Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I took my boy Quinn to vet due to his paw was swollen. The vet took x-rays and discovered he had a tumor in his left rear hock. I'm devastated. He seemed fine other then his leg was hurting. He's playing, eating, drinking, going outside, but he wasn't using that leg. I decided to have surgery after talking to the vet for a long time. His heart is strong, and his lungs are clear. I love him so much, I hope I made the right the decision. I have spoke to my family and they all agree he can do this. He is very stubborn and strong. I have to be strong for him, just terrified right now. I dropped him off at the vets this morning, but had to stay awhile cause he kept getting out of the cage, he's very smart. I took blankets with me so he could smell us and not be as scared. The surgery is scheduled for this afternoon. Please send prayers.
Hi Quinn and family, welcome! Your future posts won't need approval so jump in anytime.
I'm sorry to hear about the cancer. What kind is it? Do you know yet?
It sounds like you are doing everything just perfectly for your pup. I especially like how you took blankets with your scent on them to the hospital. Super smart! If you haven't already, be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books for additional tips. Of course this pawesome community will chime in soon so hang tight.
Meanwhile, when you say Quinn is a "GS" do you mean German Shepherd? Or German Shorthair? Or...Hmmm? Do tell more! And if you'd like to share some photos here are instructions for adding them to the Forums.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Online
Keeping all paws crossed for your sweett Quinn! He sounds delightful! And yes, he WILL do just fine!!!
I know you feel like you are stuck in a nightmare right now. Thsi is a very scary n time and recovery is no picnic!
We are all here for you and you are not alone, okay? Lean on us and stay c o connected.
Is Quinn spending the night? You'll need to get a good night's sleep before bringing him home. He'll be seeing pink elephants snd not feeling any pain tonight!
Do you have an Oncologist in the area?
Remember, you are doing this FOR Quinn....not to him! You are taking away his pain and restoring him to a quality life! You think you love snd spoil him now.....just wait.....it'll multiply many times over!!
When you pick him up, just ignore the incision site snd look straight into his druggy bright eyes and tell him what a good boy he his!! Recovery from surgery, balancing pain meds, etc. takes about two weeks....bigger dogs a little longer sometimes. Quinn needs to rest and take short potty breaks during this time.
Fine tuning their adjistment to three legs can take about a month before they have perfect balance, muscle and joint adjustment, etc. and can get back to pretty normal routines.
He may not want to eat or dri n k right away...all normal. Let us kn k wwhen he has his first poop! We celebrate anything around here!
Let us know when he's out of surgery. And for now, eat lots of CHOCOLATE!!!!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Oh, if you have hardwood floors, get non skid scatter rugs for traction .
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!
Oh, can't wait to get news on Quinn! Ready to hear every little detail.
It's okay to be terrified, just be strong for him. You'll be surprised when you realize your strength comes from his eyes and tail. Let him guide you. Let him soothe you. You will be amazed.
Lastly, don't second-guess yourself. Stay centered and balanced for Quinn. You will become his missing paw.
Pam, the Hub-a-dub, Melody and Angel Harmony
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
Prayers definitely coming your way.......so sorry you are dealing with this in your pup, but you have found the best place to help you through. Everyone has already given fantastic advice, so I will only add a few thoughts of my own.
First off, his lungs are clear, and that is a great thing.....second, Quinn will get through everything fine, our pups and kitties are stronger than we think they are. No lie, it may be a little rough at the beginning, but then again maybe not....all our fur kids go at their own pace and that is perfectly okay. And it is also perfectly okay to be scared....this is not an easy decision. However, we will all be here to get you through this start of your new journey and beyond....we have all been there.
Please keep us all updated on your boy, and my thoughts are with him and you,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Glad you found us. Can't wait to hear that Quinn (love the name) had a successful surgery. Please do your homework as the first couple of weeks can be difficult. Use us to vent, ask questions or for anything you need. We love pictures and details. Most of us are on site at least daily. Reach out we are here.
