Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Lola is my eight year old Golden Retriever that was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma on her left leg. The vets at Colorado State University have told us that it is too large to be surgically removed and too large for SRT (new radiation treatment) to be effective. Amputation is the only option at this point.
She had a chest/lung/leg CT scan on Monday and thankfully, the tumor has not spread. Lola has been scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning at CSU.
My wife and I found this site and have been reading blogs and posts of other families going through similar situations. It has helped. Before coming here, I wasn't sure, even though it was our only option.
I'm mad at myself for not finding the tumor sooner. I'm also sad, but mostly I'm scared.
I'm sure I'll have many questions after we bring her home Friday afternoon.
Thanks for listening.
Here's my baby:
Welcome! We're sorry to hear about Lola, but glad you found us. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
She is in good hands at Colorado State University, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi lolasdad,
So sorry your sweet Lola has been diagnosed, but there is no better place to be than here.......what a simply precious face she has.
It is great news that this has not spread, and yes, amputation is usually the best option to slow down, or even possibly eliminate any cancer spread. What type of STS are you dealing with? Can I also say, do not beat yourself up about not finding this tumor sooner, the good thing is that you have found it and are dealing with it for Lola.....and it is perfectly ok to be scared, believe me, we have all been there during this unwanted journey. We just do our best to turn that fear into determination in fighting this ugly disease.
I can offer a few ideas as far as bringing your Lola girl home on Friday...... If you do not have carpet throughout most of your house, rug runners are fabulous for Lola to be able to get good traction inside, or possibly a set of canine traction booties will work as well. Her food and water should be raised now, too......there are many options for this in most pet stores, or there are ways to raise her existing bowls, like I did for my sweet Tripawd Lab Polly.
Others here will be along with additional help, and ideas, and we are all also here to support you as you go down this new road with Lola.
Keep us updated on her, and keeping you, Lola, and your family in my thoughts,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Welcome! Lola is beautiful! I agree, don't beat yourself up for not finding the tumor sooner. We have all pretty much had the same feeling. Another suggestion, a harness or sling. I used a reusable grocery bag, the canvas kind and cut out the sides. I looked a bit strange I am sure hauling my 80 lb dog out of the car with a blue shopping bag, but hey, it worked. It was very helpful for in/ out of car and also trips outside the first few days. There is also an exchange forum on here, where members pass things around. I got a harness for Ty there. A comfy bed. I found the firmer the better. The soft squishy ones are harder for them to get up off of. Is it her front or back leg. That makes a bit of a difference in the mechanics of getting around. They figure it out pretty quick though. Keep us posted. Our thoughts are with you, Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Thanks for all the advice and kind words. I dropped Lola off this morning at CSU Cancer Center. The student assigned to Lola's case was very helpful in answering many questions. I had erroneously assumed she would be an a fragile state for several days after the surgery. I didn't realize I could pick her up and take her upstairs with us, and I was wondering how I was going to get her in the SUV for the trip back to South Denver. She cleared all that up for me.
Today, we're putting down carpet runners throughout the house. I have purchased a raised feeder and some wet food in case I need it to get her to eat. Of course she is a golden retriever and eating has NEVER been a problem 
The grocery bag suggesting is a great one, and we'll be doing that until she's fitted for what CSU called a "help me up" harness.
We're scheduled to pick her up at 4PM tomorrow and go immediately to physical therapy.
I will update when I have more information.
Thanks again!
Eddie
Hi Eddie and family and the BEAUTIFUL LOAL!!!!
She is such a , pretty Golden!
This IS such a scary time...very much like a nightmare. You have aplan, you are going forward and Lola will be home tomorrow! So now you are starting to push the fear aside, wake up from the nightmare and, once the recovery is complete, you will see Lola's sparkle come back bigger and brighter than ever!!
Every dog's recovery is different...some slower, some faster. Just stay connected to us and hopefully our individual experiences can be beneficial.
For me, when I picked up my Happy Hannah, a big Bull Mastiff chunk of love, I didn't even look at her incision...I just looked into her druggy eyes and clapped and praised her for being such a good girl! She wagged and kissed me allover my face..and I loved every slimy ounce of that slobber!
She never messed with her stitches so never needed a cone. I tried to use a towel sling a few times but she wasn't very receptive to that! I did have a nice wide ramp with rails built for her as I had stairs she had to use to go in and out.
I do have a wuestion and I may have misunderstood...she's NOT going to PT the day she comes home, right? That will happen a couple of weeks down the road, right?
