Our Sketchie boy, cancer/amputation

The journey continues for Sketchie as he gets used to being minus one leg. This morning Sketch's left ear was itching, so he sat down all ready to scratch it with his left rear paw...but no left rear leg or paw. If it hadn't been sad, it would have been a funny moment...he kept looking back to where his leg had been as if to say..."hey, where is my leg...it is supposed to be right here?". I will have to sub as his replacement left side scratch paw from now on.

Each day we see tiny things that are going to be the new normal for Sketchie...once in a while I can see he gets a little confused/down when his body just doesn't work the way it used to...but for the most part he takes it in stride.

The super happy moment this morning was when he picked up a toy for the first time since the amputation and brought it to me to toss in the air for him to catch. He has always loved games of toss/catch...so that was a biggie in the road to emotional and physical recovery. :smile2:

Trini
 
Trini,

This last post makes me sad and happy at the same time. I can't imagine how you must feel. I am glad Sketchie is doing much better, but sad that he is down at times about his leg. If only we could speak to our fur babies and tell them why we do the things we do. :hugs
 
Cleo2014 said:
Trini,

This last post makes me sad and happy at the same time. >>> <<< If only we could speak to our fur babies and tell them why we do the things we do. :hugs
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My emotions too...this is definitely a bitter-sweet journey...and, yes, it would be so much easier if they could understand the "why". But I know in time Sketchie will accept without concern his new body...he has already make incredible progress in just a little over 2 weeks. These gentle souls are truly amazing.

Trini
 
Trini, I just saw you post and laughed and cried right along with you!

Such an endearing description of the events large and small both of you are enduring together...

Just REALLY touches my heart! What we will not do for our precious souls...
What a WONDERFUL MOM you ARE!

Give little Sketchie a hug and kiss from me... and the boys asked if you would give him an extra treat from them?

As always... virtual hugs... :hugs
 
Gloria, your hug and kiss have been delivered to Sketchie...and tell your boys that Sketch is getting loads of treats but he will definitely enjoy a few more ordered by them! :yes:

Trini
 
Oh Sketchie, I guess you are just have to endure mama scritches when you have an itch on that annoying left side. Such torment. :wink2: :biggrin2:

Seriously though, I can picture the reaction in my head because our little dogs can be such expressive things. The good thing is, he's adapting. So glad to hear he's regaining his interest in toys and playing.
 
trini said:
Gloria, your hug and kiss have been delivered to Sketchie...and tell your boys that Sketch is getting loads of treats but he will definitely enjoy a few more ordered by them! :yes:

Trini
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My Laddie, Mr Chance, and Little Logan THANK YOU!!!

Thanks for delivering my kiss to dear sweet Sketch!
 
Wow, Trini, I was out of the country for a couple of weeks and missed all this happening... I am belatedly sorry for Sketchie's and your ordeal. Going through Ally's toe cancer scare gives me only a small idea of what it must have been like for you. But what a small miracle, that the cancer was not as aggressive.

Ally bounced back from her surgery 3 years ago much quicker than I thought she would, I am so in awe of how the dogs just get on with it. She clumped around on her big fat bandaged leg, giving it the stink-eye, but she was a good patient (with an awesome vet) and today runs and plays normally.

I felt SO bad about Sketch not being able to scratch his ear - what must they think, "gosh I used to have a leg there to do that with..."

So glad your amazing-sounding vet had test results just in time that allowed you not to have to make the hardest decision of all. Many, many hugs and kisses from my crew to Sketch. Hopefully you have bought him years of good quality of life yet.
 
I am so happy your boy is adjusting well. Is the cone gone yet?

I have been reading all over for info if I need to go this route, and found a forum all about it called tripawds.com. They have a lot on the recovery as well, and it sounds like your boy is doing better than most this early after the surgery :)

I am emotionally drained from this past week, and me and Gavin haven't even gotten to the we definitely need an amputation part yet! everyone talks about how well tripods adapt, and that we are the ones with the bigger issues. Just last night, I was getting all misty eyed on our walk watching his little rear white paws prance on his walk and his swishing tail.

Times like this I wish he was a snuggler, but alas he is not :(
 
Cindy, the cone unfortunately is still needed and for night time we have switched to the old stiff cone model because Sketchie had figured out how to nudge his soft cone into a bend deep enough that he could get to his incision area. We were back at the vet's yesterday because Sketch is experiencing some swelling and irritation in his incision area that our vet is pretty sure is due to his immune system over reacting to the stitches. Even thought the visible layer of stitches has been out now for 5 days, there are deep interior stitches with an amputation. I am hot packing the troubled area and also have Bertamethasone Valerate cream to put on it 4x daily. Hopefully his body's negative reaction to the stitches will back off soon so we can finally get rid of the cone which he so hates. Anytime I can focus 100% on him I take the cone off to give him a break, but the minute I am busy and can't keep an eye on him it has to go back on or he is instantly trying to lick and chew that area.

Other than that he is doing super well. This morning brought another milestone as he rolled around happily in the dew dampened grass. He has always loved to roll in wet grass but hadn't even tried to roll since the amputation. So, tiny happy steps to what will be Sketchie's new normal.

Tripawds is a great site...I was going to give you that link if amputation was the best choice you were facing for your little guy . There are both uplifting and sad stories there...but a slew of good information and the people who post are always 100% supportive of everyone. That level of support is so critical as you sort through what you believe is the best choice for your little lad...there is no "right" or "wrong" choice.

I so understand your exhaustion. I felt totally drained both emotionally and physically during the week we waited for Sketch's biospy results and then his immediate surgery. But once you have made a decision and have a direction to go, then you have a positive focus. If you do go the surgery route you will still be tired during those first weeks of care taking duty (I still feel like a zombie some days due to lack of sleep) and there will be some tough moments post surgery when the tears flow, but you can start to focus on the future and how to make it comfortable and happy.

Sending you many hugs as you go through this tough time.

Trini
 
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