Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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A common thing I have noticed is people often wonder if they made the right decision for an amputation. I don't think I have read anyone regretting it but thought it would be interesting to see if anyone has. Anyone?
I will be the first to say "no regrets".
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Absolutely none. Dr F reminded me while we were waiting at the TV station last week that Trouble wouldn't be here now without it.
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.
Absolutely not. Our life after ampuation was short with Wrigley- only 3 months, but as I have said before it was the best 3 months of her life.
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
I am so happy to have done it!
Before, I was very unsure if it was the right option for us, I was worried about whether or not McGwire would get around OK and if he could handle it. McGwire is tall, I mean, really tall, and I didn't know if his remaining leg would handle the weight and additional stress. Long story short, he has far exceeded our expectations! Whether we get another 2 weeks or 2 years, he's no longer in pain like he was before.
Great topic for discussion! Absolutely no regrets here.
On very rare ocassions we have heard from members whose pups had extreme difficulty or didn't make it through the surgery or very long thereafter due to complications. Perhaps they may have regrets, but I remember the first time we heard such a story and even they did not regret their decision.
Without Regret by Susan Neal, is an excellnt book that addresses this exact topic. We found it very helpful when coping with the decisions about Jerry's amputation and highly recommend it to anyone going through the same difficult time.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We have no regrets, even though the first month you have doubts about if you did the right thing. Now 5 month later and seeing how happy Montana is, she moves around great that sometimes people do not even notice she is a tripawd. Well worth it No Regrets !
Certainly no regrets here. Koda is 4 weeks post amputation tomorrow and he is doing really well. I think we have been very lucky as Koda did really well during his recovery too, but all dogs are different. All I knew is that I had to remove the pain and I couldn't bare to see him limp any longer and had read and heard how well dogs can do on 3 legs, so that helped make our decision easier.
I remember my conversation with Doug Morris, our surgeon the week before the amputation. I asked him what to expect and how Paris would do after surgery. He said there was one thing he knew for sure.....she would be better the day after surgery than she was the day before! Paris was in severe pain, on 12 Tramadol and also Gabapentin daily..........not one day, hour, minute or moment of regret setting her free from that pain!
Gineej & Paris, loving my girl one day at a time
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Absolutely none. I have to admit that I still have a hard time admitting that I "willingly" agreed to remove Cherry's left fore leg. However, willingly is not the correct term since we all agreed to the amputation under great duress. During a recent visit with my breeder, I admitted to this difficulty. Boy did I get an ear full as she told me off. As she said, I not only gave Cherry her life back, but that I returned her to a very high quality of life. She does not just live, but rather she enjoys her life. She has fought very hard because of the quality of life that she now enjoys.
I tip my hat to each and every one who has made this difficult decision, to the dedication to your companion, to the love that you share, and to the willingness to fight this very tough battle along this very difficult journey. Shortly after Cherry's diagnosis, two more received the same diagnosis but were either incapable or unable to choose this journey. Neither were here months after this diagnosis while we celebrate nine months post amputation next week.
Regrets - only that this was the hand we were delt, but not on how we played it.
Bob & Cherry
Absolutely - pawsitively - 200% sure - NO REGRETS.
I have had over 16 months of wonderful, happy, spiritual, meaningful, deep and memorable moments with my Zeus that I otherwise would not have had. My life is 100% better in more ways than one as a result of this journey I have hopped with Zeus. I would not change a thing.
Great topic
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
No regrets here. On the 26th, we'll have 7 months that we wouldn't have had without amputating--I wake up each morning thankful for the time with my hero. He also seems to enjoy his life.
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
OK, a few regrets initially when Brody showed an allergic reaction to his meds after the amputation and almost died. But after 5 days in ICU and 2 blood transfusions, and he was finally released. A few more regrets when he came home and was constipated and was crying every time he stood up. However, absolutely no regrets now. Hard to believe that it has already been 3 months since his amputation. He is the happiest dog ever, and it melts my heart when I look over at him sleeping so soundly with no pain or when he runs (hops) to the door to go for his beloved but shorter walk.
Brody's mom, Pat
No regrets here... although I must admit the day we picked him up I had a regret and had no idea how I was going to handle it. But as soon as we got him in the car and got him home, those thoughts quickly passed.
I'd do it again in a heartbeat if I needed to, but it was all Smokey. He's the tough one. He's the fighter!
The first 10 days were kind of difficult... and we asked ourserves many times if we had made the right decition.
But what are 10 days compared to the rest of Horacias life? Nothing.
14 days after amputation we have to aknowledge, that we have no regrets whatsoever, we are only grateful for the wonderful time we have left with our pup.
Spirit Horacia, Castaño, Olympia + human family Cecilia, Georg and Julia - - - Hori first diagnosed 8/6/09, ampu 8/12/09, run over the bridge 9/10/09 – We miss you every day dear girl!
When we first found out about the cancer, I suppose we were different than most in the fact that we immediately requested amputation. Our doctors were good to give us all our options including limb sparing surgery for which Jack was a candidate, but amputation was the only way to get rid of all cancer cells in his leg, which would have been left behind had we kept his leg. I think the day we dropped him off for surgery was the only day where we had some aprehension (not that we were doing the right thing, but rather that he would come through OK), but once we got him home, we have at zero regrets whatsoever. I even got excited because it felt like we were bringing home a new puppy (I know! Crazy, right?).
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