Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi. First post here and I’m not even sure where to begin.
Our Sheltie, Rucca, is unexpectedly having her front left leg amputated today. She had what was believed to be a low grade soft tissue satcoms removed last week. Wednesday’s bandage change showed that the incision was slightly infected. It’s horribly infected today and some of the tissue is necrotic. The post-removal biopsy also staged the tumor at a higher grade.
Her surgeon recommended we amputate immediately, saying she wouldn’t even wait until next week because of concern about the infection further spreading. We consented and are now just waiting for the phone call that says surgery is over.
I’m such a bag of mixed emotions right now. I’m oddly not too worried at the moment about life on three legs. She’s been happily hopping on three since the first surgery and gets around just fine.
But I’m terribly worried about infection and recovery and nursing and pain management . She’s a remarkable, smart, sweet, bouncy dog who charms every person she meets. We knew amputation was a possibility when the sarcoma was first diagnosed but were in no way prepared for a simple bandage change to end this way today.
My next step is to start reading “start here ” but I would also gratefully welcome any first day tips before we pick her up tomorrow. It amazes and terrifies me how quickly they are released.
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Well, it’s done. Our surgeon called and said that things went well, she is awake, and seems pretty happy. She will stay in the Critical Care Unit tonight and assuming nothing else unexpected happens, we should be able to pick her up early tomorrow afternoon.
I’m currently alternating between tears, panic, bewilderment about how this all came to be, and relief/hope that the infection was caught in time and it will all be OK.
So happy to hear Rucca is through surgery and doing well. We all know about the mixed emotions. When my 12 year old lab was in surgery I Actually made myself sick with worry.
When you pick Rucca up just look into her eyes, be happy, and let her know how much you miss her and love her. If you have wood floors you may want to put down non skid rugs. My lab who also had Front leg amputation, after the stiches came out, we used the Flag line harness. It's amazing. It's light weight so she can wear it all day, and has a handle just for when she may need a little help. You can find it in the gear blog. Some will use a towl as a sling until the stiches come out.
Just take one day at a time. I think Rucca will surprise you! Sending positive thought for a speedy recovery!
Nancy and Angel Brownie
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Thank you Nancy for both the kind words and the advice. We have mostly carpet so I think we will be OK there. Will definitely look at the harness recommendation. We went to the pet store today to get her an orthopedic bed and I picked up one long harness/handle and was shocked by how heavy it was.
Taking to heart the advice to just look in her eyes. She always makes me smile and I’ll make it happen somehow tomorrow too.
I know uou haven't had much time to process everything, but just k ow you are doing what needs to be done to give Rucca a pain free quaility life
Recovery can be rough the first couple of weeks, but we'll be here to help uou navigate through that.
Bringing Rucca home the same day of surgery.can be daunting. Rucca will be shaking off the anesthesia and will have some strong pain meds in her system.
Hopefully your Vet is sending you home with some good pain management directions. Most dogs come home with Gabapentin, Tramadol, an anti inflammatory (ie Rimadyl) and an antibiotic. Aome dogs come home with a Fentynal patch.
The first night uour Rucca may be anxious and restless and quite whiny....OR...she may be more zonked out and quite lethargic. Every dog is different. Try and get some rest when you can. It's pretty exhausting mentallly and physically getting to this point.
It may take a few days to get mobile and he may have an "accident in her bed.You can use a towel sling to help Ricca navigate
Drinking and peeing are important. Pooping and a good appetite may take a few days. Give him any yummy foods dhe'll eat for now.
Just short leashed potty breaks for the first two weeks. No stairs, no jumping, no running. Give lots of gentle massages to help loosen thigh muscles that are being used in a different way.
How much does Rucca weigh? What doses and frequency are the pain meds to be given??
If you have hardwood floors put down some non slip scatter rugs for traction .
STAY CONNECTED!! We are here to help you through recovery and to cheer for Rucca as he gets her sparkle back slowly but surely!
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!
Thank you. We’re trying to get prepared for everything. She had the surgery this afternoon and is staying overnight in the Critical Care Unit so we don’t have first night pressures. Just a very empty house.
Rucca was just over 25 pounds before surgery. She’s been on Gabapentin since the first surgery (def. makes her sleepy but she don’t know what else yet). Trying to make a list of questions to ask. It’s so strange not being able to go in the building. I’m not ready for parking lot cell phone conversations about my dog’s limbs. But we will deal with that too. I have to force myself to sleep now. I know the next days and nights are you to be long.
Hi and welcome.
