Hi. Zoey is my 8-1/2 year old rotty. About mid April she started panting constantly. We took her to the ER VET but they couldn’t find anything that would cause her to pant. They laid down new mulch, so we thought it could be allergies. Early May. Zoey was experiencing lameness on her right hindleg. Dr. gave her some NSaids to see if that helped. After no improvement, X-rays were done. This is when the nightmare began.
Dr. was sure that Zoey tore her Cruitiate ligament in her right knee. Although x-rays didn’t reveal anything on the right leg (no cancer), the left femur directly in the middle of the bone was a huge cause for alarm.
Beginning of June – took Zoey to Surgeon. He was certain she had a partial tear of that ligament and suggested surgery to repair. At the same time, we were going to do a biopsy of the other leg. Since it didn’t present in a normal way bone cancer does, they felt it would benefit her to have both surgeries at the same time. Well, Zoey doesn’t do anything half way, so she tore her ligament all the way. So now, a TPLO was scheduled.
Surgery went well. Five weeks later, this past Monday, we had to do the biopsy of that other leg. The biopsy went well, but Zoey was in enormous pain. She is stubborn and refuses to eat Tramadol even when masked in other food. She just lets it dissolve and then foams at the mouth.
Thursday, I got the results of the biopsy – it’s Osteosarcoma. I am devistated. The oncologist suggested we come in later that evening for a consultation so we can get her some pain relief as soon as possible. So we went in. She suggested the amputation, but I couldn’t think of her without her leg so we opted for radiation/chemo and a bone strengthening treament. They wanted to make sure the cancer hadn’t yet spread anywhere so they took her back for some chest x-rays. Upon taking Zoey off the table, her leg snapped and broke. I was left with 2 options: amputation or putting her down. She has so much life in her. She was happy Monday before the biopsy. She was feeling great with the TPLO and getting around great. She never told me she hurt on her other leg.
Yesterday, Zoey had her leg removed. I haven’t yet seen her, but I call every 3 hours to check up on her. They say she’s doing good. I am worried. I don’t know what to expect, how to help her, what to feed her, how do I know if she is in pain?
I get to take her home either tonight or tomorrow. I am anxious. I just want to love her. I just want to hold her and tell her everything will be ok. I told her I’d never let this happen. I feel like I broke all my promises to her. I pray I made the right decision. I pray this gives me more time with my precious girl.
I hate to hear about Zoey’s rough journey. But you made the right decision. We all know how scary it is, but you can pull through this. There are a few things you have to remember. Zoey’s going to have about 2 weeks of potentially really rough times as she heals. That’s about the mark that most people see a great improvement in their dogs. Also, she feeds off of your emotions. It’s very important to stay strong for her. Treat her as if she’s fine and the world is just the same. Love her, talk to her, and show her you are strong. Dogs need a strong pack leader.
Before she comes home, spend lots of time reading the blogs and forums here. It will help prepare you for what you face now. And there will be plenty of people here to give advice! I’ve been a part of the tripawd world for a few months now, but just recently found the forums. They are a really good place for quicker responses when you need questions answered and some reassurance.
We’ll keep you and Zoey in our thoughts.
Leslie
Hi Zoey’s folks,
Welcome to Tripawds- I’m sorry you have to go through this, but you have found a great community who will help and support you through this journey.
Its sometimes kind of quiet here on the weekends- but people will chime in sooner or later. Our fearless leaders are at a tripawd function this morning, I’m sure you will hear from one of them later (Admin or Jerry).
I would suggest you check out the Tripawd forums (just click on Discussion Forums under META on the right side of your blog post above). There are more people there and lots and lots of information. You can ask questions and follow what others are going through. You can search on specific topics as well.
The first two weeks after amputation can be rough- so don’t get discouraged. You have taken away the painful leg and given a Zoey a chance to be a dog!
Here is a good place to start with your questions- we call it the Required Reading List: https://tripawds.com/2010/06/01/first-tripawds-required-reading-list/
I’m not sure if that link worked- but you can cut and paste it in your browser, you can also access it from the forums page.
I have to run as well for now, but I’ll check back later.
