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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So glad to hear he ate. Great update! Hopefully with your home cooking the eating will continue so he keeps getting stronger and stronger. It's got to be hard being a new tripawd taking tremendous energy to get around. Keep it up sweet Chance!
had our one week post-surgery checkup this AM and doc says everything looks great! all vitals good, walking and pain around the surgery area - all good. The only thing we did is stop his antibiotic today. The cephalexin could have potentially made his tummy feel yucky but doc said it's ok to go ahead and stop that now.
I'm going to keep cooking for him! It's funny because I myself am actually vegan and I'm filling my shopping cart these days with things like chicken liver, beef, chicken necks and back, cottage cheese...etc 
He's going to be getting plenty of organic veggies too 
Great update 👍🏼
I had to laugh thinking of your shopping as a vegan 🍗🍖 even if you add the veggies 🌽
Sending you lots of hugs and cuddles to your sweetie 😘😘🐾🐾💕🐶
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 :-)
Yeah for eating! 
Oh yes, antibiotics get Murphy every time! 
lol
Over the past couple of years, the other thing that's worked when he's decided he's not going to eat is to make scrambled eggs. I usually will add in whatever's in the fridge - cheese, meat, etc. for more protein.
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
I am feeling pretty down this morning and finding it hard to keep my spirits up. I am able to get Chance to eat by changing things up... this AM was some boiled ground turkey and cottage cheese. But he is not the same dog he was prior to surgery. He doesn't have the same spark or excitement for life and just lays around all the time. I wonder now if he will ever show any of the same personality he had prior to all of this. I also just read about Luna - the 2 year old diagnosed with osteo and mets and that made me very sad as well. And a lot of folks chimed in about how younger dogs do worse. My onco already told me that but I guess I felt like we would be the one case that would beat the odds. Feeling very overwhelmed and depressed and sad. 
OK, get grounded. You are still very early in the recovery phase. No way you would be back to your normal routine just over a week after major surgery. Of course he doesn't seem like 100% himself. But, just as we were right about the day 5 crash, take comfort that for many dogs, the improvement after the staples come out is dramatic. And they continue to improve thereafter. Chance will surprise you with how well he does. And yes, his personality will come back. If he wants a varied diet of home cooked meals (who wouldn't?), give it to him. As long as he is eating, drinking water, peeing and pooping and does not appear to be in undue pain, you are doing what you should be doing. And he is doing what he should be doing by resting to allow himself to heal.
Now, on the odds. They are just numbers. My Otis was within the 7 - 10 year age range and had four rounds of carbo, which should have given him 8 months to a year. We got 7. I am still grateful for those 7, and they were of high quality. But you just don't know. There are dogs on this site who have gotten much much more than the statistics say they should. And some who have gotten less. What you are seeing now is about recovery from major surgery and likely not a reflection of Chance's cancer and ability to beat the "odds." And by the way, Chance can't count, he wasn't listening when the oncologist was talking about the odds, and he couldn't care less. He just wants to be a dog and enjoy each day to the fullest - which he will continue to do as soon as he is done with his recovery period. For now, focus on his recovery, and anticipate each new triumph (I guarantee they will come) with joy.
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.
Ok, first off...right now you only need to focus on you and Chance. Reading about how others have done is sometimes a catch-22 here. It's inspirational, but it can get you down when you're having some ruff times. We totally get that. So for your own sanity and Chances, stay focused on you two and this thread, and don't peruse others right now. There will be time for that later. Just call me The Sargeant! 😉
Next, remember that EVERY dog is different. Generalizations are just what they are and they don't apply to your dog. You never, ever know how things will turn out. Many dogs here have been younger when diagnosed and gone on to defy the odds. Our own Jerry lived two years when vets gave him six months, and we didn't do chemo. His story is just one of many. I'm not saying all dogs will, but you have to stay hopeful. Anything less is shortchanging Chance and making him sad.
Finally, remember, too much doting can be detrimental.
Stay strong and know this is only temporary, things do get better! Hope this helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Totally agree with others, this is still very early in recovery and you WILL have old Chance back soon, just have to be patient and keep doing what you are doing.
As for statistics, they are worth what they are worth.