I'm sorry things went wrong so fast but it sounds like you were going to end up here based on the tumor pathology. Hopefully the infection is in the rear view now and you can focus on healing and getting on with this new chapter in Rucca's life.
Here is a good place to start when choosing a harness. Be aware that some vet's don't want you to use a harness on a front amp until the stitches come out- so there is another question to ask!
I've had two small rear amps, both smaller than Rucca. My Pug Maggie lost a leg to mast cell cancer when she was about 7.5 years old, she weighed about 17 pounds. I was stunned when the vets told me that she would need an amputation to save her life.... most of us have been where you are now so ask any questions that come to mind.
My current Tripawd is Elly, a small Pug mix who was hit by a car when she was 7 months old. She is now 5.5 years old and can do pretty much anything a dog her size and age can do. Elly is just under 15 pounds.
Nancy is right on about looking into Rucca's eyes when you go to get her tomorrow. She is the same dog you dropped off today, just minus a painful leg, her heart and soul are unchanged! Be positive and happy when you see her- she will count on you to be a strong pack leader. Recovery can be bumpy but not always. Take note of each little glimmer of your normal girl and before you know it her sparkle will be back!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Oh goodness, what a shock to the system. I imagine you may be having your reunion with Rucca soon or already and I hope that is a relief.
I don't have a ton to add, we are only 1 month post op. One small thing to offer is that I made a mistake in the immediate post op that caused Devo some unnecessary pain: while she was drowsing I put some food next to her (I was worried about her eating enough). She jerked her body to sit up and eat it like she would have on 4 legs and it must have hurt terribly. She yelped for a scary 10 seconds that felt like so much longer. So learn from my mistake and wake Rucca up slowly and don't startle her with treats!
Sending some speedy healing your way - Emily
Devo's Tripawd Story here
Thank you Emily and Karen. I’m feeling much calmer today and eagerly anticipating having her back.
We are picking her up in about two hours. Morning report is that she is alert and was having no issues hopping around. She hadn’t eaten yet but it sounds like that isn’t surprising.
We will be going home with gabopentin, caprofen, codeine, and antibiotics.
YAAAAAY!!! Home sweet home is the best place to be!!!! I didn't realize she was getting to spend the night at a staffed clinic! That is always better than coming home right after surgery (not always possible for some though).
Aounds like you've got good meds. Some they'll need a little tweaking after all the hospital meds wear off. Every dog is different when it comes to pain med reactions.
Hopefully you can all get some rest now.
Try stinky liverwurst to hide her pills in. Anything yummy she'll eat to coat her tummy.
Thanks for the good update!!! YOU'VE GOT THIS!!!
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!
Lots of wonderful advice! I just wanted to send you both lots of love and good vibes. ❤ Rucca will be so happy to get home and enjoy lots of love, rest and healing. She will amaze you once she's had a few days to adjust.
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
Thank you Sally. Thank you Bev.
We’ve had what felt like a really great first day. We picked her up at 1:00 and she was very calm, very relaxed. Clearly very well medicated. The tech carried her out but said she was hopping around just fine. He put her in the car and she immediately sat up under her own power. She laid down next to me as soon as I told her to and we had an uneventful ride home.
As soon as we put her down inside, she shook herself off, wagged at us, and hopped off across the room to get a big drink of water from her regular bowl that we hadn’t yet elevated. Then she wanted a meal. We hand fed her about 1/2 a serving of her regular kibble and she took her meds with no problem in a bit of cream cheese.
She napped all afternoon, occasionally getting up and rearranging herself, moving from floor to bed and saying hi while in transit. We gave her the other half serving of her kibble at normal dinner time. Took her for her first walk just before bedtime and got a good pee. She started wagging like crazy when we praised her and wanted her regular treats as soon as we got home. Normally she knows exactly how many she gets but didn’t seem capable of counting tonight. She’s had the next set of meds and is now sound asleep.
I’ll put some photos up on her blog and then time for me to get some sleep too. I’m sure it isn’t going to always be this easy but today was truly amazing. My nickname for Rucca has always been Sparkles because that’s what she does. She’s a little loopy and subdued today but the sparkle is as evident as always.
This is a wonderful update!!! Way to rock surgery Rucca!!!!
Some dogs do have easier recoveries than others. Hopefully Rucca falls in that category. May, or may not, be a little less spunky when the good hospital meds are out of her system in another day or two.
Sleep well!!
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!
So happy to know Ruccca aka Sparkles is doing well. Remember lots of rest for the first two weeks until the stiches come out.
Rucca, sounds like you are doing such a great job, and you have an awesome support team who clearly cares for you dearly!
Keep is posted. Can't wait to see pics...
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
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