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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Amputation Surgery scheduled
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Member Since:
3 August 2018
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3 August 2018 - 10:57 am
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Hello! I'm so happy I found this site, thank you for sharing your stories. 

My dog, Kurtis is a 7 year old Golden Retriever and like everyone else on here he is my WORLD. We took Kurt to the vet because he was about limping and when we did X-rays they found a tumor. His amputation surgery (front right leg) is scheduled for Thursday and I'm anxious and looking for advice. Any recommendations of things I need to buy, how to prep the house, how to prep myself, etc. would be greatly appreciated.  

Thank you in advance!

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
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3 August 2018 - 3:03 pm
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Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.

I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer and amputation but glad you found us. 

While you wait for other's input you might look at the Required Reading List, there are lots of helpful links there with information on what to expect with amputation and recovery.

I have to run right now but wanted to get your post approved so other could see and comment.  I'll check back later.

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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4 August 2018 - 1:46 am
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Hi Kurt and family 🌻🐾

So sorry you have to join us here, dealing with a cancer and amputation diagnosis is always a huge punch in the stomach but please know we understand what you are going through and we will help and guide you and Kurt all the way. 

Firstly, if you have hardwood or slippery floors, you should get carpet, rubber underlay or yoga mats and create paths for your baby to hop on, traction is really important for a Tripawd. 

You should also get a harness to help Kurt during and after recovery, we had a ruffwear harness which was a precious tool as it has a handle on top and that allows us to support the weight and guide our babies (plus helps getting in and out of cars, up and down stairs, etc) 

My baby also wore a tshirt and a soft harness on top to protect the incision 24/7 until stitches came out. M

Keeping an exact medicine schedule is crucial during recovery as you want to keep a good grip on pain management so please follow the scheduling your surgeon mentions and don’t be shy to go back to him with any concerns as sometimes drugs quantities have to be altered during recovery.

Expect a possible crash between days 3-5 this is normal and temporary.

During the first weeks of recovery Kurt needs to rest a lot, no jumping up and down couches  and basically just going out for potty breaks and back to bed.

If he takes some time to poop that is normal, it can take up to seven days for that to happen (our record here) but normally it takes less.

Peeing is important, though, so keep an eye on that.

Kurt might loose his appetite (or not) if that happens you are allowed to give him everything and anything to get him interested in food. 

As for you, keeping a positive attitude is very important as our babies pick up on our energy and are masters at understanding our feelings. 

If you keep positive, you are helping him to heal quicker. 

Also plase know age is somewhat of a factor when dealing with cancer, generally the younger the dog is the quicker cancer may progress so the fact he is 7 goes in his favour. 

We are all here for you and your baby so do not hesitate to reach out to us and ask any questions, anytime.

Sending you hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

On The Road


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4 August 2018 - 1:26 pm
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Hi there and welcome. We are sorry about the diagnosis, but you are in good company, many people are here because of cancer. We know how worried you are and are happy to help in any way.

The best way to get familiar with our community is the Tripawds Start Here page , and also our Tripawds featured blogs, like Tripawds Nutrition blog and Tripawds Gear blog have tons of tips, as well as our e-books library. And of course you can ask any questions you'd like here.

Oh and two more What to Expect articles that can help you prepare:

http://tripawds.....-to-expect

Let us know how things are going, we are always happy to share feedback and answer questions so keep us posted.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
3 August 2018
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6 August 2018 - 10:17 pm
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Kurtis said
Hello! I'm so happy I found this site, thank you for sharing your stories. 

My dog, Kurtis is a 7 year old Golden Retriever and like everyone else on here he is my WORLD. We took Kurt to the vet because he was about limping and when we did X-rays they found a tumor. His amputation surgery (front right leg) is scheduled for Thursday and I'm anxious and looking for advice. Any recommendations of things I need to buy, how to prep the house, how to prep myself, etc. would be greatly appreciated.  

Thank you in advance!  

Hi there! I was forwarded your post by admin because our pups are having their surgeries on the same day! I just wanted to say best of luck to Kurtis and I'll be thinking of you both that day also. Maybe we can compare notes about the aftermath and how they are doing. If I find anything particularly helpful, I'll let you know!

