Tigger Club News
By Animals - For Animals
news@tigger.club

 


Tripawd Hounds - Phoebe

Phoebe’s Story

I was rescued from the Dogs Trust by my humans and for a number of years all was well until we noticed a growth on my rear lower hock.
Various trips to the vet and a biopsy it was identified as being cancerous and it was agreed an operation was needed to remove it.
Unfortunately the nature of the cancer and location meant they couldn’t confirm 100% removal and subsequently within 18mths the tumour had returned.
There was only two options euthanasia or amputation.
I was only 6 and my humans wanted to give me every opportunity to live a long life.

After consultation with vet it was agreed the amputation would go ahead.
The operation was a success and after 5 days in veterinary care my humans were able to take me home.
This was a very emotional reunion as my wound area was very swollen and bruised but I was walking. In fact they had me walking on day of my surgery.

My humans were advised to exercise me starting with short distances and then extending as they felt I could cope.
So every day we went for a stroll and I was fine, in fact I was amazing!
The vets words echoing in my human’s heads that animals, unlike humans, don’t have the emotional side of amputation as they don’t have to worry about “how am I going to cope?” “How will I work, live, play, drive, financially support myself?”

Animals just get on with it and I certainly did.

Recovery went well and all my humans had to be careful that my three fur siblings didn’t bother me or lick my wound.
My human made a makeshift coat out of muslin which I wore all of the time.

My humans were told that frontal amputations are harder for animals, simply because they carry more weight on their front two legs.
With mine being a rear leg amputation it was physically easier for me.

The only thing I don’t do is climb the staircase.
This is a choice as I have climbed them since the amputation but I am not confident going up and therefore I choose not to, but I can come down the stairs without any problem.

Here are a few pictures of me from before and after the amputation.
Including the picture that looks like my amputated leg is air brushed out of the picture.