Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Took my TJ to the vet at 8am. The surgery was over 3 hours and they took the arm and scapula.
Vet said they hit a nerve cluster and it stopped his heart, but they brought him back. It was only a minute or two and he said there should be no long term (whats long term for a dog with 6 months?) issues.
TJ was awake at 5:30 when I got the call and I should have him home Wednesday.
I asked for the Fetenol (sp?) patch and the surgical tech said they may not have any... but when talking pain meds with the vet he said they did and they slapped on one.
Today sucked.. I slept most of the day (was up most of the night with TJ watching movies) but hearing he's OK made it a lot better.
I have a few pics but my mind wasn't really on preserving the moment.
It's a difficult day, especially with having a complication., but he's ok and that's all that matters now. Take it one day at a time. You'll feel a lot better once he's home, just as he will. Remember that we are all given stats, many have proven them wrong on TIME. Try to get rest tomorrow, before he comes home Wed. Will be checking on your progress. Our thoughts are with you.
I'm glad TJ made it through even with a hiccup. The whole thing is scary for the first week or so. Rest up while he is in the doggy hospital. I look forward to reading your updates.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Sooooo glad surgery is over and TJ will be home soon! Like everyone said, you will BOTH be better!!
You are dealing with so much. You are stronger than you're giving yourself credit. You have made a decision that was excruciating to process. You have made a decision that will free TJ from pain and give him a good quality of life. NO. ONE can predict time frames. NO ONE can predict when TJ's time is up.
What you can be certain about is that you and TJ will be sharing more love and more joy than you could ever imagine possible. You and TJ will both be thrilled to have that special gift of intense love.
Personally, I think there's very little you can do to actually mentally prepare for the challenges of recovery the first week or so---or less....or longer. Check out Snoop's blog and Dotty's blog, Atlas. All their challenges are of recall out of the "norm" but that doesn't help when it's YOUR dog you are hoovering over and trying to comfort! It EEVERYONE here will tell you that when the recovery gets better and better and tarts speed I g up...WOW!! That's when the sparkle comes back, not only for TJ, but for you too!!
Sorry you had to hear about TJ's challenge during surgery. Thank goodness you had a team who knew how to handle the situation and being him n back to earth. IF it had to happen, I think one way you can look at it is an affirmation that TJ has NO intention of leaving this life anytime soon:-) 
We are ALL here for you and understand as best anyone can what this roller coaster ride feels like!! Let us help. No need to go through this n your own. You can come here to vent, cry, stomp your paws!! But soon, real soon, you'll be coming here to celebrate TJ's first poop, his first pee and so many more remarkable victories!!
Yep, TJ's here for the long haul. He's made that real clear!!
Congratulations, surgery is done and TJ is one day closer to coming home! Good job TJ! Good job mom!! You are both very brave!
Sending you support and a good. night's sleep
Salt 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 glad to hear TJ is okay now! So get your rest now and prepare yourself for his homecoming. Remember, every day after surgery will get a little bit better. It may not seem like it at the time, but the worst of it doesn't last forever! (Something I had to keep reminding myself those first few days.)
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
Glad to hear TJ is out of surgery and on the road to recovery! The first couple of weeks will be tough. Try to sleep when TJ sleeps, and don't let him overdo things. I remember my Max was "ready to go" after the first day home, so you'll have to be sure to curtail his activities. Just eating and "doing his business." Ask questions in the forums, we've all been there and have plenty of experience. Hang tough TJ!!
So happy tohear TJ is on his way to recovery. That must have been a scary thing to hear from the vet, but all is well now. Hang in there for the next couple of weeks - the bright side is this is when the bond with TJ becomes so much more than it ever was before. Take care of yourself too.
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
I know how exhausted you must be but isn't it great he made it through surgery? That is such a huge hurdle, and he did it! I hope you had a restful night. How is he today?
Just wanted to add that I think it's pretty cool your vet told you about what happened during surgery. To me that kind of honesty is the sign of a truly great vet. I'm really glad that he recovered from that incident and think it's the sign of things to come, TJ can overcome anything!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here's my TJ in the car right before we went into the vet.... he's a good looking hound if I do say so myself
I'm gonna try to get in to see him today.... he may look a little different than this.
way to go TJ! You rest up ya hear!?
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Maggie was given 6 to 9 months after her amp for mast cell cancer. She lived almost 4 years and did not pass from mast cell.
There are no guarantees on this journey, but you never know what will happen. I made the mistake of assuming Maggie would expire because the stats said she would, I'll never make that mistake again. She only lived 3 months after her second cancer was diagnosed, but I did not spend one moment of it watching the clock.
Glad to hear TJ made it though surgery. I did not visit Maggie at the hospital- I thought it would be to traumatic for her to see me and not get to go home with me. Do what you think is best for you and TJ though.
Rest up while he is in the hospital- the recover phase can be full of ups and downs and not much sleep. Don't get discouraged- he is on the way to a pain free life.
Karen
Here's my TJ a day after surgery. His right side is all tore up (it kinda looks like a map of the US with Florida being the hanging skin part). He walked a few steps, and knew I was there... but they had him drugged up pretty good. He should be home tomorrow and then the real journey starts... taking care of him... but in all honesty I owe him
Its doesn't really sink in at first that his right arm is gone. I didn't take any other photos.. I don't need to remember him with a stitches in his side.
Sending hugs your way I know it's like bringing home a newborn I was a nervous wreck when Coco came home felt I had to watch her every second and was so afraid not sure what to do because they cry, they shake , you know they are hurting but don't worry it does get better TJ will surprise you let him take the lead he will be up and hopping around before you know it believe me. Take it easy be calm for TJ you have all of us and sounds like he's in good hands!! Coco says get better thinking of you in these first days, luv Coco and mudbud
And don't worry I know it's a shock at first sight but you will get used to 3 paws it will honestly be like he was always that way although I have to admit it brought tears to my eyes looking at my first post the day before her surgery when she still had 4 but like I said it won't matter as time goes on!! Hugs again hang in there!!!
YAAAAAAAAY TJ!! TJ IS HOME!!! Yes indeed, you can handle anything!!
TJ is a very, very, very handsome man! He's a beautiful boy! And those eyes........melt my heart TJ!!
Everything about TJ is magic! What a trooper! No wonder you can't look t his surgery site---his face is riveting!
Everyone here wants to be your support system if you need us. I'm just kinda thinking you just might want to check in a time or two this next week or so!! We'reDitto on all the advice everyone has said. Yeah, your vet is probably a step above some others others. This type of thing pro baby happens more than we want to know!
You've been incredibly strong and brave during this. It's still gonna be a little rough for awhile longer and then the sparkle.....the bond.....the love....the joy....the bliss of having TJ by your side free from pain!!
Sending you supportive energy, 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!
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