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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Here is Gus' Story
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Member Since:
22 July 2017
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22 July 2017 - 8:15 pm
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Hi Tripawd community- we are so thankful to have you here. We are new to the community and everything Ive read from your page has helped us tremendously.

Here is our story- We are only a few days into this process and 1 day post-op.

This week has been tough on our family. Since February Gus has been limping. He has been battling what the doctors thought was Valley Fever and Gus has been on a regimen of pills. Unfortunately, on Tuesday night we were playing fetch in the park and he broke his left leg in several spots. We rushed him to the ER, got xrays, and the radiology report came back that his bone has deteriorated so badly that it caused the break. Because of the break- we were given 2 options: amputate his leg or put him down in the coming weeks because of how much pain he was in. The decision wasnt even a question for us- we were going to do whatever it took to take care of our boy. With that being said, we did hours and hours of research and spoke with our vet and 2 different specialists. After 2.5 days of multiple doctors appointments, he had his leg amupated at the best animal surgery center in AZ. He had to stay over night at the medical center, but is now home with us!

After the amputation, they will take a biopsy of his leg to see if its Valley Fever or Cancer. The statistics say its cancer, Osteosarcoma. If it is cancer most dogs only live 1-2 years after the removal of the leg. If its Valley Fever, then that is the best news we can get, but at this point, chances are slim.

But right now, we are focused on our new "tripawds" comfort and recovery. Please keep Gus in your prayers and thank you to all the friends and family who've supported/prayed for us the last few days.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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22 July 2017 - 9:18 pm
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Hi Gus and family, welcome! I wanted to get your post approved so others can see it but I'm on my phone and will be back in the am with some thoughts....

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

Member Since:
22 July 2017
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23 July 2017 - 6:16 pm
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Hi Again,

Gus is in great spirits. He's learning on the fly with a big smile on his face. We had to take him into the ER this morning because of frequent urination. From 230am- 830am he went to the restroom about 15x. Mostly pee, pooped once, no blood in either. But Gus has never peed this much or this frequently. The doctors ran blood and a urine anylisis. It's came back all good- no infection, no uti, organs looking good. So we were sent home. Drs believe it's just his body's way of rebounding from surgery. We've been home for 6 hours and not much has changed. In between his naps and belly rubs he has been peeing nonstop. Each time he goes out, he pees in one spot, hops to the next and pees a little less, then hops to the next and pees even less. This is the same every time we go out- about once an hour. Any thoughts? I'm just worried even though I'm trying not to be. 

Thanks in advance!

Gloria and Gus

Member Since:
31 May 2016
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23 July 2017 - 8:21 pm
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Hi Gloria and Gus! I'm certainly not a vet and my guy didn't have that reaction, but I wonder if his bladder is just having spasms? Like your vet said, maybe a reaction to the surgery meds. I don't actually know if they catheterize them when they do this surgery, but if they do, maybe the removal of the catheter has caused spasms that make him feel like he has to go?

Yay for Gus feeling so well! You've probably read about the dip in mood that can occur around 3-5 days post surgery so don't be too alarmed (yeah right big-grin) if that happens.

Good luck!

Kristin & Clyde

Member Since:
22 July 2017
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23 July 2017 - 8:33 pm
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Hi Kristin and Clyde

Thank you for your response. I hadn't thought about possible bladder spasms. Hopefully whatever it is will pass and isn't painful for Gus. I've made an appointment with his everyday vet for Tuesday if nothing changes. 

I have read about the dip in mood. Nothing but love and belly rubs coming his way...as if he ever gets anything else. 😁 We even have a few of his favorite humans stopping by for a little visit to help lift his spirits if needed in the next 2 days. Short visits but read it can really help. 

Thanks again.

Gloria and Gus

Member Since:
2 December 2016
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24 July 2017 - 8:14 pm
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OMMMMDDDDDDDDC, Gus is sooooooooooooooo handsome!!! How is the big lug doing? He must be a true champion to have gone through the journey he has been on so far!

I would totally agree with the bladder spasm issue as all other tests have come back normal, right? The only other very outside chance that may have occurred is nerve damage: either short or long term depending on if he is a left rear amp or not...I missed that but had the sense it is his left front? In which case no to the nerve damage. Also, sometimes reactions to meds will do this. And, finally, sometimes dogs just change their bathroom habits for no known reason! It is excellent though that you have had all of this checked out by his vets!!!(Also, although it must be exhausting to have to take him out 15 x, it is a wonderful sign that he is peeing on a regular basis and has already pooed which is somewhat unusual this early on:):):)

Please post pictures of Gus and let us know how he is doing and what his other vets say! Again, he is just tooooooo much. LOOK AT THAT FACE!!! Sigh...

Member Since:
22 July 2017
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25 July 2017 - 10:28 am
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Charliebear- Thank you for your response. Gus had his front left leg amputated. He is doing a little better in terms of peeing. He is peeing about every 2-3 hours and is only going once now- which is so much better than every 45 minutes. We are on day 4, post-op, and he has pooped 3x which I think is great! He is in great spirits and is ready to go on a walk! My boy never seems to amaze me! (Its going to be a long 2-3 weeks keeping him from doing what he loves, but so far so good!)

We are headed to the vet today for a check up so Ill post an update soon. 

This may be silly but I cant figure out how to post a picture or video. I have some pictures and even a video that I would love to share. Here is a link to my fb that has a few pics posted on this post! Hopefully you can see it!

https://m.faceb.....=151900911

Thanks! 

