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Tyson's Recovery from Amputation
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Member Since:
14 January 2014
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31 January 2014 - 3:38 pm
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Hi everyone! For those of you who don't know about Tyson, he is an 11 year old black lab who had his front right leg amputated because of a sarcoma (which they confirmed yesterday from biopsying his amputated leg). Tyson had surgery exactly one week ago today, and we brought him home Sunday. He's been doing really great ever since we brought him home. From the minute he got into the house, he was acting like himself, and the next day, he was walking completely on his own. He still has some trouble standing up, especially when it comes to the tile floor (we bought six runner rugs to ensure that he would have enough traction to get up, yet he still chooses to sit on the tile from time to time ).

They confirmed that it was a sarcoma, but they can't tell us exactly which kind. They said that, even though it's more rare, there's a chance that it could be a fibrosarcoma, which they said it's possible to have been cured with the amputation, but I wonder if they say that to everyone. Has anyone else been told this? They need to do a secondary biopsy, which we'll get the results for next week. His lymph nodes are clear of cancer, though, so that's a great victory!

On Tuesday, we removed his fetynol patch. He was fine Tuesday and Wednesday, but yesterday and today, he is very, very tired. He's definitely not lethargic at all, and he's eating, drinking, and pooping like normal. I did have to bring his water to him this afternoon, but he drank a whole bunch of it.

When I took him outside, we were out there for about 20 minutes. He did not want to come in, and of course, I couldn't pull on his leash because he'd fall over! He was just standing around, smelling in the air. At a few points, he just sat down in the snow. He seems a bit sad to me today. Does anyone have any idea why? I called his surgeon, and he said that if he's eating, drinking, and pooping normally, and if his incision looks good (which it really does, it's not red or swollen or anything), then he's not too concerned about it.

I just feel bad that he's been pretty much in his room for two days feeling kinda down.

Thanks for your help everyone!

-Anna and Tyson

Member Since:
25 January 2014
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31 January 2014 - 4:45 pm
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My labs amputation was a week ago today also. He was doing amazing when we brought him home on Sunday and has gone down hill since Tuesday he doesn't want to do much and only lay in his crate. . The vet said today that maybe he is depressed.

Los Angeles, CA
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31 January 2014 - 5:03 pm
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The pain meds can make them a little loopy or appear sad. Shelby's amputation was 3 weeks ago and her first night home was our best. It was about day 3 or 4 she took to hanging in the bathroom by herself - not really wanting to do much other than eat, drink and potty. I learned on this site that dogs tend to isolate (as they would in the wild) while they are healing so perhaps that is what is going on with your pets? It's hard to remember when you are in it but this was pretty major surgery! Rest will be good for their healing!

Hugs!

Alison and Shelby 

Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.

October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014

Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife

Westminster, MD
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31 August 2013
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31 January 2014 - 5:47 pm
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Hi Anna, your Tyson is a handsome boy! My Polly also lost her front right leg to a tissue cancer, hers is hemangiosarcoma. While both Polly's oncologist and surgeon honestly do not know if her amputation will cure her cancer (due to the type of cancer), she also thankfully had no cancer spread into nodes and other tissues biopsied after her amputation. Hers was also considered a rare presentation of this kind of cancer. We just take one day at a time, especially now that she just had 2 more small tumors removed yesterday from both back legs, and waiting on the dreaded biopsies.

I think Tyson, being an older guy, just needs to adjust to his new way of life. I agree with what Alison said as well.......All the pain meds, surgery and such does take a toll on most new Tripawds, until they heal better and get off the pain meds. Polly did really great after her surgery, but she did have an off day occasionally. When she was off her patch, and then off her Tramadol, the real Polly emerged. It is also very tiring for them, initially being on 3 legs. Once they get their energy back, hold on to the leash!!

Don't know if this helped you out at all, but you certainly aren't alone here, and we can all share our stories and help one another if we can.

Hang in there, and best wishes for you and Tyson.
Bonnie &Polly

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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31 January 2014 - 6:11 pm
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Hi Anna! Oh my gosh who doesn't know Tyson's story?! :)

Many times people think their dog is depressed or sad but in about 99.9% of cases that behavior is a result of pain medicine. Rest assured they do perk up after the pain meds routine is over. That doesn't mean you should rush it; by no means, he needs those meds in order to heal. Work with your vet to find a good balance of doses but stay on top of that pain to avoid the frequent whining and panting that accompanies it.

One week is not a long time. Put yourself in his paws and remember this surgery is HUGE. Most humans would still be laying in bed, not nearly as anxious to go outside.

As anxious as we all are to see our dogs get better and back to normal, it still takes time, especially for older dogs. He's a lab, he'll bounce back quickly but still needs time to do so. Standing around outside, he was probably just happy to be there and smelling every single thing. Being on pain meds, the dopiness probably  had a lot to do with his behavior.

Hang in there! Oh and as for the biopsy, that's great they're doing another round to diagnose it. No, not all vets say that an undiagnosed sarcoma could be a fibro tumor. Hopefully it is and he's cured! We'll be waiting to hear back about that so do keep us posted.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
14 January 2014
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1 February 2014 - 7:35 pm
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Hi everyone!

Thanks for all of the replies and advice! It makes me feel better to know that other dogs have felt this way, and that INDEED he did just have major surgery!
He seems a little better today. He's still pretty tired, but he tried running around a little bit, and ohhhh boy does he want to go for a walk! I keep reminding myself that he's doing very well. He's getting up on his own, never falls, and is eating and drinking.

Monday comes time for me to go back to school, and Tyson will stay at home with my parents. I know he's in great hands, but I still can't stand the fact that I'm not going to be able to be around him until next weekend :(

Thanks again everyone!

Lots of love,

Anna and Tyson!

Member Since:
18 September 2013
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2 February 2014 - 6:35 am
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Hi Anna,

Tyson is doing remarkably well!

Tucker - my nine year old lab - had his right front leg amputated four months ago.  Everything you are describing sounds exactly like what I went through with Tuck :)

For me - part of the journey was accepting that Tucker would have a new normal - he loved to go for long walks before his surgery - but now he enjoys our shorter ones just as much.  I have found that the smelling of trees - checking "peemail", sniffing the air around him and greeting the neighbours are just as important as the distance we once used to travel.

Now - relax - the hard part is over for all of you and it will get better - but it may be a bit different.

Tyson is in good hands with your parents so don't worry when you go back to school. 

Hugs to both of you

 

Linda and Tucker

 

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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2 February 2014 - 1:18 pm
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Oh Anna I'm sorry you have to be away from him for so long! That's going to be ruff for you!

Well he's in good hands. Let your parents know if they need anything at all they are more than welcome to come here or contact us via email with questions OK?

Good luck this week, keep us posted!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
14 January 2014
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4 February 2014 - 12:07 pm
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Thanks everyone!! 

 

I think Tyson's perking up a bit, from what I hear from back home. We're still waiting to hear the secondary biopsy results, so we're holding off on scheduling chemo until the end of the week. 

 

My mom is concerned with the risks of chemo for damaging his other organs/toxicity. What do you guys think of this?

 

Happy Tuesday to all!

 

-Anna and Tyson

On The Road


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4 February 2014 - 2:00 pm
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tysonboy said
What do you guys think...

You'll find plenty of feedback about chemotherapy here and in the blogs.

You may find this article helpful too, from Dr Coates at petMD:

myths and facts of chemotherapy for pets

 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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