Amputee...advice please

[MacTavish Boys]

Aww what a beautiful girl Grace is,  :luv:she obviously loves having her photo taken  its so good to hear, that she is making such a good recovery

Stephanie, George and Hamish xxx

[clairep4]

Glad to hear she is doing so well, what a brave girl 

[charliesdad]

Glad she's recovering and she still looks beautiful, even more special.

[Annie's Mum]

What a brave girl, she looks so beautiful and is almost saying...'ive got 3 other good legs whats the fuss'

[suzieq]

What an absolutely gorgeous, brave girl she is
so pleased she's doing well

sue, zak and strider x

[suzysu]

Aww what a pretty girl she is  I am so pleased to hear she is coping well, bless her     

My Daisy has a deformed front foot which causes her problems and there is a chance that she may have to have her front leg amputated, so am interested to hear how you are getting on.  So far Daisy is managing with her problem, but I know that when her leg is really playing up and she won't walk on it at all it does'nt stop her doing all the usual things like jumping up and down on the sofa and tearing up and down the stairs  so I'm sure Grace will be running around really soon 

Sending lots of healing hugs for your brave baby x

[marin_uk]

Hi Suzysu, thanks for asking, just to update you on Grace's progress so far. It has been difficult but she continues to recovery slowly, she is clearly uncomfortable at times and has a whimper but she is eating pretty well and managing to get around. We have wooden floors so are looking at what we can put down to help her get around and keep her grip, oh and making sure her pads are trimmed so help with the slipping. She has had a couple of little walks but they exhaust her quite quickly.Oh and we moved things around to allow her to take steps up to things like the sofa and fitted a stair gate for fear of her falling if she tried the stairs beforre she really got her balance.

I think it also depends on what her personality is like, Grace is a proper trooper unlike our other cocker who being a boy is a complete wimp when things go wrong!!!!

I hope that Daisy manages to stay attached and it isn't too painful...best of luck with everything

Let me know how you get on and if you need any advice give me a shout!

[happydog]

Good to read your update on Grace, marin_uk. I was wondering how she was faring.

When do the stitches come out, or are they dissolving ones?

[marin_uk]

Stiches are coming out tomorrow...thank goodness! She still seems down in the dumps a bit, although we have laid loads of new rugs down to give her something to grip on (her back legs were skidding around a bit).

Other than that she is slowly getting better, perhaps we hoped for miracles and I was starting to worry...a few questions for the vet tomorrow, she is still a bit whimpery but I hope it is just the stiches pulling.

I'll try and update and hopefully she'll be bounding around!!!!!

[Annette]

Oh bless her.

I am so sorry I missed this thread. She is such a pretty girl. I am sure she will get used to it soon. But I do think you are right to look at your flooring. It's hard enough with four legs isn't it?

I am sure that her leg has been painful for a while so she has probably got used to not using it all that much anyway. That must help her get used to the three legged life. I bet she is very glad to get rid of that pain too.

[suzysu]

Hi Suzysu, thanks for asking, just to update you on Grace's progress so far. It has been difficult but she continues to recovery slowly, she is clearly uncomfortable at times and has a whimper but she is eating pretty well and managing to get around. We have wooden floors so are looking at what we can put down to help her get around and keep her grip, oh and making sure her pads are trimmed so help with the slipping. She has had a couple of little walks but they exhaust her quite quickly.Oh and we moved things around to allow her to take steps up to things like the sofa and fitted a stair gate for fear of her falling if she tried the stairs beforre she really got her balance.

I think it also depends on what her personality is like, Grace is a proper trooper unlike our other cocker who being a boy is a complete wimp when things go wrong!!!!

I hope that Daisy manages to stay attached and it isn't too painful...best of luck with everything

Let me know how you get on and if you need any advice give me a shout!

Awww bless her    I so feel for you ...its so upsetting it is to see your baby unhappy and wimpering  but it is very early days and I really hope she will improve each day (((hugs))).  I hope the vet can put your mind at rest tommorrow.

Will send lots of healing thoughts for your brave baby and a (((big hug))) for you too.  Thank you so much for your offer of help that is really sweet of you 

[ali]

only just seen this thread too- hope the stitches coming out tomorrow helps gracie further on the way to a pain-free recovery.

i just wanted to add that i worked at a stables which had a 3 legged staffie, also an amputee because of cancer. i first knew her about a year after the op and you honestly couldn't tell any difference between her and the other dogs. apart from a bit of a hop, she charged about like a loon and was one very happy doglet.

[Lynne L]

She looks lovely - what a brave girl. Just a thought ref slipping paws. When we were in the Lake District recently I saw some little non-slip dog booties in one walking shop. They were a ridiculous price but they are designed to stop dogs slipping on ice or on wet slimy rocks. Don't know if they, or something similar might help indoors? Does anyone have experience of these?
Lynne

[Beth]

I've only just caught up with this thread. Grace looks wonderful so glad she seems to be healing and coping so well.

[Michele]

I hope you got on ok with the stitches coming out today.

I had a thought, I wonder if Grace feels a bit strange and whimpers because to her it may feel that the leg is still there (same as human amputee's experience)?

Also whilst checking on a rescue site I saw this dog, and hope you will be encouraged by how well it is coping.
http://www.stokenchurchdogrescue.co.uk/dogs/185
It was the comments of her running round the paddock and pulling on the lead. 


I hope I haven't upset or offended you, as you are doing all you can for Grace and I'm sure in no time at all she will be back to her bright and happy self.