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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Ok, so I've spent the better half of the last few weeks reading "Dog Cancer Survival Guide " "Three Legs and a Spare " and "Loving Life On Three Legs ". I feel like I have a good grip on the situation. Knowledge is POWER.
I have surgery scheduled for June 11th based on my primary vet's recommendation, and that is also the day I meet with the surgeon due to her booked schedule (no other surgeon in my area and she comes HIGHLY recommended by a ton of people I know). Even with the praise she's been given by people I know and trust, I have some questions I want answered before the day of surgery to put my mind at ease. I am going to ask for a phone consultation with her or a tech that is familiar on the subject later this week.
I spent my lunch break writing a list of questions for pre-surgery and questions for the day of the consultation. I am hoping those who have been down this road before me can tell me if my list is adequate or if there are things they'd wish they had asked.
Pre-Appointment Questions:
Will Barret be staying overnight or for multiple nights? If so, what kind of after hours care is provided to the animals in your hospital?
What pain protocol do you usually provide for animals facing amputation?
-Gabapentin/Tramadol/Rimadyl
-Do you start Gabapentin early to prevent pain wind up?
-Morphine Drip
-Fentanyl patch
Who will I see for follow up care (suture removal, wound checks, pain med refills) You or my family vet?
Can I get a quote for a full front leg, aggressive surgery including removal of some of the chest wall?
Appointment Day Questions:
What is the best possible outcome with this treatment?
What if this treatment doesn't work and the tumor comes back/what are the chances of this happening?
Should the lymph node in that area be tested for metastasis (which is not likely with this type of cancer)?
What is the worst case scenario if surgery is not done?
What, other than medication, can I do to minimize post-surgical pain?
What side effects/bad reactions/problems should I keep an eye out for?
Do you recommend physical therapy after the wound has healed?
Can you recommend a facility or home therapist in the area?
If I have specific questions after surgery, how can I contact you?
Thanks Tripawd pawrents for reviewing my list of questions!
-Heather C.
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Heather I think these questions look great, you definitely want to ask questions no matter how highly recommended a clinic is. I would also insist on a conversation with the oncologist directly; remember, you are paying the rate for an onco doc's expertise, not the rate for a tech. As much as it stinks money plays a role in all this so be sure to get your money's worth.
My other suggestions are:
- Compare your questions against the onco questions in this post to make sure everything in your mind is covered .
- Ask what precautions they are taking against MRSA infections.
- Be sure to ask about post-surgery complications: how will any complications, such as visits for broken sutures, wound infections, etc., be billed to you.
Hope this helps!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks! MRSA
and complication questions added to my list. I will insist on a consult with the doctor herself. 
I guess I am just afraid the staff will say "no" to the phone consult (even if I am willing to pay). While the doc has GLOWING reviews, her staff has less than stellar ones. And I got the same feeling when I spoke with them while scheduling. I hate being confrontational, but I'll do it for Barret!
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Doing what YOU need to do for Barret is not confrontational---it's LOVING AND SMART!!!
I think you'll find some of the questions will be deferred to the onco.
Foe me----one of THE most important questions is will Barret be staying overnight (which MOST...not all do) and is the hospital staffed with 24 hr. care.
Some here had a great rapport with their surgeon and were able to talk with them directly, especially the first few days after surgery, or if the surgery site was one of the "uglier" ones that took a little bit longer to heal, seroma developed, etc. I did NOT......my situation was more "assembly line" oriented...he survived surgery so their job was done....and this carried over to most of their techs who were quite impressed with their own self too!! K don't mean to be hard......but u til the tripawd community infused me with a dose of courage I just rolled over and apologized for even thinking of calling them.....the audacity of me!!!
Once I put on my big girl tripawd panties and said, NO, I do NOT want a tech to call me I am asking that the surgeon return my call and I will give her the nature of the call!! From that point forward, the surgeon took my call and I was able to bypass the tech.......I only called maybe three times after that so it wasn't like I was bugging them.
For me, this site was far more informative, along with the books you mentioned than my surgeon ever was........there Alost always is so done here who has already experienced any challenge you might have and can this you accordingly:-)
One thing that might be helpful, write your questions down and drop them off the next few days and maybe she can have most of your answers written out. That would be efficient AND reassuring
...........or big girl tripawd skirt, whichever you prefer:-)
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Gosh, I think I'm holding a subconscious resentment and that's a waste of energy! HOWEVER....one ore thing:-) I would ask that the surgeon call you within 24 hours of being home........No one ever initiated a call to check on us. Had it not been or this site, I would of have known Happy Hannah had a zero a that needed to be watched. and how I needed to treat it at home, etc. My personal family physician (my vet for over thirty years was far more helpful and concerned!!
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!
Haha- Sally, I am good with the Tripawd panties.. do they sell those? LOL
Thanks, I remember now that you didn't have a great experience with your surgeon. I'm hoping that she lives up to the reviews my friends and colleagues have given!
