smell, so I agreed to having his operation yesterday, June 26, 2024 and he came through okay!
Post-op challenges day 2 have been him, not wanting to eat much or drink anything nor take the medication and it’s been difficult to help him stand and use the back leg that he has left. I’d like Some advice on how some of you have coped with amputation and in-home recovery for your family pets. I’m also interested in holistic cancer treatment options as a precaution moving forward and I came across a few products that other pet owners have tried and gave good reviews and I’m curious if Any of you have tried any of these products and what was the results? The products I came across was turkey tail mushrooms, modified citrus pectin, and celloquent.
Welcome to the family Yogi and Stacy. Yoir post has been approved and we look forward to supporting you as you navigate through recovery.
Here is a link you can go through for some tips on recovery, etc. https://tripawd.....-to-expect
Yogi is only a couple of days out from MAJOR surgery, all while on some good pain meds and while trying to adjust to three. A hooman would still be in the hospital on a morphine drip!
Post-op challenges day 2 have been him, not wanting to eat much or drink anything nor take the medication
Drinking and peeing are important but he may not feel like eating much right now and pooping could take several days. Bring water to him and maybe try putting a little chicken broth in it.
Give him any yummy food he will eat to get the pills in him. Try cream cheese balls. We actually have articles on how to pill a dog I'll try and find for you.
What is Yogi's pain protocol? How much does he weigh, what are his meds, dose and frequency?
https://tripawd.....management
it’s been difficult to help him stand and use the back leg that he has left. I’d like Some advice on how some of you have coped with amputation and in-home recovery for your family pets
For now , you can try a towel sling or a DIY canvas shopping bag.....use scissors to cut through sides and the handles can help you suppprt him.
Continue to stay upbeat and pawsitive as he will pick up on yoir energy .
For now, SHORT leashed quick potty breaks and back in for rest, rest, rest. Obvioisly mo jumping, getting up and down off the sofa, bed, etc.
Stay on top of his pain meds and watch for pain signals . Often it takes aome tweaking.
Others will chime in about holostic approaches they have taken....stay tuned.
Remember, recovery doesnt last furever it just feels like it the riest two weeks. Try and get some rest when you can. Stay connected and know we are right by your side the whole 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!
Hi Stacy, welcome to you and Yogi! We are the club nopawdy wants to join but we hope this makes your journey easier.
Sally's advice is 100% spot-on. This is super early in recovery and things really do get better. Don't expect too much right now, and know that his strength will return in due time. He is healing and the more rest he can have the better (although as time goes on that rest might be harder for a Husky but you can do it!).
Take things one step at a time right now, don't make too many changes until you meet with the oncologist. There are so many choices and proven as well as unproven therapies that people try. Some can even work against you, and some are just snake oil to put it bluntly. So it's good to get the vet's take first, and then take things from there. My first tip is to check out the Dog Cancer Survival Guide. It really is a bible of dog cancer and how to treat it from a "full spectrum" approach that includes non-traditional and conventional therapies.
How's your house? Is it Tripawd-proofed? Check out the Tripawds Recovery Shopping List for some ideas to make your home safe and easy for him to get around in. Also remember that when a dog loses a back leg they lose 1/2 of their propulsion power, so stairs and going up them will be challenging. He needs time for his body to adapt to carrying the load differently but he will get there!
Keep us posted.
Hi, Stacy and everyone!
I'm Wanda, just joined the site because I'm gonna need help. We just brought my dog home from having her left front leg amputated yesterday. She's a 9-year-old golden retriever named Libby. Other than missing a leg, she's in good health. I just feel like I've gotten no guidance on how to get her to the point that she's able to move around again. It is clearly not easy for her to even take a step. We got a harness to help support her, but she doesn't want to try because she loses her balance and it scares her.
Do I just let her rest and lay around and follow her lead for when she's ready, or do I need to actively encourage her to try? Her appetite is fine, and she's drinking water normally. I'm sure she needs to go to the bathroom, but even that takes balance adjustments. Should I try to find a veterinary rehab group to help her learn how to adjust and recover her mobility?
Stacy, it's been almost a month for you now. How have things progressed with Yogi? Are you encouraged?
Hi Wanda, welcome! I'm sorry that you guys are in this situation. You are not alone though, and we are here to help. But first, can you please start an all new topic so we can follow your story more closely? That way folks won't get your story confused with Stacy's.
Meanwhile do keep in mind that your dog is very early in the process so do not expect too much right now. She needs lots of time to rest and recovery and if she is already eating and drinking that's great. Don't pressure her to do anything more than potty right now. I have lot more input for you so please do start a new topic when you are able OK? I will watch for it (and it won't need approval so it will show up immediately).
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