Karen
you sure have had it piled up high and deep, eh??? welcome to the family, sorry we all have to meet this way. this site is the best place for info, support, sounding boards, etc. it’s hard to catch your breath with all this going on, but know that there are still many wonder moments waiting ahead for you guys…don’t get too discouraged or freaked out – especially around zoey, as they really seem to mimic our ‘states’… remember, whatever you do, when you do it out of love, it’s the right thing. zoey knows this already.
charon & gayle
I’m sorry Zoey has to go through all this. Everyone here will know how you feel…how worried and unsure…how disloyal. Zoey will only know that the horrible pain is now gone. Sure, she’s going to have to learn some new ways of doing things, but I suspect she’ll amaze you.
When she gets home, she will probably need to sleep a lot, she may not want to eat for a few days, she may not potty either for a few days, she may act depressed (Tramadol can cause that)–the first 2 weeks are tough. But then, the surgery heals and she’s off the pain meds, she learns to get around and things get much better. Then, there will be no doubt that you made the right choice.
Right now, try to stay strong for her and allow her to feel lousy for a few days. She knows you love her and that you make choices for her good.
Keep us posted in the forums.
Mary
Welcome and thanks for joining! We’re sorry to hear about Zoey, but she sounds like a real trooper. Just remember to be a strong pack leader for her. If you want things to be “normal” again any time soon, you must act as though life is perfectly normal.
Be sure to bookmark Jerry’s Required Reading Listfor lots of advice and recovery tips. We look forward to following Zoeys progress, thanks for starting her blog!
Update: Thank you all for your comments and concerns. I went to visit Zoey for the first time yesterday in ICU. She’s doing great. They said usually they allow the patients to go home the day after surgery, but Zoey’s surgery was late in the day on Thursday and they just wanted to monitor her other leg (the one with the 5 week old TPLO) and her pain since we wern’t going with the fentenyl patch.
I was a little surprised, more nervous than anything to see her. The information I found on this website certainly helped me prepare for what I would see. Now I have no doubt this is the place to come when I need advice on other aspects of the healing process.
Upon visiting, Zoey seemed distant. I am sure it was the pain meds talking – but she just seemed mad at me. She looked a lot at my mother who came with me to visit her, but she wouldn’t set eyes on me. But, I kept strong, never saying the “I’m Sorry” phrase and just loved her the best I could. They asked me to bring in some homemade food so I brought in her favorites: Scrambled Eggs, Cottage Cheese, Hamburger meat, and Rice. I opted not to feed her the rice (it’s high in carbs and I understand that I have to keep her on low carb/high protien diet to starve the cancer cells remaining). She wasn’t remotely interested in eating. I offered her water and she did drink, but then threw it up. I think she drank too fast and drank laying down.
I am simply amazed at how well she was standing and walking on her own. Her little hop is cute. I am very anxious for her to come home today. I bought an orthopedic bed for her to lay on, got her some holistic food high in protien and low in carbs to try, got a pill pusher which will hopefully help me administer the tramadol as she is stubborn and hates taking meds. I was going to buy a sling to help support her during her first few weeks, but vet says it isn’t necessary as I’ll only need it for a few more days. I am very skeptical on that as we have lots of stairs in the house and I think it will help me help her get up the stairs when she is ready in a few weeks.
I am sure glad I found this website and a community of folks that have already been through all this. It helps tremendously with what to expect.
Stay tuned to updates on Zoey.
I’m glad Zoey is doing better and rest assured, she isn’t mad at you. She’s sure been through the ringer lately. You can fashion a sling out of a cloth grocery bag cut open that should help for a while until she gets her sea legs. My Ruthie was doing stairs way faster than I could have imagined (she was a rear amputee). But the next 2 weeks may be sleepless for you so take care of yourself. Zoey will be should be happier now that that painful leg is gone.
I look forward to hearing Zoey’s progress.
Spirit Ruthie’s Mom
Thanks for the great update. Remember to publish new posts if you want the Tripawds Community to be notified. Unless they subscribe to your comments, members will not be updated via the Recent Posts widgets throughout Jerry’s blog.
Regardless of what your vet says about “needing” a sling, you will likely find a Ruff Wear harness very beneficial for assisting Zoey on stairs and in vehicles. You may also find the tips in this forum topic about how to give dogs pills helpful too!