In my case (or Barret's case, I guess), there will be no oncologist. The type of cancer he has doesn't respond to radiation or chemo. Basically the only treatment is to cut it out and hope you got wide enough margins around the original tumor. Even the family vet couldn't really answer my "what if" questions but I figure it doesn't hurt to ask.
I was going to ask if they had an email so I could email the questions to her in advance. This place doesn't even have a WEBSITE! What? It is 2013 and you don't have a website. I started out my career as a web designer so that is just blasphemy in my book..!
@beeny55 -Sally, what is a "zero"? You said that Hannah had a zero that needed to be watched. What is that or was it an autocorrect mix up?
Heather & Bear
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Ohhhhhh dear.....I'm a ZERO when it comes to this blankety blank blank tablet/computer thing!! Hannah had a seroma ( I think that's it). It was a whole, whole lot of fluid swelling hanging down around her incision.....it's where the fluid is trying to find a place to go since it can no longer go to the leg.....or something like that.
Anyway, it does indeed happen sometimes and it's not a big deal....you k
Just want to make sure it's not oozing gunky stuff or smelly.....BUT....no one told me about that possible happening but the site calmed all my fears and gave me all the info. I needed. It apparently can be caused sometimes by too much activity right after surgery. Well, Happy Hannah was drug high happy on the way home and his g her 120 lb. body like a tank trying to drive the car, Jul out of the window and sail through the roof for a solid hour. All she really wanted to do was pee but I knew I couldn't stop or I would NEVER get her back in the car! Do NOT pick up Barret by yourself....have someone drive you:-)
Yeah, the other day.....and I don't remember whose blog it was--but I typed.....some dogs take a little longer to RECOVER.....and this machine typed--a little longer to REVIVE:-) My tripawd friends get a great laugh at the torture..pure torture...I go through with this THING:-)
So, not to worry, I can guarantee Barret will NOT develop a zero!!!
Lots of love to you!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
That is classic!!! 
I'm glad he won't have a zero!
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Heather
Hope you great success with all your info gathering. We're new at this also, just had our surgery today and I've phone them so much I think they all can recognize my voice by now. As with all family members being ill, we are their advocates. Don't feel hesitate to ask any and all questions, and to have it broken down step by step. I was disappointed that not one Dr advised us to visit tripawds. We found it, thank god it's been our life line of unbelievable resources. Hope all goes well, we will be thinking of you.
Esther(snoops Mom)
Thanks Esther,
I've been following your threads too, since you're going through this before me. Wishing you both tons of luck!
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Had a phone conversation with a tech (That was OK for now because my general questions were about the hospital itself). I had my list in front of me and everything... but I forgot to ask the first and most important question on my list.. how are the animals cared for overnight (supervised and monitored, etc).
So mad at myself! I will have to call back next Monday and ask.
As for the pain protocol they usually don't use Gabapentin, but they do have it. She said generally they'll use Tramadol and with an anti inflammatory I didn't recognize (she said it is just like Rimadyl).
All the reading I've been doing and seeing others' posts in the forum.. is this too little pain management ? It is the same protocol my regular vet used for the tumor removal, and Barret had no bad side effects, but he did a lot of refusing to move or looking like he wanted to get up/lay down but couldn't/wouldn't.
Thanks, Heather & Barret
12 days to go...
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Hey Heather and Barret!
Glad you got some answers.
Heck I can't think of the other thing like Rimadyl....seems like it starts with a "D"....big he'll, huh?
The pain management
thing is recall "managed" more on a cases by case and adjusted quite frequently during the first couple of weeks...or even longer when. Needed.
It's such a fine line between the symptoms of pain and the symptoms of too much med. Lethargic, whimpering, crying, restless, cannot get co for table....all looks the same!
For me, I'd rather err on the side of having them a touch dopey than feeling pain.
It's really one of those things gs...one of those many things....that will be determined during recovery. Tramadol I'd definitely used for surgery pain. My Happy Hannah was on Tramadol, Rimadyl and then I added Gabapentin later during the first week.....seems like I eventually lowered to Tramadol and just went with Tabs. And Rim. Somewhere .
But it really is a case by case so try not to even think about it for now....easier said than d e, huh??
You change in there Heather girl. Barrett isn't worried about one single thing!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Tramadol with an anti-inflammatory is something that most clinics have used for many years and it's the very least any dog should get. When I had my amp, that's what I got, but that was back in 2006. Tripawds Spokespup Wyatt Ray got that combo when he had his amp in 2009, and he was fine.
However there are better pain meds available now, including a Fentanyl patch (which I would insist on), and Gaba. Not all vets give gaba until there is a problem but as Dr. Wiltzius says in her video, giving it ahead of time can help reduce wind-up pain after the nerves are severed. If I had to do it over again, I would get the whole shebang. It's really up to you, always remember that.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Jerry, that's exactly the information I was looking for. Didn't know what the "norm" was. Doesn't the patch need to be applied the day before surgery? My consultation and the surgery are on the same day, but I will definitely ask to put him on Gaba in addition to the others to prevent that build up of pain I've been reading about.
Thanks, Heather
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
I believe the patch is applied by your vet during pre-op happenings but others here can confirm that.
You are an awesome advocate!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
