Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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reilly95 said
Purrkins said
Welcome Rusty & Gina,I’m sorry to hear about Rusty is this a VAS?
We are waiting on the test results back from the leg for more information.
Well. just got the dreaded call from the vet about the biopsy results: Hemangiosarcoma
Positives: They didn't see anything else in the xrays and ultrasounds before amputation surgery so there is a good chance it was all removed.
Negative: While found mostly in dogs, it can be an aggressive cancer.
Rusty's follow-up for removal of stitches and my meeting with oncologist will be this Thursday. We have talked about this as a family. We will listen to what they have to say but highly set against the idea of Chemo and Radiation for the little guy. We figure if there was no sign of spreading before surgery, let us spoil him and give him the best quality of life possible, whether it be for months or years to come. He doesn't do well with meds as it is, I cannot imagine the little guy trying adjust as a tripawd cat while under going chemo that will not guarantee that he will never get the cancer.
I do not regret trying to help him by removing the leg but moments like this I wonder if we did the right thing?
Rusty "The Bunnyman" adopted us in 2014. Aug/Sept 2017, back left leg amputated (HSA cancer). He remained cancer free over 900 days. Cancer returned as of emergency visit on day 931. 15 days later, he gained his wings 04/18/2020 due to congestive heart failure. He will always watch over his fellow tripawds and their hoomins with Head Scritches and Sand Paper Kisses.
I’m so sorry about the diagnosis ,
Your not the first member with that diagnosis
Tripawd Tuesday TwoFer: Vinny and Elvis Pounce on Hemangiosarcoma
The thing with cats is we as a society are doing more for our cats, so we are learning more about all of these cancers. Likely before the animal was put down sadly .
As far as chemo goes just a fyi it is not the same for cats as it is in humans. Listen to what he onocologist has to say and then weigh the pros and cons and then decide! Did you see the recent article on chemo? I am in NO way pushing this just want you to be informed. You are right there is no guarantee either way, you guys will know what is right & best for Rusty!
Cat Cancer, Oncology and Radiation Realities, Part 1
More About Cat Cancer, Oncology and Radiation Therapy
I do not believe you made the wrong decision and once Rusty Is out of the cage and moving I truly believe in my heart you will know you did the right thing! This is so early in recovery & it is easy to question ourselves!
We do this out of love to give them the best shot at a quality of life! None of us have that crystal ball we just have to make the best decisions with the crappy cancer cards we are dealt!
You absolutely did and no matter what you decide from here is ok there is no wrong or right decision, no guarantees, your making the decision out of love for Rusty!! You got rid of Rusty’s pain for now and possibly the cancer!! Rusty will have a quality of life on 3!
Purrkins is over 1 year post amp and I doubted our decision the first hour home & never since! No matter what our future holds I am so grateful for everyday we see Purrkins enjoy his life on 3 !! Purrkin's wasn't ready to leave this earth either was Rusty!!
Please let us know what the Onco says.
HUGS & extra treats for Rusty
Holly & Purrkins
Rusty Update: medically speaking there has been no update and I do not expect one until we see the vet and oncologist on Thursday. My cousin who is a retired teacher has a student who is a vet now and he's going to get additional information for me. That way we can make the best decision possible.
Four more days of cage living and cone living. He still purrs every time we open the cage to feed, clean litter boxes, and give him loving. He tries to casually walk past us out of the cage and into the room and is quite annoyed when we stop him. Nick describes it like the person casually looking at the bouncer as they try to sneak into a club.
The incision looks like it's healing. I am hoping that when the stitches come out, the cones stay off. I think that would help everyone greatly. At that point we also figure we can let him move around the bedroom. We have stairs set up going up to the bed and going up to my nightstand that's in front of the window.
Thank you everyone for all of your support.
Rusty "The Bunnyman" adopted us in 2014. Aug/Sept 2017, back left leg amputated (HSA cancer). He remained cancer free over 900 days. Cancer returned as of emergency visit on day 931. 15 days later, he gained his wings 04/18/2020 due to congestive heart failure. He will always watch over his fellow tripawds and their hoomins with Head Scritches and Sand Paper Kisses.
Rusty is doing great no escape even though he soooo wants too! His cone is still on, he is eating, purring using the litter all huge !!
