Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our 6 year old anatolian shepherd roane was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right rear leg last week. Heading to the vet this morning for an xray to check her lungs and explore our options. I'm not going to lie I'm torn. We're currently thinking about amputation but as someone who leans toward natural medicine the idea of chemo doesn't thrill me. Has anyone had any luck with natural diets or supliments? I realize there no magic cure I just want her to have the best quality of life for as long as possible.
Thank you for listening and for the support ❤
Bev & Roane
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
Hi Bev & Roane, welcome. I hope you get good news from the vet today. An osteosarcoma diagnosis is a difficult situation for everyone, we understand your emotions, totally. So sorry you are dealing with it. How is Roane holding up? Is she on pain meds until you decide on a path to take?
Has anyone had any luck with natural diets or supliments?
First I want to say that the decision to treat cancer is totally personal, and only you know what's best for your girl. Whether you choose palliative care, amputation, chemo or no chemo, we will support you no matter what. This is a judgement-free zone.
Chemo will statistically give Roane a better chance of longer survival times. That's why oncologists make it part of treating pet caner. But, we have seen many dogs not live up to projections despite having chemo, and we have seen many dogs outlive their prognosis when they didn't have chemo. In short, it's a toss-up with no guarantees.
Our own dog Jerry did not have chemo and he thrived for two amazing years. Another dog who way outlived his prognosis was Cemil, an Anatolian! His blog is here and the most recent post about him is here. He lived another year I think after that, and is an angel now, but boy did he live a long wonderful life on three!
Boone, an active hunting dog, is going on his sixth year post-amputation with no chemo. I'm happy to connect you to either of their parents, they are always happy to chat with others, as are the wonderful members here in the forums!
I hope this helps. Be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books library for more insight. And let us know how today goes, we will be waiting for a pupdate.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry,
Thank you for the warm welcome and the links! Cemils story gives me hope ❤ after looking at so much negative info on the internet it's good to have found a place where the light still shines!
Roanes diagnosis was a huge blow for us. We lost her sister gypsy the Australian shepherd to old age at 17 this past Dec. I know most dogs dont live to 17 but this totally blind side me.
Roane is still visiting with the vet. No matter the outcome today I'm going to take it from a dogs point of view.
She's doing much better since her diagnosis. I originally brought her in for what I assumed was a tendon injury. (Shes the amazing jumping flying dog when shes outside) they have her on carprofen and gabapentin which seems to be helping tremendously. Shes back to walking on the leg instead of holding it up. Yesterday she felt good enough for a short patrol of the garden, some frog hunting and a good roll in the grass with mum. Her attitude toward life is so wonderful that we're going to give this everything we've got!
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
Awww you have a great attitude and already sound like you know how to Be More Dog ! Excellent!
Let us know what you decide, I'm glad we could be here for you now, and am so sorry for your loss of Gypsy. That's way too much to deal with all at once. 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Back from the vet with good news! Roane's chest x-ray is clean! I had a long talk with them about amputation and we're currently scheduling an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. A girl can still chase frogs on 3 legs
I believe we've also come to the conclusion that chemo isn't on the table anymore. after talking to my vet I found out that they would have to refer us to a clinic 2 hours away for treatment. while the distance isn't an issue I think this might be a hint to go with my gut on this one.
does anyone have any feed back on Dr. Dresslers Apocaps ? I was working on my own natural dosing regimen for roane when I spotted his add and thought we would give it a try. I have to say I like the sound of his blog and the look of his cancer diet. I've always liberally dosed my dogs and my humans with herbal remedies and supplemented our dogs food with homemade anyway so this seems like less of a change.
I'll keep everyone posted on roanes progress.
Thanks for listening,
Bev & Roane
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
find more apocaps information and user reviews in the Tripawds Nutrition blog or search all blogs here for additional feedback from Tripawds bloggers .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi - I didn't do chemo for my dog Clyde and he's just past his 3 year ampuversary. Happy as a clam on three legs - he's slowed down a little bit recently, but he's going on 13 so its no big deal. I give him K 9 Immunity plus and have every day since he had his amputation. I know that I'm very, very lucky but I hope his story helps people have some hope when they get this diagnosis. Good luck!
YES!!! CLYDE IS ALWAYS OUR GO-TO EXAMPLE OF A PUP DOING REALLY, REALLY WELL THREE YEARS OUT!!! And WITHOUT chemo!! So glad you chimed in❤
Doing chemo is sich a personal decision. It really is a crap shoot. Some dogs appear to get extended time with chemo, some don't. Some appear to get extended time without chemo, some don't. No right or wrong. Each person knows their own individual dog, their own individual finances, how their dogs handle Vet visits, carrides, etc, etc.
Karen, (Pug Maggie's Mom), always suggests writing notes in various situations as to why you take a particular path. That way, should any "second guessing" start to creep in, you can reference all the reasons you proceeded as you did.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ANYONE CAN DO ON THIS JOURNEY IS MAKE EVERY MOMENT COUNT!!!! DO NOT WASTE ONE SECOND WORRYING ABOUT THE TOMORROWS VUT RATHER STAY FULLY ENGAGED IN THE PRESENT!!! LIVE IN THE NOW!!! We call this attitude BEING MORE DOG.!!
Recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks. Stay connected so we can help you navigate through it. Download the e-books for o sight on what to expect.
WOW! Gypsy went to the Rainbow Bridge at 17 years!! Clearly a well cared for and very loved doggy!❤ Roane has a wonderful Guardian Angel to watch over her.
We're here by your side to support you in anyway qe can! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!
Hugs
Sally and. Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Thank you I so needed to read this this morning! The worry kind of got to me lastnight.
It gives me hope to see so many that beat the odds ❤ our gypsy was definatly one of those too. We gave her everything we had and she gave it back 10 fold.
I'm calling the vet this morning to get some more info on hospital stay and recovery time so I can schedule surgery. I will definitely be making notes thats a great idea! I've also ordered some supplements to boost roanes immune system.
I'm so grateful to have found this site. Talking to people who dont know what it's like to have your heart walking around in a furry 4 legged (or in this case 3 legged) body isn't the same!
Thank you all for the hug this morning I truly needed it.
Bev & Roane
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
lawcat said
Hi - I didn't do chemo for my dog Clyde and he's just past his 3 year ampuversary. Happy as a clam on three legs - he's slowed down a little bit recently, but he's going on 13 so its no big deal. I give him K 9 Immunity plus and have every day since he had his amputation. I know that I'm very, very lucky but I hope his story helps people have some hope when they get this diagnosis. Good luck!
OMG! Thank you for chiming in, it's so pawesome to know Clyde just got to #3! This made my day!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
roane226 said
I'm so grateful to have found this site. Talking to people who dont know what it's like to have your heart walking around in a furry 4 legged (or in this case 3 legged) body isn't the same!Thank you all for the hug this morning I truly needed it.
You are so welcome! We are glad you sound so hopeful and pawsitive. Let us know how things go with the vet conversation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Had a great chat with one of the girls at my vet's office this morning. Shes the mom of a tripawd cat so she gave me some great personal experience on the surgery as well as a sparkling review of Dr Clark and vetranary surgery N.E.
I think I can breath now & feel much more solid about our treatment choices. We've scheduled roanes surgery for mid july. I'll check in and keep you posted.
Best wishes & big hugs,
Bev & Roane
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
Yes, doing your research and then developing a plan and moving forward so, indeed, provide a sense of relief. God job!
Love Roane's avatar pocture. Can't wait to see more!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
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