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'm not sure how I missed these posts! Glad to hear Chloe is back home and doing well (and snacking on moths!)!! Take care Chloe!! We're keeping you in our thoughts!
Ohhh Chloe! You look like such a cooperative, sweet patient! I think you look fantastic, you really do. Keep enjoying the R&R and spoiling by Grandmaw, I know she really loves you a lot.
Glad to hear things are moving right along.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Nicole,
I'm glad Chloe is doing well and handled the surgery. I've been following your post, just haven't had much time to write lately.
The MAF walk is back in Los Gatos this year, I was hoping you and Chloe would be there. But I saw somewhere that you moved north?
Chloe's bandage reminds me of a pug story... some time during her Tri-pugness Maggie got a sore between the toes on her one rear foot, and I was having trouble getting it to heal. The vet looked at it, cleaned it up, and put a bandage on that looked sort of like Tani's favorite toy. I was sure she wouldn't... so I told Tani 'get squirrel!' She pounced on Mag's foot and tried to make it squeak 
. Of course it was so entertaining that I had to show the vet, the techs, the receptionist...
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I, too, just followed up here. Great posts! Great analysis. You're a "little" Type A, huh? Nice to have your company!
It sounds really good. I mean, you followed SO much advise. You've prepared. You've researched. And Chloe is doing OK! All good things. Let's hope her wound heals in a month, also. I know you'll keep that darn cone on and keep her clean and quiet. Good thing she's a senior gal vs a vigorous puppy, huh? Oh, the small triumphs.
SMILE! HUGS
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
What a roller-coaster! I'm so glad you thought it all through so carefully and decided on the best option for her. Sounds good so far, and she really does look like a sweetheart, bless her!
Don't forget that Manuka honey (preferably medical grade) can do wonders with open wounds. I use it often. I used it on my husband when his carpal tunnel incision developed an infection and the consultant surgeon was so impressed he's now recommending it to his patients. 
OK I am JUST catching up on all these posts. Chloe is SUCH a fighter huh? and i LOVE her pics with what appears to be her best friend? a kitty cat???
Sounds like you guys are a very tight knit family and Chloe has all the love and support in the world behind her!!!!! I think she's got this thing in the BAG!
Sending healing thoughts - keep us posted!
xoxo,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Thanks for all the pawsitive thoughts everyone
3/1/14 Biopsy Results Update
Been busy, so I'm only now getting around to writing the biopsy results of Chloe's tumor we received Thurs morning.
Grade 1 soft tissue sarcoma, low mitotic index. All I have to say is that I'm SO GLAD I followed my instincts because I had a feeling it was another soft tissue cancerous tumor. Honestly I had prepared myself for this as the likely outcome, so I was relieved for this result (but of course wished I was wrong and it was benign).
Future: What does this all mean? Well I asked the vet a bunch of questions since I know more about soft tissue sarcomas than my mom (again was on speakerphone with her and the vet). As for the tumor, there were some "dirty" margins since these types of tumors are locally aggressive, but with her very low mitotic results and low grade tumor, even if it grows back (which it likely will), there is less than 10% chance metastasizing to main body.
If/When it does start to grow back, it will likely start rearing its ugly tumor head in about a year. Because it may take that long to get back to what it was, Chloe likely has the best chance for living out the rest of her life with the least amount of cancer tumor burden as possible. This is grim to think about, but I'd rather have to put her down as a result of her heart murmur getting bad and heart close to failing (aka from "old age" since her particular heart murmur is a result of age-related valve degradation) than from the cancerous tumor making her life hell.
Walking: Even though the vet wanted Chloe confined for TWO WEEKS with minimal walking, Chloe cannot sit still even at the age of 13. She LOVES to go on walks, as slow as they are with sniffing every leaf and bush, and a few days ago was able to walk around the block without issue. Her wound probably hurts less and is not affecting her will to keep trucking on 3 legs as a senior gal. What a trooper! She does still get plenty of naps throughout the day though
Paws crossed her wound continues to heal well! Oh and she now has a bootie to wear to prevent it from getting wet during the rain storm we've been having up/down CA.
-Chloe's mom
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'm so impressed with that a devoted advocate you are for Chloe! This is the best news that anyone could hope for considering all of the circumstances.
She's one strong fighter, I have no doubt that she'll continue to thrive and love life for a long time to come.
Stay dry Chloe, no splashing in the puddles OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I've got some "warm fuzzie tears" flowingover here...for so manyreasons. Mostly for the depth of love you and your whole faimynhave for Chloe! The likelyhood of her crossing over from old age is absolutey spot on! And that is a not a grim thoght at all. She IS a winner and she will go out as a winner!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all herphotos! Keep 'em coming! She's quite the fashion diva in all her gear...quite stylish!!
Keep on keeping on Chloe! We're all cheering forya'! Big time cheering!!!
Love and hugs to all, including kitty!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Awwww! This is GREAT news! Ok, sure, benign would have been the best, but a low grade tumor is also pretty awesome. I know we're supposed to keep them quiet, but when a dog feels good enough to play or go for longer walks...isn't THAT what we're fighting for? I say, let her romp and let her nap deeply. Sounds like an ideal match to me.
Stay safe and dry over there!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Phew....though not a benign growth, the results were the next best possible scenario.
Chloe and you (and your Mom) are real troopers....she looks fantastic and obviously has bounced right back to her regular tripawd self.
Hope the wound continues to heal well....have a wonderful weekend.
Linda and Tucker
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