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.
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Thank you! That was much needed! I really appreciate it. He's been resting and healing away the last few hours and getting in some much needed sleep!
And not much I don't think. We are hand feeding him wet food in meatballs currently so he can just swallow it roughly every 3-4 hours 🙂
That is wonderful news, I am happy for you! I know... it is about TIME something gives and you get a break, right?
Were you there for his procedure? If they had a hard time tubing him or if he thrashed a lot upon recovery when he was extubated, it could be that simple. I have also seen it when they were tough to size and the next size up was just really snug. Either way, it is a relief!! I will take that over the alternative any day 
He sounds stubborn like our Mitchell. It is very frustrating sometimes. He is a very lucky dog, you have turned a 
life into just the best a dog could ask for, so commendable! You are doing a phenomenal job with your furbabies, I think when this chapter is over and you are all rocking your new lives, YOU deserve to spoil yourself with something good 
Hugs,
Jackie and Huckleberry
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Oh ya! I monitored his anesthesia, and induced him. I like to be the one working with my pets typically. Hes 36kg and I used a 10.5 tube. It was snug but not bad I felt. Tubing went simple and he recovered pretty uneventful. We use a small amount of atropine in his pre-med for drying up and I know he does dry up with the atropine. It really seems like he just has a mucous type plug and is trying to hack it up. Im nebulizing him now. And me too!! Were still treating with additional antibiotics just to be safe but his lungs look clear.
What sucks is I know the hacking/respiratory issues are taking a lot of energy out of him so he's a little weaker for walking but he's improving on his ability to move very slowly day by day! He tried to stand on his own (but failed) but at least he tried! I will continue to keep everyone updated!! Its so helpful to be able to share his recovery!
Hi Alex and Jake 🌺💕
Just wanted to send you a quick kiss and cuddle, just saw your thread and will be checking on you guys tomorrow 😊
😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
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 :-)
That's great! I was the same way when i was a tech. He's going to be just fine 😘 That nebulizer should knock it loose. Funny, people would wonder how I could watch my furbabies get cut open, but I was much more content being in the middle of it than somewhere else not knowing if they were stable or not. I changed careers about 12 years ago, but my pup's vet asked me if I wanted to be there for his surgery and I was all over It! I miss it a lot. The only reason I left was because it could not support a newly single parent with a mortgage. Sorry for any typos, I am on my tablet and it is slower than dial up🤣😂🤣
Keep spoiling your furbaby, it's working😎😎
Hugs,
Jackie and Huck ❤❤❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
I totally understand. Im realizing the same thing with this field. We definitely don't do it for the money!! lol I'm lucky I work at a hospital that does treat us well but its still sometimes challenging so I completely understand. And exactly. It would be more stressful not knowing and watching then actually being there. I was surprised how calm I was watching the amputation but it was very strange taking him to recovery. My technician coworker was really good and I told here before that as soon as we can get his leg away when its off the better and within seconds she had that handled. I love this field and being able to be an advocate for everyones loved ones! Thats awesome your previous vet let you participate!! There are good ones out there! 🙂
AND THANK YOU! I love reading about everyone pups that had OSA especially seeing that larger breed dogs with front leg amps that are doing and did so well. Your great dane was beautiful! I will have a harlequin great dane at some point in my life!
Update: He's been resting well and getting in his much needed rest and sleep. I have work off tomorrow and get to be with him all day! Even though he hasn't been left alone anyways!
Yes, that was definitely a bond when working with animals. I miss that. This is a place very similar people wise. Animal people are just a different breed, lol. Have a wonderful, calm, boring night 😉 spoil both of you with treats and relax for a change.
Hugs,
Jackie and Huckleberry ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Online
So glad Jake is resting comfortably. He sounds like such a "chill dog"andust goes with the flow.. Being more dog ix what we all aspire to be! 🙂
And we have a celebration. YAY! Jake TRIED to get up on his own! That's a start in the right direction! 🙂
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!
Hi Alex and Jake 🌺🐾
Seems like your lovely boy is on the mend, how great for you to be able to be hands on all the way!
