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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Hello. I'm so glad to find this site, but I'm sad for the reason why...my beloved Pixie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 6 months ago. As I write, I'm scared to death because she's going in for amputation surgery tomorrow. I will write more later when I'm able, but the short story is that I opted to do Chinese herbal and pain medicine for 6 months and she did fantastically well. In the past month though, her tumor grew and has begun to interfere with her mobility. Pain meds have controlled the pain for the most part, but I don't want to wait until it's agonizing for her. Her lung x-rays have continued to be clear and her oncologist told me that her blood work indicates a good prognosis. I mostly hesitated to amputate because of her age (10-14, not exactly sure as she's a rescue) and the fact that she has some arthritis in her back legs.
Lots of well-meaning folks gave me the "amputation is cruel...it's for you and not her...just put her down" speeches. I know you all know what I mean. There is no perfect choice here and it took 6 months of agonizing to realize what I've known all along.. that if amputation had the chance to give her the QUALITY of life she deserves, then it is the right choice. I'm so glad I found this site, because I've been lurking here reading all the inspirational stories. And I feel so much more prepared for the next few days, weeks and months having read the stories here.
I can't wait to post pictures of my beautiful girl and tell you more about her. For now, pray for her successful surgery and recovery. Thank you for being here!
UCD Jake CD CGC - aka Jake D Dawg, gone over the Rainbow Bridge on 5/10/09 at age 16 1/2. There will never be another Jake. <3
UCD Dawnee's Brooklyn Treasure CD CGC - aka Brookie my right hand girl, developed Hemangiosarcoma and went over the Rainbow Bridge on 1/2/11 at age 14 1/2. Always in my heart <3
Resqdogs Justa Lil Pixie - My sweet Pixie, diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 4/10/12, tripawd since 10/25/12 <3
Welcome and best wishes for Pixie's speedy recovery. Your future comments will not require moderation.
Don't miss these topics for some good replies to those folks who just don't get it...
"Poor doggie" comments - how do you react?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi resqdogs - just wanted to add a word of encouragement. I too got lectures from family and frowns from friends, but the relationship between a dog and her person is completely personal! There's no doubt that any of us that opt for some sort of treatment are partly motivated by not wanting to lose a best friend, but there is also no doubt that if you are willing to expend the emotional, physical, and financial resources it will take to help your furbaby through this surgery you are highly motivated to do what is right for her too and YOU are the ONLY one who really knows. Every dog/human relationship is unique and if you have made a decision that feels right for Pixie, then it is bound to be right because only you would know. I've nursed a couple of rescue dogs through amputation (various reasons) and now my own sweet Shan due to osteo - it is mind boggling how well a cherished dog can adapt, but most of them do great with some love and care. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Pixie.
I am just now (since a noon trip to the vet yesterday) going through this process of trying to figure out whether to amputate or euthanize my cat who has this same type of bone-tumor (very abnormal for cats), so I understand what a difficult decision this is. My mother also told me that amputation would not be her choice, because she does not believe that he will have a good quality of life. However, I am beginning to believe that the decision you are making (and that I believe I will make) is the right one. I agree with Lisa that this is a very personal decision - only you know your pet well enough to know if this is the right thing.
I'm sure that everything will go well for you and your Pixie. Chin up! (Hah, I'm a wreck, so I'm one to talk).
"You aren't doing it TO him, you are doing it FOR him. Give him a chance at life."
Check out Fang's blog at http://cldavis......pawds.com/
Hi and welcome. Most of us on this site have dealt with the disapproving family/friends and, well, you can see how much we listened to them.
Our Zeus was a husky mix who was diagnosed with OSA at 11 years old and he did fine with the surgery and recovery. I do think it takes a little longer for the older dogs to get their groove back, but don't be discouraged if it takes a little longer than the two weeks you see mentioned so often. Just keep in mind that this is major surgery and even if it takes Pixie a whole month to bounce back, that's still a heck of a lot quicker than us humans would recover!
