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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Celebrating last day as quad-dog but scared for tomorrow. Post-op advice?
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Member Since:
21 May 2016
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29 July 2016 - 8:31 am
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Hi Milo and Jennifer heart

SOOOOOOO happy surgery went well for sweet Milo too clap

Really good they are keeping him for two nights, much better to leave the first days to the professionals, if we can.

Jennifer, you really have the right attitude and I love you for it. 

You are being more dog, and that is not easy to master ...

Sending you a huge bear hug and cuddles to your cuddly bear heart

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 :-) 

Boulder, Colorado
Member Since:
27 July 2016
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17
29 July 2016 - 9:25 am
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HEADED TO PICK HER UP NOW!!! I'm so nervous but SOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY TO HAVE HER HOME! I don't think I slept much at all last night and my anxiety got the best of my tummy so I ended up sick as a dog 🙁 just knowing I get to be back with her soon is all I can ever dream of right now! Will update later once we are settled at home 🙂 

THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE SUPPORT ITS AMAZING WHAT KIND AND ENCOIRAGING WORDS FROM STRANGERS CAN DO TO IMPOROVE MY CONFIDENCE:)

Ruby is my (almost) 8 year old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. She had her left forelimb amputated due to cancer on July 28, 2016 and we are on the road to recovery!

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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29 July 2016 - 2:46 pm
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Congrats to Ruby and Milo for making it through their surgeries!  The next 10 days or so will be hard, but then you will be surprised at how they do.  My Otis did not have any accidents in the house - he was able to get up and hop outside.  At first he peed on the house, while leaning up on the house, but then got better balance.  He wouldn't have anything to do with the sling.  Otis wore a women's large t-shirt - I used a hair tie to gather loose material around the middle so it wouldn't get in the way.

I'm sure someone has mentioned it already, but if you have wood or tile floors, traction is key.  Industrial floor mats or yoga mats work great to provide traction to get around the house.

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.

Boulder, Colorado
Member Since:
27 July 2016
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29 July 2016 - 2:59 pm
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We are home! I went to pick her up this morning. The vet said she is doing really really well. In fact, she's trying to be TOO active! She rode in the backseat all the way home and only wanted to lay down once. This was her big smile before I dosed her up at home on all the heavy drugs. When she came hopping through the door at the vet's office she had a giant smile on her face and was SO happy to see me (almost as much as I her) it brought tears to my eyes. She tried to jump up on me and give me kisses and her incision started bleeding a bit so they put a temporary bandage on her that i will take off in a few days and then a t-shirt to help keep it protected. She is getting the hang of hopping on the leash already without much support at all. She hopped all the way into the house from the car and even up two stairs before i was quick enough to lift her up. We are going to have to watch her closely to protect that big incision. She ate a bowl of food as soon as we got home, and I gave her a bunch of pain/anxiety meds to let her rest. Now she is totally chilling, literally because I am icing her scar since it is a bit swollen, but this is normal. Results on her lymph node tests will be back in a week and we know more of what is to come. Fingers crossed, but for right now I think we are both back in our happy place! Here's another pic of the set up we have going for now with the rug liners on the floor, thats my boyfriend laying with her watching TV. Haven't attempted to potty yet. The vets said she hasn't gone at all since I dropped her off...that means its been since Wednesday night. They said she is getting the hang of squatting to pee, but will probably struggle a bit learning to poop. Will keep you updated!

heartheartKacy &Ruby

Ruby is my (almost) 8 year old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. She had her left forelimb amputated due to cancer on July 28, 2016 and we are on the road to recovery!

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
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29 July 2016 - 3:23 pm
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She looks great!  Yes, Murphy hopped right out to the car like that, too, and it surprised the heck out of me!  They really are amazing, aren't they?  smiley Your set-up for Ruby looks great. 

So glad for Milo, too, that he's doing great!

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



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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29 July 2016 - 4:05 pm
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Great news Kacy big-grin 

Love the pictures, she sure looks too happy to be back home and into your (and your boyfriend's) loving arms !

Keep us posted !