I have to confess I could not have watched Eurydice’s surgery, I’d have had a heart attack 💥💀 wanted to be a vet when I was a young girl, many moons ago, but gave up the idea when I realised being a vet wasn’t about behind around animals giving them kisses and changing bandages ... the innocence of youth 🧚🏼♀️
You and Jackie are such great Moms for your fluffies and so knowledgeable 👌🏽
Keep up the good work sweetie, big hugs and cuddles 😘😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
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 :-)
Thank you everyone for all of your help and all of your advice. It really helped me celebrate some wins.
Unfortunately, we had to say goodbye to Jake this morning. We knew he was having some respiratory complications post op and all we can think is that there were tumors that weren't visible on xray but were present and he just couldn't handle the anesthesia and recovery. He became very unstable early this morning and unfortunately we were left we no other choice. We knew his cancer was very aggressive and we were trying to do what we could do but it was just too much for his body to handle.
Thank you again.
I am so so very sorry to hear that you had to say goodbye to your boy! What a horrid shock for you! There are so few words that I can offer, but please know that my heart goes out to you!
Jake was one lucky Dawg to have a brilliant Mum like you! I am so very sorry!
Many, many hugs from Petra, Stewie and his Kittens
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
Oh my gosh we are so stunned and saddened at this awful turn of events for Jake, we are deeply sorry! This is not at all what anyone ever expects. It's unreal how quickly things can change and your heartache must be unbearable right now. How we wish we could help some how. We are so, so sorry.
You did so much for him, he knew he was loved and he left this world knowing that you would do anything to help him get well. There is no greater gift than allowing his spirit to transition peacefully, feeling the power of your love by his side. I know it doesn't feel that way right now however...
If and when you are feeling up to it, please do post a tribute to him in Coping with Loss. Your beautiful boy is an angel now but his life will always be treasured and adored among us all. We would love to honor the good times you had together, and are here for you, always.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh Alex, I'm so sorry to read this. When I saw you yesterday, I was so sure he was going to be okay. 
You did all you could for your sweet boy. I have no words but please know that my thoughts are with you and everyone who loved Jake.
Kristin & Clyde
Oh Alex, I am so devastated to hear the news 😔
We are never prepared for the moment we have to say goodbye and it always is far too soon 😓
Jake is with all of our Angels now and he sure is in a better place, a place where there is no pain, a place where he can run free and be deliriously happy flying from cloud to cloud with his new wings 🕊
Eurydice was there to welcome him alongside all of our babies 💕
My heart is with yours, sweet friend, sending you much, much love 😘😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
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 :-)
We are ALL absolutely sickened to hear this. Our hearts break withnnuours and our tears are fslling hard with yours.
This piece of s××t disease is so brutal and so unforgiving. And we have seen all too often how totally unpredictable it is. And it preys are the most innocent of Souls.
As with Jake, sometimes the damage that this disease has already done cannot be seen with all the preliminary tests available. It is so brutal.
PLEASE, PLEASE know you DID EVERYTHING possible to HELP your amazing Jake! And that gentle Soul is truly amazimg!
Jake knows how loved he is. He knew you loved him enough to try everything possible to give him a quality life. And he knew when this was no longer possible, you loved him enough to help him transition surrounded by your love.
Several, years ago, a "group" of us had dogs that crossed over within a very short time of each other in April. They became known as April's Angels. Jake had a few special Souls accompany him these past days as they ran together to the Bridge free of pain, young and healthy.
I have no doubt that all the original Aprils Angels were there to greet them in full force! They had wheelbarrows full of treats and junk food, steak and ice cream. They showed them the best lakes for swimming, the best shade trees for lounging , and the best "look out" points to watch over all their hoomans.
This past day was just a blink of an eye compared to the thousands and thousands of happy days you shared for every moment of everyday for fourteen years!!! 98 hooman years!
The void will seem unbearavle for awhile. The routines are broken . The tears will take you to your knees many times over for far too long.
Slooowly, but surely , the happy memories will push forth. Slowly but surely you will receive signs from Jake that he IS okay and that he IS still present with you,
When you can, please share more of your life with the amazing Jake! How did he get his name? Did he like swimming? What was his favorite "naughty" thing he liked to do? What did he do to make you laugh out loud?? Close your eyes and think of those things now. You will feel his presence when you do.
Surroundng you with Jake's eternally smiling eyes
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being 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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