All the best. heart

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1 August 2018
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7 August 2018 - 1:39 pm
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Hello! My fur baby Sebastian is also having his amputation surgery on Thursday. He has osteosarcoma in the lower part of his front right leg. 

Livermore, CA




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18 October 2009
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7 August 2018 - 2:20 pm
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Hello sja81 and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.

In addition to Kurtis, who started this thread, Mango is also having his surgery on Thursday.  So three pups on the same day...we like the # 3 around here.

Please consider starting your own thread so we can help you and Sebastian and so your story doesn't get mixed up here.

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Member Since:
3 August 2018
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7 August 2018 - 4:02 pm
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krun15 said
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.

I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer and amputation but glad you found us. 

While you wait for other's input you might look at the Required Reading List, there are lots of helpful links there with information on what to expect with amputation and recovery.

I have to run right now but wanted to get your post approved so other could see and comment.  I'll check back later.

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls  

Thank you so much! 

Member Since:
3 August 2018
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7 August 2018 - 4:02 pm
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sja81 said
Hello! My fur baby Sebastian is also having his amputation surgery on Thursday. He has osteosarcoma in the lower part of his front right leg.   

Wishing Sebastian the best of luck! <3 

Member Since:
3 August 2018
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7 August 2018 - 4:05 pm
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mdm7211 said

Hi there! I was forwarded your post by admin because our pups are having their surgeries on the same day! I just wanted to say best of luck to Kurtis and I'll be thinking of you both that day also. Maybe we can compare notes about the aftermath and how they are doing. If I find anything particularly helpful, I'll let you know!

All the best. heart  

Hi! Thank you so much! I'll keep you and your fur-baby in my thoughts as well. I would love to compare notes and will pass along any relevant info! 

Wishing you the best of luck! heart

Member Since:
3 August 2018
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7 August 2018 - 4:07 pm
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jerry said
Hi there and welcome. We are sorry about the diagnosis, but you are in good company, many people are here because of cancer. We know how worried you are and are happy to help in any way.

The best way to get familiar with our community is the Tripawds Start Here page , and also our Tripawds featured blogs, like Tripawds Nutrition blog and Tripawds Gear blog have tons of tips, as well as our e-books library. And of course you can ask any questions you'd like here.

Oh and two more What to Expect articles that can help you prepare:

http://tripawds.....-to-expect

Let us know how things are going, we are always happy to share feedback and answer questions so keep us posted.  

Thank you for the info! I've been reading up on as much as I can. This website has been super helpful. 

Member Since:
3 August 2018
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7 August 2018 - 4:09 pm
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eurydice said
Hi Kurt and family 🌻🐾

So sorry you have to join us here, dealing with a cancer and amputation diagnosis is always a huge punch in the stomach but please know we understand what you are going through and we will help and guide you and Kurt all the way. 

Firstly, if you have hardwood or slippery floors, you should get carpet, rubber underlay or yoga mats and create paths for your baby to hop on, traction is really important for a Tripawd. 

You should also get a harness to help Kurt during and after recovery, we had a ruffwear harness which was a precious tool as it has a handle on top and that allows us to support the weight and guide our babies (plus helps getting in and out of cars, up and down stairs, etc) 

My baby also wore a tshirt and a soft harness on top to protect the incision 24/7 until stitches came out. M

Keeping an exact medicine schedule is crucial during recovery as you want to keep a good grip on pain management so please follow the scheduling your surgeon mentions and don’t be shy to go back to him with any concerns as sometimes drugs quantities have to be altered during recovery.

Expect a possible crash between days 3-5 this is normal and temporary.

During the first weeks of recovery Kurt needs to rest a lot, no jumping up and down couches  and basically just going out for potty breaks and back to bed.

If he takes some time to poop that is normal, it can take up to seven days for that to happen (our record here) but normally it takes less.

Peeing is important, though, so keep an eye on that.

Kurt might loose his appetite (or not) if that happens you are allowed to give him everything and anything to get him interested in food. 

As for you, keeping a positive attitude is very important as our babies pick up on our energy and are masters at understanding our feelings. 

If you keep positive, you are helping him to heal quicker. 

Also plase know age is somewhat of a factor when dealing with cancer, generally the younger the dog is the quicker cancer may progress so the fact he is 7 goes in his favour. 

