Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
Join The Tripawds Community
Register your free account to join the Tripawds Support Circle. Connecting with members and getting the support you need is now easier than ever with the Circle app!
✅ Easy Photo Upload
✅ Direct Messaging
✅ Subscribe to Topics.
✅ Live Chat and much more!
Forums Locked: Search archives for answers & join Tripawds Support Circle to keep discussion going!
Log In
Members
9:57 pm
9 February 2010
Offline
The last time I was online was about two months ago; my Mom (who was 91) had been in and out of the hospital and I was going over to see her (six hours each way). Unfortunately, she continued to have serious health issues and passed away at the end of October. The end came so quickly, which was good for her, that I was unable to make it back over when she passed. My Cousin was with her and we were talking on the phone when Mom closed her eyes and slipped away.
Rusty had a checkup two weeks ago; His diet for the past two months has been vanilla ice cream only, ½ cup four times a day, along with vitamins and meds for his stomach and appetite. His liver functions have improved over the past two months and his kidney issues have also improved since being on the ice cream diet. Dr. Macy threw up his hands and said that there was nothing from a medical standpoint that makes sense.
Rusty has such a strong determination to live, which along all of the love and attention that he receives, is keeping him alive. We have tried almost every low protein food out there and he will not eat anything else other than an occasional hard boiled egg. He is very happy and enjoys every day, but is showing more signs that the liver issue is taking its toll on him. We are taking it a day at a time and making sure that he enjoys each day, even if it crimps some of the things that we want to do. We are so close that we hope that he makes it through Christmas, but are very aware that he could drop at any moment.
He is now 34 months post amputation and is still cancer free; if not for his other complications he would have easily surpassed his original prognosis of 18 to 36 months.
Chuck & Rusty
Rusty is a Labradoodle who was diagnosed with level 3 Fibrosarcoma on January 16th, 2010 and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th, 2010 five days before his 18 month birthday. Please see Rusty's blog @rusty.tripawds.com. He is putting up one heck of a fight against this terrible disease.
10:16 pm
29 November 2008
Offline
Chuck, I'm so sorry to hear of your Mom's passing. It sounds like your Mom was just as much of a fighter as Rusty is. I'm glad to hear Rusty is still hanging in there. The ice cream diet is a little confusing, but if it works, it works!! Rusty sure is a warrior, and his will to live is inspiring! I will be sending well wishes Rusty's way for a wonderful holiday season. Let your boy know he's got a lot of people thinking of him.
6:08 am
10 December 2011
Offline
Sorry to hear about Rusty's fight with liver disease. I just lost my quadpaw Matti October 5th to liver failure complicated by newly diagnosed diabetes. She loved loved loved scrambled eggs. Never tried the ice cream route but she would have loved that too!
Rusty sounds like a fighter and I hope you still have many good days ahead.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
6:31 am
28 November 2008
Offline
What a fighter Rusty is. I'm sorry to hear about your mom, and sorry Rusty is fighting the liver disease. You've had a lot on your plate, no wonder you haven't had time for updates!
It really sucks when they beat the cancer and have something else compromise their remaining time. Been there, done that. My thoughts are with you and Rusty as you continue to build those awesome memories.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
8:31 am
Team Tripawds
Administrators
25 September 2009
Offline
Chuck I'm sorry to hear about your Mom, that's so tough. My condolences go out to you.
Thanks for the update about Rusty, I was thinking of him the other day. You know he's always been one for the medical record books, who knows, maybe he holds the secrets to a healthy life with this new ice cream diet of his! He has beaten the odds for so long and defied all expectations, and he still sounds like he has the spunk and determination to keep on beating these unfair challenges that keep coming up. Rusty is amazing, and a continuous source of inspawration to us.
We send all our best to your pack, please tell him the Tripawds community loves him very much.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
