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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Oh thank dog! Thanks for letting us know. It's always a good day when you know you've dialed in the pain control.
I also love that you're trying the Assisi loop. So far the feedback on it has been hit or miss, but most natural medicine remedies are that way. What works for some ... Glad it's working for Sonny.
Yes pain meds make a dog (or person) sleepy. That's good in so many ways though because it allows the body to rest and use energy for healing.
He's making progress and you'll be able to put all that behind you in no time. Stay strong!
Sonny seems in general so tired and just wants to lay in bed all day. He does have moments where we connect or his tail will wag, but he certainly is not "himself". He is on a lot of meds that would do that but I was wondering is this normal? He is 3 weeks post-op.
Yes, two weeks out is not a long time for most dogs. Between the pain medication and the trauma that amputation puts on the body's tissues and blood vessels, it's exhausting. Forget what you see out there, all dogs are on their own timelines. Sonny is a special dog, with his own timeline for getting his sparkle back.
How is his eating, drinking and pooping? Is it getting normal? How is his mobility right now?
In those moments when you connect and you see his personality again, what were you doing that made it happen? Try to replicate those moments, but do your best. not to put pressure on either of you. My guess is that in a couple of weeks you'll wonder why you were so worried.
Thanks for the response. Sometimes when I come home after being away for a bit I get a tail wag. The other day he even greeted me at the door and it was the best gift in the world. Other times I will just get super excited and say his name and what a good boy he is and see the tail wag a bit in his bed. Last night when I went to the bedroom for bed he stayed in his bed in the living room for 20 minutes and then came to my room to lay in his bed and when he got to the door I said his name and was so excited pumping him up and his tail wagged. His mobility is fairly good. We can go outside to go to the bathroom and he will smell outside for a little bit. He gets up sometimes and walks around the apartment. Nothing too crazy though. He mostly just lays in bed.
Something else that happens is when he will roll around in his bed or adjust positions sometimes he will let out a yelp or cry. I try to palpate him to localize the pain, but never can. I end up just massaging his body to relax him. Is that something that happens in this process / is normal?
So it sounds like a normal recovery, especially for a 10.5 year old larger dog. I'm not a vet but everything you are describing sounds like a general recovery at the 2-3 week mark. Remember, older and larger dogs need more time to recover than younger ones.
Recovery is hard work and we just aren't used to seeing our dogs so out of it or tired. The rest is medicinal for him, it is helping his body heal and get ready to have his life back again. Some of this can also be boredom. interactive brain games will keep his mind engaged with you, and strengthen your bond. His enthusiasm to games he enjoys will show you that his sparkle is still there underneath the epic work that is amputation recovery.
Try doing some fun but gentle things with him this weekend and see what happens. Even putting his food (kibble) in a rolled up towel and encouraging him to unroll it is a fun thing that may put some sparkle back in his eyes.
Patience, grasshopper, he will get there!
Update: I just took Sonny for a walk in the snow and he was so happy! Smelling everywhere, saying hi to other dogs. Wagging his tail. Definitely the best I've seen him yet. I am so happy.
Super duper news! 
WE are hoppy that YOU are hoppy!
One thing to keep in mind: walking in snow is a lot of work if it's deep, so try to keep to plowed surfaces that aren't icy.
Keep it up Sonny!
Hi everyone,
I found out 3 weeks ago that Sonny's osteosarcoma metastasized to his lungs. He is now on palladia and losartan, but I know that regimen is unlikely to have a meaningful impact. I am watching him decline before my eyes. Getting more winded and panting. Faster breathing rate and coughing sometimes. It is so incredibly hard to watch him decline and know that the end is very near. As I write this, I am so anxious about what is to come and am having a really hard time. I never had a dog before him and I got him right when I graduated college. My entire adult life so far has just been me and him and this is just so hard. I haven't posted in a while but my anxiety is so high tonight about everything I figured anything could help. When I first found out it metastasized it was really hard but he wasn't symptomatic yet so I got over the initial difficulty and figured out a way forward. Now that he is symptomatic, I am having a really difficult time again. The fear of not knowing how this will play out exactly. Seeing his decline is just beyond challenging for me. The fear of living life without him. I don't know what to do. Any advice would be really appreciated.
Hi Brian,
My heart hurts for you and Sonny, I'm so sorry. It is very difficult knowing what the cancer is doing, and trying to get a grasp on what you will do to help him be comfortable for as long as possible.
