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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I found this website a few months ago when going through diagnosis and eventual surgery w/ my 4 yr old chocolate lab - Jack. It was a long road to diagnosis - about 8 months from the first biopsy - but finally got the diagnosis of chondrosarcoma in his left greater trochanter - i was devestated but pulled myself up with his help and went ahead w/ the amputation of his left rear leg on September 10. He was amazing - didn't miss a beat - we were out hiking 10 days post-op! Started slow but in no time we were doing our usual length hikes, he was swimming and fetching his tennis balls!!
His prognosis was supposed to be good. Lungs clear before surgery - chondrosarcoma not a real aggressive cancer - can be curative with removal. All was great until this past week. He was a bit off to me - still eating, walking/hiking w/out problems, etc... but wasn't his usual goofy self. I took him to the vet this morning and got the bad news. He has tumors in his lung now. Though the vet is not ruling out the possibility that its an infection or some sort of allergic reaction, her gut tells her its the cancer. He is on antihistamines and antibiotics. We go back after 3 days of meds for another x-ray to compare and see if the meds do anything.
I'm a complete wreck. Jack has been w/ me through some incredibly rough times and always helped me through them - in his 4 short years he has taught me so much. I'm devestated and scared. I live alone and am petrified as to what may be coming in the next few days or weeks.
I guess I'm just looking for some support out there. I spent most of the day just sitting and watching him breathe. I just don't know what to do with myself or him. This happened so incredibly quickly - we were hiking on Thursday morning and he did great - no problems at all! I tried to take him for a short walk this afternoon and he did not do well. I am blessed to have a great vet and some great friends but as I sit here alone this evening I feel like I'm going to fall apart.
jacksmom said:
I guess I’m just looking for some support out there.
You'll find plenty of support here, where you are not alone, by any means ... we all know what you're going through.
Sadly, the cancer does return. In some dogs, much faster than others. The best thing you can do for Jack, is to remain strong and do your homework. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. And above all, live every day to the fullest.
Read about the metronomic protocol therapy I was put on when my people discovered my lung mets. And be sure to check out Buster's recent comments. He too had chondrosarcoma and his mom recently discovered lung mets.
Like I said, you're not alone here. Thank you for registerring and joining the discussion.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for such a prompt reply Jerry. Helps to know there are others out there that care and understand what I am going through. I am a complete wreck.
I happened upon Buster's story after posting mine. Unreal.
Hi Jack's Mom,
I'm here for you, too. I, also, live alone with my little 9 year old miniature poodle named Blazer & a 12 year old kitty named Kimber. They are my life. About 6 years ago I lost my beloved wire-haired dachshund, Drucy, to a tumor on her para-thyroid gland. I did everything in the world to try to save her life, but she finally succumbed to kidney failure and grand mal seizures. It was an extremely difficult time for me to go through, especially since I do live alone, as you do. I rescued Blazer 6 months after Drucy passed onto the "Bridge" from a certain fate of euthanasia because he was labelled a "biter"; I wasn't ready for another dog, but he needed help desperately and I'm so glad I was able to give him a home. I found that my heart was, indeed, huge enough to love both Drucy and Blazer. I wasn't sure that was possible. Please know that you are more than welcome to email me at any time: vriss@comcast.net if you just feel like you need a friend and some support. I'm a great listener and would be more than happy to offer you solace in your time of need.
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
Hi Jack's mom,
I'm so sorry it sounds like it's moved into his lungs...everyone here really does know what you're going through. My boy Barley was 11 when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and we were lucky to have 8 happy more months with him after his amputation. When he started coughing I knew that it was bad news. He was always in such good spirits...as you describe Jack, his goofy self...that I almost forgot that he was still battling cancer, until he started coughing. My heart just broke. One day it just hit me and I couldn't stop crying. I didn't know how I would ever stop crying, or how the world was ever going to feel like an ok place again. Barley really was my best friend.
My husband told me, "He's here now...go hug him right now. You'll have to do this someday, but you don't have to do it now." That really helped a lot -- and remembering that the thing Barley hated most was me being sad or upset. So I just smothered him with kisses as much as he'd let me; slept next to him at night; and yes, gave him ice cream and whipped cream and McDonald's burgers toward the end while he still enjoyed them.
Hugs to you and Jack 🙂
Carey
Jack & Mom,
You are not alone. This news is so devastating. I ,myself, go through different emotions. One minute I'm sad and the next I'm angry.. I might cry at the drop of a hat.
I've been taking lots of digital pictures through out the day. If you can, take some. At night, I go back and review them and I see Buster looks so happy right now. I know I am making the best of the remaining time he has left. They tell me I will know when the time comes and so will you.
I will include Jack in my prayers. Give him all the love that you can.
((sending you hugs ))
Kim&Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Thank you all for your posts. We had an ok night. I slept by him on the floor and we both managed to sleep ok - he is comfortable, just a couple coughing episodes. The change in him w/in a couple days is unreal to me - I imagine some of it has to do w/ the antihistamine and antibiotic he is on but it scares me. I was hiking w/ him 3 days ago!! I don't understand it. Now he is laying under the table - lifting his head if I go over to him or walk by but that's about it. He is still eating but not w/ the gusto he had just Friday night - I have to bring it to him where he is laying. I was going to go buy him a steak or two - that's ok, right? To spoil him with whatever he wants to eat?
Vicki - I sent you an e-mail
Carey - i see you too had a chocolate lab. Am I going to survive this? This guy is my heart. I want to do what is right for him though. How quickly did Barley decline? I don't want to stir up bad memories but I'm amazed at how fast he went from running on the trail Thursday morning, scarfing down his dinner Friday night to laying under my dining room table all day and barely wanting to go outside. I'm trying to remember living in the present and give him kisses and pets but i'm also getting upset and don't want to upset him. He also seems to get a bit more restless when I lay next to him and pet him. I just don't know what to do with him or myself.
Kim - thanks for your message. You seem so strong. I had also gone to Penn with Jack - they missed his diagnosis. Another thing that kills me - what if they caught it when I first took him - 6 months before he finally got diagnosed. I am trying to stay in the present so i can enjoy what time we have left. I'm just so incredibly sad though and it doesn't help w/ it being holiday time. I've been praying for the strength to do what is best for him.
Wow - sorry for the ramble.
Kristen
Hi Kristen - I am sooooo heartbroken hearing your news and Kim's. Zeus is 8 months post op and doing well...no mets yet and we just had a check up a few weeks ago. This was a reminder for me to not take that for granted.
I understand your love...Zeus was also there for me at the darkest time in my life...he helped pull me out of it...he gave me a reason to live. Our bond is one that can never be broken or surpassed and I cannot imagine life without him though intellectually I know that day will come...one day, but not today.
I like what jerry said about living each day to the fullest...and I can only imagine the thoughts that run through your head as you try to do that. I am so very sorry. The most important thing is that you are not alone...even if you live alone. Try to calm yourself - maybe through meditation or deep breathing...Jack will pick up on your fear. Reach out here - it's a calming place to be when you feel lost about what is happening to your best friend.
Here is my email address too: hkourcklas@comcast.net
I have access to my email all day - except when sleeping of course - so please don't hesitate to write if you need to chat.
Much love and many, many, many puppy prayers.
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
jacksmom said:
... I was going to go buy him a steak or two - that’s ok, right? To spoil him with whatever he wants to eat?
By all means yes! When I stopped eating, my people gave me ground buffalo and elk meat to help improve my appetite! Remember, it's all about quality of life at this point.
Bless you for all you're doing for Jack. You will survive, and you're not rambling. That's what these forums are for!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Barley said:
My boy Barley was 11 when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and we were lucky to have 8 happy more months with him after his amputation.
Carey, it's so great to hear from you. Thanks for checking in and sharing Barley's story with others, we know it's a great comfort to hear from others who have been there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This is the toughest time for me. Night time... Jack has settled in for the night. Did well today - seemed a bit improved. Was up more, greeted my friend when she came to see me and even begged for food!! I spoiled him with some vanilla ice cream and ground beef for dinner. I'm starting to feel extremely anxious about my follow up appointment with him on Tuesday. I do need to take it one day at a time -- get through Monday before I start worrying about Tuesday...I'm just not very good at that. I have this awful fear that I'm going to have to make some tough decisions on Tuesday. Ugh, I dunno. I'm not going to work tomorrow, can't bear to leave him. I can't even bear to think about Christmas - I still have shopping to do...but I don't want to leave him alone....
My opinion? Screw the shopping...people with understand and if they don't...too bad. I was at the mall this afternoon finishing up mine all the while thinking about you, Jack, Kim and Buster and looked around at all the hustling and bustling...the rudeness of people and the unimportance of it all. This is NOT what Christmas is all about...it's about Christ's birth (for those of us who are christians), but it's also about love, family, faith and belief in a greater Power.
Jack is your family and he needs you and you need him. If you don't want to leave him to shop...then don't. There will be time for that later. See if he's up for a walk tomorrow in the fresh air...it may do both of you some good. Rent a few movies and take a nap...tuesday will come when it comes and you can deal with it then. Right now, just be...be with Jack and you won't regret it.
Much love,
Heather
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Jack & Kristen,
Heather is so right about Christmas . I'm glad she said it because I was starting to think I was getting cynical. Tis the season to be rude! I am not celebrating the commercial aspect this year just the spirit! You do what feels right to you & Jack. People will understand. We are under tremendous stress right now, compounded by the holidays. Be good to yourself right now and reconnect with Jack to hear what he is saying...
As far as the question in regard to early diagnoses, I've had the same thoughts. I recently started to ask myself about the previous house I lived in should I have had it tested for radon, then I wonder about the previous lawn treatments.These are negative and can't help us to help our babies right now. I am blocking them out of my head . We love our dogs and it's not anyone's fault but cancer's.
As far as your next visit on Tuesday. Have a game plan for Jack's case. We love our fur babies so much, and don't won't them to suffer. Stay strong for your baby, Jack. It's in God's hands, it always was. Please tell Jack about Buster...
Love,
Kim&Buster
Kim & Angel Buster
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened."
–Anatole France
Thanks so much Heather and Kim. I have been avoiding stores as best I can - I did run to Barnes and Noble to pick up something for my niece yesterday and about bursted out in tears in the middle of the store. Had to do some deep breathing exercises to compose myself. I have zero interest in having to deal with that again.
I've been spending so much time watching Jack. It brings tears to my eyes, I love him so much. He's done so much for me and I've learned so much from him. I feel blessed we found each other - even if it is for a short time...I'm glad I'm the one who has him to care for him...and I'm glad he was here for me during some rough times. With all this in mind and with trusting my vet, I hope to be able to make the right decision when the time comes. I will take Monday as it comes. I hope he continues to improve and is up for a walk. Wow - I hate this. And just this past Thursday he hopped in my car and we went for a hike....it makes no sense.... I keep saying that as if I keep saying it, at some point, it will start to make sense... ugh....ok, I'm going to "just be"... excellent advice....
Kim - I will tell Jack about Buster...unbelievable we are dealing with this at the same time....you are both in my prayers...
I'm not sure it will ever make sense...to any of us.
One of my favorite prayers,
'God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference'
No matter what Tuesday brings...you will not be alone...nor will Jack...He will be there with you, trust in that and have faith as best as you can right now. We will be right there with you too.
Big hug. Try and get some rest.
Love, Heather
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
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