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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Scary how quickly Bailey's discovery to amputation occurred. Great job shedding that weight!
Yay for swimmers. I wonder if he'll have a difficult time steering with only one front leg... we'll see.
Yes, one treatment down 3 to go! Chemo was more difficult for me than the amputation. I guess I was more scared since I really didn't know what to expect. Rufus recovered quickly from the sedation. The tech said she used a drug to reverse the sedation.
I look forward to completing chemo now.
So Stewie the ladies' man. Nice!
Even though Rufus had his stiches out Friday 10/27, I'm still waiting to put harness on because his pucker spots were still healing. I think today will be the last day of the cone.
last Day Of The Cone!!!
Thats always a reason to pawty around here!!! Tomorrow is cone free day Rufus!!! Extra treats and belly rubs!!!🍗🥓🧀🍖
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
I guess swimming with only one front leg will be different, but Rotties are so strong in the chest I bet he will do fine.
Bailey's vet had always said she needed to be under 100 to help her ACL repaired leg and her un-repaired one. I feel guilty sometimes when I read all the treats the other Tripawds get. Bailey does get treats but they are medium doggy bone biscuits broken in 2-3 pieces. I even look at the calorie count for her treats. I tried green beans, but she does not consider that a treat. One thing that made me sad was when an oncologist ( we go to a vet school hospital so we may see a different vet each time as they rotate through oncology) was that she would like to see Bailey 5 pounds lighter, but considering the disease, her age, general health etc., she did not think she had time. I think we will prove her wrong.
I bet Rufus is thrilled to be out of that annoying cone!
jesh said
, but considering the disease, her age, general health etc., she did not think she had time. I think we will prove her wrong.
TT Bailey, we see so many Tripawd Warriors prove the statistics wrong! Stewie and Bailey both can say “UP YOURS TO YOUR STATISTICS!!!!”
Here’s to one more Chemo treatment and many more years of Happy Hopping! 💖💗❤️
Good thing our dogs and cats don't listen to STUPID, INSENSITIVE AND JUST PLAIN WRONG comments like that Tech made! I woukd specifically rewuest that that Vet Tech NOT be assigned to you when you gomfor visits! Queen Nova, a seniore Great dane didn't listen (I believe I'm right in saying she was a seceral year survivor). Good rhirng Cemile didn't listen (more than five years). Good thing Stubborn Pug Maggie didn't listen when they said she only jad minths....and hopped in for four years!
It sounds like Bailey's weight is in a good place right now. I wouldn't worry about that five lbs simply because scales, and time of day if weigh-in, etc can alter the weight number by several.pounds. Really!
I know there are some really good quality low-cal treats. Maybe buying some grilled chicken strips (often found in salad section as toppers) for her treats. I give those to my pups. Also WELLNESS CORE MARROW ROAST TREATS may not have a high caloric count.
Happy Hannah's Vet always teased me when I said I would give her lean treats. He said it didn't count because I probably gave her twenty a day! 🙂
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!
Oh our babies!
I'm on my husband to follow the guidelines on the bag. My friend adopted an overweight airedale and she cut her weight with carrots and watermelon.
Stewie can get looking good for the ladies just in time for his boating season and posing by the beach where he watches the ladies coming out of the water in all their glory. Ha!
People in medical care need to speak positivity because that kind of attitude satisfies the fighting spirit!
Coughing..... what's considered a cough? One that should be alarming? Yesterday or the day before I thought Rufus coughed three times. Today my husband said he coughed a couple times. I told my husband to be alert to any coughing.
So now I'm wondering what to do. His chest xrays 10/6 were clear. Do we xray again not even a month later or just continue with chemo and never mind the cough? The cough is not consistent. I don't want to see mets. If there are mets does that even change our chemo plans?
Thanks for any help or sharing your experience.
Good morning Rufus and Mum
Try not to get alarmed... I know it’s easier said than done. Stewie has always, How can I say, sort of ‘gagged’ when he’s drank his water too quickly, or his supper etc. It’s only a few times in a day and when I asked my vet about it, he said we all ‘cough’ sometimes! He didn’t mean it in a bad way, I think he was actually trying to make a joke, which is very rare for Dr. Bill!!!
But having said that, every dog is different and you know Rufus the best! It wouldn’t hurt to ask your vet about it... maybe it could be a side effect of drugs, like dry mouth or something? Are you able to take a video of his ‘cough’ and show that to your vet? You could even share it here and people can give you their thoughts on it?
Rufus is extremely fortunate to have pawrents that care so much!!! If ever in doubt, ask your vet...
Rufus darling, How is life without your cone?!!! I’m sorry lovey, we missed your de-coning Pawty!!! Let’s make up for it now shall we?!!!
