TRIPAWDS: Home to 22974 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
Izzy's Bucket List
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Durham, NC
Member Since:
16 September 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
24 March 2017 - 6:10 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Tripawd friends, it seems that the time has come to build my big, beautiful, brave, bouncy bulldog her very own bucket list. Try as we may to get her tumor under control, it has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few days. We're trying to get her in for radiation at NC State, but they've been having computer issues and didn't receive the referral the first two times it was sent, resulting in a week delay in getting an appointment. We are still 10 days out from when they can see her for consult and her oncologist went so far as to call the OTHER specialty hospital in the area today to see if they can get her in sooner.

Time, as always, is of the essence. 

The alternate radiation provider didn't get back to Izzy's onco today, so we'll wait for news. She's scheduled for a second dose of vinblastine and, if we get two more weeks, won't bother with the CCNU. It isn't effective. Izzy's foot is smelly and appears to be painful; she is panting tonight when she walks. Since there is nothing wrong with her lungs, well ... my guess is that's the only sign my girl will give us that she's hurting. We'll increase her gabapentin to three times a day, I'll dress her foot with manuka honey bandages and a bottle of Apocaps are on the way, arriving tomorrow. It's just a ten day supply, but that will be long enough to know if I should bother buying more.

My heart feels like it's breaking even though I've known for a long time that I was only buying her a little time. We had such success with Palladia and we ALL (doctors included) were so optimistic that we could manage this long-term but ever since she got hold of her foot while I was on vacation, it's been a steep, uphill climb. 

So I've decided that it's time to make a short bucket list for my girl. I'm so glad it's supposed to be sunny and warm this weekend; I'll be able to take her outside to bask in the sun, which she's always enjoyed but even moreso as an "old lady". Reed (her poppa) and I were planning a to take her to the beach for a weekend, but our schedules won't allow that for a few weeks and, well, I'm not sure we'll have time. 

So now is when I need the brainpower of the Tripawd Nation. Help me come up with a bucket list for my beautiful Izzy, keeping in mind that I can't take her cross-country or do anything too crazy. We may have only weeks, so stick to the REALLY good stuff. Is there anything you wish you'd done with your pup while you had the chance? Anything you're super grateful you were able to do? 

Izzy started the list below, and some items were already accomplished earlier in life (Brewster's doggie sundae!) or withing the past weeks (going to an Irish pub). Of course, I want to take my girl to see as many of her "people" as I can and fortunately, most of them live right here these days, so that part will hopefully be easy. 

Here we go:

  1. Enjoy a night out at the pub with friends. (DONE! Thanks to Doherty's Irish Pub in Cary, NC)
  2. Get a Puppacino at Starbucks with mom. Consume on patio. Get loved on by total strangers for being so cute.
  3. Lay in the sun at a public park so more strangers can pet me.
  4. Peanut butter. Lots of peanut butter.
  5. ... ?

Now it's your turn. Ready, set, GO!

With an ever-grateful heart, 

~ Amy (& Izzy, too) heart

Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
24 March 2017 - 8:52 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Okay, first of all, I'm giving you a "photo" from a brand of Manuka Honey that's in Amazon. Read the "title description"'and you'll see all the important things that certify the Manuka Honey is highest grade and most effective for healing.

The UMF # is important, along with the other things mentioned. The one I took the picture of is UMF 20. Yes, it's crazy expensive. A UMF 15 is less expensive and still a high quality.

Check the Manuka Honey you are using as see if the label has this information.

Okay, now, onto Izzy's Bucket List! This is ALWAYS a good idea to do Bucket Lists ALL THE TIME and to make EVERYDAY YOUR DOG OR CAT's DAY! So, I want to add some suggestions, not because her "time may be short", rather because everday needs to be IZZY DAY! Everyday needs to be BUCKET LIST DAY becauxe that's ALWAYS how we should live each day with our dogs and cats!

I'm going to try and actually find a video I made of some of the things Happy Hannah personally picked out for her Bucket List. I think Izzy will like some of the things she picked!

I'll be back.

Oh, one more thing. A suggestion that DaBears made here as a way to get a quixker appointment. I think I have this right. Take your dog or cat to an ER clinic and they have a way of getting appointments with Specialist when others can't!

If you can get that appointment with the Radiologist quickly, you may have a reason to be more optimistic!! Paws crossed!!!

Lots of love and hugs! Izzy wants to hang around for awhile must to see how much more spoiling you can possibly do!! 🙂

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!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
24 March 2017 - 9:03 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Here's the manuka honey pic

Screenshot_2017-03-24-22-24-25_zpsulbcfqen-2.jpgImage Enlarger

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!

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
24 March 2017 - 9:53 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I loved that we were able to take Murphy to the PuppyUp walk in Illinois last year.  Along with meeting so many people from here, it was his 1st road trip, 1st stay in a hotel and his 1st time riding in an elevator ... so those were some pretty good bucket list things big-grin

What about swimming in a pool?  (although Murphy would hate that!  lol)  You could put her foot in a baggie to protect it.

Donna

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png

Durham, NC
Member Since:
16 September 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
24 March 2017 - 9:54 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thanks, Sally! I ordered 20+ raw Manuka honey and also Medihoney dressings. I figure I can send those in to the vet on days they are seeing her for a bandage change.

I've definitely been trying to make every day and Izzy day but want to make sure I pack as much in as I can. Tonight, she had carrots and popcorn (not together) and is snoring in bed next to me. Reed is allergic to her, so I have to change the sheets and put an extra protective layer so it doesn't dog the bed up too much!

I'm hoping we can make some progress. Just need it to shrink a bit - ike the vet says, there's nothing else wrong with her ... and if only she still had four legs we could beat this!