Sending you a big hug and cuddles to your cutie girlheart

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 :-) 

Schofield, WI
Member Since:
13 August 2015
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29 July 2016 - 4:47 pm
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Awe beautiful Ruby looks great!  It's such a relief to have them home and under your watchful eye.  Happy happy update!

Hugs,

Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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29 July 2016 - 5:18 pm
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WOW! That big smile on her face says it all "Thanks Maw for getting rid of that bad leg!"

I'm so hoppy things went well and she's on the mend. Looks like you'll all have a pretty chill weekend. Stay calm and confident and you can absolutely get through this. Keep us posted oK?

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

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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29 July 2016 - 5:34 pm
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She looks so happy in the car going home!  And don't worry too much about poop.  They come home on pretty strong hospital meds.  It could be a day or two before she poops, but that is normal.  Focus now on short leashed potty breaks, and lots of sleep.  With Otis, we were able to remove the cone of shame fairly quickly.  He didn't really bother the incision as long as he was wearing a T-shirt.  Welcome home Ruby!

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.

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
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29 July 2016 - 5:53 pm
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SHe looks really great!!!! She will get the hang of the pee and poop thing. The poop thing might take a bit since the meds can constipate them. But resting is great and lots of love is clearly coming her way! So hugs and love to you too! 

alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)

Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.

October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014

Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife


Member Since:
20 July 2016
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29 July 2016 - 10:04 pm
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Hi Ruby and Mom! I'm so glad to hear that you're doing well now that you're home. This is Jakes Mom that was chatting with you on FB. I'll keep this short because I know you're trying to rest and I hope your night goes smoothly. Our amputation was Wednesday and Jake came home pretty groggy with a Fetanyl patch so it made for a rough, sleepless first night but second day has been much better. We're eating, drinking, and made 3 potty trips outside. Sending plenty of positive vibes and puppy prayers to you!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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30 July 2016 - 7:16 am
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Thanks for chiming in mom2goldens! We're glad Jake is doing well and already going potty!
Please consider starting an all new topic so we can follow along with your journey.

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

Boulder, Colorado
Member Since:
27 July 2016
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30 July 2016 - 7:53 am
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jakes mama! Hi!!! I'm glad we are going through this together!Sounds like Ruby and jake are in very similar places right now. Keep me posted!❤️🐶

Last night went well! The trazadone dose really puts her in a special place almost so much she can't walk at all, but if it weren't for that I think she would be supporting herself just fine. She's taken two trips to the potty and last night looked like she was sniffing around to try and find a poo spot, but no luck. She's had a lot of treats, eaten twice so I know she has it in there it's just a matter of when it's going to come!!😝 I'm trying to get her to eat a bit this morning so i can give her her first round of meds. My mom gets here today from Florida I'm SO HAPPY. she's a cancer nurse so I'm very relieved to have her assistance. I'm going to try and get a video of Ruby today hopping around outside when she needs to go out next. I need to get more non slip mats for my floors, hardwood is a bit much for her and my yoga mat only stretches so far! I slept downstairs next to her last night with her cone on. I was afraid she might get up and hurt herself trying to find me but i honestly don't think she moved all night long. She stood up for the first time this morning and kind of just stared at me for a bit, looked down at her insicion, looked back up and just kind of shrugged it off and hopped over to drink some water. Dogs are incredible I tell you! Resilient creatures!

Ruby is my (almost) 8 year old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. She had her left forelimb amputated due to cancer on July 28, 2016 and we are on the road to recovery!

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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30 July 2016 - 8:54 am
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Glad to hear your first night went so well!

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.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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30
30 July 2016 - 9:23 am
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YAAAAAAAAAY FOR RUBY!!! She is doi g amazingly well...And so are her humans!

Wonderful that your Mom is coming to help. And applause to her for kicking butt!!

Don't know how soon you'll be able to reduce, or eliminate, her "anxiety" meds, but she'll be much more stable when that happens. Most dogs do a lretty good job of "laying low" while recovering. The meds are also mmessing with her pooping. You may try a couple of spoo s of natural pumpkin. That seems to really help "move things along"!

The pictures are great!' Keep em coming!

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!

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