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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First, thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences. You have given me the hope and courage to make this decision. Now let me tell you about Harley.
Harley is a 8 - 8.5 year old golden retriever rescue I adopted in March 2007. If I had to describe him in one word it would be happy!
Harley was diagnosed with an infiltrative lipoma on his left forelimb in the summer of 2010 and has undergone surgery in August 2010 and September 2011 to "debulk" the tumor. My understanding of an infiltrative lipoma is that unlike common lipomas which are just under the skin, infiltrative lipomas are (or in Harley's case) under the muscle. They are agressive and very often come back. Amputation is generally recommended, sometimes followed by radiation -- chemotherapy does not have any affect on this type of tumor.
The first time Harley had surgery, the margins were clean and biopsy showed no signs of being infiltrative. When the tumor was back within 8 months and I took him back, MRI showed signs of the tumor being infiltrative so I knew this was not just a typical lipoma. I could not make the decision to amputate at that time, so the mass was debulked and I began to follow the blogs and forums to get more insight into tripawd dogs.
So here we are and Tuesday Harley is scheduled for surgery. I'm scared but at the same time I know I need to do something. Like so many of the stories of the dogs on this website, Harley got off to a bad start in life and I want to give him every opportunity to continue to lead a long happy healthy life.
I'm trying to prepare for this, but there are some things you just can't prepare for so I just hope for the best.
Enjoy your Memorial Day!
Kathy & Harley
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
Hi Kathy and Harley. Amputation is a big operation but most dogs really do come through it very well. Magnum was 9 when she had her back left leg amputated. She recovered really well. It was the easiest part of dealing with osteosarcoma.
I still remember surgery day. I was a basket case until I got the phone call to say it all went well.
Good luck. I'll be thinking of you.
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/
Kathy and Harley, you'll do fine. I know this is a scary situation, and very emotional too. But when it's over you'll look back and wonder why you were ever so afraid in the first place. Harley sounds like a super resilient dog, and I'm sure he will do just fine!
The recovery period isn't always ruff, but if you find that it's harder than you expected, we will be here to help ease your fears. Try to get your rest tomorrow and remember that you have an entire community here, cheering you on and ready to help.
Good luck this week, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good luck with the surgery, Harley. You need to show your human that you can ace this.
Kathy, spend your time between now and when Harley gets home adjusting your home for him. It will keep you busy and your mind occupied. Do you need throw rugs or yoga mats for traction ? A raised food and water bowl? What about a firmer bed?
You might want to lay in a supply of whatever works best to get pills down Harley. He will likely have little appetite for a few days so you should get something that is "high value" that he would sell his own mother for. Some people swear by peanut butter. My guy needs balls of yucky white bread.
If surgery day is rough on you, you can check into the chat room and see who's there. It's a good way to get to know people and pass some time. And again, good luck.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Just chiming in to wish you good luck and say what a lucky boy Harley is that you rescued him. While amputation may seem extreme, it is often the simplest and and most effective treatment. If Harley is the typical golden, he will be on his three feet and rarin' to go in no time. Just hang in there and try not to worry too much — I know, easier said than done ...
Beth, Spirit Smilin' Sammy and MB Wiggly Wrigley
Smilin' Sammy, March 16, 2004 – Dec. 5, 2011
Golden retriever, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in September 2010 — right front leg amputated November 2010. He fought valiantly to stay with us; but a second diagnosis of osteosarcoma, this time in his left front leg, was more than our golden warrior could overcome. He loved his pack — and everyone else he met.
We loved him even more.
Thanks for the pennies, Sammy. They helped.
Welcome to you and Harley. He is a gorgeous boy.
All the best tomorrow. We are here if you have questions during his recovery!
Try to get some rest tonight,
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!
We will keep Harley in our thoughts tomorrow. He is a pretty boy. Keep us posted.
Heather & Spirit Shadow
Thinking of you and Harley today. Sending best wishes for an uneventful surgery. Rest up today and try not to worry as tomorrow will be a long day, physically and emotionally. Please update us on his recovery when you have a moment.
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
Wishing you a successful surgery and an uneventful recovery. Do let us know as soon as is convenient for you how Harley did. We worry about the furry ones. Bop into chat if the day gets long; leave it open in the background but volume turned up. Lots of folks will be thinking about you and Harley today.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
I just got a call from the surgeon when I was starting to respond.
Unfortunately Harley has two masses in his chest so she is not recommending surgery. I've had a gut feeling that something else was wrong in addition to his leg. I've lost two goldens to cancer so I guess I recognized things did not look good.
Thank you for remembering us this morning. I'm headed back to the hospital to bring him back home
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
Well crap. I was sitting here reading the morning updates when your post came through. That certainly is not the news anyone wanted. I don't remember how old Harley is, but it seems that some of the younger dogs here do benefit from some holistic or alternative treatments. Maybe that's something to consider, especially if the masses are not large. Abby's mom Jackie is a wealth of knowledge there, along with Maggie Moo's mom Tracy. Others I'm forgetting but they'll chime in, I'm sure.
I'm so sorry this is the news you got. We've all said it over and over here: Cancer sucks and is the most incredibly unfair beast out there. If there is anything we can do, please let us know. Ask lots of questions and maybe someone here can guide you to helping Harley squeeze out as much quality time as possible.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Wait a sec...I need an education. Do infiltrative lipomas metastasize? If Harley's amputation was to deal with a lipoma, where did the chest masses come from? Do they move to the lungs? Or were these part of the lipoma and not in his lungs but in muscle tissue? Kathy, can you help me understand what happened with Harley? And I went back and saw his age so I know he's not a pup. But I'm still confused on the chest masses.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
damn!! we're so sorry the surgery was cancelled due to these unexpected circumstances....the good news for harley, is he's just so excited to come home and be with his mom!!! he doesn't understand tumors, or cancer, or mets, or anything yucky. he understands playing ball, taking naps, getting treats and being the most wonderful, loving pup he can be.
hope you can come to terms with this, and can keep enjoying each and every day you get with your boy. you'll always be a member of our tripawds family - amp or not, we are here for you and for harley. please let us know how he's doing!!!!
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
We are sorry that Harleys surgery was cancelled but I agree with Charon...he doesn't know about masses or cancer...he does know that he is loved and how great it is to be with you so enjoy your time together and keep us posted!!
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
Trying to think of something to say that doesn't include expletives.
I'm sorry things didn't work out for the surgery. Is radiation still an option as a palliative treatment to try and shrink the tumor? You must be so discouraged- but as others have said Harley is the same pup you dropped of this morning, looking forward to the next meal I bet!
I hope you do stay around. Cancer sucks no matter how many legs you have- nothing like the support you get from folks who are living it just like you.
Karen and the pugapalooza
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