Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello all, my sweet Isa is at the vet right now having her leg amputated. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma almost a month ago. Poor baby has basically stopped using her leg altogether. I hate that we had to wait so long for the surgery, but life got in the way. I know in my heart she will be ok after once she recovers, but I am having a very hard time coming to terms with "doing this to her". This site has been so helpful! Reading through all of the stories has helped me feel more comfortable with it all. I just feel so guilty... my poor baby woke up today, was deprived of breakfast, left at the {dreadful} vet and will wake up some time later today without a leg. I guess i am humanizing it all, and thinking how i would feel. I need to Be More Dog , right? She will cope and recover, and be fine! I just need it to be over with so i can stop worrying about the surgery going well!
tortyeager said
I am having a very hard time coming to terms with "doing this to her"...
Please try to re-frame the situation. You are not doing this to Isa. You are doing this for her!
Rest assured, you are not alone in the emotions you're feeling. And you have come to the best place for recovery and care tips, and more importantly, support from others who understand. If you want to talk, drop by the chat room and feel free to call the Tripawds Helpline anytime. Please start here for help navigating all the helpful resources the Tripawds community has to offer.
and yes, our #1 most important advice though, is to Be More Dog . And that is not just some silly saying. Click the link for our podcast on the subject for complete details.
Best wishes for Isa. Please keep us posted, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome and sorry your journey has brought you here! The fact that Isa already isn't using that leg may well help as she learns how to navigate on three. This is an intense journey for sure but soon Isa will be back home and under your watchful eye again. Yes try to put all your human emotions aside and just show calm positive energy to Isa as she begins her new normal. You'll both do fine and we are all here to help you if you need us. Remember too you are taking away the source of her pain! Once she's recovered from the surgery she will not miss that leg that caused her such pain. You truly are doing this "for" her! Hugs!
Online
Ditto Linda and the Admin Guy!
And welcome to yiur new family who understands the emotional stress involved getting to this point like no one else can!!
All Isa will notice is that the pain from her bum leb is gone!!! And qhen you go pick her up (tomorrowmaybe?), jist ignore the incision...don't even look at it. Just look into her druggy eyes and tell her how happy you are and how prpud of her you are and tell her she's going home!! 🙂
STAY CONNECTED! The first couple of weeks, especially the first several days and loooong nights, can be pretty rough! The Vet will send you home with Tramadol, Rimadyl, and antibiotic and probably Gabapentin. Some even come home with a pain patch.
Rest, rest, rest and potty breaks then more rest. No running, no jumping, no stairs, etc. If you have hardwood floors you'll need non slip scatter rugs for traction .
A d you'll need lots of chocolate for yourself!!
Drinking and peeing are important. She may not have much of an appetite and she may not poop for a few days. All normal.
TRY and get some rest while Isa is at the clinic. And update when you can, okay?
We're all sending extra pawsitive thoughts and lots of love and 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!
Thanks everyone! This is a very special group! Isa is through her surgery and all went well. She is in recovery on fluids and pain meds. We will hopefully be able to see her and bring her home tomorrow sometime. Luckily the poor thing will be drugged during her least favorite holiday of the year! Unfortunately they may have found mets in her lungs already which just plain stinks. Our oncologist is double checking with a radiologist. It is apparently small and localized, which i guess are good things. We had already planned on chemo for after surgery, so I assume that won't change. Anyway, thanks again for the support. Its so nice to hear from others who have gone through it! I will keep updating, and/or asking for questions as we begin this new journey.
So happy for you and for Isa that her surgery went well and she can come home soon. And for the silver lining of having some serious meds on board for many critters' least favorite holiday.
I am sorry for the potential of lung mets and hope for the best.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
YAY!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 Surgery is over and that painful leg is gone!! And yes, being in heacy drugs at the clinic during all those awful fireworks is not all that bad!!
Just keep things chunked down for now, okay? Whatever the xrays may, or may not show, can be dealt with later!! IF it is one of those pesky mets, Isa is feeling just fine and has no symptoms and that's a good sign!! And Isa doesn't give a rip what any ole medical mumbo jumbo shows anway!! She just wants to get on with all that loving and spoiling that awaits her!! And it is IMPOSSIBLE not to spoil a tripawd!!
Get some good rest tonight, okay? And remember, we're all right here to help you through the recovery and onto the celebration of Isa feeling better 🙂 🙂
Love and 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!
tortyeager said
I will keep updating, and/or asking for questions...
Please do keep us posted! You will find most questions have been answered here over the years, so be sure to use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases—you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Our girl is home! And she seems great, although tired for sure. But the look in her eyes is my girl again. She had been so depressed prior to the surgery. Its nice to see her again! I know we still have a hard road ahead, but it warmed my heart to see my happy girl again! She made it through her first night at home without any issues! So things are good for now. Thanks again for all of your support!
YAY! It warms our heart too. That is terrific she had a good first night at home. What pain meds did she come home on?
Here's to more smooth sailing!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She has Rimadyl and Gabapentin. And my husband just told me she pooped today! All good things. She's been sleeping most of the day!
We celebrate poop here, so Yay! 🙂
Now if she's even eating and drinking you're doing fantastic!
Sounds like everything's ok so far, if anything comes up or you have questions, let us know!
to a smooth recovery,
Tina & Manni
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
WONDERFUL UPDATE!!!! 🙂 🙂
And we have poop. 
too! HAPPY. DANCE!!! 🙂
Some mebers have observed that, even though the pain of surgery hurts badly, their dogs DO seem to hurt less than they did before the surgery with that painful leg!!
Good job Isa!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS.....IF Isa does have trouble getting her pain managed, you can ask the Vet about including Tramadol.
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!
Just wanted to say thanks for the post! I am currently dealing with the same thoughts and emotions that you were feeling prior to your dog's surgery. It has been reassuring reading everyone's replies and knowing that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
stephaniecanty said
It has been reassuring reading everyone's replies...
Thanks for the comment! Sorry we missed you in the chat.
Consider starting a new topic to share your story, your future forum posts will not require moderation. Start here if you need help navigating the many Tripawds resources.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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