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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Zoe had a cancerous tumor 1 1/2 yes ago and hadcutvtemived. She now has four more tumors on her left hind leg. We did meds for pain, injections, acupuncture and radio therapy. The cancer is in the bone and 2 vets say amputation. So tomorrow is surgery. Zoe is a 6 lb. chihuahua and I am so fretful and afraid.
Hi Zoe and family, welcome. Hope you don't mind I moved your post here, but this is a great place to discuss recovery. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
I'm sorry you're dealing with cancer. What kind do they suspect?
As a small dog, Zoe will very likely get around great. She has a big advantage being so petite!
So much of her recovery will depend on your attitude, thoughts and feelings. Our dogs mirror our emotions. If you are afraid, she will be too. If you are strong, guess what? She'll follow your lead! So be strong, know that she is going to surprise you with her resiliency, and everything will be A-OK!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Very best thoughts from us for a successful surgery and a good recovery for Zoe. She will, as Jerry says, have an advantage being petite. We are in her corner.
Lisa and Pofi
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hi and welcome to you and Zoe.
Did the vet say what type of cancer? Multiple tumors sounds like maybe mast cell cancer?
Maggie was my first Tri-pug, she lost her left rear leg to mast cell cancer. She took her time getting used to her new normal but got the hang of things and hopped happily though life for almost 4 years. Mag was about 17 pounds.
Seven months ago I adopted Tri-puggle Elly. She is also a rear amp but we are not dealing with cancer this time, she was hit by a car.
Most people say that small dogs do great (most of them own big dogs 
) and for the most part I have found that to be true. There are challenges though, and the recovery period can be bumpy. Don't get discouraged is Zoe isn't herself for a while after surgery- it takes most pups 2 to 3 weeks to really get back to themselves. My Maggie was quite stubborn and did not like any changes to her routine, she wasn't happy for several weeks. I was convinced that I had made a big mistake with the surgery- but she came around in her own time.
Good luck with the surgery tomorrow and keep us posted.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Welcome Zoe 
the little chihuahua
We are the opposite of you size wise, my girl is a Great Dane!
I can assure you our furry friends do recover after amputation and the smaller the better as there is less weight to carry around and better agility too.
The first days after surgery may be difficult for both, but you will be amazed at how quickly your lovely girl will come around and happily hop around doing (almost) all the things she likes to do now.
We are thinking about you and sending you positive energy for 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 :-)
Hi Zoe
Just a quick post to see how you are doing, how are you and mom ???
Sending lots of cuddles and hoping for a very, very speedy recovery
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 :-)
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