Numbers may show an average but there is absolutely no way one can be sure about how one's own dog will do.
Each dog is different.
Eurydice is also young, she is 5 but she has an incredible will to live and was also very lethargic during early recovery.
Your Chance will make you laugh again soon, hang in there and lean on us, we've all been in your shoes and are here for you
Sending you lots of pawsitive energy and cuddles to Chance 💕💕💕🐾🐾🐾🐾
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 :-)
thanks everyone for the advice and words of encouragement! It does really help to have this forum as an outlet so I'm grateful that it exists. I guess I just got overwhelmed and needed to vent. I will remember to take things one day at a time. Just missing my happy little guy but from what you are all telling me, he will be back before I know it!
It's a promise 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
He'll be back in full swing before you know it💪🏽💨💨💨
Hugs and cuddles 💕🐾
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 :-)
This is a tough journey, we all have down times and get overwhelmed with doubt. This is an excellent place to vent since we have all been there and understand.
My pug Maggie did not get her sparkle back for 6 weeks after her rear amp, no medical complications she was just stubborn. In the first week after surgery I had convinced myself that I made a terrible mistake by choosing amputation and that Maggie was going to be miserable for the rest of her life (she wasn't miserable, just grumpy and stubborn!). To add to that the path report came back and showed the cancer was in Mag's lymph system which is really bad mast cell cancer. Her prognosis was 6 to 9 months with chemo.
Maggie got finally got her sparkle back, and even beat her prognosis. Chance will be himself soon!
And I have to tell you, I have a contractor doing some work at my house right now. He has a helper he brings sometimes named Chance. He is a big, tough former Marine and it is all I can do not to call him Chanceypants!
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
Just wanted to add my support. Hang in there. Be patient with Chance, and yourself. It's ok to feel rotton, but know it wont last forever. Sooner than you imagine, you will be thinking back on these miserable days with gratitude that they are past and that you made a loving choice for your little guy.
Online
DITTO EVERYONE!!
I actually saw your post under Luna's thread and knew you were abput to go "to the dark side"! Yeah, we've all been there so we can see it coming a mile away. I made a reply to you on that thread. It was short, but basically bottom lined what everyone here has said.
I didn't see any magical turn around like most dogs had at the stitch removal time.It too me abput three weeks before I coukd fi ally say I did this FOR my HAPPY HANNAH and not TO her! EVERY DOG IS DIFFERENT! EVERY RECOVERY IS DIFFERENT!! Chance is doing exactly what he needs to do..rest and potty breaks. Smart boy!
Chanc is his own man and he is going to get all his sparkle back bigger and brighter than before...And for a long time!!
Good job on ykur commitment to Vegan cruelty free lifestyle. I k ow putting "meat" in your cart is an act of love for Chance!
Lots and lots of love and hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS...Your Chanceypants ts story is hilarious!! 🙂
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!
His spark will come back, I promise you. I think he's just tired with the changes in his body, all the rebalancing and muscular adjustments, and all the healing. It takes a lot of energy to heal and Chance is doing exactly what he needs to do.
I should think you are pretty exhausted too, both physically and emotionally, what with everything you've been through and taking care of Mr Chanceypants. When I'm tired, I feel much more emotional. With Meg's recovery we were very lucky and she never experienced a slump, but I did. I remember it really clearly. Meg was absolutely fine, but I just couldn't stop crying. My slump lasted about a day and chocolate (recommended by Sally) helped a great deal 
Chance's spark was not contained in his leg. No aspect of his personality was. His leg has gone and the pain of the tumour, but nothing else. You'll see.
Big hug,
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
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...
thanks for the words of encouragement, everyone! I did indeed go to the 'dark side' for a good 24 hours or so. But yesterday I saw some glimmers of life returning to my tired boy. Chance is still resting and recovering but now when his brother Bear barks at the mailman or someone at the door, he chimes in! Hadn't had the strength to bother for the past week. His appetite seems to be returning as well. I don't have to do quite as much coaxing to get him to gobble everything down. This morning's breakfast was scarfed in less than 2 minutes.
And lol to Chanceypants the ex marine!! that made me smile 
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