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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Draco - big German Shepherd Treatment Options for Osteosarcoma
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Member Since:
12 July 2017
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46
12 August 2017 - 7:38 pm
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I got Draco the Ruffwear Webmaster Harness with Brushguard attachment. Is the back attachment of the harness supposed to go behind his ribs/absomen area or underneath his chest? Because with the brushguard, it's only so long enough to cover Draco's chest and not anymore past it. Without the brushguard, the back part of the harness can reach behind his ribs/abdomen area. 

On The Road


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13 August 2017 - 4:23 pm
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Can you send or post a photo of what it looks like?  Haha that's my excuse for asking for a Draco photo fix 😉 But really, it may help us figure this out for you.

Here's what it looks on Wyatt Ray :

It sounds like the chest straps aren't all the way adjusted so it slides a bit further back on your big boy. 

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

Kelly
48
14 August 2017 - 12:08 pm
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I found out today that my 11 year old boxer has the same disease. My heart is broken and i don't know what to do. She just had a battle with what was diagnosed as pancreatitis but in retrospect may be linked to this cancer. I feel like i can't help her and am so so afraid of doing the wrong thing. Since she is older if i amputate and it causes her alot of pain and she passes soon after then i have hurt her during her last days. If i don't i will always blame myself for not doing everything to fight for her. The one thing is right now she limps but does not seem in much pain. She eats, drinks, pees and poops well. I just spent $2,000 on her pancreatitus treatment and so that factors into the picture. I am so dejected and afraid of doing the wrong thing for my precious girl. Thank you for this blog as it helps me understand my options. I just pray i make the right decision.

On The Road


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14 August 2017 - 1:05 pm
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Welcome Kelly and best wishes for your pup! What's her name.

Please start a new topic to share your story where it will get the attention and feedback it deserves. Your future forum posts will not require approval.

Start here for help finding all the helpful Tripawds resources and assistance programs, and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime! 

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

Member Since:
12 July 2017
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14 August 2017 - 9:04 pm
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jerry said
Can you send or post a photo of what it looks like?  Haha that's my excuse for asking for a Draco photo fix 😉 But really, it may help us figure this out for you.

Here's what it looks on Wyatt Ray :

It sounds like the chest straps aren't all the way adjusted so it slides a bit further back on your big boy.   

Thanks for the video, I did see that a while ago before getting the Ruffwear Webmaster with brushguard, but it's good to see it again now that I've had it on Draco for a week. 

I haven't been able to get a picture of him wearing it yet, but soon I will! I guess Draco's body is just really long. I have to have his front part of the harness that goes around his neck, adjusted to the max width so that the entire harness can go back further down his body. Without the brushguard, the strap that wraps around him can reach around his waist area at a 45 degree angle like I've seen in other videos/pictures. But with the brushguard, that strap at the end is set at a 90 degree angle. I hope I'm making sense! Also, Draco doesn't have a skinny waist, so that's probably why I feel like that end strap is still under his chest but after closer inspection, it is around his waist now with the front strap width set to max width. Or maybe he's losing some weight with his diet and now I'm just noticing his waist?laughing I weighed Draco today at the vet's, he's at 117.2 pounds now. Before the amputation he was around 127 pounds. I didn't get to check what his weight was right after the amputation. 

Is the end strap at the waist supposed to be tight like a belt or loose?

Kelly, sorry to hear about your boxer! I'm sure she will be getting the best care you can provide for her!

Draco's dad - RJ

On The Road


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15 August 2017 - 10:21 am
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Hmm. Well Wyatt is pretty long himself so I'm wondering what's going on. I kinda know what you're saying but a picture would really help. See when you can do it. Don't worry about the functionality of using the Webmaster without the Brush Guard, it still works well without it. If you need to return that piece it's not a big deal, we can work that out over email if it needs to happen.

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

Member Since:
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15 August 2017 - 10:08 pm
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I was able to get some updated pictures of Draco. His incision site, and with his Ruffwear Webmaster Harness with brushguard. I was lucky to get a few pictures of him standing up, he'd always lay down when I try to get a picture of him standing up. I'm also glad that the Ruffwear Webmaster harness isn't in the way of his incision area on the side. Makes me feel like I should have gotten this earlier and used it instead of the Help Em' Up harness. With the HEU harness, the strap would slide forwards against his incision area when I'm helping Draco walk forwards. Draco's fur is starting to grow out in the amputation area, still a little bit of scabs left on the skin that I'm waiting for his fur to grow out, instead of me picking at it.