We are all here for you and your baby so do not hesitate to reach out to us and ask any questions, anytime.

Sending you hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹  

Thank you so much for the info and things to expect. I truly appreciate it. I'm very anxious about the first few weeks and trying to be as prepared for Kurt as possible. This info is super helpful! heart

New Jersey
Member Since:
4 January 2018
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13
7 August 2018 - 7:22 pm
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Welcome. Sorry to meet under these circumstances but you are in the best place possible. Your golden is adorable. I also have a golden who had her right front leg amputated. It is so rough that 2 out of 3 golden will get cancer. I lost my other golden to a burst heart tumor. A front leg on a bigger dog like a golden is rough but it is doable. What is your home situation? What type of floors? Any steps? How is his mobility prior to surgery? Is he a proper weight? I know it is so hard to keep goldens thin, especially when they are older and become couch potatos. I was a vet tech and i am a registered nurse and i still was so upset when i saw my golden immediately after surgery. They shave a very large area for a front amputation and it is hard to see your furry teddy bear missig all that fur. Try not to focus on it. I put t-shirts on my golden after surgery so i didnt look at it. I didnt buy expensive dog clothes. I just used short sleeve shirts i had. Usually a womens small or a kids extra large will fit an average size golden. You can cut the part above his back and tie it in a knot if it is hanging too low on his belly. You dont want him peeing on it. Fromt leg amputees cant usually get to their incision to mess with it so my girl didnt wear a cone amd the t-shirt help ed her not to rub it on the carpet. She did lick at the shaved part on ther other leg from the iv site. Just keep an eye on it. How many days is he staying in the hospital? I took my girl home the same night because the hospital i had it done at didnt have overnight care and i have the experience and background to care for her at home. I would not recommend that to anyone else. Pain control once he comes home is the most important thing. Eating and peeing/pooping comes with time. All the advice you are getting her is so great. I found this site the day before my golden had her surgery. It was a life saver. My girl had a complete fracture and that is how i found out about her bone tumor. I really had no indication it was there prior to the break. Dogs are very stoic and hide their pain so well. I wasnt sure i was making the best decision for her by putting her thru surgery and recovery but she looked at me and said she wanted to fight. I didnt have the tumor typed but the vet was pretty sure it was Osteosarcoma or fibrosarcoma. I chose not to do any radiation or chemo. This is her second cancer. She also has nasal Osteosarcoma. I put her on a holistic regimen after her nasal cancer diagnosis. She is 21 months nasal cancer diagnosis and 8 months post amputation. The first few weeks are rough. I am not going to lie, there will come a point that you wonder if you made the right decision. But come to the site and we will get you thru it. Looking at my golden now i cant imagine not giving her a chance to fight. She is thriving and still has such a great quality of life. She basically does all the same things she did with four legs but now she is pain free. I will be thinking of yoir golden and the other two babies having their surgery on Thursday. Is so great that you will all be going thru it togeather. Support is what you need right now. 

Green Bay, WI


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18 May 2014
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7 August 2018 - 7:30 pm
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Hi and welcome, sorry you have to be here, but there's no better place to be for info and support. Eurydice pretty much told you in a nutshell what you need to know as you start this journey. My Dobe Nitro was diagnosed at age 8 1/2 years, and lost his right front leg due to osteosarcoma. He rocked life on 3 for over 3 years before old age took him from us. He could still run like the wind and go up and down stairs like a champ. Recovery can be hard - ours was no picnic - but be patient and stay positive....take it one day at a time, and know that this journey is a rollercoaster....be prepared for the many ups and downs along the way. We're here for you...good luck!

Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro

Nitro 11 1/2  yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms.  Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"

http://nitro.tripawds.com

"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior



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8 August 2018 - 11:06 am
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Hi sugar bun 🌸

Just want to wish you all the best and please remember my Angel Eurydice will be by Kurtis side tomorrow, she will not leave until surgery is finished, it's an Angel Dane's promise 🐮🌟

Miss Cow will be busy with three surgeries and three sweet pups to look after having surgery tomorrow but luckily she is an Angel and everything is possible for Angels 🧚🏼‍♀️

Sending you an avalanche of kisses and a cloud of burger shaped cuddles to your sweet Goldie 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

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