TRIPAWDS: Home to 22974 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

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!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
UK
Member Since:
2 August 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
2 October 2015 - 2:35 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

sorry we have been away for a wee while but we've finally been moving in to our new house

Jack is now 6 weeks post amputation and doing so well you wouldn't believe he had 4 legs such a short time ago, today he chased and caught an apple before his sisters did, then missed fell and they got the apple but not a yelp or anything just picked himself up and looked annoyed 

I have a question though, he has his bloods done yesterday prior to Chemo session 2 on Monday, I've just picked up a message from my vets that the count is a bit low, not dramatically but still low and I need to speak to the referral centre where he has his chemo to see if they will go ahead on Monday, do I need to worry?

Judith and Jack

http://jackdog......pawds.com/

 

not forgetting Pepper, Storm, Finn and Solo too

 

http://www.toll.....lers.co.uk

Los Angeles, CA
Member Since:
13 June 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
2 October 2015 - 2:54 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I wouldn't say you need to worry per se in the true sense of the word. It's something to be aware of. Shelby had low iron / anemia while she was getting chemo (her treatments were every 3 weeks) and we never missed a session. However we did get some iron supplements and I supplemented her food. It also made her a bit more tired the first couple of days after chemo but otherwise, drama free.

 

I would check w/the vets to be sure but this was our case! 

And YAY for reaching for the apple!!! He'll get the next one! 🙂 

Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart 

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

Maryland
Member Since:
28 March 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
2 October 2015 - 2:59 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I'm so glad Jack continues to do well. Last time it was a rabbit, now an apple? I get the idea that he thinks "if it moves, it must be food!"

I suspect low blood counts are fairly common. Ellie was also "a little low" at the start of her 2nd round. It was nothing dramatic but the Onc said it was best to delay one week and then lower her dose for the next round. So that is what we did. She never had low counts again (we continued at the lower dose). We were surprised her counts were low, since we saw nothing in her behaviour or energy level which would indicate it.

Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.

Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
2 October 2015 - 10:10 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I'm ropting for you Jack! But I have to say I'm rooting for the bunnies too, so I'm really glad yoire becomk2ng a fruitarian!!way-cool

It REALLY is good to see your update! To hear how resilient Jack is and to see him just get in with living life to the fullest is delightful!!

Yeah, as Alison and Denise have noted, llw blood counts are not unusual. In fact, there are some theories floating around that say that indicates the chemo is working. So the Onco may delay the chemo a week until the count goes up. Sometimes it even has to be delayed a secoond time. So no, nothing to worry about.Of course, I'm no vet so consult with her/him.

Glad you and Jack and the pack are settling in to your new home. You can maybe have a lottle rime to kick back and relax a d share an apple with Jack!

Hugs fo all!

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!

UK
Member Since:
2 August 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
3 October 2015 - 4:05 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Ahh well they recommend delaying treatment for a week 🙁

this is is all so difficult, you look at a happy, apparently healthy dog and get little setbacks, I know the end game is keeping them happy and healthy for as long as you can but it is frustrating when the thing you need to do can't be done 🙁 I want it all done NOW! And I want him to live forever because of all the things we have done

Judith and Jack

http://jackdog......pawds.com/

 

not forgetting Pepper, Storm, Finn and Solo too

 

http://www.toll.....lers.co.uk

UK
Member Since:
2 August 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
3 October 2015 - 8:26 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I'm struggling to find an answer

 

can I continue giving him turmeric/curcumin while he is being treated with carboplatin?

Judith and Jack

http://jackdog......pawds.com/

 

not forgetting Pepper, Storm, Finn and Solo too

 

http://www.toll.....lers.co.uk

Green Bay, WI


Member Since:
18 May 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
3 October 2015 - 9:19 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Don't be too stressed about delaying treatment a week, that happened to us as well....if fact, after the first time it happened we just increased the interval to 4weeks for the remainder of the treatments and all was good. Like Sally said, I was told the lowered white counts mean the chemo is doing what it is supposed to do.

Can't answer your next question, as I have no experience with turmeric.

all in all it sounds like he's doing great

paula and nitro

Nitro 11 1/2  yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms.  Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"

http://nitro.tripawds.com

"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
3 October 2015 - 10:40 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Low counts are normal and nothing to worry about, they'll fill you in on Monday. I would talk to them about the supplements. Most oncos will want you to wait until treatment is over, just to eliminate the possibility of GI upset being caused by one or the other and not knowing which caused what. Glad to hear things are otherwise so good! YAY!

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

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
3 October 2015 - 7:45 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I'm so glad to hear that Jack is doing well!  😀

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

UK
Member Since:
2 August 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
9 October 2015 - 5:22 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Back to the vet yesterday to have more bloods done so hopefully we can go for Chemo next Monday instead, need to chase them this afternoon so we can change appointments if needed.

Spoke to my vet and we agreed that maybe his Chemo would be better done midweek so we can get the bloods done on a Monday and don't have the nuisance of a weekend to deal with and also just go for 4 weekly rather than 3 weekly appointments. I also need to ask the referral centre when it would be best to have a chest X-ray done to check for mets because obviously that is a concern for the future - any ideas when is a good time?

 

On a lighter note, Jack still loves the vet, doesn't care that they took his leg away and demands fuss and treats whenever he sees them. Also on Wednesday morning I took him out for his morning perambulation (gallop) round the field and he caught and killed two rabbits for me, he didn't eat them but let me take them and get rid of them, they were not very well (myximatosis) but he saved me watching our other dogs rip them apart or having to dispose of them myself, what a good lad he is. He is such a happy waggy boy, everyone is amazed at his attitude to this whole thing, he really doesn't know he is ill

 

I should also add that his ability to leap on to the sofa and chairs has not diminished with the reduction in available limbs, he makes himself very comfortable

Judith and Jack

http://jackdog......pawds.com/

 

not forgetting Pepper, Storm, Finn and Solo too

 

http://www.toll.....lers.co.uk

Green Bay, WI


Member Since:
18 May 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
9 October 2015 - 9:01 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Yay Jack, the great rabbit hunter! We also had the chemo treatments spread out to every 4 weeks, and that seemed to work well. As for chest x-rays, I chose not to do them after chemo....he is 15 months post amp, and we've still not done chest x-rays. I felt I needed to be done obsessing, and stressing when we were doing everything that could be done - knowing he had lung mets or or not wouldn't change this. I stressed enough at the beginning of this journey to last me a lifetime. Other people feel better knowing and do routine x-rays; I don't know the timeline for this. 

When my first Dobe was going through chemo for lymphoma, he caught a rabbit and ate it....I called my vet in a panic, and she chuckled and said "well at least he feels good enough to do this" Keep up the good work Jack!

paula and nitro

Nitro 11 1/2  yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms.  Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"

http://nitro.tripawds.com

"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
12
9 October 2015 - 2:11 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Jack is a good lad that's for sure! Glad he's got his rabbit-hunting-couch-surfing personality back!

Xrays are typically 3 months apart until the one year mark but that's a guideline really. We didn't do chemo so this is just what I remember others posting.

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

UK
Member Since:
2 August 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
13
9 October 2015 - 3:25 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I suppose the X rays are the toss up between wanting to know and not wanting to know - hmm another decision that could give you an answer you don't want

Judith and Jack

http://jackdog......pawds.com/

 

not forgetting Pepper, Storm, Finn and Solo too

 

http://www.toll.....lers.co.uk

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
14
9 October 2015 - 3:41 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I'd agree with that. We opted out and were happy with the choice, but everyone is different.

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

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 263
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17735
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256809
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG