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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My beautiful black lab Zeus was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of his right hind leg. He’s going in for amputation tomorrow 3/1. I’m vey worried that 1) he’ll be in a lot of pain and 2) how will he do on 3 legs cause as I have no idea how to help him. With just amputation but no chemo what is his life expectancy? Thanks so much for your advice.
Hi and welcome! Your future posts won’t need approval so post away.
I’m sorry you are facing amputation but you have come to the right place, we totally understand your concerns and worries, many of us were there too.
Our What to Expect articles and The Tripawd’s e-books library are great places to start.
Tell us more about Zeus: how old is he and do you have other dogs? Is your house ready with traction ? Do you have help this week to care for him?
I apologize for making this short but I’ll be back tomorrow with more input and will have the Tripawds Chat open (Pacific Time after 10 am), so feel free to stop by! You can also call the Tripawds Helpline too.
Stay strong and remember that Zeus will follow your lead! Back tomorrow...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sending lots of positive energy tomorrow for your sweet Zeus. Just want to say right at the top, I'm using that Google speak thing 2 type, so this may not come out making much sense, but
Yes, suggest calling the tripawds' helpline tomorrow and a volunteer will be there to answer all your questions and help you navigate through the recovery, as well as all the stress you are feeling right now.
Just remember that no dog has a timeframe stamped on their butt, Zeus is not a statistic, and he could care less about number of days on the calendar. All he cares about is making every moment with you be the best moment ever. And yes, Trappist do amazingly well on three legs! Recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks, but once recovery from surgery takes place and a tripod gets his sea legs, they can do virtually anything they did before maybe with a little moderation or a little tweak here and there. As far as managing pain, pain management is crucial as it is major surgery. Most likely he will come home with Gabapentin, Tramadol, Rimadyl and an antibiotic. Some dogs come home with a pain patch. Some dogs have a nerve block injection at surgery that last for a couple of days. But once all the hospital meds wear off, that is when you'll want to stay in contact with your vet to make sure the dosing and frequency are working for Zeus. Is he spending the night at an overnight staff Clinic.?
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!
Just thinking of you and Zeus and hoping he's sailed through surgery!
Also wanted to add that good pain management makes all the difference for an easier recovery. Be sure to ask your vet about what kind of pain control he's coming home with (he should have at least 3 post-operative pain meds), and watch him for pain signals that could indicate too much or too little pain control.
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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