Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Good luck tomorrow. It will be Milo's 4 week ampuversary, osteosarcoma, front left radius.
Milo stayed two nights at Tufts. We didn't go visit because we knew that if he saw us he'd get wound up and want to go home with us. We figured it was best if we stayed away. When we did bring him home, he was so drugged up he could barely walk. He had been a bit agitated at the hospital and kept struggling to stand up, so they gave him an anti-anxiety drug Trazadone on top of his pain meds. He literally fell down while peeing and just peed on himself. It was so pathetic (but a good public service announcement for the 5 college boys watching the ordeal -- THIS is why you don't do drugs!)
So surgery for us was also on Thursday, and we spent Friday night prepping the house. We went to Home Depot and bought the cheapest carpet they sold in 12' rolls. We had them slice a bunch of 2' x 12' pieces for the hallways and his favorite walkways, and a pair of 4' x 6' pieces for the stair landing and his favorite doorway, and another piece for our family room.
Remember, when things are confusing, stressing, or you just need an ear -- this group is a phenomenal crowd source place with a bunch of big hearts!
Peace,
-Jenifer & Milo
P.S. In case you're curious, Milo at 4 weeks is mostly himself. No long walks, but jumps up to greet us, jumps onto the bed (I try not to let him jump off), short walks down the street, eating, begging for food, following us the same as before. And chased a bunny last Friday night (he's not very athletic, so it was always funny when he had 4 legs, and even funnier on 3!)
You are all my best friends right now! It is amazing to be able to hear from people who are and have literally felt my same emotions and experienced the same circumstance I am in. I have been snuggling Kai all evening. I started getting very anxious and emotional, which I am usually not! So, I logged on to read the words of encouragement being given here. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
We are set to drop her off tomorrow morning at 7am. I am to expect a call from the surgeon after surgery for an update. We are not going to visit tomorrow due to causing anxiety for Kai. We hope to see her Friday--maybe bring her home Friday night or Saturday.
We have arranged our schedules so that Kai will be with someone for the first 10 days for sure. We have the ruff wear web harness. We have carpet and carpeted the area near the back door where she likes to lay and where she goes outside.
I'll give you an update as they come. I am truly thankful for this newfound family of support.
Good luck! We will be waiting for an update. We also did not visit the night after surgery. Otis broke his leg, so had already been in the hospital two nights. Even though he was in pain and drugged up, he wanted so badly to go home with us each time he saw us.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
I hope all goes well today with Kai's surgery.
My pug Maggie stayed overnight after her amp, I brought her home the next day.
For me and my dogs I wouldn't visit in the hospital unless there was something that required a long term stay- even then I don't know. It would be too hard on them (and me) to see them and then have to leave them there. But everyone needs to do what is right for them and their pups.
I will be checking for updates.
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
Sounds like you're all good to go! You have the power of the Tripawds Nation cheering you on, so keep us posted!
P.S. We agree (along with many vets we've talked to) that in most cases, visiting that first night tends to cause more anxiety than benefits. Hang tight, you'll have the sweetest reunion ever when she comes home.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sending Kai a cloud of pawsitive energy and wishing her a swift recovery, surgery is probably finished by now, hope all is well ❤️🐾
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 :-)
Just checking in for any updates . . .???
I also wanted to add, be kind to yourself. Forgive yourself for not being able to cure cancer. As far-fetched as it seems, sometimes our hearts won't listen to our brains and, without realizing it, we start to feel defeated for something we had no control over.
So, breathe, find your center and look into those beautiful adoring eyes to find peace. Be More Dog .
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
Me, also. Update??
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hey guys,
So sorry for the delayed update, we've had an unexpected tragedy in my family. My mom passed away unexpectedly. So, I'm trying to figure out how to take care of my new tripawd and get home to Wisconsin for services. 
But, Kai's surgery went well according to the surgeon. The cancer was localized to just the ulna. It was not evident in the lymph nodes and did not appear to be in the soft tissue. He was very pleased with the results. I was worried all night about her. The surgeon called me at 8am Friday morning to say Kai did well through the night. He asked if they could keep her another night to work with her and get her stronger. Although I appreciated the idea of giving her the attention, I declined his request. I picked her up at 430pm Friday afternoon. She was sooooo ecstatic to see us. She was able to hop out to the car by herself. She has progressing well since she has been home. She is hesitant to want to get up and move about. There is quite a bit of coaxing to get her to move from her comfy spot. But she is eating, taking her pain meds, and going potty on her own.
I'll be back on soon.
I'm so pleased the surgery went well and that you have your lovely Kai back home. But I am so very sorry to hear about your mother.
Sending you, Kai and all your family my warmest wishes,
Meg and Clare xx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Oh my gosh no apologies are needed, I'm really sorry about your Mom. My deepest sympathies to you and your family, I can't imagine the kind of stress you must be under.
Kai's recovery sounds like it's going well, and I'm sure that's a huge relief to you all. She's good medicine at a time like this. Snuggle that sweetie and know that your Mom's spirit is right there with you both. If you need anything at all don't hesitate to ask, we're here for you OK?
{{{{hugs}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Kelly,
I am so very sorry to hear that you lost your mom. That's so hard and even more so while dealing with Kai's cancer and recovery. You have my most sincere sympathy. Please be kind to yourself and know that all of this tripaw family is thinking of you.
Wanda
Just read you post, so, so sorry about your Mom ...
There is another bright, wonderful, loving star in the sky watching over you and kai ...
Hope recovery is going well, sending you a huge bear hug and cuddles to sweet Kai 
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 :-)
Hi Kelly & Kai, just catching up on this thread and wanted to say so sorry you had reason to find this site, but so glad her surgery went well! Also sending my condolences about the loss of your mother. The timing was not the best, but guess it never is when it comes to illness & death. Please keep us posted on how things are going! Hugs to you & your sweet girl!
Chris & Kylie xo
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