When you can, post more pictures of your LOVELY LOLA! We love pictures around here!
I know you'll feel.anxious today...everything will be fine apso try and get a good night's sleep while you can! You may not get rest for a few nights!
Look forward to your next update and homecoming celebration!
Sending hugs t o 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!
Hi Eddie,
I am so glad you were able to get all your pressing questions answered for Lola's surgery....I have heard so many good things about CSU. Believe me, there will always be questions popping up along the way, now.... Sounds like you are well prepared to bring her home after surgery tomorrow.
As far as Lola eating well, I can definitely relate....I have only had Labrador Retrievers, so I am sure they can rival Lola in the eating department !! However, don't be surprised if her eating is a little off once she comes home, it does happen sometimes. Her meds, and surgery itself, can have a bit of an effect on her. I was pretty fortunate with my Polly, she came home and was immediately her own self....eating great, drinking, pottying, etc.....she did have a restless first night home, but otherwise was perfect. The pain meds and surgery made Polly a bit more slow and tired for a few days, but after that, she was great.
Wishing you and Lola all the best for her surgery and homecoming, continue to keep us updated on her...you new journey has just begun!!
Bonnie & Angel Polly
benny55 said
I do have a wuestion and I may have misunderstood...she's NOT going to PT the day she comes home, right? That will happen a couple of weeks down the road, right?
Sally, you didn't misunderstand. CSU has her scheduled for her first PT tomorrow at 4PM. We were told their research indicates the sooner the better. I was concerned about that also, but I've been very impressed by the doctors at CSU. On our first visit, we met with one of the pioneers of the SRT radiation treatment. I've got nothing but good to say about them. I've come to trust them. (I'm not sure why people doctors can't be as personable 
)
I'll keep you posted.
Eddie
WOW!! Very interesting! And I DO know CSU.is very cutt i ng edge.and efinitely on top of things andyou are in great hands!!
I know you really have your plate full, but if you are up to it, maybe you could chronicle for us what paces they will be putting Lola through tomorrow? This will be very, very interesting for anyone just starting this journey.
Thank you so muc! We'll all be cheering Lola on
I know you are so excited about her homecoming! Best feeling ever!
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!
That's a good idea. I think I'll wear my GoPro. I can post the video to youtube. Since my daughter won't be with me I won't be accused of embarrassing her with my camera.
Eddie
Welcome! Sorry you had to join our club, but Lola is in GREAT hands and paws at CSU. Our own pup Wyatt Ray has had surgery there more than once and they are amazing. Check out these CSU interviews, lots of good info from their lead ortho doc, Dr. Duerr, he's pawsome!
We would definitely love to see the footage from the session (we won't tell your daughter you wore the gopro!). CSU's on-site rehab has really come a long way and gets better all the time. If you wouldn't mind, we would love to find out the name of your rehab vet leader so we can interview them at some point about their protocols. It wasn't that long ago (maybe even only a year or so) that rehab vets were saying 10 days out was ideal for starting therapy after amputation, so we'd love to learn more about these changes, thanks for the head's up!
Sounds like you have everything under control but if you have any questions whatsoever, just holler. We have quite the Tripawds crew in the Denver/CSU area so maybe there's a pawty in our future at some point this fall? Hmmm....
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We'll be thinking of your beautiful girl tomorrow, Eddie. She's in the greatest of hands.
Btw, FWIW, we had an STS and sis radiation at first and ended up wishing we had gone straight to amputation. Don't beat yourself up or second-guess...just focus on the next stage of what will surely be a remarkable journey. So cool that you have a GoPro!
Good luck, and keep us posted!
Deb and Lexie
Deb and Angel Lexie* Diagnosed at age 13. Tried radiation first; wish we had amputated upon diagnosis (even with lung mets). Joined Club Tripawd April 2014 & Lexie loved life on 3 legs! Advice: Start physical therapy as soon as your vet clears it, especially hydrotherapy if available :-) See Lexie pics here.
Eddie,
Just catching up on the news. Sounds like your girl us in fabulous hands. Wishing all goes well and smoothly.
Esther and her Angel Snoop
Lola's surgery was delayed until about 4:30PM yesterday due to an emergency at the hospital yesterday. I assume it had something to do with horses, because when I dropped her off at 8AM the large animal receiving area was packed with them.
The surgeon, Dr. Kennedy, called me at about 7:10PM last night to tell me Lola's surgery was a success and that she was in recovery and awake.
We'll head up to CSU this afternoon for PT at 4PM and take her home after that.
-Eddie
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