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 site while on my search to understand what is happening to my TJ (see avatar 
).
TJ has had a big 'bump' on his leg for about two weeks... and has been less active (still up and about, just not like he was a few weeks ago). I had done some research before the vet and was fully prepared to hear the worst. And I did. Saw the x-rays (nothing in the lungs yet, just the left front leg).
The vet was pretty blunt, 60-90 days tops. But as I am learning about the cancer that is not a hard and fast number... I am hoping for the best.. 91 days at least 
.
Called today to schedule the surgery to remove the left leg ($1300) on Monday. TJ should be home Tuesday night. He just does so much better with me around.
I don't plan on chemo. I'll take every day I can with a 'tree legge'd hound'. Bet it a day, month or year.
Family is still upset. But once TJ is home I think it will settle down.
Great site... answered a lot of questions I never even thought to ask.
Welcome! We're sorry to hear about TJ, but glad you found us. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
It sounds like you're doing your homework and are in good spirits. That's a great start! Consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for plenty of more information to read up on. Best wishes for TJ's speedy recovery.
PS: They gave our Jerry four months. He survived for two years and we did not choose to do chemotherapy.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm glad you found Tripawds, but I'm sorry you had to 
I read The Dog Cancer Survival Guide cover to cover... There are lots of non-chemo/radiation therapies available to try too. Changes in diet, adding certain supplements and nutraceuticals might help and have little or no side effects. Read the book. Knowledge is your best weapon.
I also read three legs and a spare too in preparation for amp. (Scheduled for June 11 ) it was really helpful in telling me what to expect.
Best of luck, Heather and Bear
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Welcome to the club nobody wants to join, but are so glad you found. There are lots of other things you can do besides IV chemo. We chose not to do IV with Libby but went the metronomic therapy route along with change in diet and adding supplements.
Your pup will amaze you at how well he adapts to his new normal. All he is going to know is the pain is gone. One of the best things I learned from the people here is that our dogs live in the hear and now and we humans tend to project our emotions onto them when all they care about is being loved and cared for. Libby will "face plant" now and then and I find myself gasping but she just picks up and carries on. Best of luck to you and TJ. I look forward to your updates.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Hello, and welcome (although it is unfortunate to have to be welcomed here...).
My Sampson is also a left front amp from OSA. We also elected not to do rad/chemo. Initially, we were on Piroxicam and tramadol for pain meds and antitumor properties, but the Piroxicam was to hard on our tummy. Now, we do tramadol and prednisone.
We just hit the three month anniversary today, and are (thus far), doing fine, all things considered. Most of our issues have come from other complications--age, arthritis, dysplasia, etc. that are exacerbated by the three-leggedness. But so far, the cancer itself has been a minor concern. As I said elsewhere today, Sam doesn't have cancer, he has OLD. :p
Read up, ask questions, and be informed...and don't worry about the numbers. Averages are just averages, and dogs are terrible at math anyway.
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
I really liked what I read about the metronomic therapy (if I understood it) and will read more over the weekend. Since his lungs are still clear as of yesterday it seems like a good way to treat TJ till the x-rays show different.
Tramadol and TJ didn't mix... his stool was slimy/dark. So right now he's two other anti-inflammatory (forget the name... Previcox and something else) meds.
The talk with the family went good. They were not on board with the leg amputation but I pulled out my ace in the hole.. TJ. His limp is pretty bad told them even if he had chemo and lived a year his limp would prevent him from doing a lot of things. After an hour (and a few youtube videos) they were on board with it.
Also going to start the 'raw diet' and Omega -3 supplements. I was told before fish oil was good for his joints... but the stuff stinks so bad... I had to cut them open and squirt out the goo onto his food... and I could smell it on my hands all day. But this is a little different.
Monday is going to suck, but Tuesday TJ should be home and back on the couch. Can't ask for any more than that as this point.
Good for you....you have a plan an dou have made a decision out of love for TJ...and the's a right decision!,
It's a hard pill to swallow...all this bone tumor crap....but it becomes soooooo much about quality and living every second in the present....time frames start multi g away and you must live for the sheer Jo of loving TJ and being loved back:-) Every tail was, every slopykiss is a treasured gift.
Recovery from major surgery isn't easy and it's hard d to watch at first. You will be amazed at ow well he adjusts to three legs and yo will be so trilled when you see his sparkle come back even better than before:-)
You might want to try mixing sardines I his food....I think he..and you...will like that better!! And it's perfect source of omega 3.
The very best to you and we really look forward to updates. Ext week. You'll want to put scatter rugs around for traction if you have hardwoods and perhaps a ramp if you have stairs.
We are Jere for you every step of the way. You are of all e in this journey!
Best wishes to you and TJ. Do you have any pictures you can post? We love pictures!!
Sally and Halt 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!
I'm echoing what we all feel, sorry that you are here, but you will find information and support. The insight and experience of those before us has helped us also. Good luck with surgery on Monday. Snoop just came home yesterday from surgery on Tues, and he is resting so far well. We hope the same for you and your baby.
Hi,
I am sorry to hear about TJ's diagnosis, but you have found the right place! Please let us know of any questions you may have, and join us in the chat room if you are around, there are usually some of us in there!
When I first got the diagnosis of osteosarcoma, I was just shocked. I know it's a hard thing to swallow at first, but it sounds like you are taking the right steps. Do your research, remember to breathe and hug TJ lots! The information can be quite overwhelming at first! My Jill is now almost 6 months post amputation and 7 weeks post chemo and I honestly would never have made it through it all without the help of everyone on here!!
Let us know what you need!!
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
TJ and family, welcome. You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders and an excellent attitude. If you want some further inspawration, check out another TJ, an osteosarcoma survivor for THREE years!
TJ, a Dog Cancer Hero with a Job
Good luck on Monday, let us know if you have any questions until then!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to you and TJ. Sorry you had to join our little club- but this is a knowledgeable and supportive community.
My pug Maggie didn't have OSA, she had mast cell cancer, but I remember how shocked I was when the vet said amputation. And I put up with my share of people who asked what I was doing to her with the amputation. I said I'm not doing anything TO her, I am doing something FOR her.
On the omega, fish oil stuff. There is some types you can get that are in bottles- I'm not sure of the potency difference. I use the pump bottles with my pugs because they are too small for most of the capsules, and the pump makes it easy to dispense.
Good luck on Monday- keep us posted on TJ's progress and ask any questions you might have.
Karen
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