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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Hi All,
This is all very new to me but feel I want to put our story out there and hear if anyone can relate?
Grace is my beloved great dane girl, we also have Noah, our big beautiful boy. Noah and Grace are the same age- they are 1.5 years old, so still puppies. To our horror, Grace has been diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. I couldn't believe it- she is still so young and full of life!! I am having difficulty accepting it. The primary tumor is on her knee joint on her back leg- we took her to the vet because she seemed to be limping one day- and after many X rays and tests, the Vets are 100% certain it is Osteosarcoma. There is still no sign of it in her chest, and the vet has suggested we take immediate action of amputation with follow up Chemo. He says the primary tumor is too big to treat with just Chemo, so the amputation is a must if we want to save her.
She is still her normal bubbly self, eating like a horse and playing with Noah every chance she gets, so I am hoping we have caught it early enough for a miracle. She is my baby and I cannot imagine life without her now- is there really only hope to prolong her life by a matter of months?? Are there any other miracle babies out there that have made it years post cancer? Her amputation is scheduled for Monday. Please pray for our Girl and for us as we start our journey, "Saving Grace".
Welcome to the group no one wants to join. There are tons of amazing stories here, and we are hoping Grace becomes one of them.
One of the awesome miracles is another Dane - Nova. Her surgery was in 2008 and she is going strong. She went blind after her amputation due to another illness, but still is living the good life.
My Trouble had surgery at the same time as Nova. She had 27 1/2 months of cancer free living before we had to let her go because of arthritis and aging complications.
Grace is very young. There is hope.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Stephanie I'm so sorry you got the bad news about osteo. It's a life-changing thing to have happen, but if you stay strong and positive, you can get through this as well as Grace will. Yes, she's young, but she's also resilient and won't let the loss of a limb get in her way. As soon as she's on the road to recovery, you'll be amazed at how well she does and how she copes with adversity.
When the doctors give you those statistics, remember that they are just numbers and they don't take into account Grace's specific situation. Yes, many dogs here have beaten those odds, some for a few years (I lived 24 months post-op!). We've included many examples in our ebook, "Three Legs & a Spare" if you haven't checked it out yet. Our Required Reading List also has some good ideas for preparing yourself and your home.
No matter what, keep in mind that Grace isn't counting days or keeping track of how long she has, she only knows that she wants to have fun each and every day and make the most of your life together. That's all that matters to dogs, it's all that should matter to humans too don't you think? You can do it. Stay strong, take things one step and a time and come here whenever you want someone to lean on. We're here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to the group. Sassy is a 6 year old Rottie. (When diagnosed was 138 pounds) She is a rear amputee on day 51 and 2nd round of chemo. Doing great. So bigger dogs can adjust (we proved our vet wrong by them saying they weren't sure 3 legs could support her weight).
Good luck and come to the chat anytime I am there most nights. 
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Sorry you had to find us here. We're here if you have questions during her recovery.
I know it's all overwhelming right now, but there can still be lots of good times ahead for you and Grace.
Hang in there and keep us posted,
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!
Welcome to Tripawds, sorry cancer has brought you here.
My local pal Cemil is a 150 lb. Anatolian Shepard, front leg amp who is almost 4 years past his amp for OSA! Cemil did not do chemo.
My little pug Maggie lived almost 4 years after her amp for mast cell cancer, her original prognosis was 6 to 9 months.
Not all are so fortunate, but it does happen. One thing about this cancer journey, it teaches you to appreciate each day. Around here we say Be More Dog
, take life as it comes, one day at a time.
Good luck with the surgery on Monday, let us know how Grace is doing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi Everyone,
Thank you so much for all your wonderful responses, advice, and sharing your stories- You give me hope!
Grace's operation was bumped up to Friday last week, so she recovered over the weekend in hospital and I picked her up yesterday. To my amazement, she is up and walking around- very excited to see me! Her personality has not changed one bit- still my bubbly, happy little girl
. I am enjoying every minute of having her home again. The Vet said he wants to start her on Chemo next week Friday as he wants her to heal first to reduce risk of infection. So for now, she just needs to get stronger before we start the next phase of her treatment. I will upload some photos as soon as I figure out how to do it
Will keep you posted.
Yay! I'm happy she's doing so well. Better to get the surgery over with that's for sure. We would love to see pix, here's a link for how to add them: http://tripawds.....-photos-1/
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Through surgery and back home- great update!
Many of us experienced lots of ups and downs the first couple weeks after surgery. It is not unusual for pups to come home quite medicated, then crash a little a day or two later. Hopefully Grace will be one of the lucky pups to sail through, but don't get discouraged if she has some down time.
Can't wait to see pictures!
Karen and the pugapalooza
So glad to hear Grace is doing so well. Some bigger dogs do experience a slight depression just incase it does happen do not be too alarmed as they will bounce back. Keep us informed of her great progress.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Poor Grace, she is so young. Im sorry your baby is having to go through all of this. She is lucky to have you to take such good care of her. Sounds like recovery is going well so far. Im sure just being home with you makes her feel so much better. Make sure she takes it easy for the first couple of weeks. Grace is young and I bet she still has a lot of puppy in her. I had to pull in the reigns on my dog because she was always so active she still wanted to be on the go at all times. Let us know how she is doing and if you can post some pictures I would love to see them.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
http://s1336.be.....1/library/
Hi All!
I uploaded a couple of photos on photo bucket- follow link above to take a look.
aww Grace looks lovely. She is doing really well. Keep up the great work Grace.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Awwww she is gorgeous! Looks like nothing is going to stop her.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She's a beauty! I sometimes see a guy running at the beach with his tripawd great dane. Such awesome dogs!
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!
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