Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Pez, there are 2 main liver enzymes that we test for in dogs. The ALKPhos (alkaline phosphatase) enzyme is present in the liver but is also present in other tissues including bone. A dog with OSA (especially with a fracture) often has an increase in this enzyme. Some say that an elevation of AlkPhos is a negative prognostic indicator but I don't know if that has been proven to be true. The leg is still fractured so it still needs to come off.
The other main liver enzyme is called ALT and is much more liver specific. So if this enzyme is elevated (especially if it is over 2 times normal levels) then there might be a problem with the liver. My Tazzie had elevated enzymes prior to surgery (she had chronic hepatitis). I had an ultrasound of her liver done to make sure there were no mets before amputation. She ended up having a flare-up of hepatitis due to the stress of surgery and had to stay in the hospital for 3 or 4 days on IV antibiotics but she pulled through and did really well. She was taking SAM-E (a liver supplement) before surgery and I continued that for the rest of her life.
The oncologist should have expressed concern if the ALT was significantly high so most likley only the AlkPhos was elevated but you might want to find our just to be sure.
Pam
She is a beautiful dog! That is an adorable pic of her and mommy.
I hope all goes well for her. She sounds like an amazing dog.
As a side note, I wouldn't take offense to what your family has said to you about letting her go. I would guess they are trying to help you avoid heartache. They are only offering advice as to what they think is best for your emotions. Try not to be offended. I'm sure my family would rather I didn't have Comet. It pains my mother to see me worried and emotional over her and I've done it for so long now - it's part of who I am. She loves Comet, too and hurts when she hurts. But she loves me so much, she hates for me to suffer.
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.
csmpez said:
We just hate the idea of taking the baby's leg. My wife feels horrible and if we take her leg, she'll feel like a bad mommy.
Try to focus on what's best for Pez. Sounds like someone may be putting human emotions first. Pez will feel no regret or shame. She only wants to be free of pain. Without Regret is a great book that helped many Tripawds members cope with amputation for their babies. Best wishes with the decisions you face.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I have the book No Regrets that Jerry made reference to. If you would like it just PM me your address and I will be happy to send it to you. My extended family did not support Emily's amputation either based on cost but I didn't ask them to pay for it so I didn't give any weight to their opinion. I have no regrets about Emily's amputation. I didn't feel like a bad Mommy for taking her leg, I felt like a good Mommy for removing her cancer. Good luck with it. Remember the first two weeks can be difficult and you may question your decision but after that it usually works out well for most dogs.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I hated the idea of taking Trouble's leg also. What made the decision for us was knowing osteosarcoma is the most painful of diseases, and removing the limb was the only thing that was going to stop the pain and give her a chance at a painfree life. The alternative was to keep her on pain meds for whatever time she had left, and know that the pain would continue to increase.
I cried on the way to work the morning I dropped Trouble off for surgery. I wasn't sure until the day we picked her up that we had made the right choice. I knew in my heart the moment I saw her that all was going to be well on three legs.
Trouble and most tripawds here live good lives on three legs, but there are always exceptions.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
We just got back from seeing the oncologist who has been great to deal with. She asked us to call today and let us know where we are, but we were in the area and decided to walk-in and see her and we had a couple additional questions before moving forward with surgery. She has been a true professional and has no problems talking to her current patients w/out appointments to make sure we are going forward knowing everything.
The surgeon we previously had a consult with, we weren't too crazy about, but we heard good things about him. The oncologist recommended that we speak with him before surgery to ease us on this big decision. So, since he was there in the back we asked if we could talk to him for 5-10 minutes about Monday's surgery to ease my wife's mind that everything will be alright and what to expect. Instead, the surgeon sent up one of the techs to schedule an appointment for Monday or Tuesday and that it would incur a consultation fee. We couldn't believe it. The oncologist that I spoke of has talked to us three times since our appointment earlier this week about PEZ and next steps w/no additional costs, which has shown to us great compassion for our feelings and the welfare of PEZ. However, the surgery department seems to be a bit different and less emotional/compassionate and are more concerned with their bottom line then the patients welfare or our concerns. We were told that if we cancel Monday's appointment we could reschedule with another surgeon for Tuesday or Wednesday. And all we were looking for was reassurance that he's going to take good care of our baby and that she's going to be in good hands. But what we got instead was a tech asking for money and blowing us off until next week. 
Very frustrating! Oh and PEZ just sits there and wags her tail w/no worries in the world.
