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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Wrigley II surgery is tomorrow. I'm so sick to my stomach I can't believe this is happening. I know he is ready to get rid of the pain from the cancer and (soon) get back to playing. I really am trying hard to be calm, not let him feel the bad energy. I've decided to just take it one day at a time, not live in fear of what I cannot control. All of you have been through this and survived, we will too.
I'll be back when we bring Wrig home
Here's wishing WrigleyII a speedy recovery. I know exactly how you feel. I really didn't know for sure until I picked Trouble up after surgery whether I had made the right decision. Her spirit was unbroken and she was already adjusting to her new challenge. I knew then she would be fine with the change and we would be strong for her.
We were encouraged to make the decision NOW. So I didn't have much time to think about it. Our vet is convinced the only way to remove the pain, is to do the amputation. I'm glad we made the choice, and likely you will be too.
You'll be in my thoughts tomorrow.
[Image Can Not Be Found]
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.
We send lots of Labby love and support!! I remember the night before Max's surgery. I did not sleep a wink. The first 2 weeks are intense and you will wonder if you did the right thing, but I can tell you with absolute certainty that you have. Max has had some serious issues with other things not caused by the amp surgery and is just now coming around. I cant believe the things that he can do and how happy he is. Im sure Wrigley will do the same. Tonight we were back outside and I was throwing the ball for him in the snow and he is following me all over the house and up the stairs just like he used to. All Wrigley will ask of you is that you stay happy and give all of the love you always have so that the healing will be quick. We are all here to support you and Wrigley through whatever comes your way, good days and bad and there will be both.
A big hug to you!! Max and I will be waiting to hear how everything went!
Paula
Paula and Spirit Max
We are wishing you a speedy recovery and sending you lots of prayers and pawsitive enery.
When I went to pick up Zeus, he was still groggy from the anethesia and a little wobbly - though the doctors said he did wonderfully and was ready to go home...It was really, really hard to see him hop to me - I kept my focus on his eyes and his tail waggin and did my best to be happy and positive in my voice. Our first night was hell - he sat there and stared at me, panting all night long...neither one of us got any sleep. The more he panted, the more anxious I became, the more he panted and so on.
Morning came with no sleep and I wondered what I did to my poor baby? I went to the bathroom and got ill. We ended up sleeping for about 2 hours after that until he woke me panting again. I called my best friend who is a Vet and she came down right away...she showed me how to help him around with a harness, she confirmed that everything was normal and most importantly, she made me go upstairs and get some sleep for about 3 hours. I can't tell you how much brighter things looked after I got some sleep. I know it may sound selfish, but us getting our rest is critical to surviving this ordeal. After that, we ended up spending about 2 hours outside in the warm sun just hanging out on a blanket...we both had settled down a lot - the next couple weeks were not the easiest, but I did a pretty good job of being a good pack leader like my friend told me to be and that time was actually pretty uneventful. 2 weeks after surgery, his bandage came off, the stitches were removed and he was off the pain medicine and YIPPIE - I had my baby back - his personality came back in one fell swoop!
Be as strong as you can be when you pick Wrigley up and the days after while he is healing - it's really important to his recovery. They mirror us soooo much. Have no regrets and no doubts that you did the right thing for your baby.
You are not alone through this, we are here for you every step of the way...please keep us posted on how you both are doing.
Love
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
We wish you a very speedy recovery. Everything will be just fine in the end.
It will be a tough two weeks, but it will be well worth it. Wrigely will be so grateful to you for taking that pain away. I remember the first day home from surgery, our Wrigley buried her head in my arm, with a big thank you- the pain was gone. When we went back to the vet 2 days after surgery they could not believe how different she looked just by not having the pain. You can see it in their eyes.
I look back now and watching our Wrigley hop around so easily it's hard to believe that just a while ago she could barely lift her head. (it was the drugs)We went for another walk today. She is just like her old self.
Listen to Heather- be sure to get your rest. It is hard, cause you worry so much, but try. It will help keep you strong- You are the pack leader, so it is important for you to stay strong. They do depend on us to lead the way.
Don't hesitate to ask for support- everyone here is wonderful- I could not have survived without all the love and encouragement I got from this site during our recovery. So ask as many questions, vent as many emotions..... we are all here for you.
Everything will be just fine- remember that- You and Wrigley will stay in our prayers.
Seanne and CA Wrigley
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
We are just a day behind you with our surgery scheduled for Wednesday. We'll be strong for you if you'll be strong for us and our combined strength we will shower all over our recovering newly inducted tripawds!
carter's dads
You will absolutely survive, and all of this will be a distant memory soon. We know that's hard to believe, but it's really true. Until then, take everyone's excellent advice here, and remember to be good to yourself. Wrigley will need you to be the strong pack leader during his recuperation.
We are here for you, and wishing Wrigley a speedy recovery. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I willl keep Wrigley in the thoughts and prayers. I am sure he will do fine. We all have gone through the whole range of emotions. I cried the whole way to the surgeon's office, and back home, thinking I can't believe I just paid someone to cut my dog's leg off. A day later when I came to get my Nova and I saw how happy she was to see me, I knew I did the right thing. The first few weeks will bring lots of ups and downs. To me, the worst part was the drugs. They are just not themselves when they are on the pain meds. I did have a few bouts of regrets, especially with the Tramadol, which made Nova pant a lot. It made me worry that the cancer had spread to her lungs (it didn't and it hasn't). As soon as we were off the Tramadol, it was smooth sailing.
Really, dogs don't care that the leg is missing, they care that the pain is GONE. You are giving Wrigley two wonderful gifts - you are taking the pain away AND giving him more time with you. This site was a lifesaver for me during Nova's recovery. Please let us know how he does and ask questions. I was a worrywart and posted every little thing, and it really helped me through the rough days.
My Nova is now 2-months post-op and doing great. I have set up a blog for her chronicling the whole process, from diagnosis, surgery, to recovery. Check it out at http://www.trip.....ogspot.com.
Sending warm healing thoughts your way!
Sue and Nova
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
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