Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Just found out Thursday my German shepherd has chrondrosarcoma a bone cancer. The oncologist said amputation is necessary and this type usually doesn't spread rapidly. I think I am more worried than he will be. He was very active and I know it will be hard for me and him. Dr said he should be fine after. I was also wondering about him being agressive after. He's never shown aggression before. Just need thoughts input anything will help. He is my riding buddy when kids don't want to ride on the farm. Any info greatly appreciated thanks
Hi and welcome! I'll reply in a sec but first, I'm in the chat room for a few minutes, hop over! Wait for the box to load, it can take a few.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry to hear about your pup's diagnosis. What leg is affected?
Chondrosarcoma is one of those conditions that, if cancer happens, it could be worse. Here is an interview and video about chondrosarcoma that we did a while back, with a vet oncologist Dr. Chretin.
My first advice: check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books , they will answer a lot of your questions about life on three legs. And our great community will chime in too. The biggest advice I can offer you is: be the strong leader your dog knows you are. The more pawsitive you are, the more you treat him like normal, the more normal things will be.
Sure there are things you need to be aware of; Tripawds have less endurance than quadpawds, even if they're in great shape. And they are more prone to arthritis and joint stress. So as pawrents we need to be vigilant that we don't allow them to overdo activity. But for now, don't worry about that, just get through the recovery. Yes he can still be your riding buddy (I presume on your golf cart or ATV? If so, just use good sense: an open cargo crate/box mounted to rear of your ATV would be able to hold him, we've carried Wyatt on one like that, but you just have to go slow and make sure that he sits when you're moving. No more standing up on ATVs, way too precarious, even for a four legger imo).
I have to admit, I'm a little partial toward GSDs. They bounce back from surgery like nobody's business. Tough, rugged and fearless they will go on quickly and wonder why you are so freaked out. Our Tripawds Spokesdog Wyatt Ray is a rear-leg Tri and our fearless founder Jerry was a front leg Tri. Both dogs handled life on three legs really, really well and neither showed signs of aggression related to the amputation. In fact, we are friends with the Oaktown Pack, who I know will chime in here, and they are parents of THREE GSD Tripawds.
Hang in there. We are here to help. When is the surgery?
This is Jerry.
The OP in action, with Wyatt bringing up the rear in his red Float Coat :
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Deereman it was nice chatting with you today! Here are the photos you wanted to share. Your family is adorable, your kids will learn so much from this experience and be even more in love with your Tripawd. Lots of folks here will have suggestions about how you can help your kids adjust, my main one is: they will look to you so how you react is how they will react.
I totally forgot to ask, what is his name? And the name of your little pup?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Deereman it was nice chatting with you today! Here are the photos you wanted to share. Your family is adorable, your kids will learn so much from this experience and be even more in love with your Tripawd. Lots of folks here will have suggestions about how you can help your kids adjust, my main one is: they will look to you so how you react is how they will react.I totally forgot to ask, what is his name? And the name of your little pup?
Shepherds name is king and his girlfriend name is Gigi
Yowza! King is one handsome duuuuuude! Welcome to the club nopawdy wants to join King! How old is he? Which leg will he lose? We are here to tell ya that life on three ain't no big thang to a GSD, HELL no! We have three rear leg amps in our pack. None due to cancer, just stupid human tricks. All our dogs were already amputees when they came to us but two were recent and they adjusted just fine. Jerry's right, King won't have quite the stamina you are used to but he will still be able to enjoy life to the fullest, 'cause thats what dogs do! You are right, you are far more worried about this than he is. He will just pick right up where he left off and say "Three legs? No problem!"
Take a look at this video of Codie Rae and Codie Rae's You Tube videos. Take a look at this great inspawrational music video that Codie Rae got to star in. They should give you a good idea about what a tripawd GSD can do! And your kids will love it (I hope). Any questions? Let us know!
xoxo,
Martha, Codie Rae and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Enjoyed your visit in the chat room earlier today. Don't have much to add from earlier.
These pictures of your whole pack...BEAUTIFUL!!! Whole lotta love showing up in these ohotos! King and Gigi are sooooo adorable! And the human pups are precious too!
You've gotten a lot of help fro. BSD "people" who really know there stuff! You really will be amazed how well he gets around after recovery takes place! The first two weeks he should just rest and go out for potty breaks. Being so young, it'll probably be hard keeping him quiet! No climbing stairs, no jumping up and down on the sofa, etc.
We understand all too well the emotional roller coaster ride this journey puts you on. Once King has healed, and especially after his fur fills in, you'll forget he ever had a fourth leg!!
HUGS to all the pack!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Well tommorrow is kings big day. I hope all goes well for him and he is able to get back to being his normal self. I think I have prepared myself much as I can. I hope his recovery goes well and I can keep him contained for 2 weeks. Thanks for all the help and support. I was nice to see animals getting on with life without having pain bringing them down. I will update when I get a chance
All paws crossed for sweet King! He will amaze you!
Try and get some sleep! Yeah, right!
Will look forward to your update!
((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Best of luck! All Lucky 13 paws crossed here that everything will go smooth as a baby's beeehind. We are here for you every step of the way, OK?
xoxox,
CR and the OP
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Sending our best! Keep us posted, we are thinking of you both.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sending our best! Keep us posted, we are thinking of you both.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Great pictures! And I love King and Gigi! Keeping all paws crossed for you today. Looking forward to a great update!!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
You have a lovely family and King...totally handsome. And little Gigi just adorable!!! I hope all is going well for King with his procedure today. I will be keeping him in my thoughts that he has a safe surgery and easy recovery!!
Hang in there...King will be awesome as a Tripawd! Welcome to the family!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Well king made it home been trying to rest but the kids are making it hard for him. He has urinated but hasn't had #2. It's got me worried cause he hasn't went in a while. Also my yard is saturated with all the rain we been getting here and is getting wet and a lil muddy. Also he's never been one to do his business while on the leash. I don't want to let him roam by himself but it's only way he will go. He's one antibiotics but just worrying about infection. We wipe him off after he comes in. Any thoughts. He is getting around very well though
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