Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am new to this and not at all sure of what I am doing. Anyway, I have an almost 8 yr. old black Labthat recently had amputation for Histosarcoma. no lung mets on last xray and 1st CCNU finished with no real side effects. Just so worried about lung mets. Constantly watching his breathing etc. Started a home made diet supplemented with Merrick grain free . trying to do all I can to help him. He was limping for a long time and we were back & forth to vet. he had a metal plate in the same leg when he was 1, so we used Rimadyl for awhile, then it stopped working and he started coughing and throwing up clear gunk. Back to vet, one said amputate to get rid of pain, but Ortho Doc. said no. He then had surgery to remove the plate, still no better. I now wish I would have insisted on amputation (we did strongly suggest that we wanted that), but I felt like he thought I was being overreactive when I asked him to take leg. I was just so tired of seeing my dog in so much pain!! I finally realized pain was in shoulder. We did xrays, synovial fluid biopsy and Cortizone injection. Nothing notable on xray???? Unspecific inflammation in fluid. I thought we were in the clear as far as Cancer goes. Boy, was I wrong! He got much worse. Never put any weight on leg after that. Drug it around like an anchor. Could not sleep due to pain. Also, I will NEVER give him Deramaxx again. We then switched vets and were finally referred to a specialist. I have since been told that reaction to deramaxx was likely due to him being switched from Prednizone straight to Deramaxx without a washout period. I have learned so very much in the last few months! Anyhow, I now feel SO GUILTY for letting this go on for so long. If he would have had amputation in Oct. instead of plate removal, his Cancer would have been discovered 3 months sooner. Now his body has been exposed that Poor guy! He has been through the mill. So now I am doing all I can to help him heal and beat this monster they call Cancer! Thanks for listening!
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Welcome to you and Ty Guy to our little family here.
First - do not beat yourself up. You can only do what the vets advise you to do and make the best decision. I know it's so hard to second guess everything, but looking back does no good! I followed the vets advice (its a long story, you dont need to hear all the details!) and my Kitty Jill's cancer (osteosarcoma) spread 6 months later (original tumor was in her toe, it spread in her leg). I kicked myself for quite a long time for not going with my gut and listening to the vets, but I eventually learned that that would do me no good and regretting would only hurt jill in the long term, I needed to formulate a plan and move on!
Now, I hear ya on the lung mets. Jill is now 14 months post-amputation and I am constantly watching her breathing, or thinking I hear her cough. It's TOUGH to say the least. Unfortunately, having gone through this cancer scare, I dont think its something you quite ever get used to. Every chemo appointment I wanted them to x-ray her lungs. Eventually her oncologist told me I just needed to relax a little bit and let her live life. It was hard, VERY HARD, for me to come to terms with this and yes I do still get nervous about her breathing..........but eventually you learn to live with it.
So, we're all here for you now! Ask us any questions you have, use us as a support system, whatever you need! If I didn't have this place to vent when I thought Jill was "breathing funny" or may have coughed, I would've lost it 
All the best 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
WE COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND your frustration, fear, guilt and sadness avout tje whole situation. A lot of "mis diagnosis" goes on with this stupid disease but we can only rely on the professionals. I'm really glad you got the right specialist now. I'm so sorry you weren't in the best of hands to begin with and can relate to your anguish.....ugh!
Now, all those emotins mentioned above...they no lo ger serve you at all. So let's dmp them in the trash and replace them with being n the moment right now with yojr adorable Ty! He loo,s so cute n his avatar picture and we would LOVE to see more photos!
You have a plan in place and Ty ks free from pain (or will be as soon as recovery takes place). Ty KNOWS you love him and KOWS you are doing everything possible to give him the best life a dog can have! He's not wasting any energy blaming anybody for anythig..he just wants to know how many tummy rubs and greats he can get from you in a one hour period!
I read on your other post about his meds...and yes, that can certainy cause the symptons you mentioned and is very much a "normal" reaction to those drugs. Your vet maybe able to start tapering off soon. And yes, it is perfectly normal to rest more for now. This is major surgery and adjustng to three legs does get exhausting sometimes at first.
YOU are a GREAT advocate for Ty and yoj are doi g a great job!
These first couple of weeks can be scarey, but it sounds like he's realy doing well!
One of the "gifts" of this crazy journey is learni g to live more like Ty...Be More Dog ! Live in the moment...stay in the present...let NOTHING rob yo of this iincredible gift of time you have together! He's not worried about a thing! Jerry says, "prognosis schmognosis"! Just get n with livng a life with Ty of loving and spoiling and more loving and spoiing! You two have a special bond and we all understand that! He's your friend, your famiky, your soul mate!