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Canada
Member Since:
7 July 2017
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15 August 2017 - 10:34 pm
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Draco, you are absolutely stunning looking! What a very handsome boy! Gongases!laughing

that harness looks great. And his scar is looking fantastic! Stewie wants to pass on a "2 paws up!" Keep up the good work, both of you!

Sloppy kisses from Stewie👅🐾
& all the very best from Petra, Paul & Stewies feline siblings,
Sr. Spike🐾 Chester Molester🐾 & Miss Lily🐾❤️

On July 10/17 I became a Super Tripawd! You can find out more about my Pawrents Allensong but first Check out my 🎗 journey Super Stu Remember...“live in the moment!“  

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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16 August 2017 - 8:18 am
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Draco!!  Look at your handsome smiling self!!!   You really know how to work the camera 🙂  Draco looks like quite the Fashionista in his  stunning harness!   And his incision really does look good too!  

These pictures made my day!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂  

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!

Member Since:
12 July 2017
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18 August 2017 - 8:23 pm
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Just checking in real quick to update that today is Draco's 1 month Ampuversary! 

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Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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18 August 2017 - 11:25 pm
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HAPPY ONE MONTH AMPUVERSARY DRACO!!!     WOW!!!!  ONE MONTH ALREADY!!!  

You know special ampuversaries like this deserve ice cream and cake, right?  And steak too!!   And a few extra tummy rugs! 🙂   Good job handsome boy! 

Love the photo!  Keep the ampuversaries AND handsome photos 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!

Canada
Member Since:
7 July 2017
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57
19 August 2017 - 1:09 am
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Hoppy one Month Ampuversary Draco! You handsome duck you! Keep up the good work Dad & Draco!

stewie says two pools up and DEFINITELY lots of good treats!

Sloppy kisses from Stewie👅🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack! 🐾🐾🐾❤️

On July 10/17 I became a Super Tripawd! You can find out more about my Pawrents Allensong but first Check out my 🎗 journey Super Stu Remember...“live in the moment!“  

On The Road


Member Since:
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19 August 2017 - 11:13 am
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Hoppy Ampuversary Draco!

For anyone following along, don't miss Draco's recent post in the Tripawds Foundation blog...
http://tripawds.....sap-draco/

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

Canada
Member Since:
7 July 2017
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59
19 August 2017 - 11:18 am
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Super Stu! said
Hoppy one Month Ampuversary Draco! You handsome duck you! Keep up the good work Dad & Draco!

stewie says two paws up and DEFINITELY lots of good treats!

Sloppy kisses from Stewie👅🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack! 🐾🐾🐾❤️  

On July 10/17 I became a Super Tripawd! You can find out more about my Pawrents Allensong but first Check out my 🎗 journey Super Stu Remember...“live in the moment!“  

Member Since:
12 July 2017
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60
27 August 2017 - 5:42 pm
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This past Friday 8/25/17 was Draco's 2nd chemotherapy session. He did pretty well this time around and didn't seem to show any side effects. His legs weren't shaky like his 1st session and he wasn't showing symptoms of nausea. Draco weighed in around ~115 pounds. He was around ~117 pounds a couple of weeks ago. I think the diet is helping, but he also fasted before weighing in for chemo compared to the last weigh-in a couple of weeks ago for bloodwork CBC, he had breakfast that morning.

When I got home today, I found Draco chilling at the bottom landing of the stairs waiting for me, along with Fez. I was so surprised because I left home with him being upstairs on the 2nd floor, with the stairs being blocked off with chairs. He must have slipped past the chairs somehow and went downstairs, I'm hoping safely! I've always had to help him go up and down the stairs with the harness, and didn't want to risk him tumbling if I tried to get him to do it on his own. So I'm hoping he didn't hurt himself when he went downstairs while I was at work! I checked him over and didn't see/feel anything wrong. He wasn't whining or anything, I didn't find any blood on the stairs or landing. Sometimes when he trips from a slippery floor, he'll land on his face and end up drawing some blood from biting a side lip or tongue. But I didn't find any signs of that. For now I've blocked the stairs with a standing wooden gate.

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