Welcome to Tripawds. I hope all went well today.
There is a wealth of information and support to be found here- let us know how we can help.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you everyone for the support. It means a lot to me and Quinn. Well he got through the surgery, the vet finished up around 11pm last night (11/20/14). I called at 8am this morning (11/21/14) and he is doing well right now. It is 10am and I'm boiling chicken (his favorite food) to take up to him. The vet said I could come whenever I like, he shouldn't have said that cause I'm bringing my duffle bag and camping out. LOL. He said I could bring him home tomorrow. I have been reading everything I can and trying to educate myself on what is to come. I will be buying non-skid rugs, a harness, and my financee' is building a ramp for Quinn to go in and out. We have two back doors on our house, which I never understood why because we never use one, but now I know why, its the Mighty Quinn's door and that is where the ramp will be. I know I have to be a strong pack leader now so he will follow. Oh Quinn is a Giant Schnauzer. He is absolutely magnificent and very intelligent. He is my heart, I love him more then I do myself. I will try to upload some pictures, still trying to learn this site. Thanks everyone for the great advice and caring. Oh the vet told me what kind of cancer it was, but I have been in such a stupor I can't remember the name. I will ask him again.
Renee and Quinn
Alrighty! Let the healing begin for the Mighty Quinn!!!!!
I love the visual of you camping out with him today!!! Good for you!!
Funny how the Universe gives you what you need, even if you don't recognize the reason right away.......like two back doors!!! When your fiancee builds the ramp, perhaps he can add a rail on each side. It's a "visual" that makes them feel more secure.
Let us know how the visit goes! Giant Schnauzer......MAGNIFICENT dogs!!
Hugs to all!!!
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!
I did it!!! This is my sweet boy Quinn and his sister Angel, as you can see he loves to sleep. I will try to add more active pics of him later. Thank you everyone, off to see my boy. I also found the website when he was a puppy, this is the url http://www.webr.....nngiant%2F
Oh Quinn is indeed a beaut!!!!! LOVE that!
Sending you lots of well wishes and love. I would go to our vet and 'camp' out as well... they even offered to order me food! 
Much love,
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
So happy to hear Quinn did well with his surgery, and another day at the vet's office for care is the best thing for him. And I certainly agree with everyone, he is a very handsome guy, and sweet sister Angel is beautiful, too! Those Schnauzer are very intelligent Pups! I would be tempted to camp out as well !! I love Sally's analogy of your backdoor situation.....it is perfectly clear now why you have 2.....
Please continue to keep us updated on on Quinn, we are here for any help you may need,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Yay Mighty Quinn!! We are sending you prayers for courage and strength to get through this challenge. Remember it is a challenge not an impossibillity. You can see from all your supporters on here that this is sooo very possible for you to get through.
Please let us know how Quinn is doing. He is totally handsome and clearly loved.
Welcome to the Tripawd Family...we are here for you!
Darcy & the Extraordinary Angel Bart!!
YAAAAAAAAAY! GREAT, GREAT PHOTOS!!!! You did it! EXCELLENT! Just the first of many victories!!!!
Exquisite dogs, both of them!!
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!
Just got back from visiting with Quinn. He is doing absolutely fantastic!!!! I expected him to be very lethargic and he wasn't. I brought him to chicken breasts and the vet had given him wet and dry food. He was chowing on that and ate the chicken breasts. He drank a big bowl of water and then barked like crazy and kept trying to get up, but vet wanted him to stay still and not get excited. I stayed for a few hours and I'm going back this evening. He settled down and fell asleep but woke up as soon as I stood up and started barking.
I'm worried about getting him home tomorrow. How do I get him in and out of the car? I'm taking my daughter with me to help she's a groomer so hopefully she will know how. Please need some ideas.
Thanks to all of you, I'm glad I found all of you.
Renee, Quinn, and Angel
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