Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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OK, I feel like this is all getting very overwhelming....let's see what the vet says at 4pm...remember again, Sadie is just brand new out of surgery. It's totally normal for them to act down, a little depressed right away. Definitely ask the vet about the pain meds dose and the drain and go from there.
It's all one step at a time at the beginning. But you are being Sadie's best advocate by calling the vet and bringing her in, etc. Make sure you voice all your concerns, that's what they're there for.
Keep us posted...........
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
In regard to certain previous comments... Please remember that the only members of this site with the professional expertise to estimate medication dosage will have a Veterinary Expert badge displayed beneath their username. Information provided in these Tripawds forums is not intended to replace the advice of your veterinarian. If you have any concerns about pain control, please consult with your vet or seek a second opinion.
Best wishes, and please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well here I am crying my eyes out again.....my husband took Sadie back to the vet at 4:00 and when he went to get her up blood just poured out all over her blankets from the hole from the tube. I mean a lot of blood, blankets were covered. He got her there and the vet said she had to go back in and open her up because she must have missed closing an artery. Well two hours later, just a few minutes ago, she called and said it wasn't an atery, that Sadie had a bunch of dying tissue inside her, there must have been a really bad infection even though she was on the antibiotics. She said she got everything she could see and is putting her on a really strong antibiotic now. Sadie was awake when she called. I can actually say this is one of the hardest things I have ever been through. She is keeping her there until Friday, but I am so sad because the doctors office is not open tomorrow. I hope she is not there all alone.
Please pray for Sadie that everything goes better this time.
Oh, I'm so sorry! This is so scary!
You have a right to know if the facility is staffed tomorrow, and you can move her to another facility if they are not! She doesn't have to be there all alone, especially of it makes you uncomfortable. I know this is a hard time for you, and it is probably hard to think clearly, but you need to advocate for Sadie and for yourself.
Be strong! This community is here for you!
Love and prayers to you and Sadie!
Carol
Hi Sadie's Mom,
You are all in my thoughts and prayers now.
I'm so glad that Sadie has you as an advocate....you knew something wasn't right and you made sure that she got help when she needed it.
Before Tuck had his amputation, he had previously had the cancerous growth on his leg removed. After the surgery, as a precaution, they tested to see if there was any infection and what it might be. Imagine my surprise when I got a call to bring Tuck back because his surgical site tested positive for pseudomonas - a really nasty infection that needed a specific antibiotic - and the vet wanted to examine the site needed as this bacteria could really affect healing.
In the next few weeks - we made several trips to the vet to make sure the surgical site was healing - and it healed remarkably well once Tuck was on the right antibiotic!
If you are around, come into the chat room ....or eat lots of chocolate or salty snacks......
Linda and Tucker
OMD! OMD!! Sadie! Man. I thought I had subscribed to your posts, so I just found out. Well, thank goodness she's there. Thank goodness they went back in and found it. Thank goodness she's on drugs, antibiotics, and is being monitored. Please find out if there's 24/7 staff to monitor. Wow o wow. My heart goes out to you. This is awful. Certainly not something that's common, but it is a major surgery. I wonder if the infection went up the tube? That is, the tube and incision were clean and having that tube caused problems? Do they have to put another one in there? She'll get through this. You did NOTHING wrong. You did everything in her best interest! She'll get through this, too, and in a month, you'll be amazed at how far she's come. Now, it's just awful, but it'll get better.
THOUGHTS and virtual HUGS (SOOOOOO many) coming your way - and to Sadie. Dear Sadie.
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
I really feel sorry for you, but much more for you dog.
I would seriously consider a new vet. Sorry to be blunt but to me the dog is more important than your feelings. And so far everything you have posted about is telling me that you are not getting good vet care. Wrong doseage for pain meds, now an infection a day or so after surgery?
I won't post anymore in this thread... I've said my peace.
I'm sitting here shaking my head in disbelief that this is happening. I'm so very sorry.
