Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I got the official biopsy yesterday, confirming what the vet already knew. Osteosarcoma. My 6 year old lab mix could have his amputation as early as this Tuesday.
I am so glad a relative referred me to this site. I'm trying to figure out how to maneuver around here but I hope to great advice from you all.
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We're so sorry about your pup, but you are among friends!
Tracy & Zatoichi
Tracy & Warrior Angel Zatoichi 💓
Zato was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in October 2016. He triumphed through radiation and amputation with dignity and grace. After living a life of love and happiness, Zato earned his angel wings on February 19, 2018. Read his story here.
My poochie love's name from the shelter is Linebacker because he was such a rolly polly puppy. They thought he was going to be quite large. No lie, his name was what drew me to him in the first place. I love all dogs but I really love big dawgs. Anyway, as Linebacker grew, it was apparent he was not going to be as large as the shelter thought so I thought the name seemed a little silly. I shortened his name to LB. I am willing to bet that a lot of you, like me, also call their pets anything other than their real name 🙂
3 weeks ago, the vet suspected osteosarcoma and the biopsy confirmed it 2 days ago. LB could have his amputation as early as this Tuesday.
I'm looking forward to learning from you all.
LB! Our dog Zatoichi goes by Zato and various nicknames :). There will be stressful periods, but you are not alone. It's hard not to think about the coming week, but try and enjoy the weekend with LB. There will be a lot going on next week, but for now just enjoy time with your sweet boy. Give him some extra cuddles (I'm sure you already are!).
We are thinking about you and LB!
Tracy & Zatoichi
Tracy & Warrior Angel Zatoichi 💓
Zato was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in October 2016. He triumphed through radiation and amputation with dignity and grace. After living a life of love and happiness, Zato earned his angel wings on February 19, 2018. Read his story here.
That Zato is one adorable baby.
So how are you, emotionally? Do you look at your fur baby and see a sick dog or wonder how much longer you have?
Emotionally, I'm at peace. Do I wonder how much time we have? Yes, at times. Especially when I read that another Tripawd has passed. Some get a good bit of time after surgery, some don't. It's something we can never know until it's all over. But I tell you the biggest thing I feel every time I look at him and he wags his tail, or he turns his head sideways and lifts his ears, or he stands on his back legs when I'm bringing his food bowl, or he hops around - the biggest emotion I have is absolute gratitude. I thank God every day I wake up and he's here and he's happy. I don't think of him as being sick.
Zato is an old man now. I want to get him as close to what his finish line would have been without the cancer as I can. I don't even pay attention to his missing leg anymore. It doesn't seem to faze him, so I figure I should be more like him :). He had it rough in the beginning, and that's common, but once we got past that, life returned to normal.
If you search your heart, and you feel this is the right thing to do, like I did, then you need to forgive yourself ahead of time for anything that many not go as you planned. I don't know how much time we have but we are making the most of every day and I am so glad I made this decision.
Tracy & Warrior Angel Zatoichi 💓
Zato was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in October 2016. He triumphed through radiation and amputation with dignity and grace. After living a life of love and happiness, Zato earned his angel wings on February 19, 2018. Read his story here.
We only got almost 7 months with Otis after his s amputation, but they were 7 great months. No regrets at all!
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.
Popping in to offer a welcome and well wishes. This is the "place" to be as you face this!
There is such a spectrum on the "how much time" result - I think about that a lot. We had nearly 6 months and while I feel cheated at moments because it should have been more if his cancer had been identified in the dozens (and I mean dozens) of appointments with multiple doctors from the time of first symptoms, I also know some get less and then I feel lucky. It was just our poor luck that Pofi's was not osteo (sounds stupid, but) and was instead an STS in a very difficult to detect spot.
The important thing is removing the pain - improving his quality of life and really yours, too. And my standard contribution of advice is to talk through the pain management options with surgeon/vet before you bring him home. Know what meds he will come home with and if dosages or timing can be adjusted/tweaked to get better coverage in the early days. Don't be surprised if he has 3 different pain meds - different modalities often work better together and make recovery much easier on both of you. Some meds work in the brain, some in the nerves and there are also anti-inflammatory meds. Make yourself a schedule (I favor spreadsheets). There might be antibiotic, too.
