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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Osteosarcoma and Preparing For Surgery
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Member Since:
4 February 2016
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6 February 2016 - 9:16 pm
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So I'm going to try again.  I've tried to write this post several times, but its just so emotionally hard so I'm going to try and keep it short and to the point.  I'm so thankful to have found this community.  Its been 1 week since we learned that our American Pit Bull Terrier, Rocky has bone cancer and my heart has been broken ever since.  After lots of discussions and tears, we have decided the best thing for Rocky is to have the leg removed.  I just downloaded 3 Legs and a Spare and Loving Life on 3 Legs and will read as much as I can before the surgery which is Monday.  I'm so scared!  The Vet doesn't have 24 hr care so we'll have to take him home that night which makes me very nervous.  Does anyone have any advise, suggestions as to the best way to prepare for him coming home and his healing.  Rocky has always slept in our bed so that change alone will probably upset him.  We bought some gates and we plan to set up a recovery area where he'll have a couch and the floor is carpeted.  I am planning on sleeping in there on the couch but any advise on the best type of bed for him?  Also, my wife just gave birth to our first baby 6 weeks ago.  The oncologist warned us about the dangers of chemo and babies but is there any other things we need to keep in mind there?

Thank you so much to all of you out there who continue to help through these difficuilt times.

Love,

Rob, Laura, Baby Hayes and Rocky

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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6 February 2016 - 9:36 pm
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Rob, Laura, Baby Hayes and Rocky,

Welcome to the club nopawdy wants to join. But we are so glad you're here. As scary as this journey seems right now, in a while you'll see how Rocky handles it and wonder why you were ever so worried. We won't lie, it's not easy at first, but most of the time if you can step back and look at the situation you'll see that it's the humans who have the coping problems, not so much the dogs. They are so much more resilient than we ever give them credit for. You will be amazed at your Rocky, a dog stronger and more courageous than you ever imagined.

Our best recovery tips are in the e-books, thank you for buying them, we appreciate it greatly. You'll also find lots of new things here in the blogs so I encourage you to stick around and dive in. Others will chime in too so stay tuned.

Oh about beds, we have a post all about them here: http://gear.tri.....best-beds/

Be strong and know that Rocky isn't worried, so you shouldn't be either (I know, easier said than done, but you can do it!).

Whatever we can do to help just holler OK?

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

Schofield, WI
Member Since:
13 August 2015
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7 February 2016 - 1:23 pm
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Welcome and so sorry you have to be here.  Congratulations on the birth of baby Hayes.  You've come to the best place on earth for help and support.  We know the emotions you are feeling right now.  One of the biggest things you can do ahead of time is to make sure you have non skid rugs on areas that aren't covered in carpeting.  Tripawds have an especially hard time on those slippery floors. Setting up an area for Rocky to recover in is a great idea and it sounds like you've got that already covered.  Another thing that helped me a lot aside from the required ready books you've already downloaded (those are awesome) was to go on the treatment and recovery page and read about others journeys through those first weeks.  It helped to prepare me ahead of time of what to expect those first few days especially.  Rocky will take his cues from you so it's important to stay strong and calm.  Dogs are so amazing in that they live today and don't worry about tomorrow so they take each challenge they are given and adapt to it.  We all will be sending healing thoughts to you and Rocky tomorrow. Stay connected to us and let us know how we can help.  We'll walk this journey right along with you. I think Rocky will surprise you in how well he will do in his journey.  Hugs!

Linda, Ollie, Riley & Spirit Mighty Max

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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7 February 2016 - 5:04 pm
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Welcome, although I'm sorry you had to find us.

We dealt with a different kind of cancer, but I remember very well the shock when the vet said cancer and amputation.

When my quad pug Obie had knee surgery (twice) I put my mattress on the floor since he was used to sleeping with me. I could move the stairs so he couldn't climb up, but I couldn't trust him not to jump down in the middle of the night... just a thought.

When my pug Maggie had her amputation I slept on the floor in the living room with her, again not trusting her to stay on my bed.  After a few nights it was clear that she was unhappy with the sleeping arraignment and I went back to my regular bed with her.  Not the best idea actually, but I didn't know any better.  It would have been perfect if I put the mattress on the floor then.  Luckily Maggie was a slug for the first few weeks and didn't try to get up or down by herself.

Bringing Rocky home the day of surgery will be hard but certainly doable. I would make sure you have an emergency number to call or an emergency vet you can get to.  You probably won't need it, but it will provide some peace of mind.  Dogs tend to be very vocal coming off the anesthetic so be aware of that.  Ask the vet what to expect from Rocky the first couple days/nights, especially what would be worrisome or would need a vet call.

Good luck with the surgery tomorrow and keep us posted. Let us know what questions you have.

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

Green Bay, WI


Member Since:
18 May 2014
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8 February 2016 - 8:25 pm
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So sorry you find yourselves here, but here is the best place to be! We slept on the floor the first night with our Dobe, on a futon mattress. I'm pretty sure I only got about 15 min sleep that whole nite. After that, we put our mattress on the floor (he has always slept with us) and to this day (20 months later) it's still on the floor! The first couple weeks are hard, scary, stressful; but it gets better. Make sure you keep up with the pain meds, stay ahead of the pain. Try  to stay calm, Rocky will take his cue from you. Easy for me to say now, I'm sure I was anything but calm at the time. Keep in touch with us, we'll help you every step of the way.

