My Bella is a poodle she’s 10 months old. Couple weeks ago she got hit By A BUS N RAN Her LEGS OVER. One was okay but the other was broken n most of her skin was gone. I send her to hospital were they began to run test. I was given two options amputation or surgery but surgery would be a sure that she would heal. I went with the surgery a month has passed n theirs no sign of healing yesterday I was told now my only option to get amputate done. I thought I was going to be okay and my kids were going to be the problem. But it was the whole opposite. N I’m freaking out. I don’t know if she’s going to be okay not having her front leg. I’m very sad but I don’t know if I’m doing the right thing. I need guidance plz
She will be OK. She is young, and dogs are very resilient. They don’t think about the fact that they are missing a leg, they just figure out how to do whatever they want to do. My Otis lost his front leg – he is older and big – and he can do almost everything he could before (just can’t walk very far). He can climb stairs, chase cats and squirrels, play with his sister, steal food off the counter. . ..
The first 10 days or so of recovery are hard – she will need to stay quiet, and you will need to keep an eye on her pain signals so that you and the vet can manage pain meds. But, once her staples come out (about day 10), you will be amazed at what she can do. I have seen some videos on this site of younger dogs where you cannot even tell that the dog has three legs unless you are specifically looking. Sounds like you are a wonderful owner, and are going to give her the best chance possible at an absolutely normal life!
Thank you so much this actually makes me feel like I’m about to make the right decision
Gosh! So sorry you and your sweet Bella find yourse here. Under the circumstances though there is no better place to be for support and information and understanding!
It sounds like Bella probably is already semi used to three legs!
Unfortunately, we see this quite often where an “injured leg” just doesn’t respond to surgery…or, in many cases, multiple surgeries!
At least with amputation it’s one surgery and it’s done! Recovery is no picnic for a good two weeks, more or less. And like all surgeries, human or animal, all surgery has a risk.
You are in a “forced choice” situation like all of us here. The better news for you is that, unlike most here, your dog does not have a potentially terminal disease and can recover to live his life to the fullest well into seniorhood!
Go to the home.lage.and download all the e-books on everything you need to know about tripawds.
Right off the bat, you’ll want non slip scatter rugs for traction if you have hardwood floors.
Is this front leg or rear? Front leggers have a harder time going down stairs and rear leggers have a harder time going up stairs.
Yes, you’ll have a rougher time keeping a younger dog from wanting to play full out a little too soon!
For the most part, you’ll just want to not let her do too much jumping or too much long distance walking (at least make sure she has plenty of rest breaks).
Generally the vet will.keep the dog overnight, assuming he has 24 hr care. Surgeons like to shave a lot.of fur, so be.prepared for that. Sometimes the incision can look angry and swollen and bruised. You’ll be so happy to pick up your sweet Bella after surgery, don’t even look at her incision…she sure isn’t! She’s just glad ro see you and wants to get home!
Balancing the pain meds and getting the doses timed right can take some trial and error. The vet will probably send you home with Tramadol, Rimadyl and an antibiotic and maybe some Gabapentin.
The first two weeks, short potty breaks and rest!
I know this is scary. You will be amazed at how well Bella does after recovery! She will have her sparkle back and will be done with that painful leg!
STAY CONNECTED! You are not alone, okay?
Oh, and eat lots of CHOCOLATE! It helps! 🙂
Hugs ro all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
It’s her front leg. Ever since this accident she only wants me so I been really comforting her as much. Everywhere I go she’s with me. When I eat she eats if I sleep she sleeps. I’m not sure if she feels safe with me only. But even though she has a cast on right now she is so happy theirs no sign on her being in pain. She tryst to run when is her potty time n tryst to jump so I hope she continues like that when surgery happens. N thank you so much I felt really lost n lonely before my computer worker told me about this site.
My Bella a peek-a-poo lost her left front leg to cancer two days before Christmas. I had never known a tripawd dog so I had no idea what to expect. Thankfully her oncologist told us about this wonderful website! After watching the videos and reading some blogs we knew amputation was the right decision for us. Don’t get me wrong it was the most emotional and difficult decision I’ve ever had to make! Amputation saved her life. My husband and I knew she was going to be fine when we went to pick her up at the hospital the day after her surgery and when she saw us she ran down the hall tail wagging to get to us. I cried happy tears that day. Dogs don’t feel sorry for themselves I truely think it is harder on us then it is on them. She runs around like a nut and is a happy little girl. We are careful we don’t want her to injure herself so she does have a new normal where we limit some activities and take her for physical therapy. Dogs are so resilient your Bella will do great.
U made my eyes so water but of happiness thank you for sharing this. I will definitely have her get her surgery I see so many that are doing great with no trouble thank you