Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Alrighty folks, I should have posted about this last week, cause Gerry and I could use the pawsitive power of all you great tripawd pawrents out there – just in case.
Gerry once again takes after his big brother a little too much. He developed a small tumor just under the skin on his front left shoulder. I hear from Pam that there are several benign things that this could be. But we could use some crossed paws and prayers just in case!
The tumor was aspirated on Saturday and the vet did say it didn't look like mast cell, so hopefully that stays ruled out. He also noted that it was good that it was so small, easily removed. It was about the size of a chocloate chip, I'd say. This evening we had it removed. I'm glad it's off, though poor pup has another 12-14 days before he's suture free again. The vet said we'll have a diagnosis by the end of the week.
On the upside (strange that this is an upside) his vet bills are all mine now. I guess I can't officially say I have adopted him, because I haven't made the adoption donation. I have been told by the shelter person not to worry about it – yet. But whatever, I am his mom now. I bought him his own collar (he's been wearing Yoda's hand-me-down) and ordered him his own I.D. tag while he was having his surgery. No doubt he'll show them off soon in his blog.
Whatever it is, we'll get through it, with all your support ' class='wp-smiley' /> There's no money left after Yoda's cancer bills, but I'll protect his quality of life and at least he's out of shelters for however much time he's got! (Again, there really are plenty of benign possibilities, I just have to consider the worst).
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
YAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!! You have a new (almost official) baby! Congratulations, mom! We had a dog a couple years ago that got a small tumor when he was just a puppy (about 6 months or so). It was just a growth and is apparently fairly common. Wishing the best for you and Gerry 
<3 Laura and Jack
First ... Yay on adopting Gerry (even if not fully officially)!!!
Second ... I am so sorry you are having to go through this scary time with Gerry, when you should be celebrating! Our Basenji develops fatty tumors, hopefully Gerry's tumor will turn out to be something as harmless as that! We'll definitely keep our paws crossed for you and be thinking of you guys.
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
Hey Hopalong! One of my neighbors spotted you, it sounds like, haha. She was like, "I thought it was you and Gerry, but then I was like, no... that's a DIFFERENT three legged dog." Blew her mind.
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Gerry!
My heart dropped as low as it can drop when I saw your post. Crap - how can that Be?!? But it sounds like it is (most probably) a benign fatty lump. Isn't it? So I won't get too upset now. Please let us know as SOON as you find out.
Can your vet set up a fund for Gerry? Who knows? Maybe your buddies will kick in some doggy biscuits or something to help?!?
And thanks Laura and Jack!! We will be just as excited soon enough. Good news or bad, at least we can look forward to sutures being out once and for all in a couple weeks (knock wood - better not jinx myself there). Gerry would be celebrating already (he celebrates every day), even if I can't quite muster it, but right now he's still pretty drugged up from the surgery. Perked right up for his last walk of the night though. He was falling down in the house, but outside with the snow and ice, never even slipped. Same thing when he was having his roughest time through his amputation recovery - once he was outside all his bad symptoms vanished (well, except the diarrhea when that was going on). He WAS unmistakably happy to get back in the house even after our short walk tonight though - still much too cold here for a guy with no fur on half his bum.
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Gosh you all are up late! Well, at least one of you is an earlier time zone.
Try not to fret, Tazzie. Most report that this is commonly a benign thing. Gerry's new vet apparently doesn't wanted to get my hopes up though, just in case (but I think I like that about him). In fact, Gerry's cousin had a mysterious bump that my bro and sis-in-law were told was probably cancer initially, but turned out to be nothing - and those two adopted cousins look more like brother and sister. I'll have to get the video of them on Gracie's Christmas visit up on Gerry's blog soon.
Great to hear from Yoda's amputation buddies Tazzie and Jack 
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
OH gosh, not what anyone wants to hear, but we send lots of pawsitive thoughts to you and Gerry for a good report back. Like I said, keep in mind Calpurnia's story, about her soft-tissue sarcoma: Three Paws, Two Years, No Problem!
Paws crossed for you both....
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Lots and lots of good thoughts from our house to yours on the pending diagnosis. Try not to panic until you know for sure what you are dealing with.
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.
Poor Gerry... and you!
I really hope it's nothing serious... Please keep us posted!!!
Sending good thoughts Gerry's way!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
In my experience with mast cell tumors they are very distinct when stained, my vet knew right away that the tumors were MCTs, although they were always sent for confirmation. Between the two pugs we have had 7 MCTs- all diagnosed correctly by my primary vet. So hopefully when your vet said they don't look like MCT he is correct.
So are you going to register again as just GM?
Sending LOTS of positive thoughts.
Karen and the pug girls.
Not much that we can add technically to give insite to Gerry's difficulties, but we just have to voice our support for one of our very outstanding contributors. We will sending pawsitive thoughts your way and praying that the journey that you and Gerry are on will be a very long journey.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Gerry's doing very well today. He's been eating and drinking since very early this morning, even though the vet cautioned he might not feel like doing either for 24 hours. His grogginess is all gone and he is his usual waggy self, ramming me with his cone as necessary for attention. His new cone from his new vet, which is a bit longer, also seems to be doing the trick so that I can rest assured his amputation incision will finish healing uninterrupted. He's certainly feeling well enough to update his blog, I'll try to squeeze some computer time in for him tonight, if I can. 
FYI, I don't expect to hear a diagnosis until Friday, and of course, I will post ASAP after I find out. Thanks for all the support!
Hey Karen and the pug girls, I did change to GerrysMom last night, but it only displays that way in the chat and the blogs, it seems. On the forums it hasn't changed. Admin's going to look into it for me. No biggy if it stays that way. You all know and I'll will happily keep informing people that I am GerrysMOM! now as needed.
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Hey Bri, we just sent you a PM about your Forum Display name.
Sooooo glad to hear Gerry is waggy again! Yipee! Give him a big ol' smooch from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Gerry's Mom,
That felt good to type. Now Gerry can be assured he is in his forever home. Prayers are being said that the bump is nothing. Thanks for the update.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
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