Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We had another of those 'what is THIS?' weeks. Reflecting on it, I thought sharing was in order. Trouble has been cancer free for 23 months. For all of you going 'Wow', don't think that has been 23 concern free months which is actually the point to my post.
The tripawd's job is to scare the pejeebers out of you every chance they get. If they think for a second you are becoming too complacent, they bring out the artillery. This can be in many forms and comes at random times. Suffice it to say, part of this is brought on by our own paranoia. Once you've done the cancer thing, you never stop looking for 'the signs'.
This week we (Bob) discovered a lump in Trouble's chest. Nothing huge, and had the same feel as the lipoma she had a few months back only smaller. I wasn't overly concerned, but thought we would check it out anyway. So off Troub and I go to see Dr F yesterday after work. After feeling and touching and talking, he pronounced her free and clear of any concern. The lump was a lymph node doing what lymph nodes are suppose to do. While she was there he also looked at a tiny warty thing on the back of her neck. No cause for concern there either. Just for good measure he gave her a thorough pat down - with the final words, 'take her home and don't worry, she's good'.
I have upped her Rimadyl to half a tablet daily for the last three days instead of every other day. She just wasn't getting around as well as I thought she should even after just coming off prednisone. This morning when we went out at mid-morning she wasn't ready to come back in until she made her trek out to the pampas grass at the far end of the front yard to check it out. So I know she is starting to feel better.
We are looking forward to a better week this week. Just remember, it is their job to keep you on your toes. And everything you find isn't a bad thing. Happy Tripawding!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I sure know what "they keep you on your toes" feels like, only for me it has nothing to do with cancer, just everything else!!!
Glad to hear Miss Trouble is still doing A Okay!!!!
-Nicole
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
I soooo get this! I just came back from the vets office with my 13 year old Sheppard. Her pancreas levels were severely elevated and they were talking CANCER. How can this be? Two in one house? After x-rays and whatnot it turns out that the food for Sammy was too intense for her and she needs old girl food. If it isn't one thing it is another. Thank goodness for the moments of non worry, may they come to us more often than not!
I miss the days when I wasn't always counting the days.
Hugs to you, may you not always have keep your game face on.
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
I'm so glad Trouble is good! And Sammy's sister, too!
The tripawd's job is to scare the pejeebers out of you every chance they get.
And if you need anymore proof look at me! I used to be a normal-acting human person before the 12 years of having a tripawd!!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
cometdog said:
And if you need anymore proof look at me! I used to be a normal-acting human person before the 12 years of having a tripawd!!
Are you really going to blame this on Comet? Although I do see your point. I've only done it for 2 years, I can't imagine doing it for 12!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Ruthie was only 5 when she was diagnosed.
My brain tells me to start taking 5 month old puppy Tess in for a complete body scan every year, if not more often. The things cancer does to your mind!
I've only had Duke in once for 'What is this?' I'm thinking I'm doing pretty good (or maybe I'm just over-focused on Troub).
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I know exactly what you mean about keeping us on our toes. There's all the stealthy prodding for lumps while petting; the heart hiccups over inexplicable (albeit fleeting) changes in gait, tired, less active days; digestive upsets and less than fully-formed poops; even changes in snoring. Good grief. I've been walking on my toes so much in the last nine months I have calves the size of basketballs.
And I think twenty-three months is still a huge WOW.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Since Maggie had several cutaneous mast cell tumors after her amp I was always on the lookout for new lumps. I can't tell you how many times I flipped her over on her back to check out a lump that was one of her old lady tits 
.
On the other hand- having dealt with a tri-pug cancer dog with all her other issues toward the end I find myself pretty nonchalant about most things that I used to get ulcers over... When new pug boy Obie ulcerated his cornea I gave him pain meds and antibiotic ointment (which of course I have in stock), and got him to the vet. The vet said 'this is really bad, he could lose his eye', and I just said 'yea, I know'.
Karen and the pugapalooza
I sooo relate to what you're saying! After everything we went through with Sadie, I feel absolutely confident and capable when it comes to our new tripawd adoptee Ranger. His aputation was due to being hit by a car, and he is a happy, healthy and he acts as if he's been here for years! Guess what my second thought was ( after "I'm the luckiest dog mom on the planet"?) Yeah, it was "OMD, what if he gets osteosarcoma? He's ALREADY a tripawd!" I never EVER had that thought with the other 5 rescue dogs we've had! Yep, the cancer thing really messes with your head 
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
P.S. Ge'Lena, do you have any proof of this "normal-acting human" stuff? 
P.P.S. Love 'ya 
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
hugapitbull said:
The tripawd's job is to scare the pejeebers out of you every chance they get. If they think for a second you are becoming too complacent, they bring out the artillery. This can be in many forms and comes at random times. Suffice it to say, part of this is brought on by our own paranoia. Once you've done the cancer thing, you never stop looking for 'the signs'.
We are looking forward to a better week this week. Just remember, it is their job to keep you on your toes. And everything you find isn't a bad thing. Happy Tripawding!
You are spot on Shanna. It seems every time I start to relax, something bad appears or happens to Fortis. But most of the time it has only been something that my mind has created out of fear or worry.
I'm so happy and relieved to know that Trouble is okay. I hope this coming week is great for one her and the family. Thanks for the update.
Your Texas Friends,
Fortis, Pattie, and Brett
One of the really great things about Miss Cherry was that she was always willing to lie in my lap and let me run my hand through her hair. Thus, I was able to detect many of the small lumps very early throughout all of her life. However, the osteosarcoma was a totally different thing growing within her foreleg. When I look back just after her initial diagnosis, I remebered that for a month or so before, her toe nails would drag ocassionally as we walked. I thought that it was just her age catching up with my little girl. Detailed discussions with my vet has convinced me that we could not have detected this cancer with any body scan even a few months before her diagnosis. It was that aggressive. Luckily, our chemotherapy stoped it in its tracks for a few months, but I also realize that chemotherapy is not always as successful.
So, loosing both Allie and Cherry in just twenty months to cancer, I am horribly aware of just how devistating it can be. Yes, when you are fighting cancer as so many of this community are presently, every little thing does scare you. However, remember to be thankful that they are still with you to scare you. I would give anything to have that scare from Miss Cherry now.
Ever grateful for my 409 days living with my Tripawd
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Har har har Lisa! I'll get my revenge when you become Nuttie Nellie about the 5 year mark with Ranger! I think about 1400th tripawd fall on the face did me in!
Fortisdad - when you have them 12 years, you start worrying when they feel good, too! Something must be wrong, she's running like a puppy!!! Quick! Someone take her temperature!
I hope, hope I'm not the only that does this - But when she is really quiet and sleeping hard, I check to see if she is still breathing!! That's not normal I know!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
It really wasn't my intent to confirm all the old timers were nut cases, but it's a great group to belong to!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
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