Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My nine year old lab, Olive, goes in for her amputation surgery in the morning. Her front right leg we suspect an osteosarcoma, but have not confirmed yet. Decided to bypass the bone biopsy step and just move ahead with the surgery. She does not have any mets in her chest or lungs that we can see on x-rays. She has a large plate and pins in the area of her leg where the suspected tumor is from a injury she got before we adopted her. Not sure if this contributed to get current situation or not. I've always suspected she would have trouble with that leg in her old age, but never suspected this would be that trouble.
What is the general time spent at the vets office post surgery? I know a lot will depend on how the surgery goes for hey tomorrow, but wondering the general timeline from people with first hand experience.
Any advice or tips you have for bringing her home and helping her get through would be appreciated. I've done some reading through the site and it has been helpful in making the decision to amputate and learning about it.
dre4au said
What is the general time spent at the vets office post surgery?
Every dog is different, but the vast majority spend one night in the hospital. As long as the clinic has 24 hour supervision, you want Olive to spend the night. If not, be sure to listen to your vet very carefully for details about aftercare and have the number of a nearby 24-hour clinic, just in case complications arise, which is very rare.
Others will surely chime in soon. In the meantime, use the Advanced Search above to refine your search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. Start here for easy tips to navigating the vast resources this community has to offer. Do your homework, but don't get overwhelmed. Bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of helpful links or consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns. You can also search all blogs here .
And welcome! Best wishes for a speedy recovery. 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
Otis spent 2 nights in the hospital. Because he is a giant breed and so tall, this site, and my Vet, said that it may take him longer to figure things out. Happily, he has been recovering well, but 2 nights was great for both him and us as we got a few hours more sleep than we otherwise would have!
A friend of ours lent us these foam interlocking floor tiles that they used for their dog when he was a puppy, and we created pathways between his bed and the back door and his food bowls so that he could avoid hardwoods. We have confined him to one room in the house. Every dog is different I have learned! In Otis case, his first few days were great, and then I think his muscles were just exhausted from all the new movements, so he had a day of sleeping and eating in bed and we massaged him and of course the day after that he was doing great again! We are a week since surgery today and I've had moments where I've thought "what have I done!?" But they pass quickly and every day Otis seems more and more like himself again. You'll have to be patient and positive but your dog will recover! I know Otis probably won't be on an 8 mile hike with me again but I also know that he won't be in excruciating pain, and for that I am so, so thankful.
Also, many people on here said their dogs required encouragement to eat and special food. I took that recommendation to heart and cooked up a big batch of anti cancer dog food (recipe is in the book "feed your best friend better") and found that Otis' appetite is still as insatiable as it was before surgery BUT in the case that your dog's isn't, having that big batch of food pre made will be really helpful. I scoop it over his dry food and hide the pills in it and Otis loves it!
I slept on the couch in the room we confined Otis too. It was not a fun few nights and Otis would wake me up, but last night I got to sleep in our bedroom for the first time and Otis slept through the night and came to wake me up for breakfast! Be prepared but also be positive-- that's the number one thing everyone on here told me and I think it is really important! And don't be afraid to keep us posted, you won't get better support than from all the wonderful people here! If it helps you to see photos of a one week tripawd, you can see Otis at our Flickr album: https://www.fli.....N07/82xg24
-Camille and Otis
Youve gotten great links and tips from Admin and Camille!
Coming back in a bit, but just wanted to add my "WELCOME" and best wishes for Olive! Love her name and love her avatar picture! Can't wait to see more!
We are right by yiur side the whole way, okay? You are not alone!
Let us know when surgery done.
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!
I just wanted to chime in here too. My Yellow Lab was also diagnosed with bone cancer on a Monday, and I had that limb removed by a professional by that Saturday. It made no sense to me to have it biopsied, as in Gerry's case, the cancer was near his paw and it was SO compromised my vet said the biopsy may break his bone. So, thank you, but NO was what my gut told me. It was an impossible decision to make, but I knew I needed to make it soon. It KILLED me to think of him silently suffering. I will add Olive to my prayers, as well as you and your family.
As most replies have mentioned, you have found a wonderful web site and resource for comfort. Even though it will be difficult to remain positive when you bring her home, try to have your cleansing tears in another room. At least, that's what I felt. Gerry could sense every emotion in me, and I wanted him to know he was SAFE and LOVED. My house is full of small throw rugs that I got at The Christmas Tree Shop (if you have one in the area), as I have all hardwood floors.
Lastly, I didn't want to leave Gerry after his surgery. I had taken 3 or 4 personal days off from work to be with him, but it honestly, I think it made me worry more too. Going back to work was hard, but it actually helped me. I was able to refuel with new energy and bring it home to him.
