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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
You all are so positive and supportive! I can't tell you how much this means.
I spoke with the oncologist today, and it turns out that Mr. Panzer's case was discussed among all the pathologists and residents and students at Michigan State, so he's quite the popular man! The consensus is that it's a sarcoma, but the cells are exhibiting characteristics more associated with fibrosarcoma than osteosarcoma. Thus, the strong leaning is that this is a fibrosarcoma, which would be great news. That said, they cannot conclusively rule out fibroblastic osteosarcoma (less great news). So, we're going to proceed with chemotherapy as originally planned because it would be effective against either fibrosarcoma or osteosarcoma. Panzer is on day 5 post-chemo and still doing wonderfully, so I am feeling some cautious optimism for my special boy.
Here is a photo of Panzer--all smiles, of course--headed home after chemo last Friday:
Slobbery kisses to all from Panzer!
Oh look at that happy boy, he's not letting anything stop him from loving life!
Very cool that you had so many big brains working on is case. I like their plan, sounds like a good one.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
All you ever have to do is look at that happy mug and know that all is well in Pranzer's world!!
You have a plan...you're moving forward...Pranzer is doing great...all is well in Mom's world too!
We're all cheering for you Pranzer!!!
LOVE!
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!
Hi. I found this forum and I will be joining this group shortly. I found the post about Panzer and I wanted to see how he is doing regarding standing/walking, etc. I have an 8 year old Rottweiler (Torrey) that will be having a front leg removed due to bone cancer. I have not scheduled the sx yet, however, I hear that time is of the essence so this will probably happen within the next few weeks.
I am concerned about the walking and getting around. She is a large Rottie. She is currently around 130lbs and I just can't envision her moving around on one front leg. Reading all the posts here are very comforting. She is my world and going through this sx will not be easy on me. Probably harder on me than her. Any advice will be welcomed. I am close to the UF campus so I will inquire about the Cancer Vaccine study they are offering.
AJ
Hi AJ,
We're glad you found us and are sorry to hear that Panzer is about to join the club nopawdy wants to join. We'll be here to help whichever treatments you decide on so don't be shy and consider registering as a member so you're more easily found. Starting a new topic in Size and Age Matters will also be beneficial.
Be sure to check out Sassy's blog, she was a big girl Rottie who also learned how to be a Tripawd. Fear not, 130 pounds is large but as Sassy and others like her have shown through the years, it's not impossible to be a Tripawd.
You're right, amputation is always harder for the humans. Learn to Be More Dog , check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books library for lots of ways you can cope with this journey.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Hi AJ,We're glad you found us and are sorry to hear that Panzer is about to join the club nopawdy wants to join. We'll be here to help whichever treatments you decide on so don't be shy and consider registering as a member so you're more easily found. Starting a new topic in Size and Age Matters will also be beneficial.
Be sure to check out Sassy's blog, she was a big girl Rottie who also learned how to be a Tripawd. Fear not, 130 pounds is large but as Sassy and others like her have shown through the years, it's not impossible to be a Tripawd.
You're right, amputation is always harder for the humans. Learn to Be More Dog , check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books library for lots of ways you can cope with this journey.
Thank you for the reply. I have signed up and I will start following the forums. Especially for the larger dogs.
AJ
torreygator said
I have signed up and I will start following the forums...
Welcome! Your future forum posts will not require moderation. To get the most out of this site, start here.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
PS: Nikki the Rott is another well documented Tripawds blogs about a Rottie...you can also search all blogs here .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Howdy and welcome AJ!
Glad you found us. Know that you're not alone and we're all right here with you.
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
As you can see, you are DEFINITELY not alone!
Looking forward to following Torrey's journey on your first forum thread.
Sassy will be a GREAT inspiration for showing how well big pups get along on three legs!
My Happy Hannah, a 125 lb. Bull Mastiff walked right out of the hospital the day after suregery and never had any issues adapting! Her recovery was rough in other ways as far as a lot of restlessness, whining, not sleeping for several days, etc. It was about the third week that I saw her glorious sparkle come back bigger and brighter than before!!
Now, that said...every dog is different and every recovery is different! Some dogs DEFINITELY take longer to get up on their own and to walk without assistance. It just varies and there is no rhyme or reason.
So we are all here to share our first hand experience and guide you through recovery should you have any concerns.
Remember, Torrey isn't worried about any ole diagnosis and she certainly does not have a timeframe stamped on the cute Rottie butt of hers! And Rottie butts are cute!!
Love everyday like the bonus day it is and waste no time on worrying....stay in the now, in the present, with Torrey!
Give her a big smooch for us! Hugs to you both!
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!
Welcome,
Rene (aka Jerry) pointed you to my girl's blog. Sassy was 138 pounds when she had her amputation lost about 10 pounds after amputation right rear leg. She did awesome. Don't hesitate to pm if you have any questions
Michelle & Angel sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Thank you for all the comforting posts. I will post the progress of Torrey. I have a lot of hardwood floors that I will have to add some carpet to. Getting up seems to me will be one of the biggest hurdles because of her size. Thank you again to all.
Alan
Should she jave any problems at all getting up during the first few days of recovery, just make a "towel sling" and slip it under her tummy to help her. A lot of times the meds make them loopy and that's the real reason they are slow to walk or get up.
I KNOW this is scary! I even cancelled my Happy Hannah's first surgery appointment because I was soooo scared! I just could not envision that my big girl could possibly walk on three legs! She did brilliantly and so will Torrey!!
Stay connected and keep us posted AND post pictures when you can!
Oh, and raised food bowls if you don't already have them. That helps eliminate straining. There is also a dog bed I highly recommend for big dogs. It's the Big Barker Bed . It's basically a Tempurpedic bed for dogs. They only make them for large dogs (although I think they just started a line for medium size). They are firm enough that a dog can get up without slipping and they are very supportive of their joints. And they never ever lose their shape or density. Yes, they are an "investment", but you won't ever have ro buy another bed. I know that Michelle has them for her Rotties. You can purchase one through the Amazon Smile link here.
Smooch Torrey for me!
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!
Hi Emily ~
Not sure how I haven't seen your posts before this about Panzer...ugh!
Hope he is doing well! I also take Murphy out to MSU & see Dr. Swanson 
We started our journey out there in 2013 with orthopedics & Dr. Kitchell was the oncologist when we started chemo, but when she left we were able to stay with Dr. Swanson and I just love her!
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
1 Guest(s)