Scott, Charlotte & PEZ
Very frustrating indeed. Not exactly what you need right now. But keep in mind that he would probably not tell you what you wanted to hear anyway – that "everything will be alright" – most surgeons will cover their own by providing the worst case scenario, or at least not making such promises. The best advice I have is something my mom always told me when it comes to such difficult situations... Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Harumph, that is frustrating. Nothing like having unresolved questions in one's mind on Friday that won't be addressed to Monday. I recall that happening a lot, although in our case it was the oncologist who was the bad communicator (the surgeon was good).
Give Pez a big hug from me! And take care of yourselves as well as Pez this weekend!
Keep in mind that you really won't have much interaction with the surgeon You want to have a good relationship with your vet and your oncologist but as long as the surgeon is good at what he does it doesn't matter about his bed side manner. I agree that he seemed very concerned about the bottom line and rude to the extreme. Thankfully he will be dealing with Pez while she is asleep already. I'd rather have a skilled surgeon than a nice one. Both would be better. I have to say we were very lucky at OSU. Every doctor and every student we dealt with her so nice and friendly and knowledgeable.
Hugs to Pez. You are in my prayers.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I think sometime the vets who exihibt a lack of concern have built a wall around their emotions on purpose. They seem to be the ones who deal with the tragic illnesses on a daily basis. They don't realize maybe that their coping mechanism is a turn off for their clients.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Maybe the surgeon takes a business approach, if the oncologist recommends him and you trust her, and others speak well of him......maybe he's the right guy. Whatever you decide, Pez will be OK with it as long as you guys are. It sounds like Pez has the right attitude--she is naturally courageous. There is definitely a lot of anxiety associated with surgery and coming home, it's a shock. Polo surprised us big time, as if nothing happened. He still does, the other day he leaned against a planter so he could lift his leg to pee. They just press on.
Mike and Polo
Polo Jones, Golden Retriever, Shalimar FL
Can't sleep... I'm sure many of you have been up with sleepless nights just looking at your precious angel sleeping soundly next to you not knowing of what the week has in store for them. Is this the week they're going to be dropped off at the surgeon's office to have their leg removed, is this the week they start with chemo or some other form of treatment??? Questions, questions, questions.... All I can do is just sit here in bed and look down at my best friend as she sleeps peacefully dreaming of running on the beach and playing in the surf. God give me the strength to get through this because this is going to be a tough one.
Scott, Charlotte & PEZ
We have all been there, and what you are doing is perfectly OK. I'll take it a step further for you. Once the surgery is done, you will stay awake watching just to make sure Pez won't need anything. You will sleep lighter than you would with a baby in the house, the slightest sound or movement will wake you. Many of us spent the recovery two weeks on the floor or on the couch slieeping right beside them. Once the surgery is done and the recovery is behind you, you will start to mellow out and return to your former self. If you choose chemo, you will go through another round of sleeplessness then, but for us that only meant one sleepless night every three weeks for five treatments.
Healing thougths for Pez and calming thoughts for you as you face the week.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Dear Scott and Charlotte,
Your fears are normal.
I wouldn't worry about the surgeon too much. I thought the same thing about Comet's ortho surgeon when I met him (she was doing a knee surgery). He muzzled my baby and barely talked to me! But when I had to do her 2nd knee surgery a couple of years later, I said to him outright, "My brother died just a few weeks ago, please do not let anything happen to Comet - I can't deal with anymore deaths!". His attitude changed instantly and he became very sweet to me. When I picked up Comet, the ortho surgeon had her dressed in a bright pink bandana and her cast was bright pink. He personally drew balloons and smiley faces all over the cast! Mind you, the first time he did the surgery, she had a flesh color cast and nothing more. As it turned out, he was a very sensitive person and didn't show it the first time.
BEST WISHES and try as hard as you can to not worry so much.
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.
Family of Pez
It is normal to dislike the idea that we have to put our dogs through amputation. But you still have to be comfortable with the decision and feel it is the best course of action to help Pez return to her painfree happy self. I don't think I'd take that step while I seriously had doubts. I mean, things can happen during surgery. They usually don't, but we never know even when we take our dogs in to get their teeth cleaned (well, I can't say I ever did had Tazzie's teeth cleaned, but you know what I mean).
I did not get much sleep for a couple of weeks after Tazzie's surgery. But I wasn't lying awake before the surgery wondering if it was the best course of action.
I like Comet's story. Maybe you should bring in some pink balloons, crepe paper and a big box of stuffed animals and toys and ask the surgeon if you can decorate's Pez's kennel.
Susan
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