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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Haha, yes Charon, the doctor said to drink more. To follow instructions I went home and had a glass of wine (I really did).
Karen, I promise no pictures - some things just have to remain private.
Anjl, I remember the stinky nub post!!! I was actually glad to see that, because Zeus has what we refer to as his "nubbin" (and what some other members laughed at me when I said it looks like an extra bumhole on his shoulder). Not sure why they left that - it's not bone, just looks like they gathered up the extra skin and sewed it together in a little pucker. It has shrunk alot since surgery, but I have to admit that I have sniffed it to be sure it's not catching dirt and getting smelly. I cannot believe I just admitted that. 
Thank you all for your good wishes!
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
You could add water to his food or mix in cooked chicken to increase water consumption. I am glad he did not have crystals or infection.
Pam
You can also add low sodium chicken or beef broth too to help increase water consumption.
Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers to Zeus!
Hugs and chocolate labby kisses,
Ellen & Charley
Charley's Blog:Â CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab Â
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
Thanks, everyone! Zeus has never been a big drinker, so this is challenging to us. Right now we are having a bit of luck with crushed ice, but I am sure that will get old to him. Pam, I've always heard of chicken for upset stomach, but never thought of it to add water! Thanks for all the suggestions!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
I am thrilled to report that the snow solved our dilemma. As much as Zeus HATES walking in the snow, he loves to eat it!! We got 9 inches Friday night/Sat morning and I'm surprised his brain is not frozen solid. We also added the cooked chicken to his diet. At least for today he seems to have normal pee! Gosh, how big of a dork am I to post because my dog's pee is normal? I just wanted to say thanks for all the suggestions!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Lisa,
I have a non-drinker here too. As a matter of fact, he'll only drink water from the outside dish! So annoying. But what my vet and Isabelle's mom told me was that can dog food was a great source for water. Not a fan of can food but I have made the switch to avoid him getting dehydrated.
Â
However, here's some tricks you can do for water consumption. Take some can food, chicken or beef, mix with water and freeze in small bowls (ramekins or something). We do that with yogurt and water also (plain yogurt). If he doesn't like yogurt, you can add a dollop of peanut butter on top. My little guy likes it just fine. We even had members here take tuna in a can water and freeze it.
Â
During the summer months, I always freeze some can food with water and give it as a nightly treat. He's none the wiser that it is really for the water!
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.
*We* are the bigger dorks, cuz we get excited that you posted that your dog's pee is normal.
🙂
Hooray for Zeus and normal pee!
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Now Lisa,
You should have figured out what a bunch of dorks we are in this community already!! Remember, we celebrate the first post-op pee and poop with a happy dance. We have so much other stuff to be worried about with our Tripawds. Other people might consider it mundane but we are going to be excited about 'normal' pee!!
Yea Zeus- way to um... pee clear!
Â
Karen and the pugapalooza
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