Can you reach out to a hospice vet? Your vet may be able to refer you to one, and if not, I can help, just PM me your location. These vets are great at helping you understand what Sonny needs now, and into the future. And they are there for you when you need to make that dreaded decision to help him transition. The Lap of Love website has a ton of good information. And you might want to check out our How to Prepare for Pet Loss Before it Happens article. As difficult as it is to think about these things, it's important to be prepared so you can be as clear-headed as possible during this time.
We are here for you, and if you want to talk you can call our Tripawds Helpline 844-TRIPAWD anytime. Many of us here have been through this and can help. Please keep us posted OK?
Oh I wanted to add, our Coping With Loss forum has some good posts with resources, and other people's experiences you can learn from. Also see this Penny Jars post, it's helped a lot of people. Meghan's post about Samson is also beautiful and a good read.
Also, I know this is a really hard thing to do, but try not to fill your head with all those worries about a future without Sonny. Of course you are scared and worried, I was too when our Jerry was going through this stage. I cried a lot too. But one day when Admin Guy (Jim) said to me "Save those tears ... there will be time for them later," it made so much sense. I discovered that the only way cancer "wins" is when we allow it to steal time away from our loved ones who are still with us. All Sonny wants right now is for you to be as present as possible while he is still here. I know you can do this.
Thank you for responding and for all your wise advice. Sonny has actually been under the care of a veterinary hospice team since he was first diagnosed with osteosarcoma. I am just having a hard time even though I am doing the best I can.
Brian, that's good you are working with the team. What are they recommending at this point as far as comfort care?
Of course you are having a hard time, it's completely understandable. Are you caring for Sonny on your own?
How is Sonny doing now? When he is not tired, what kind of days is he having? Remember, focus on what he can do at this point, and what makes him happiest. No it won't be like before, but this is the time now more than ever to live in the moment with him, and soak up his loving energy as best you can. Let go of electronics and devices, just be together to have heart-to-heart "talks" and feel the bond between you.
And we are here for you every step of the way too, so please keep us posted OK?
Sich a vicious and cunning brutal disease. Was not expecting this at all and it breaks my heart to read this. It is definitely a kick in the gut.
As Jerry mentioned and as hard as it is, you MUST stay focused on the now...the tears can, and will, come later. As she said. Live in the moment NOW . You are together NOW and you will not let that crap disease rob you of your time together. Your love for him will ensure that you make the most of eavh moment together. Your sweet Sonny has NO worries about the tomorrows and is not focused on "how many days, weeks, months, he as on a calendar. .
You might ask the Vet about adding Prednisone to help with his co fort. Mets caus inflammation and that can help with that, this help with his breathing, etc. Yiu can also ask about a cough med. Not sure,but I think some Vets sigges OTV Robitussin, but you can double check on that.
For the most part, while mets may be "uncomfortable ", they're not painful. And yets, dogs do tire more easily, but again, not painful.
I love that Sonnhjad such a good time in the snow and the two of you got to make sich a treasured memory.
Give Sonny ANY food he wants! Im sure ice cream would be something he would enjoy.....with whip cream and sprinkles. Spoil, spoil, spoil. Just like you already have and shall continue to do.
We are right by your side, okay?
(((((((((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!
Sonny was doing completely fine, but then had a coughing episode that sounded strange and since then has had a very high respiratory rate and can't really move without becoming winded. He's not very interested in food or even so much petting. I have been in close communication with the hospice vets and we decided that now is the best time to intervene since he is likely to go into worsening respiratory distress if we wait longer. They are scheduled an in-home euthanasia today at 2:30PM CST. I am incredibly sad, but have some solace in knowing he won't suffer longer. Life is going to be so hard without him.
Yoir
Ove for Sonny is why you have always do e what's vest for him, and today is your ultimate gift of love. The hardest thing to do for is hoomans, but the best to do for your Sonny.
Right now I have no words and my heart breaks for you. You will be with Sonny today by his side and at home.and that is what Sonny would want. That, at some point, will bring you comfort.
I have been told by some very good Angel sources at the Rainbow Bridge that there will be a foot of snow at the entrance put together jist for Sonny's arrival. Imagine how free he will feel to run and romp through it all. Envision that as you release him and celebrate him back "home".
((((((((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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