If you've been watching the site, then you have probably seen all of the recommendations - cover slippery floors, raise the food/water bowls, keep the fur between the toes on the remaining front or back leg, etc. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions - this community is a wealth of information.
Good luck!
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/
Words from our awesome vet. "Amputation is not cruel. It is the ONLY way to stop the pain of osteosarcoma." The recovery period is not a cake walk. You will be on edge, sleep deprived, and just generally exhausted - mentally and physically.
Within a week, Trouble was well on her way to being self sufficient. We took our bed down and put our mattress on the floor, so she could sleep with us. Yes, we were way over protective.
One important suggestion. Sleep when Pixie sleeps. You will have a tendency to watch her sleep. Trust me, you will hear her every move.
Sending good thoughts for you both tomorrow. Amputation day is VERY stressful for the human.
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.
Hi, so sorry to hear you are dealing with osteosarcoma. Ah yes, you gotta love those well meaning people who think they know what is best for you and your dog!
I'm so glad you have found this site. It is a big help when you are facing all the decisions that go with an osteosarcoma diagnosis.
We will keep everything crossed and praying for a good surgery tomorrow and look forward to seeing some pics.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
I am pretty sure we had friends who thought we were crazy for going forward with amputation. For us, it was a no brainer. But that is us. They asked us very good questions and forced us to think it through, but in the end...we got the support we needed. Even so, it wasn't until we took a trip two weeks ago to visit some of those friends they they finally saw what we recognized immeadiately. Dogs are smart. Dogs are adaptable and what we learner from one weekend of lurking on tripaws, dogs are zen. They don't care. Sam is quite happy on three legs and he proves it to me every day.
Good luck with surgery. Keep us posted and make sure you get some sleep. The first 10 days are a crazy roller coaster, just know it gets better. Pixie will feel better way sooner than you or I would if we had the same surgery.
We look forward to hearing about your recovery!
Hugs from far away friends
Samdog and his mom.
Samdog was a 10 yr old Golden and retired SAR dog. We found a bone mass on 8/17/12, needle biopsy showed sarcoma 8/22/12, amputation on 8/23/12, post-amp biopsy confirmed osteosarcoma on 8/28/12. Sadly, we found lung mets on 11/27/12 and my Spirit Sam earned his wings on 12/2/12.
We didn't know where we were headed and we don't regret a single step along our path. It all happened too fast, but he left a legacy of love that we will always cherish. Good bye my heart.
You can find our story at http://samdog.t.....ipawds.com
Good luck Pixie and family! My pops told me all about you today after you guys were chatting. I hope everything goes smoothly tomorrow.
Don't worry Momma, GSDs are really super-tough doggies (hah! You know that!) who generally bounce back without a hitch. Pixie will be regulating the pack in no time. Please keep us posted on how the surgery goes, we're thinking of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement! The first thing I did after dropping her off was to come here. I'm so grateful to have found this site, a place where others really know what I'm going through.
Cldavis, for me, this choice has brought peace. I KNOW with absolute certainty that it is the right thing to do for Pixie. It sounds strange to say, but even if (god forbid!) something goes wrong. The only other choices, not choices at ALL to me, were to let her suffer or put her down. She's a strong, feisty girl. I've watched her try and chase squirrels from her yard hobbling on four legs. That spirit tells me that she deserves the shot at adapting to chasing them on 3 legs that don't hurt! Good luck with your decision and hugs to you and kitty!
Zeuspod, I appreciate the encouragement. I've been preparing for a long, tough recovery. My home is already fully outfitted for the "older set," ramps with carpeting, runners, raised bowls, beds/crates in every room for sudden needs to rest. I have lost two other beloved members of my family in the past couple of years. Jake, my wonderful boy at age 16 1/2 and Brooke, my right hand girl at age 14 1/2 from Hemangiosarcoma. I've been a GSD rescue volunteer for many years and I've often taken in many dogs with special needs. Until my own dogs began to develop problems, four dogs was the norm in my house. I can't wait until Pixie is stronger so I can give another dog a forever home and Pixie can help me show 'em the ropes! She's an awesome teacher!