Image Enlarger

Image Enlarger

Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.

Durham, NC
Member Since:
16 September 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
24 March 2017 - 9:57 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Oh Donna, Izzy "swam" once as a young dog. Did *not* go well lol ... actually, someone posted his recollection of that event on my FB page tonight!

Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
24 March 2017 - 10:07 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

THAAAAAT FACE!!!! THOSE EYES!!! STOP IT IZZY!! THE CUTENESS OVERLOAD IS MELTING MY HEART!!!!

Don't mean to be a pain in the butt about this...but it has to say UMF in front of the number.

Okay...going back thru Happy Hannah's "archives" so you can show Izzy her bucket. Warning: Once Izzy sees it, yoy may have a hard time kt letting her have some of those things!

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!

Michigan
Member Since:
2 April 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
24 March 2017 - 10:08 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

lol  We have a pool & the dogs will walk around it on the deck, but none of them have tried to get into it.  When we first moved in, my son & I put the solar cover on when we bought it and Cassie must have thought it was solid, so she stepped onto it ...down she went!  I reached down, grabbed her by the scruff (she's 65 lbs) & hauled her up 1-handed!  Then another time our daughter's dog was here...Rodney really, really liked Murphy...my husband was on the deck doing something..Cassie went up with him, Murphy went the other way & Rodney followed him and he got trapped because the solar cover was up on the deck..so Murphy decided to head towards my husband!  My husband jumped in pretty quickly to grab him out lol 

These darn dogs!

Donna, Glenn & Murphy 

Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17  
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs

Donna.png

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
24 March 2017 - 10:24 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Okay Izzy! Show this to your Mom and send her out shopping with your list! 🙂

https://www.you.....h_uXERPWD4

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!

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
24 March 2017 - 11:25 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I'll have to thing about this a bit, but two things come to mind right off-

Eat lots of those 'only once in awhile' foods, assuming they don't cause any problems. 

Take lots of special pics with special people and pups. Get those family photos done- some people here have gone the professional photographer route, but at least get some good family photos.  Maybe not a highlight for Izzy, but maybe add in some extra treats and make it fun.  Those photos will be priceless!

Karen

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Member Since:
14 February 2016
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
25 March 2017 - 5:16 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Rare steak straight off the grill, once cool enough to eat.  Lots of sitting in the sunshine outside.  She should probably enter the spaghetti contest thread too, and maybe the spoon one as well.  Take some selfies with her.  And fill your blog with lots of photos.  I really love going back through my blog pictures.  At least until the sad part.

And sorry to be nosey, but is Reed the significant other who moved out?  Is he back to care for Izzy or is this a happy ending?  Ignore this question if none of my business. . .

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

London, UK


Member Since:
15 December 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
12
25 March 2017 - 7:07 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Ditto the above. My Billie was pre-smartphone, or pre my having a smartphone anyway, so the few bits of video I have of her are incredibly precious. Maybe compile a video of Izzy doing her favourite things in her favourite places? That wagging tail clip was so wonderful.

Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

Durham, NC
Member Since:
16 September 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
13
25 March 2017 - 7:15 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

benny55 said
Okay Izzy! Show this to your Mom and send her out shopping with your list! 🙂

This has got to be the CUTEST thing I've ever seen!

Popcorn is totally on Izzy's list! My friend Maria suggested that I make her meatballs and Izzy totally agreed. We'll keep work8ng on it!

Karen, my dear friend Kate is a photographer and she took so some shots of izzy last June, right after we discovered the MCT and started treatment. We definitely hope to have another visit with Auntie Kate but I've definitely been taking lots of photos and video. I need to get some pics of me with my girl, too. Good idea!

I hope the weather cooperates with me and acts like SPRING - not summer - so Izzy can ride to work with me a lot. She isn't allowed inside but there's lots of shade and a lake, so it's easy to just roll the windows down and let her sleep in the sun. She likes to have visitors and there'should always people out and about. Just seems like a happier way to spend her days instead of home alone for 8+ hours. Paws crossed!

Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.

Durham, NC
Member Since:
16 September 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
14
25 March 2017 - 7:56 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Christine, I didn't refresh the page before posting so missed your comment. YES to steak and selfish! Reed is the s/o who moved out. We've been trying to make it work and are generally happier not sharing a home. (His teenager is a big piece in that puzzle).

I need to check out this spaghetti eating contest thing. I haven't had time to surf all the postings lately but definitely will check it out. Also wish that I had started a Blog long ago but I can always search the forums and copy my posts into one.

Clare, I am not much of a video editor but I'm trying to capture her doing as many of the cute things she always does as I can. Caught her barking in her sleep this morning, which always cracks me up. She's so ferocious when she's sleeping!

Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.

Member Since:
2 December 2016
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
15
25 March 2017 - 9:49 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

IZZZZZYYYYYYYBELLEOFTHEBALL!!! So...you load up in the car and drive to NC State's ER room which is open 24/7. Once there, your mum can be very specific about how THAT foot needs help ASAP and is PAINFUL, etc. Those vets will assess with the other services and get a move on ASAP ( waaaaaaaaay before 10 days). Vet Schools keep extra appointments on the books each day for each service as needed for EMERGENCY cases coming in...sssshhhhhhhh. That will be our " little" TriPawds Nation secret! If NC State emergency vets and other services say Izzy you can wait, well, then, that is generally very, very good news because they do believe you are well enough not to need immediate services. And, if not, then you are 10 days ahead of a consult and then however long waiting for an appointment...IZZZZZZZZZZZYYYYYYYYY! You get yourself on the road to recovery and stop by the Steak 'N Shake on the way!!! Kisses, hugs, best wishes, and huge PyrPaws all around!

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 230
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17735
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256809
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG