Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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{{{{{{hugs}}}}} stay strong, you CAN get through this and you will. Be a strong pack leader so that Hannah will believe in herself.
In the big scheme of things ten days isn't a long time. Humans would take much longer than any dog to recuperate from this major surgery. Sometimes dogs just take longer to get their sparkle back. It's not unusual for a dog to take this long, and many people have felt the same way you do. You are not alone, I promise. Stay under the close care of your vet and anytime you are suspicious that something isn't right, call them, that's why you pay them. Hang tight for your upcoming onco visit, things will get better.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'd like to reiterate that it's OKAY to call your vet whenever you're concerned about something. I've spoken with the techs at my dog's clinic about 100 times since we started Kermit's treatments. I have a LOT of experience with animal health matters but this is new to me so I've had lots of questions & concerns too.
I also learned today that if I sit with Kermit & baby him, he's more than happy to lay there like a lump & whine & let me feel sorry for him. It's hard to find a balance between loving care and encouraging independence; have you found that balance?
One last thing: if you feel it's a pain issue, talk to your vet about not skimping on the meds. I see that it can be another fine line between appropriately medicated & over medicated, but in cases of severe pain I think it's hard to over medicate.
I've read so much about dogs that do so well for a few days & then tank that I'm hyper vigilant, but as Jerry says, 10 days isn't all that long. I'd stay on the vet like a boil on his butt if necessary until you're satisfied that the treatment she's getting is correct, then be her cheerleader & lead her into recovery through your sheer determination & enthusiasm. It's too soon to give up! 
Don't give up on Hannah recovering! You need to be strong and positive around her, I know it is hard but she needs you to show her everything will be OK. I told you before that Maggie was not herself for 6 weeks after surgery- 10 days is still early.
Keep pestering the vet if you think she is in pain, or there is a problem. Give her time, with lots of encouragement! Come here to get support- then pass it on to Hannah.
You are tired and stressed, and everything looks worse. It will get better.
Karen
Be strong! I know it isn't easy. But you must BELIEVE. Knowing what Hannah has been Through, you have to give her one fair, great shot at recovery. Cry, worry, pray...but not in front of Hannah. I tell everyone that I had to remind myself to take frequent time outs and give myself a break when things got too overwhelming for me. At times my anxiety levels would go through the roof and I would feel helpless and wish there were answers or more I could do. But I can assure you that Hannah will feed off of your energy. Just changing your frame of mind and readjusting your outlook will work wonders. Stay the course and you'll see. You both are in my thought and prayers. Best wishes.
Maricela and Spirit Bruno
Maricela and Spirit Bruno
Jerry. Spirit Bruno, Kermit, Krun. I really apologize for such a public "mini breakdown" ( my one of about a million!). On my last post.. The fear took over again! You all are going through your own challenges or have in the past and, here you are, still reaching out to others! That said, please continue to keep in touch because you have no idea how your comments are always EXACTLY what I need to hear and your encouragement transfers from me straight onto Hannah.
Please know that, regardless how absolutely terrorized,overwhelmed etc. I am, and this is hard to believe----but I do stay calm and positive energy for Hannah (and try and take my crying/sobbing outside sitting in the car)
.
Please know also I'm at the pinnacle of strength and empowerment when I hear from you guys. Each of you are magnificant souls and I'm so privileged you re offering your guided wisdom.
Haven,t been able to find out much on legs amputated with the lymph ode "issue" other than it's a rarity. I like your comments about it bing taken off with the leg. And yes Kermit, I think I am waiting on her hand and foot (or is hand and leg better--ha!) Too much..why. other getting up if she gets all her meals brought. to her in bed
Your support is our lifeline right now and wwe're not letting. Go!
My appreciation is beyond words, Sally and Happy Hannah and we both feel great because of you!
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!
Oh my... don't let her lay in bed all the time; she needs to be out there building muscles in the three good ones in order to have a normal rest-of-her-life! Even if she's not back to a regular routine, she should be hopping to a different location for her dinner. If she wants to eat laying down, that's ok too, but you're treating her as though she's an invalid & she's not. 
You're her cheerleader! If you have to jump up & down with her favorite dinner in your hands on the other side of the room to get her up & moving, then do it! When she gets there & does it, praise her like crazy!
Kermit just had his first independent, unsupported poop today & you'd have thought he won the Superbowl I was so excited! 
But it made him wag happily & hop all the way back to the house, up the ramp, & into the kitchen without help.
I'm so grateful for this forum that I'm thrilled to be able to share my experience & help you to be pawsitive.
Hugz to you & your baby; you're doing great! (seriously, you are, I'm not trying to blow sunshine up your skirt. give yourself a little credit.) 
Let's see now, the wisdom I learned from Kermit's mom today that I can pass onto others seeking support:
Stay on your vet like a boil on his butt!
Be on lookout for tripawd people trying to blow sunshine up your skirt.
And there's a new Superbowl out their for tripawds who take their first poop! Can we coin the phrase 'POOPERBOWL'!!
It feels good to smile ad I appreciate the re-inforcemnt that. I :am doing a good job. Anything that I'm doing well is because of this site and the caring support of people like you
And yes, I m practicing on helping Hannah regain her independence ( like making her actually get up and come to me for her treats and actually getting up out of er bed for meals! And she does!,)
Thanks again for taking the time to help us..I think you. Should keep on training Kermit for the first. Tripawd Pooperbowl
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!
I so rarely get in the forums, but wish I had seen this sooner. You are not alone. This is some wonderful advise and support here. I just wanted to let you know I am thinking about you and Hannah. I know you will share her progress with us, because she will flourish!
Lovejake -- Thank you for reaching out to us-----you've certainly had your own challenges and that's very kind of you to take to e for us. Having computer problems so couldn't really check out your handsome boy. Happy Hannah seems to be feeling better a little Moe consistently now so that's a relief. I actually slept upstairs I
In my own bed last night ( she's 123 lbs prior to surgery so I'm m not able to get her us the stairs). Of course I was up every hour anyway quietly checking on her!
Still have been unable to find out much about "it" being in lymph node of amp leg and tentatively scheduled to talk to onco. Tomorrow-- stitches coming out tomorrow. Can't start chemo right away cuz She's still kinda rocking from the surgery, Know must do it soon if I,m going to proceed that route. Was oping to get input on specific treatment from thses experienced
precious tripawd people but I neeed to get more info from onco first
Much love to all. 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!
So your Hannah had mets from the bone into the lymph node? I'm hoping Kermit's hasn't done that but it wouldn't surprise me... nothing surprises me anymore. But we're doing everything we can & so far, so good. 
Our path results should be back soon.
I'm interested to hear what the vet has to say. Good luck!
Almost. 100% certain Kermit won't have it in his lymph node from the leg. The vet didn,'t do a lymph node aspiration before surgery--just said they "felt" fine and supposedly this kin of "spread only happens in less than 5% of cases anyway. Guess the only way they find this sort of thing is from the removed leg. It seems that Hannah has been on the "rotten" end of statistics since all this baloney started!! And as Jerry says 9 out of 10 statistics are wrong!! I love that quote!! She's in the category of those that have harder time recovering from surgery too. The moments that she's regaining her joy are true gifts and I'm kinda used to them being all too brief it at least she's having them now and I couldn't say that a few dasys ago
Kermit will have a good report come back --as good as can be under these crappy circumstances---and he will do just fine!! REALLY!
So sorry my typing is so bad but takes too much time and know how to fix--and I'm really short on computer/tablet brain
Go hug that baby and smile as Kermit wags back. 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!
Sally,
How is Hannah? I hope things are going better. Jake was 85 pounds, and I do believe the bigger dogs have it harder. I slept in the den next to Jake for the first three nights (we have a one story home). Let me know how it goes with the onco, I will be online later maybe I'll catch you in the chat.
If you get a chance, check out Jake's FB. I don't have a blog, but I have tried to share Jake's (and Julia and Finley's) stories.
Hugs to Hannah!
123 pounds, OMG! Kermie is about 85 as well & my arms are killing me from carrying him around!
Kermit's report DID show no lymph node involvement from the osteosarcoma, which was especially a relief because he already had lymphoma when the osteo was diagnosed, so we're already treating for two types of cancer!
Aspiration of the nodes can be hit-or-miss because if it's not in the whole node you can miss it with the needle. Kermit's nodes (all of them!) were GIGANTIC when his lymphoma was diagnosed, there was little doubt from the moment I felt them.