Everyone, thank you and thank you again! I'm trying to keep as busy as I can today until I hear from the doc. Getting through this day is going to be agony...I'm sure I'll be checking back here to read some more inspirational stories when I need a shot of encouragement.
UCD Jake CD CGC - aka Jake D Dawg, gone over the Rainbow Bridge on 5/10/09 at age 16 1/2. There will never be another Jake. <3
UCD Dawnee's Brooklyn Treasure CD CGC - aka Brookie my right hand girl, developed Hemangiosarcoma and went over the Rainbow Bridge on 1/2/11 at age 14 1/2. Always in my heart <3
Resqdogs Justa Lil Pixie - My sweet Pixie, diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 4/10/12, tripawd since 10/25/12 <3
Welcome to Tripawds. Sorry you have to deal with this but it sounds like you are well prepared.
Yes- definitely keep yourself busy today, surgery day can be very long waiting for the call.
I dropped my little pug Maggie off and waited all day for the call- it was torturous! I waited into the early evening and finally couldn't take it anymore and called them ... they had to postpone the surgery!!! So I got to do it all again the next day. But I got through it, and so will you.
Lots of cool videos to watch and stories to read here.
Keep us posted.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Oh wow my folks remember surgery day like it was yesterday. When I went into the hospital, the docs started with a MRI to confirm that it was a cancer tumor. My folks didn't know if after that MRI I would wake up with 3 legs or 4. When the surgeon called about noon to tell them the bad news, my folks had to decide on the spot, while I was still under anesthesia, whether or not to proceed with amputation or let me go home until the pain got to be too bad. Talk about a stressful event! They're sure glad they gave the go-ahead for amputation, even though it was super scary at the time.
You're a pro at dealing with physically challenged dogs, your pack will be OK, I just know it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank, Jerry, but definitely not a "pro," especially when it comes to dealing with amputation. It's my first time and that's why I'm here! I've learned a TON lurking here over the past 6 months.
Just got the call from my vet, Pixie came through surgery well and is in recovery!!! I know we are not out of the woods yet but I'm relieved that the surgery went well. I need to see her....
UCD Jake CD CGC - aka Jake D Dawg, gone over the Rainbow Bridge on 5/10/09 at age 16 1/2. There will never be another Jake. <3
UCD Dawnee's Brooklyn Treasure CD CGC - aka Brookie my right hand girl, developed Hemangiosarcoma and went over the Rainbow Bridge on 1/2/11 at age 14 1/2. Always in my heart <3
Resqdogs Justa Lil Pixie - My sweet Pixie, diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 4/10/12, tripawd since 10/25/12 <3
Yaaay Pixie! That's terrific news. Will you go see her? Just a heads up, many vets discourage this because it usually gets the patient all riled up and anxious. What was their recommendation?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here's the thing...they don't have overnight care and sent her home with me tonight. She's sleeping mostly, but occasionally whines softly for a bit then goes back to sleep. Once in a while she wakes and sits up to look at me, then goes back to sleep. She's not interested in food or water but is well hydrated. She was on IV fluids all day.
I talked to my 24 hour emergency care vet and they said her behavior is normal and that many vets do send dogs home the first night. They said it depends on what I'm comfortable with, if I would rather her be monitored there, I can bring her up.
What has everyone else experienced with this?
UCD Jake CD CGC - aka Jake D Dawg, gone over the Rainbow Bridge on 5/10/09 at age 16 1/2. There will never be another Jake. <3
UCD Dawnee's Brooklyn Treasure CD CGC - aka Brookie my right hand girl, developed Hemangiosarcoma and went over the Rainbow Bridge on 1/2/11 at age 14 1/2. Always in my heart <3
Resqdogs Justa Lil Pixie - My sweet Pixie, diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 4/10/12, tripawd since 10/25/12 <3
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