Gloria and Gus

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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25 July 2017 - 12:23 pm
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This may be silly but I cant figure out how to post a picture or video. I have some pictures and even a video that I would love to share.

Not silly at all, promise. Here are instructions for adding images to the Forums. Just go back to FB for the photo, choose "Copy Image Location" then return to the Forums and click on the little picture icon in your toolbox. A popup window will appear and that's where you paste the photo URL. If you'd like help please holler OK? Private Message me (I missed you in the chat earlier).

You can embed images from Facebook here but you can't embed videos, you just have to share the link in your post.

Gus is a sweetie! Hope the vet visit went well. I'll bet he passed with flying colors!

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

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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26 July 2017 - 7:09 pm
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GOODNESS GRACIOUS GLORIA AND GUS!. I'M IN @OVE WITH THST FROSTY FACE GUS!!!  

Such a sweet and gentle nd happy looking boy!   Just catching up on Gus's story.   And jist in time to say GOOD JOB GUS!!! 🙂 🙂  You are rockin' being a tripawd!

Glad to hear Gus is doing so well!  Well, except for overdoing the pee routine!!'  But good to jear we've got poop..several poops!! 🙂 YAY FOR POOPpoopicon_png

How did the check up go today? 

Higs!

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:
22 July 2017
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28 July 2017 - 4:29 pm
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Thank you Jerry for your help with the pictures! 

Sally and gang and Charlie bear- Gus' appointment went well. After blood tests, urinalysis test, and sonogram of his bladder the doctors believed that Gus was okay. They thought the frequent peeing was his body's way of reacting to the meds and surgery. So a few days later we are back to peeing on a normal schedule- phew! 😋

A few days AFTER that drs appointment, we took him again because it looked like he was getting a horrible rash- a possible side effect to some meds- and luckily it was just bruising that had spread. I was expecting bruising around his shoulder and chest but didn't even think it would spread all the way down towards his belly. 

But now we are day 7 post op and Gus is doing great! He's been a little sad because he wants to go to the park or on a walk but overall is doing great! We see his surgeon on Tuesday and are hopeful that he will get his stitches out and possible have the results of the test. (Valley fever vs osteosarcoma)

thank you all for your love and support! 

Gus and Gloria 

Member Since:
2 December 2016
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28 July 2017 - 5:03 pm
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WHEW!!! We salute you Gus!!! You are one of the few who did the opposite: pee and poo like there was no tomorrow!!! Much better to do that than NOT so besides being incredibly squishable and kissable (LOOK AT THAT MUG!!!) you are a very smart fella, Gus:)

So glad to hear everything is checking out normal and that he WANTS TO GO TO THE PARK:) After his stitches/staples are out, you may want to look into buggies or wagons as he recovers as he does not seem to be the type of dog who would ever want to leave the Park Pawrty !!!

Thank you for the update:) Best wishes, huge hugs, and PyrPaws all around!!!

Canada
Member Since:
7 July 2017
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28 July 2017 - 6:30 pm
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Gus, you are a champion! It has made my Stewie boy a little jealous that you went pee & poo so soon! Good lad!

i am 18 days post surgery and am still trying to figure out how to do my business properly. I usually like to walk along and move away from that stinky mess, but I'm learning a new style of hop & poo! 

I am still really itchy at the bottom of my scar, (had my left leg removed) where the Saroma had formed, and I still tire out pretty easy, but other than that I am doing pretty good for a big fella. 

Hope to see you hopping around with the Tripawds family and keep an eye out for my continuing story as I evolve into a true Tripawd too!

good luck buddy! All the best from Stewie and his Clan! 🐾🐾🐾❤️

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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31 July 2017 - 4:26 pm
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YAY!!!   GLad everything checked out okay and Gus is back to "normal pee routine"!!

Don't you worry Gus, you'll be back to the park and on a walk real soon! 🙂 🙂  After you get your stitches out tomorrow and after a drive thru cheeseburger, and after a nap, you may be able to go on a walkie for just a few minutes!!  Maybe find a fine tree to sit under and rest and then walk just a minute or two more.  Don't overdo though!  You're a mighty big boy to have to be carried back into the house!

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:
3 July 2017
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14
1 August 2017 - 4:44 am
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Glad to hear Gus is doing so well! Loki also had a rash-like bruising pattern that caused us to panic briefly on about day 3 or 4. Still slow with updating my blog posts, but I'll have to get that one up to hopefully help others to feel better if their dogs have the same issue! Best of luck with Gus's continued recovery!

~Brittnie and Loki

🐾 Loki, Dog of Mischief 🐶

I loved life as a tripawd for over three years following right forelimb amputation due to an aggressive and recurrent hemangiopericytoma. I reclaimed my place among the gods and valkyries in Valhalla on November 11th, 2020. My parents miss me tremendously, but I know they'll keep me in their hearts forever... and don't worry, I've approved my mom's use of my Tripawds account.

Wyoming, NY
Member Since:
29 July 2017
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5 August 2017 - 6:02 pm
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Have just gotten around to reading Gus' story. What A champ he is!! Glad to hear all is going well for him, he sounds like he's going to adjust quickly. 

Jesse, rear left amputee, is on day 9 post-op. He came home on day 3 and we had the exact same peeing situation you described. Pretty much back to normal after a couple days at home, but like you I was wondering what this was all about. Finally came to the conclusion it was a combination of the sx and high powered drugs he was on in hospital. And I have never been so happy to see him poop in my life, lol, wanted to alert the media !!

Keep us up to date on his progress and keep the pictures coming too. What A handsome boy, and he knows it!!

All the best, Elizabeth & Jesse ❤

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