Hello all, my name is Tamara and im adopted my tripawd boy from the rspca in south australia in may last year. He was only a monthly post his amputation at 9 months old when i got him. His previous owner surrender him but didn’t not tell the rescue how he was hurt Ever since he has amazed me every single day at the things he can do and how he never stops. Buddy is a kelpie x. Everything has been great until recently when I got his remaining front leg xrayed. I was given the heartbreaking news that his other leg has been damaged in the original accident of whatever has happened to him. Now i have to make a huge decision in regards to his future and im so torn about what to do. The vets want to fuse his remaining leg at the wrist joint to try and fix his remaining leg or we leave it and give him the best life we can but it might not be for long. Please dont judge but i just dont know what to do. Taking that flex away is a huge thing for a tripawd that loves to run and play. Any advice would be much appreciated. Buddy is my world, my best friend and my everything but im just not sure what to do 😢 thankyou in advance Tamara and Buddy
Tamara, welcome! You must have blogged on a busy day because usually more Tripawds members will comment. So sorry! OK, before you do ANYTHING, please read about Ziggy’s story. He’s a member here and also in Australia (not sure where in relation to you but wouldn’t it be cool if he was nearby? OMG! OK here is his news, you will be so excited:
https://www.uq.edu.au/news/article/2016/03/three-legged-ziggy-back-his-paws
We can put you in touch with his people if you want to chat. Does this help? Please let us know OK? We would NEVER judge you so post away.
Hey jerry, thanks you so much for your kind and encouraging words. I have been following ziggys journey recently and have his owner on our instagram acount but haven’t had the courge to msg them yet but would love too. Im more so leaning towards surgery but im on my own and financially ill have to save money before we can do anything. I just not sure how he going to go if we do fuse his wrist. The vet has told me he is already in pain not that you can tell most of the time and that if we leave it, it will just get worse or he could land the wrong way one day and break it. His wrist has heal too far over to the right ill post the pic of the xray.
Thankyou Tamara and Buddy
Hello and welcome.
First- this is a community that does not judge. As long as you love your pup and do what you think is best you will get support here.
Second- please consider posting in the forums- there are many more people there and you will get more response.
Third- and not in order of importance- I’m so sorry you are having to deal with this. You are wonderful for adopting Buddy and caring for him.
Have you gone for a second opinion? Do you have rehab vets available to you? And what about considering a set of wheels for Buddy- is that possible where you are?
Tell us more about what the vet said- what would happen if they fused the joint? When I was a kid one of our dogs had to have that joint surgically frozen and she was OK, but was also a quad dog.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Hey Karen thankyou for kind and soothing words. I love buddy more then anything. Im only young and quite new to this. Our local vet refereed ous to the seniors surgical vet at the uni of south australia. She told us that the only option we have is to fuse his wrist joint or if we leave it he will continue to experience more pain and more damage. She has suggested getting him measured up for a cart before surgery to make his recovery easier and she has researched and spoken to ziggy vet. They are not completely sure how he will go but she believes that it is the best option of him having a pain free life.
I have posted a pic of his xray. I need to save more money before i can do anything but am keen to do surgery to try and save my boy. Tamara and Buddy
Hi Tamar and Buddy! Buddy sounds like he has a whole lot of spunk and that is very important for a tripawd!
There is ABSOLUTELY NO JUDGEMENT HERE!!! You clearly love Buddy and want whatever is best for hi !!
You have given him, and are continuing to give him, a life full of love and care and fun! Had you not adopted him he woukd never know what love feels like. You are his hero!
Yes, DEFINITELY check out Ziggy’s story! It’s a story of hope, determination, devotion, perseverance, and a whole lot of SPUNK!!
I know it’s really scary thinking about the future and what’s best for Buddy.
One thing we’ve learned on this tripawd journey is that a “lifestyle” change doesn’t bother our dogs nearly as much as it does us humans!
Maybe a dog doesn’t go on long hikes like he used to, or swim as much as he used to, but there are trade offs. To spend extra time on the couch with their humans getting tummy rubs and being hand fed treats akes them very happy! Tjere are to s of interactive “games” made for dogs now that keeps their mind stimulated and engaged.
I’m sure you’re checking out every option possible. Continue to consult with specialists snd get second and third opinions. I’m sure braces, etc. have been considered. You’ll see Ziggy is using his cart while his leg is healing a d he’s having a ball!
Another blog you might check out is Vader, a Staffy. He’s having challenges with his remaining let too.
You’ll make a decision for Buddy out of love…and that’s always the right decision!
Stay connected! We are all right here by your side. Please, please keep us posted.
Sending you clarity a d lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Thankyou so much for your kind and encouraging words you have definitely made me feel at lot better than i have been. I’ve written some rhings in the other comments about our situation. Im definitely wanna do surgery because i dont wanna lose my boy or have him in so much pain at a young age. I have to save more money before we can do anything unfortunately. I have been following ziggys journey recently and we definitely will need a cart and this has been suggested by our vets as i have written in the other comments. Sorry my writing isn’t that great i get mixed up when i try write too much. We will be keeping you all posted for sure. Thankyou once again for your support. Lots of love tamara and Buddy
Hi Tamara, I’m so sorry to hear about Buddy’s leg 🙁 nearly 2 years ago now we had very similar news about Zig, and it was devastating and overwhelming, but things have all worked out okay. I also realise that I know Buddy from Instragram after reading your other comments! Maybe we could chat on the phone sometime (since we’re both Aussies) as you might be going to go through with Buddy much of what we did with Zig. It’s great that your vet has spoken with Zig’s vet – Zig has been looked after really well so I’m sure that will bode well for Buddy too. It’s also great you’ve found Tripawds – this wonderful and supportive community got me through some of the harder times we had with Zig. I’m sorry to hear he’s likely in pain now, but it looks like you give him a life full of love and happiness. Let me know if you’d like to chat. Lots and lots of love and all our best wishes going your way from Brisbane. xoxoxoxo
Hey Bec, i just reply to your instagram comment but id definitely love to be able to chat to you on the phone. Thankyou for you love and support it means the world to me lots of love buddy and Tamara 🙂 xoxo