And oh yes! If you boil her chicken breast, add a carrot or two in there, and then save the broth in ice cube trays. I never had to worry about Gerry being dehydrated, because "chicken cubes" became a famous treat, and the boiled carrots were much loved once mashed up!
Danielle
cvb5 said
Also, many people on here said their dogs required encouragement to eat and special food. I took that recommendation to heart and cooked up a big batch of anti cancer dog food (recipe is in the book "feed your best friend better")
-Camille and Otis
We love that book! Here's our review:
Feed Dogs Better with Home Cooking Recipes from the Dog Food Dude
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all for your support. This has been a roller coaster ride of emotions. One minute I'm stead fast in my decision to move ahead with surgery and then the next I'm thinking what the hell am I doing. Having all the stories to follow on here has helped tremendously. Callie thanks so much for sharing your album. It helps so much to see post surgery pictures, so I'll know what to expect (btw my grandfather was named Otis, so love the name).
So far so good for my girl. She got through surgery today and is at the vets office recovering. He said at the earliest it would be late tomorrow afternoon before she came home, but more likely Wednesday or Thursday. I'm planning to take the first day she is home off from work for sure and then see how she is doing. I have my mom and dad on standby for back up help as well.
She is a strong and tough girl. It has been hard to judge the amount of pain and discomfort she was in, because she just does not show pain. Although I know she had to have been hurting. Hoping this will give her the relief it seems have given others. Will keep you all updated with her progress.
YAAAAAAAAAY OLIVE!!! SURGERY IS DONE!!! 🙂 Olive is seeing pink elephants now, so you try and get a good night's sleep too...without the pink ellephants!
When you do go pick her up, don't even bother to look at her incision! Just look into her druggy eyes and tell her what a good gitl she is and she's going home!! 🙂
Wome dogs are restless and whiny the first coupl of.nights and sleep very little. Some are pretty well zonked lut because of the hospital drugs. So be prepared for either. Oh, and some come home and act as though not much has happened! Every dog is different...every recovery is different!
For the first week or so, you may question your decis...just like you are doing now! All normal reactions. It took me three weeks before I could say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!!
Glad your parents will be able to sit with Olive when you go back to work. I know it's not always possible, but if you, or someone, coukd be with her for at least the first five or six days, that would be ideal. Then if someo coukd check on her during the day after that while you're at work, that would also be ideal.
Let us know if you have any questions, okay?
Get some rest......And eat lots of CHOCOLATE! It helps!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...great advice from Danielle about the ice cubes! Drinking is important and so is peeing. Eating and pooping may be off a bit for a few days.
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!
Hopefully those pink elephants are going on a big parade for her right now. She was scared this morning when we dropped her off, so it's reassuring to think she's seeing pink right now.
Also glad to know I'm not overreacting by getting people lined up to sit with her the first few days. I figured she need some help getting adjusted to life on three legs.
You're doing all the right things. The second day Otis was home my dad came to be with him. This was great because I could focus at work knowing Otis wasn't alone. He also loves my dad and this gave me the opportunity to see Otis wag his tail and be happy, so even though it was only for a brief moment before he slept again, it reassured me that Otis was still Otis underneath all the drugs and pain.
It has been a rollercoaster for me too, everyone understands. I was a wreck while Otis was at the hospital, I hated thinking of him waking up all alone without me. But, let me tell you, when we went back to the hospital to get his drains out yesterday, Otis charged in there as fast as he could hop. He was excited to see all his new friends, my point being, Olive is in good hands and she is being well taken care of. Thinking about sweet Olive and you!
Oh I'm so glad the surgery is behind you and Olive. I hope you have a good homecoming today, I'm sure it will be so sweet and unforgettable. Let us know if we can help with anything OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all for your replies. Spoke to the vet this morning and it looks like she is doing so well today that he is going to go ahead and send her home tonight. She is up and standing as well as walking already. 
He said she had a moment last night of waking up and realizing that leg was gone where she freaked out a little. He was able to adjust her medications and get her calmed down.
I thought it was too funny because he also used the term she was seeing pink elephants when he was talking about her waking up and having a moment last night.
Fingers crossed she continues down a good path.
We are in for a snow day down here in Alabama and the state is pretty much closed, so it is a good day for her to come hoe so I can spend the day with her tomorrow while we attempt to survive the snow.
YAY!! so glad Olive is doing good and is already walking. That is a good sign. Keep us updated. 🙂 hope she is coming home tonight.
That is the best news! And your vet clearly took good care of her. Olive you are a very strong, very good girl! Big hugs.
For Olive! Her very own pink elephant as a WELCOME HOME present! 🙂
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!
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