Best thoughts for surgery for LB.
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.
I am loving this community. I came across the "shopping list" on items to have handy before your pet comes home from surgery. It was like that information found me when I was wondering that very same thing.
Good ess! I'm late to the welcoming pawty for LB LINEBACKER!!! 🙂
You have some great I sight from Tracy, Otis and Pofi!!
I really wa t to DITTO everything Tracy said about hiw she feels "emotionally" about this jkur ey! She really gave you some great ways to lrocess this whole journey a d how to empower yourself everyday to make sure each moment is LB's best moment evvvver!!!
Stay fully focused in the present and let nothing rob you of your time together. LB doesn't have a timeframe stamped anywhere in his butt and he has no worries about any ole' "diagnosis.schmognosis"!
When you look at LB you will see a happy dog who has a chance at a pain free quality life full'of loving and spoiling and tummy rubs and treats!! You will see a dog who has not changed anything about his precious self other than he can be more joyous without that bum leg!
And when younlick him up after surgerw, don't even bother to look at the incision...je sure isn't!! He's just looking at your smiling happy face telling him what a good boy he is and let's go home!!! 🙂
STAY CONNECTED!! We are right by your side, okay?
Hugs!
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!
Oh my goodness, you are so right. I need to "Be More Dog ". He was so protective and supportive when I went through 3 ortho surgeries so there's no question what I must do for him now... to not focus on the leg that will soon no longer be there but to enjoy him as I always have.
LB gets his biopsy stitches taken out this morning so I hope to get confirmation on his surgery date.
To add a wrinkle to the situation, my family was supposed to go on vacation for a week, starting July 29. Normally, LB would stay with my dad and his Old English Sheepdog but they roughhouse and run so I don't want to risk LB's leg breaking. My vet offered to board him as a "medical situation" even though their boarding facility is full. At least there, I know he'll get his medication. I told my family that I'd stay behind if LB can have his surgery this Tuesday but my 10 year old would refuse to go if I stayed behind. This is our big family vacation (over 60 immediate family members) that my husband and I have been a part of for 19 years.
So now my question is this... am I a bad pet parent if I postpone LB's surgery until after I come back? Nothing has been absolutely confirmed yet. The vet knows my situation which is why she offered to board him...of course, the boarding staff doesn't know that yet :). Then according to the tone of the vet staff when I talked to them the other day, they weren't aware that our vet was even contemplating surgery on Tuesday. I'm guessing Tuesday isn't her usual surgery day just by the surprise in the staff's voice. To me, that shows that LB's vet is willing to help him/me with whatever we need. I think that says a lot and I love her even more for it. Ugh, but I have a tough decision to make...do I take the vet up on her offer for this Tuesday or do I try to enjoy a vacation and jump into this full-force when I come back? So conflicted.
LB WANTS YOU TO GO ON VACATION!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
My "vote" would be ro go enjoy the heck out of your vacation...relax...soak of the love and fun...and then come back fully recharged to jump I to the surgery and recovery full force!!
Okay, that's ONE VOTE FOR VACAY....ACTUALLY TWO COUNTING LB's 🙂
Hugs
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!
So get a load of this! The vet called a little bit ago. Not only is she going to board LB even though the kennel is full, she said she'll even do LB's surgery right when we get back. But wait, there's more! She, herself, will be on vacation when we come back but she's willing to come in just to do LB's surgery. Can she get any more awesome than that?! I need to come up with something super special for her. I don't think a box of salt water taffy from NC will cut it, LOL.
You definitely found the right vet!!! Good luck to LB, and enjoy your vacation!
🐾 Loki, Dog of Mischief 🐶
I loved life as a tripawd for over three years following right forelimb amputation due to an aggressive and recurrent hemangiopericytoma. I reclaimed my place among the gods and valkyries in Valhalla on November 11th, 2020. My parents miss me tremendously, but I know they'll keep me in their hearts forever... and don't worry, I've approved my mom's use of my Tripawds account.
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