Now, go give him extra treats and you inhale some chocolate for you! It'll make yu both feel good!
You are ot al e...we are right here with yu! Can't wait to see more ohotos!
Sending lots of hugs!
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!
Oh my gosh I'm so sorry you guys have been through SO MUCH! Geez! But like Erica and Sally have said, you can't beat yourself up, you did everything right, you did your best and sometimes things just take unpredictable courses. Most of us here got the education that we never wanted, and many others have had their own dog and cat's diagnoses dragged out like that, including me.
Today, what matters is that he is with you, he is happy and pain-free. You are a GREAT advocate and doing your best to educate yourself and make him strong and healthy. How can we best help you in your journey? What kind of questions do you have for us?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Ty and his pawrent,
Like everyone else has said - do not feel bad about not amputating right away...you were following your vet's advice.
Good for you that you switched vets and found someone who can provide you with better information and help you plan for Ty's care.
Ty will likely amaze you with how well he adapts to his new normal.....relax and enjoy him...and come here and vent and chat to all of us when you are scared or worried.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker 
Thank you all for your kind words. I am mostly looking for advice on diet, supplements ANYTHING that may help him beat this. I have to figure out how to put pictures on here. I am not the best with technology. 
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
4myty said
Thank you all for your kind words. I am mostly looking for advice on diet, supplements ANYTHING that may help him beat this. I have to figure out how to put pictures on here. I am not the best with technology.
Well, I'd recommend starting with the Tripawds Nutrition blog, then checking out the Dog Cancer Survival Guide, it really is a must-read when dealing with cancer, you'll learn a lot from it.
As far as how to post photos, check out this discussion how to do it, then let us know if you have any questions OK? It's not as hard as it seems.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Ty Guy - Sorry you and your family had to go thru all this, but now you are on the road to recovery. You will find a lot of information on here about nutrition which will offer you a lot of options that will fit your life style and be the best possible for fighting this crappy stuff.
Take care-
Luanne
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Yesterday Ty had a great day! He used to do this thing where he would not use our porch steps ( there are 3) but would run and jump them. HE DID THAT YESTERDAY! With 3 legs. Acted quite normal most of the day.Today though, he seems a bit off. Tired, kind of sticking close. His appetite has been crazy. Scrambled eggs at 2 AM anyone? Today he won't eat. A few bites here and there. It has been 12 days since his CCNU. Not sure how you tell if their mouth is sore. he is not a big fan anyway of having his mouth messed with. Breathing seems fine, he does not seem in pain. Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. Probably worried for nothing as he will probably eat me out of house and home tomorrow. I have been doing Pepcid for the last 2 days. I started it back up yesterday as he threw up about a tablespoon of clear stuff.
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE TY's LUCKY SHIRT!! You wear it well Ty Man!!
And congratulations in seeing some sparkle come back!!! I'm not exactly clear on how long ago his amputation was, but generaly the first three pus weeks can be qyite an up and down roller coaster. You see the sparkle back one day, eating and drinking good, then the next day want nothing to do with food and just waspnt to lay around!
And Im not familiar with CCNU or why that would cause mouth soreness, soothers can chime inon that.
What other meds is he on? Sometimes Rimadyl can cause tummy upsets too.
It sounds like overall he's doing good. Sparkle coing back...slowly but surely...he's trained you to scramble him some eggs at 2 a.m......yeah, all is well inTy's world!!
Hang in there...you are doing a great job! Trust me, Ty kows how well loved he is!!
Sending you and Ty lots of hugs!! And give that lucky shirt of Ty's an extra good luck rub from allof us!! We're cheering foryou sweet boy!!
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!
CCNU is an oral chemo that is given 5 doses 3 weeks apart if bloodwork remains stable. His amp. Was 3 weeks ago on Friday. No Riimadyl at this point. He has taken it and we stopped about 4 weeks ago due to tummy trouble. We just went down to 1 dose of Gabapentin per day and I have pretty much gotten rid of Tramadol. Too soon? He had only a half yesterday.
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Hmmm. Do a search here for "CCNU" and you're likely to see other stories about side effects. I'm sorry I need to run now but thought I'd put that out there for you. You definitely want to wean him off Gaba under your vet's supervision, and also mention the clear vomit to the vet too OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Got it! I am using her weaning plan for Gabapentin was 3 then 2 now a week with 1 per day. Had no real instructions on Tramadol. Just decreased it slowly. Vet knows about clear vomit because that was why we took him off Rimadyl. He did eat and drink tonite. Seems a bit more alert also. His breath smells terrible though.
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
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