But it sounds like Hannah is on the mend, (though in her own time for sure), so keep us posted!
The nightmare just won't let up...I know everyone has/is going through so much but if anyone can offer help right now it wouldbe appreciated beyond words.
Told several days ago "it" was in lymph node of amp. and that was a negative from previous prognosis.. Still to go with chemo and there were no "standardized" studies on median time. Not doing anything this week because I NEED MORE INFO and there's no better place than "my second home"---this treasured site and you extraordinary souls!. Also want her recovery to show more steady improvement----she's better---really lays around a lot tires easily---still not drinking unless I mix it with food or ice cream----eating well though-----tail wagging more---always carry something I her mouth..toy..a sock..a shoe (no, I haven't been focused on tidy) but she only does that every now and then---doesn't get up to greet me now but wags and waits for me to come to her---ayway much better than has been just want her to get stronger and more of self if I put her through anymore "hope treatment"
So bring her home, find some stitches they missed. Picked up pathology report--------get ready-----it states four times and once underlined----------NO LYMPH NODE TISSUE SUBMITTED----NO LYMPH NODE TISSUE EVIDENT----HE CASSETTE DID NOT CONTAIN LYMPH NODE TISSUE----NO LYMPH NODE TISSUE SUBMITTED...........and I'm told she has a negative prognosis because it's in lymph node!!!!!???????!!!
Called onco she said she talked to surgeon and they say it was submitted but that he cancer must have destroyed it!!! I really think I'm going insane and I didn't have far to go. Left message for pathologist on the report but I doubt will call back
Report said osteosarcoma nothing about nodes---said evidence of infiltration of periosteal soft tissue ---don't even know what to look up on Dressler's blog or anything on internet.
In meantime, happy Hannah is giving me as much as she can and truing to get better and dealing with her leg thing like the hero she is. And all I can do it seems, is continue to screw things up for her and nothing I' m doing is helping her get more quality. Her recovery is clearly taking longer and I fear something will take over if it hasn't already-before she gets to having good quality. Her joy and happiness was far ,more intact and consistent before the surgery, even with the limp pain. It seems like I took that away and replaced with poor quality and I can't stand it ending that way I just wanted her to feel better and she isn't 't--------yes, she's better than a week ago, but not enjoying as much as before.............and how long before she can finally lay on the amputated side. If she has time at all. What can I do.? Can a lymph node tissue be submitted and disappeared because cancer ate it up
I've heard 'M dog ate my homework! Not. The cancer ate up the lymph node
Thanks for listening, I know nothing can be done, she's only had bad luck and, even IF she went with chemo it would be the reaction of the few who had bad experiences. She just seemed like such a good candidate and you always think your dog won 't be the one where things don't work out. I appreciate you.
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!
Hmmm, first: chin up... she's improving.
Second: Here comes Dharma's kick in the pants for today:
There IS something that can be done, and it starts with fixing your defeatist attitude. I know you're feeling guilty & unsure & sad, but clearly you have the desire to make things better, so stop with the guilt & worry & start with a plan.
Is there another vet you can get an opinion from? I've even used an online service, which, for $44 let me "live chat" with a vet specialist & ask questions. You need a second opinion, something doesn't smell right here.
Meanwhile, as long as she's improving, try not to be so discouraged. She's a big girl & there's a lot of healing that needs to happen. And your attitude means a lot to her attitude, so nothing but pawsitivity and encouragement/excitement over every incremental change is critical! Be like one of those nurses who's always so cheerful when they force you to get up & hike 'round the halls of the hospital with your butt hangin' out of your johnny even when you're sure it's going to kill you. 
Sing, hum, talk to yourself, talk to her, put some mindless, funny drivel on tv or some dance music, and get her moving.
She's not going to want to eat or drink as much if she's spending most of her time lounging around, so as long as you're pretty sure she's not in pain, start playing with her! Have a neighbor come over & tell her how brave & adorable she is! Give her a squeaky toy! Whatever will make her feel like laughing at you or give her something to get excited over. hange up your routine!
I've had lots of animals who seem like they're never going to get better & suddenly they turn a corner, so don't give up. She's carrying socks, wagging her tail; she's not giving up!
Pants-kicking over. 
I've shown your question to a vet I know- will let you know when I hear anything back.
HUGZ!!
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