Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello to all of my new friends and supporters! These messages have meant so much to me. I can't say "Thank You!" enough to each of you who have taken the time to write and provide words of encouragement. Actually, the past 24 hours have gone pretty well - we've all been pretty calm and "matter of fact" about tomorrow's surgery. Although, my wife refuses to share any details with me about the diagnosis as she doesn't want me stalking the Internet looking for more information! 
As it stands, we drop Dusty off at the vet tomorrow morning. If I understand things correctly, they'll do a pre-op exam and then sedate him and do a full body scan. If they find any more significant tumors on his organs or lungs, I believe that they will just stop the procedure and send him home with 4 legs and we begin to plan for an end state. Oddly enough, at this point, we're pulling for a clean body scan and a leg removal. I can't believe that I just wrote that .....
Best of luck tomorrow! I remember it as it were yesterday. It is an odd feeling hoping for a phone call that says X-rays are clear we're going to amputate the leg for sure. I was in this exact same positition almost exactly a year ago. You'll get through it, promise! And were here to help!!!
Keep us posted,
Erica and 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
Yep, we too were in the same boat, waiting for that call is agonizing.
Hang in there and keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just got home from work. Dusty met me at the door, as happy as can be, wagging and wiggling like he does every day. He has so much energy today - ran (making sure to keep his right rear leg off the ground) and got his favorite toy and wanted to play. So we did. Funny thing is that now I feel so much worse. I'm feeling so guilty. I know that it's our only real alternative, but it doesn't keep it from hurting so much.
The fact that he can run with his bum leg up should indicate that he will have an easier time adjusting to life on three legs. He's basically already doing it! You don't need to feel guilty. You are doing what needs to be done to give Dusty a better quality of life. He will probably have a few down days while the meds are a factor, but you aren't going to believe how well he will do.
Kathi and Murphy
PS. Murphy still wags that Turbotail of his so hard that it hurts when he hits us. We sure ddn't expect to still have that, but we do!
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Love your line where you said "I can't believe I just wrote that.....! That pretty much sums up the twists and turns this journey takes you on! One minute you are adamantly opposed to "something", and the next you are applauding the opportunity to "do that something"!!
Dusty is limping because his leg HURTS! Dogs are so very stoic at trying to hide their pain,, but that limp lets you kow he is in pain. You are his nero for taking that pain away.
As far as Dusty being extra frisky today......I thinks he's just excited because he knws that bum leg won't be bothering him anymore!
We'll all be on tne lookojt for your update tomorrow, okay? Hang in there! You are making a decisin out of love for Dusty...and that's always the right decisin!
Hugs to all!
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!
We all know those feelings that you are experiencing. We think of what it would be like for one of us to lose a leg. Keep in mind that for a dog to lose a leg is 25%. For people is 50%. That's a big difference. Trust me, he will be happier without the pain and it should make you feel better that he is basically already a tripawd. He has proven that he can still play on 3 legs. Let us know how everything goes and if you find out the type of cancer.
Chance is a 10ish Shetland Sheepdog Mix who was rescued from the shelter in January of 2013 and diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in September of 2013. He had a front left amputation and 6 rounds of carboplatin. He had a great 11 months and was diagnosed with lung mets on 8/23/14. He was released to the bridge on 8/28/14.
My wife and 18-year old daughter dropped Dusty off at the vet hospital this morning and we're now in that uncomfortable waiting period of wondering if they're going to proceed with the surgery after reviewing the full body scan. Kudos to my daughter for being a rock for my wife during the drop off. I'm currently experiencing surprising calmness and optimism that things will work out as well as can be expected. You guys are my rock today!
Good luck!!!!! You'll get through it, keep us posted!!!
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're sending pawsitive thoughts too! Best wishes, please let us know how it goes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dusty is currently in surgery. Whatever xrays and/or scans they did pre-op were clean and they are proceeding. I suppose that's great news and I'm feeling optimistic, but I still find it someone disturbing that I'm happy about it!
clean x-rays
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
Dusty came out of the surgery at around 4:30pm and is apparently doing very well. The surgeon spoke to my wife both before and after the surgery to let her know how things were going. He said that there were no complications and we may be able to pick him up as soon as tomorrow evening, but more than likely Friday afternoon. I'm inclined to wait until Friday just allow the professional staff to care for him, ensure that the wound is healing etc.
I feel like a huge weight has been lifted from my shoulders. I agonized over this for several days but now that it's happened, the only choice is to move forward. I'm sure that there will be some initial trauma when we bring him home but that too shall pass. We will then need to wait about 5 days to get the results regarding the extent of the cancer, so let's pray that it remained localized to the leg and that we're now beyond worrying about that. In the mean time, we have family coming to our house to celebrate the Christmas holiday and to help us love and care for Dusty.
All of you are in my prayers tonight for your kind words and support over the past few days.
WorriedDad
New Parent of a Tripawd
This is GREAT news! Clean scans and Xrays are the best news you can get at this point. Welcome to the Tripawd family! I agree with you letting the pros take care of him at first. It can be a little scary when they are learning their new balance. I feel like things will go great from here and I'm glad your family will be home for the holidays!
Chance is a 10ish Shetland Sheepdog Mix who was rescued from the shelter in January of 2013 and diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in September of 2013. He had a front left amputation and 6 rounds of carboplatin. He had a great 11 months and was diagnosed with lung mets on 8/23/14. He was released to the bridge on 8/28/14.
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