Pawty Time With Rufus... HE’S CONE FREE!!!
Today everyone gets chicken🍗 and ice cream 🍨!!! Everyone do the Hoppy Dance for Rufus!!!💃🏻🕺🏼👯
🎼 Celebrate Good Times... Come On!!!🎶🎵
But now in all seriousness, please let us know how Rufus is doing.
Give him massive cuddles from me & Stu
p.s. Stewie is starting his workout, so that he can keep a trim figure for Spring and also ‘cause he wants his treats and to eat them too!!! 🍗🧀🥓🍔🍦(ssshhhhh! We don’t have to tell the vets EVERYTHING!!!
On this crazy journey we panic if we hear a cough or a hiccup or hear a poot!! It wpuld be HIGHLY unlikely that Rufus has any issue going on related to this disease just three-plus weeks from clear xrays....especially to a point where "sysmptons" were showing. As Petra's Dr Bill said, we all have random coughs sometimes. And I GUARANTEE Rufus has had a bout of random coughs every now and then but you never paid attention BEFORE this journey! 🙂
The cough could be any number of things as Petra mentioned. An irritation from the anesthesia tubing ioften shows up after surgery...or an allergy....or just random coughs, etc.
The Vet will.losten to his chest ro ensure if by some wild chance he has a respiratory issue, pneumonia, etc.
So deep breaths and proceed as planned!
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!
I'm going to 2x what Sally and Petra mentioned. SO many times we jump to conclusions because cancer is lurking in the back of our minds. I would say that if you are super concerned and it keeps happening, let your vet know of course. It's likely he may have just gotten a dust bunny or something stuck in his throat. We see it happen all the time, usually it's nothing.
When it has been mets due to coughing, the cough is usually accompanied by lethargy and lack of appetite.
don't want to see mets. If there are mets does that even change our chemo plans?
Your oncologist can help determine that. But don't go there unless it actually gets confirmed OK? Remember to take this disease one day at a time, and try not to panic about things that aren't confirmed. You can do it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Quick update humans and all creatures- Rufus had a great 1 month ampuversary on 11/8! I told him 1 down 23 to go. He's so ornery he'll be around for 4 years! He turned 8 on 11/16. Second chemo carboplatin Friday 11/17. He's a go go guy. Our goal weight for him is 63-66 pounds. He was 68 at first chemo and recently weighed in 64.5 I'm so scared for him to get chunky. He likes his frozen pea treats. We've increased his walk at the park to 4 laps and he still has juice. So much that on our walk home he kept lunging towards these two dogs, one was yapping at us. He's a fighter and not a lover. We went on a mile hike yesterday and he sat once for our photo op. He found a stick so he could play fetch. I'm hoping for Christmas he can get a fancy dog bed that's recommended for amputees.i think it'll help him get/be comfortable. Harness wear is getting easier. We're planning on driving 3 times the distance to get his blood work done in between chemo since our vet can only do it with sedation. Our chemo place is less active and Rufus doesn't need sedation to pull blood there. We'll save $180 for eliminating sedation for his blood work. Gas is cheaper where his chemo is so in about a month we'll be ahead and can get that bed! I rhymed so time to drop the mic. Talk to y'all later.
Hoppy 1 Month Ampuversary Rufus!!! And AT LEAST 23 more to go buddy!!! Nothing ornery about that Pal!!
Your doing great with the weight loss! Slow and steady is always a healthy way to go... Don’t fret on it too much, it’ll happen, especially with those mile long walks! Wow Rufus! You really are a go go kinda dawg! We would love to see the pictures!
How wonderful that he remains calm for the Chemo blood work etc. It makes the world of difference doesn’t it? Stewie would get two pills to calm his anxiety before any visit and he was a true gentleman every time! Except for the last time when he spit out one of his pills and I found it that night under one of his Hedgie toys! What a complete brat!
rochar21 said
...so in about a month we'll be ahead and can get that bed! I rhymed so time to drop the mic. Talk to y'all later.
You’re a poet and didn’t even know it! 😝 Good one! Rufus will love his new bed for Christmas!
Sloppy kisses from Super Stu and his merry Pack! ❤️❤️❤️
So many wonderful milestones to celebrate!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
HAPPY EIGHTH VIRTHDAY RUFUS AND MANY MORE TO COME!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
HAPPY ONE MONTH AMUPUVERSAY AND MANY MORE TO COME!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
HAPPY FIT AND TRIM WEIGH-IN!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
You keep rocking SUOER STSR TOUGH GUY RUFUS!!
Surely you got a scoop.of low fat ice cream to celebrate all these great milestones!! Topped with frozen peas of course! 🙂
Lots of hugs weet voy
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!
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