Purrkins was a free kitty in all ways after his stitches were out! No more onesie and free to be in the house !
I’m thinking you will get the all free cage & cone free too!
Please keep us posted we would love to hear when Rusty is a free kitty again!
Rusty hang tight 4 more days !! It’s coming buddy!
Hugs,
Holly & Purrkins
Holding steady can be a good thing! 🙂 🙂
Glad tat there is a Vet friend who can you and Rusty navigate through all this.
And Rusty, you'd better ovey the BOUNCER!!! They can get crazy with their power sometimes!
Hugs to all
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!
And Rusty, you'd better ovey the BOUNCER!!! They can get crazy with their power sometimes!
I wish I knew how to post pictures here! I swear Rusty heard your message when I was reading it to Nick. We had a jail break last night 
. The cage is in the bedroom with the bedroom door closed, so he didn't get very far but Rusty did push past his Daddy Nick when I was cleaning out the litter box. We were very glad we had already put down the foam exercise tiles on the bedroom floor and had blocked under the bed with blankets. Rusty probably would have gone under the bed if he could because he was looking under there. He was walking around pretty well. He was walking around, no army crawl, and seemed quite pleased with himself. Plopped down a few times, rested then got up again. He got very annoyed with me because I wouldn't let him leave the bedroom. We have a pocket door going from the bedroom to hall and he plastered his body against it when I left the room to get new blankets and food for his crate. (I figured I might as well take advantage of the fact that he wasn't in the cage and clean it out.) Eventually he walked back towards his cage and, as the evil mommy, I guided him back in.
It did make me realize that it is not going to be easy keeping him confined to my bedroom once the stitches are out and the cone is off. I need to get the rest of the house tripawd catified over the next two days. I am thinking mainly of getting some runners for him while he walking around, move the dining room chairs that he always jumped up on to one side of the table and adding in the pet steps so he can get up and down easier. Reading the different forums, that seems to be the biggest thing-giving them different ways of getting to where they used to jump to so they don't hurt themselves.
Side note: He has been using the litter box to piddle all week but had only did his other business one time. Well he made up for that yesterday. I swear he invited the neighbor's dog in to use the box based on the amount! Never thought I would be so happy to see a poopie!! 
49 hours until he gets packed up into his travel bag and we go for stitch removal.
Rusty "The Bunnyman" adopted us in 2014. Aug/Sept 2017, back left leg amputated (HSA cancer). He remained cancer free over 900 days. Cancer returned as of emergency visit on day 931. 15 days later, he gained his wings 04/18/2020 due to congestive heart failure. He will always watch over his fellow tripawds and their hoomins with Head Scritches and Sand Paper Kisses.
Here is how you post photos in the forums- they have to be hosted somewhere online. You can open a free blog and use it for photo storage if you do not want to blog. It's nice to have either way!
Rusty OMC well can you blame him? Just saying !
It was torture keeping Purrkins in the room for 14 days I understand totally!! Purrkins was relentless! This is Showing you & Daddy Nick, Rusty is doing great & going to be fine!! It's one of those moments you are proud and petrified both double sworded ! You will have many of those moments. You guys are doing great and yep tripawd proof the house because in 2 days Rusty gets to return to normal kitty behaviors;) Your doing great adding steps and changing furniture around , adding rugs, mats etc. All will make Rusty life easier on him & SAFER for him. We took the spare we need to protect the 3. You will find things you didn't think of as they happen and just watch things closely when he is free guy and address whatever needs addressed. He will show you!!
We should of warned you on the no pooping sorry we didn't yep normal not to poop on meds. We celebrate both the pee & the poops we know the feeling !! Not to mention in the box He should be back to normal now on the smell and routine of pooping!!
Cant wait to see photos if you need further help say we will help you figure it out!
Glad to hear Rusty is back to being himself even if he did the escape!! 
Rusty was just stretching his legs Good job on stuffing the bed too!!
Holly & Purrkins
Purrkins said
Here is how you post photos in the forums- they have to be hosted somewhere online. You can open a free blog and use it for photo storage if you do not want to blog. It's nice to have either way!
Thank you so much! It worked.
First- Original wound when he first came home. Second-This week, healing nicely I think!!
