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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Oh Levi, it's just so nice to see your gorgeous happy self on video. You are an inspawration indeed!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Update! We are on our way back from Dogwood again and Remy got his second plasma transfusion. When we were re-bandaging at the vet, swelling has gone down, one area is starting to clot and the seroma is going down as well! Brusing is fading and gums are pink! Thank-you everyone for your thoughts and prayers! We are getting there! I just wonder how much more plasma is needed or if these trasfusions will do it. How much is normally used pre-op? Levi is a great inspiration for us, thanku for sharing! Your baby is pawsitivly beautiful! I have three Dobies total (Dixie and Pheonix are Remys sisters) and I will definitely be proactive if they ever need a surgery. I am going to discuss that with my vet when we go for our normal recheck tomorrow. I adore the breed and have worked with them for around 10 years...I really wish they were healthier dogs! (However, it could be that I have only had rescues that came from disgusting situations. Remy was born without the owner even knowing his mom, who he was watching for a friend, was pregnant.) Cross your fingers for more clotting!
Erica, I just wanted you to know, before Remys surgery, I watched your video on youtube...I never thought I would actually get to say thanku for putting that on there (I looked up Doberman/amputation and your dogs came up) and helping me through the actual decision of amputation before we did it! What a small world! -Marie
FANTASTIC! Paws crossed for an even better day, and week ahead! Yaaay!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, I am so happy you found my video's. That is why I posted them! It was such a horrific time for us when Levi was diagnosed. I was on the internet looking for information constantly...I'm glad we could help. Even though watching his videos makes me cry 
. We miss him terribly. Yes, I hope our little Koa is much healthier!
We are wishing you the best. Keep us posted!
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
Oh my! So much you and your dog been through! Really good everything seems to be better. I just want to say we wish you good luck and will be thinking of you! /Gunilla, Penny and Wilbur
Hey everyone! Yesterday we went for our recheck at the vet after I got off work and they gave us some hopeful news! His count had raised from 30 to 36 in one day! When we opened the bandage, there wasn't that much blood (considering it has to be wrapped for 12 hours, changed, the 12 more hours, to prevent the bleeding) coming through the outside. He did have a hole the size of a quarter bust through his staples in one problem area but it had lots of clotty stuff in it. Vet stapled it again after cleaning it and it only oozed! Two treatments of the plasma seem to have really helped! Swelling is almost gone from stomach and leg is now starting to swell, but we are massaging it to help with that. I feel bad that he is now getting sores from the bandages rubbing him. Poor baby has been to the vet for 6 days in a row. Luckily he loves going! I have been able to keep him home at night with me and take him to work, otherwise, I may have been more of a basketcase! I'm really learning a lot about nurse work! Saturday is our next blood check and cross ya'lls fingers it will be higher! Tomorrow is day 14 since amputation but it feels like months! His back leg is getting stronger and he doesn't need the help of the lift we got him anymore! Baby steps!
Great news! Yes, I can imagine that the last 14 days feels like months. It's been a difficult one for you. Hopefully, it is smooth sailing from now on.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Good update! Hopefully you have turned the corner now and are on the road to recovery.
You guys have earned so good news and good times!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hooray for a great update! I'm sure it's been a very long two weeks! I hope things go smooooth from here on out.
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
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!
Typically Greyhounds and other sighthounds get Amicar (aminocaproic acid) prior to major surgeries; this is medication you pick up at the pharmacy then also give for a few days post-op. Von Willebrand's disease is a separate disease that requires a plasma transfusion and other medication prior to surgery. There is a genetic test that can identify this disease and it is most common in Dobermans. Sighthounds can also get malignant hyperthermia during anesthesia and are sensitive to many narcotics.
Pam
Thank you for clarifying Dr. Pam!
I was on my cell yesterday trying to answer @Allie_2 about her Greyhound's unexpected passing, and I think I might have confused things. I posted your reply (which I assume was for her?) in her topic, here.
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