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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Wonderfw of you to share Yoda's story of recovery and playing full out after amputation!!!
What great feedback on a very inspirational dog! Youda's legacy continues to touch lives and help others! Way to go Yoda...and M o m!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Hi Everyone,
Well we have agonised over this decision for a few weeks now..one minute I was adamant with taking it off, then the next I'm second guessing whether it's the right thing for Luka, should we just be managing pain and then putting her down when it gets too bad??
We have finally just today decided officially that we will be getting it removed tomorrow. I couldn't live with all the "what if's?" that would come with not going through with this horrible decision. I'm under no illusion that this will extend her life, but hopefully what time is left will be without this horrible, painful growth…which is getting bigger by the week.
I'm absolutely terrified and am hoping that we are doing the right thing….she goes in tomorrow morning. 
Boy oh boy, we can all relate to the agony of getting to the "decision". It can sctually be a relief in some respects....you are moving from "stuck" to taking an action that will eliminate her pain and give her the best chance at quality. Quantity without quality is useless!
I KNOW this is so hard and so scary! We can only do the very best with the information we have. There are no guarantees one way or another. There IS one CERTAINTY is this crazy journey, and that's when a decision is made out of love, it's ALWAYS the right decision!
Let us know when Luka is out of surgery, okay? He will be very well drugged that night at the vets and will be dreaming about pink elephants and polka dotted Zebras! So tryand get some good sleep tomorrow night. When Luka comes home you may have some sleepless nightq at first. There may be some whining and restlessness, or may not. Every recovery is different...some easier, some rougher. But you will be amazed at how much better will feel once recovery is over and all the pain is gone!
Imq sure youveq already done your homework about non slip scatter rugs if you have hardwood floors, etc. Let us knownifnyou have any questions about preparing your home, etc.
As far as preparing yourselves, that can be a little bit trickier!! Eat lots of chocolate, it helps!
When I went to pick Happy Hannah up the next day, I didn't even look at her incision...just looked straight into those bright druggy happy eyes and told her what a good girl she is and what a good job she did! Told her how proud I was and she just wagged and wiggles and couldn't wait to get out of there!
REMEMBER, we are right here with you, okay?? You are not alone!! This is a huge source of support and first hand information...stay connected! Look forward to your update!
Sending lots of HUGS! Now go get some good slobbery kisses! Nothing like Bull Mastiff drool!!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Thanks xx
I'm sitting here watching Luka twitching like crazy in her sleep…all thanks to tramadol! I look at her and feel sick to my stomach whether we are doing the right thing…I just can't imagine her without that leg.
God I hope this all goes ok… I'm absolutely terrified that it's all going to go badly 
I will keep you all posted on our progress xx
Yay!! Happy Hannah's banner popped up when I clicked on this page to post!! That SURELY has to be a fantastic sign that Luka is being watched over and protected!
Please try not to worry too much, I know that is a very hard thing to do, but I can say that the vast majority of us have been there and we do know exactly how you feel.....we will all be here to support you through this very stressful day, and continuing journey. I won't lie, this IS a very frightening thing, and sweet Luka may have a few days or so that may be rough, but once they start to heal and get rid of that very painful leg, there is no stopping them. Sally gave her usual awesome advice above, and no better to help guide you through, than her and her Happy Hannah....
Keeping you and Luka in my thoughts and prayers today, and please keep us updated on your girl.....
{{{Hugs}}}
Bonnie & Angel Polly
{{{{hugs}}}} Who can blame you guys for agonizing over it? It's super tough and it takes a LOT to see past our own fears. By helping her get rid of that pain and then focusing on every moment, every day, and not taking the future for granted, you are giving her and you the best gift ever.
Stay strong and lean on us. Remember, she is so much more than that 4th leg and she will prove to you how incredible and strong she truly is.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all so much for your support…just came home from taking her to the vets. She was happy to go into the vets, but when it came time for her to go out the back, she refused…pulling back on her collar and finally laying down and not budging! She obviously remembers the pain of the biopsy a month or so ago…poor girl. We ended up luring her out there with a pigs ear (that she can't eat!!)…got to the crates and she just flat out refused and laid on the floor…I ended up having to physically push her butt along the floor over 5m to get her into her crate…man she is so going to hate me!!!!!
I will be able to ring up in four or so hours to find out how she went…it all feels quite surreal.
And when a Bull Mastiff refuses to budge....it's like trying to move a block of cement up a hilll made of glue!!! I know it broke your heart though!!!
Just remember, it's the vets she'll hate! You'll be her ticket out of there tomorrow and that's how she'll think of you...her Super Hero!! She'll be so drugged up shortly she won't care where she is!!
Hang tight, okay? Try and stay busy...or at least eat lots of junk food non-stop...it eases stress...rough on the tummy, but worth it!!
Where do you love? Just seeing where you are time wise and when to expect an update from you.
((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Thinking of you, and wishing you and Luka the very best. I remember it as if it were yesterday-the long wait, the indecision, the guilt and second-guessing--we are all here for you. You are such a good mom to Luka--we are with you and are always here for you. My Lily is 65 lbs, a front amp (12/16/11),and 11 years old--the first few weeks were difficult at times, but it was all worth it-her pain was gone. Please keep us updated and give her kisses from Lily and me.
Sending hugs,
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Thanks guys…I'm in QLD Australia…I will know in a another couple of hours how she went xxxx
We have members here from Australia ....thing is....I can't remember which ones! Others wil more memory cells intact can give you there names!
Here in Virginia...on the East Coast of the States it's about 9:45 p.m. Tuesday
You have a lot of good holistic cutting edge "stuff" coming out of Astralia! Plus a great group of timeless muscians, The Little River Band and also John Farnham..Depending on your age, you may, or may not, know who I'm talking about!
Hang in there! She'll be out of surgery soon!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Best wishes! Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Everyone,
Have just got off the phone to the vet. Luka did awesome..it took awhile as she is a big girl. They x-rayed her lungs and found no evidence of cancer spread…he said she should do great on three legs, as she has already had a fair bit of muscle wastage on that leg..proof that she hasn't been using it for weeks anyway. Was such a huge relief to hear him tell me that we had done the right thing in taking off the leg, and that it will make her a lot more comfortable. I'm surprised that you guys can't hear me sigh from all the way over here! 
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