Just before the Jail break
This cone worked great for him, well at least for Mommy and Daddy. Tied on with a collar AND gauze!!
He actually runs (or trots) to the edge of the crate to try to push his way out.
Rusty "The Bunnyman" adopted us in 2014. Aug/Sept 2017, back left leg amputated (HSA cancer). He remained cancer free over 900 days. Cancer returned as of emergency visit on day 931. 15 days later, he gained his wings 04/18/2020 due to congestive heart failure. He will always watch over his fellow tripawds and their hoomins with Head Scritches and Sand Paper Kisses.
Way to go on the photos You guys have the room set up PURRFECT!! We did the exercise mats too😍! Loved them!! Rusty will Love them and the steps to the window seat !! And to the bed BRAVO Mom & Dad!! His incision looks great from what I can see, looks like it's time to get them out and let Rusty out!!! He is a CUTIE want to smooch his little face! Great to know that cone worked Thanks for sharing that does it have a name or just soft cone so we can suggest in the future for others who may have the same issues.
Rusty is going to do great I can't wait for him to get his cone off and explore he will show you both he is going to do great. You guys are prepared and that is really helpful!! GREAT job!!!
Purrkins said
Great to know that cone worked Thanks for sharing that does it have a name or just soft cone so we can suggest in the future for others who may have the same issues.
The Comfy Cone Pet Recovery Collar by All Four Paws, Small, Black
Size small is what I got for him. He is a 10 pound cat. So I would say medium build. We have it attached with a normal cat collar (actually the breakaway style cat collar) As well as cause tied around like a ribbon. The way that it closes is with Velcro so that was added security as well.
Rusty "The Bunnyman" adopted us in 2014. Aug/Sept 2017, back left leg amputated (HSA cancer). He remained cancer free over 900 days. Cancer returned as of emergency visit on day 931. 15 days later, he gained his wings 04/18/2020 due to congestive heart failure. He will always watch over his fellow tripawds and their hoomins with Head Scritches and Sand Paper Kisses.
Thank you for letting us know this will help other kitties in the future I have no doubt!!
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins
reilly95 said
Purrkins said
Great to know that cone worked Thanks for sharing that does it have a name or just soft cone so we can suggest in the future for others who may have the same issues.The Comfy Cone Pet Recovery Collar by All Four Paws, Small, Black
Size small is what I got for him. He is a 10 pound cat. So I would say medium build. We have it attached with a normal cat collar (actually the breakaway style cat collar) As well as cause tied around like a ribbon. The way that it closes is with Velcro so that was added security as well.
Sorry meant GAUZE
Rusty "The Bunnyman" adopted us in 2014. Aug/Sept 2017, back left leg amputated (HSA cancer). He remained cancer free over 900 days. Cancer returned as of emergency visit on day 931. 15 days later, he gained his wings 04/18/2020 due to congestive heart failure. He will always watch over his fellow tripawds and their hoomins with Head Scritches and Sand Paper Kisses.
RUSTY!!! OMC!!! You are quite a little spitfire!! 🙂 Strong willed and determined and cute as a button!! 🙂
As usuaw, Holly and Purkins have given invaluable tips!
This is a great set up you have for Rusty! He's a very lucky boy! He probably doesn't appreciate it as much as he should...but we sure recognize is as being quite luxurious!
Lots of hugs to all!
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!
What a cutie! Oh my gosh I'm so happy you figured out the image uploading, Rusty is just a darling kitty!
Sounds like he's doing sooooo well overall. I hope any regrets you were feeling are fading away as you see him get back to normal with every passing day. The recovery is pretty normal it seems and the fact that Rusty is doing his business and acting feisty are all good things. I think once his stitches are out you should be able to expand his boundaries and let him out of his jail cell a bit, but of course only you know if he's ready.
I think you need to start a TriKitty blog, these pics are great.
Thanks as always for the pawesome tips, Holly!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
reilly95 said
Sorry meant GAUZE
We knew that thank you 🙂 We can read pretty much anything & know what it means LOL Good to note because not everyone will know & read like we do.
Rusty 1 more night buddy and no more bars or cone!! Let us know how it goes please!
Hugs & Chin & ear scratches to Rusty
Holly & Purrkins
P.S. I replied to you on Purrkins blog😉
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