The problem has been identified and the proper antibiotics have been started The "problem" has been stopped from getting worse. Sadie can now start healing and getting back to her old self.
I know your heart is breaking now. There will be a time and place to question what was done so it can be a learning lesson for the vets...if, indeed, there is something to be learned. It may simply be one of those "rare" things that can happen.
I think you can see by all our various posts, how much we all care and how concerned we are.....and frustrated too!
I DO know there are certain antibiotics fromulated for certain i fections, certain bacteria. If you read Li da and Tuck's post you can see that. So I assume they've prescribed this antibiotic based on the specific infection/bacteria. May just want to cofirm that.
If I may, if it IS possible to get her somehwere that has a 24 hr. staff present, I think that could be beneficial to Sadie AND YOU! If that's not possible, perhaps your current vet is willing to have a vet tech stay and watch her. If I read your previous post right, your "regular" vet did NOT do the surgery, but said he would be "overseeing" the young woman who was doing the operation, right? So, not knowing what her credentials are as far as this type of surgery goes, he may be willing to check in on Sadie himself several times Thursday while they are closed......just a suggestion.
Perhaps you can make arrangements to go visit her Thursday when someone is there checkingon her. Yeah, I'd REALLY push hard for that!
How you are handling this and keeping your sanity is beyond my comprehensin!! But you kow what? You are!!!!!! And you are because you want to be strong when Sadie comes home Friday and help her FINALLY get on with her recovery!! Poor thing.....walking on three legs will be a breeze!!!
And don't overdose on chocolate! Next thing you know you'll be in the hospital having your stomach pumped!!!
WE ARE HERE WITH YOU!! Every single one of us are sending powerful healing energy straight to Sadie......BAM!! She just got a good dose! And here comes some more healing energy going straight to Sadie again.....BAM! .....POW!!!......WOW! Oh ueah, that was a good amount of healing!! Yep! I think that did the trick!!
Surroundingnyou and Sadie with love snd support,
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!
Poor Sadie! No wonder she couldn't get up and walk around. Those infections take absolutely everything out of them and it sounds like this one is a whopper! Shooter had one after a chemo treatment and we thought it was the end, but after antibiotics and a day of complete sleep he was back up and going strong. I'm very surprised they didn't think to check for this sooner. That was the first thing my vet checked for.
Sending pawsitive thoughts your way.
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
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.
Poor girl! I hope that now the cause of the problem has been discovered that she'll be on the road to recovery in no time. I am just glad that they listened to you and investigated. Hang in there, and let us know when you have an update.
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I've been away from the site for a while cause I am busy with craft shows.. but OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!
Poor Sadie girlie.. you have certainly had a rought start.. BUT... now things have got to be better because they got rid of all that infection!!!! I am crossing everything possible for you to bring you good wishes and luck and healing vibes. (Trust me.. thanks to gravity I can cross a few more things than I used to!!!)
It is very stresssful for us pawrents when we have our issues with our furbabies... and when you read here, and hear from all other tripawd pawrents on how well their Tripawd has done... it must be double frustrating for you when you see how your girlie is doing!!
Infections do happen.. and the good thing is that you caught it.. and reacted on it!! GOOD FOR YOU!! Don't be afraid to harrass your vet with question or concerns either.. that is what they are paid for!!
Please keep us updated.. we worry too!!!
Christine..... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
I'm really sorry to hear about everything you and Sadie are going through. While it's not common to have complications of this level, it occasionally does happen and we understand completely how hard it is to deal with, it's overwhelming. Keep informed about what's going on with her condition and keep us posted OK? {{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
oh gosh, I do hope everything clears up! Please let us know how she is doing!! BIG HUGS BIG HUGS!
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
Please post something about how you and Sadie are! We're on pins and needles waiting to hear ANY updates.
HUGS
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
My Sadie passed away today. I know she is with the angels because she was the sweetest happiest girl anyone could ask for. My heart is just breaking but I know she is in no pain now.
Thank you everyone for just being here when I needed someone to talk to. I am so happy that everything worked out so well with your babies
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