Paula and 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

Member Since:
4 February 2016
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9 February 2016 - 10:41 am
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Thank you everyone for taking the time.  I just told my wife that I don't know what I would do without this community.  We made it through the night.  We didn't sleep much at all but thanks to all the info on this site I was prepared and did not panic when it came to Rocky's crying and restlessness.  He seems to be doing great now.  I'm amazed how well he is adapting to 3 legs.  He's been outside twice (no poop though) and is handling it like a superhero!  

We need to order a Harness.  I'm a little overwhelmed by the options.  The Ruffwear Web Master seems to be the most popular?  I was wondering if breed types matter.  Rocky is an American Pit Bull Terrier (he's a lover not a fighter!) so he has a bigger chest than most dogs.  I'm just looking for some help for Rocky in his beginner stage (up and down steps, on and off the couch, and very brief walks outside to go to the bathroom.  

Schofield, WI
Member Since:
13 August 2015
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9 February 2016 - 11:02 am
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Sounds like Rocky is doing very well so soon after surgery.  Poop may take a few days to come due to meds.  We used the RuffWear harness by webmaster and it proved a very good choice for us.  It allowed us to help him if needed but also with the handle at the top we could let him do his thing but be able to grab him if he looked like he was going down.  Our big guy didn't want us to "help" him and he wanted to hop on his own pace so the harness was a win win.  It's also helpful in getting them in and out of the vehicle.  Our Max was a rear amp and 110# wider thru the chest German Sheperd if that helps at all.  Thanks for the update and post any questions you have we're here to help you anyway we can.  Pat yourselves on the back for getting through that first tough night.  You're doing great!

Linda, Ollie, Riley & Spirit Mighty Max

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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9 February 2016 - 4:08 pm
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Yay! SO glad to hear things are going well. We knew Rocky could do it! You might want to transition over to "treatment and recovery" or "hopping around" now that you've all graduated 😉

Yes, the Webmaster is the most popular because we feel it's the best all-purpose assistive harness. Some dogs don't need one at all but if Rocky is the type of pup who travels with you to a lot of places, it comes in very handy for assisting, getting in and out of vehicles, etc.

This blog post may help you decide:

http://gear.tri.....ness-help/

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

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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9 February 2016 - 7:10 pm
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Glad to hear Rocky is home and the surgery was a success.

I didn't see it in your posts, did Rocky lose a front leg or a rear leg?

If a front check with your vet about him wearing a harness that goes over the incision.  Some vets are OK with it, some want you to wait until the staples/sutures are out.

I use a RuffWear Webmaster for my little rear amp pug mix Elly.  She has quite a deep chest for her overall size, in fact all my pugs do/did.  Be sure you measure Rocky carefully before you chose a harness.  Elly doesn't need any help getting around (neither did Maggie my first tripawd) but it is really handy to help her in and out of my truck, and to help her 'jump' over things.

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

Norene, TN
Member Since:
21 October 2014
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10 February 2016 - 11:38 am
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Howdy and welcome!!!

Yay for Rocky!!! I love his avatar!

This community is a life-saver. It will afford you a little bit of sanity from time-to-time, because it is going to be a roller coaster. But I can already tell that you're going to do great!

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



Member Since:
4 November 2015
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11
10 February 2016 - 6:03 pm
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Hi there!
Sorry you have to belong to our group but we pretty much rock so you came to the right place!

Is Rocky's amp hind or front leg?  Buddy's is hind and he doesn't need a harness.

Isn't it amazing how resilient they are?  It sounds like Rocky is doing well considering he's just a few days post op.

It is heartbreaking but it gets better.  Remember to live in the moment.  I had to make a conscious decision to take it a day at a time so that I wouldn't just fall into a hole of depression over the whole thing.

We are all here to help each other.  I even used the help line after Buddy's amp.  This community is so wonderful - I would not be where I am today mentally and emotionally without the support so don't hesitate to reach out.

Hang in there and let us know how you all are doing!!

xoxo
Julie and Buddy

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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12
10 February 2016 - 6:41 pm
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Goodness gracious, I'm really late ro the WELCOME HOME ROCY AND SURGERY IS OVER pawty!!!clap

You've gotten great advice and first hand insight from everyone. I'll just add that it takes about two to three days for the hospital meds to get out of their system. Sometimes there's a bit of a "crash" when thst happens. You jave to make sure you keep his pain meds in him on a consistent basis.

Update when you can. Stay connected. Recovery is no picnic.

Hugs to ALL the family!!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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10 February 2016 - 10:01 pm
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I'm late, too, Sally!  lol

Glad to hear Rocky is doing well! 

We use the ruffwear harness for Murphy, he's a front leg amputee.  I love the handle on top to help get him out of the car (he jumps in on his own lol).  This first couple of weeks is the hardest - the pain control, the not eating, etc.  Murphy came home on Tramadol, Rimadyl, & Gabapentin & took those for 2 weeks, weaning down during the 2nd week.  You can apply an ice pack to the incision a couple times a day to help with swelling; and massage around the area to help re-absorb the extra fluids.  Murphy suddenly became a picky eater, too.  I cooked some rice then poured chicken broth over it, and added chunks of chicken to it.  He usually would take his pills with peanut butter, so that wasn't a problem.

Many people choose not to do chemo, it's not a requirement.  The only precaution I was given with Murphy was to pick up his stool right away.  We don't have small children in the house, but our grandchildren come over often.  I think the other thing I would be mindful of would be if Rocky gives kisses - not sure if that would be ok or not.

Hope things are going well!

Donna

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png

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