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-
I've been scouring this site looking for all the information I can get for Tonka's upcoming adventure. Thank you all for sharing your experiences for others to to seek information and comfort.
Tonka is a fit 147 pound, 6 1/2 year old Saint Bernard with cytology that came back osteosarcoma or chondrosarcoma on a hard mass slightly above his left front carpal, on the radius- slightly toward the ulnar bone.
New Year's eve he went out in the yard for some exercise before our guests arrived, and he came back in limping. Within one week, the limp never stopped and a mass grew to a size about a half golf ball, and it's hard. Carprofen and Tramadol seem to do nothing for pain. Limp is the same with/without meds. Rads show minimal bone change at this time, lungs are clear. We have decided to amputate and (hopefully) chemotherapy.
He is the biggest, teddy bear- baby on the planet. If you look at him and even *think* about petting him he lands on the floor and lays there belly up, waiting for a tummy rub. I have never met a more kind, loyal soul in my life! I'm sooo bummed.
So, I thought I'd stop browsing and actually start posting for support and if anyone else has a Saint out there in this same situation, they know they are not alone. Such a big decision for such a big dog.
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry cancer has brought you here, but I'm glad you decided to post your story. When is Tonka's surgery?
My Tripawd was a 17 pound pug, but we have lots of large and giant breed members here. My local pal, and the first Tripawd my Maggie met, is a 150 pound Anatolian Shepard front amp named Cemil. And he is 5 years past his amp for OSA!
Best of luck with the surgery.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
OK, I see surgery scheduled for Monday. I'll be thinking good thoughts for you on Monday and looking for an update.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
What a good looking dog! Everything you ever need to know (in my opinion) about life on 3 legs can be found here. Good luck on Monday, I'm sure he'll adapt well.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Welcome Tonka-
There are quite a few large breed dogs that hang out around here. I'm sure you will soon hear from Sally and Hannah (who is a mastiff lap dog!). There is also Atlas the Great Dane who not only faced osteosarcoma, but Wobbler's and has shown everyone how tough a tripawd is. We will be thinking of you on Monday and watch for updates. Take care.
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
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.
Good morning
Tucker and I want to "chime in" with our well wishes for Tonka's surgery tomorrow.
As you have already been researching on the site, you know there are lots of resources available to make this journey a little easier on all of you 
Any time you have a question.....post it in a forum or come into the chat room ......there are lots of people here to provide you support and/or guide you in the direction you need to make decisions.
As you will have noted I'm sure, all of us can attest that the first two weeks of recovery are a "roller coaster" - probably due to medication, adapting to a new reality and recovering from the actual surgery - but you will soon discover how well Tonka will adapt to his new life.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
Welcome to the club no one wants to join. I am sorry to hear about Tonka's diagnosis and pending amputation. There are a lot of big dogs who do great. The first few weeks there will be ups & downs as you probably have read on the forums.
Don't hesitate to ask questions of us or your vet. Good luck tomorrow.
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
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."
.That's great your are able to amputate... My saint wasn't a great candidae. So many bigger dogs do great... From one saint owner to another just wanted to let you know we are cheering you on and praying for the big guy! I'm sure porthos mom will chime in. . He was another Saint who was ampd and did well. I've also talked with pythagorus' s mom through bonecancer dog yahoo group. . He also did well and lived over 2 years. His videos are on YouTube if you search pythagorus tripawd... best of luck to you! Looking forward to hearing how his recovery goes! I'm usually in the chat in evenings.. feel free to stop by anytime!
Thinking of you guys!
Lori and Angel St chuck and betsy (my new rescue saint)
This is a video of pythagoras! His mom was really nice and really helpful when we were going through our journey
feature=youtube_gdata_player
Oh my gosh thank you everyone! Lori thank you for the video! I hadn't seen another saint tripawd actually up and walking! My stomach is already beginning to churn in anticipation of tomorrow. Yesterday I brushed him out and today he gets a bath, because he probably won't have one for a little while! I've set up side by side beds for us downstairs so when he comes home he doesn't have to make it upstairs to sleep next to us. My webmaster harness has arrived and started him on Gabapentin yesterday. All this preparation because of the nice community here on tripawds. Thank you everyone! I feel everything is in place and I feel *physically* prepared. Not so sure about the emotional part... I just want it over now. The anticipation is killing me!
Many, many hugs coming your way! I'm sorry you're going through this but just want to wish you all our best and let you know that we are here for you with whatever you need.
To help you prepare emotionally you can check out Jerry's Required Reading List . Also be sure to check our Size and Age Matter forum for more great examples of life as a Saint Tripawd.
And also, Lori is too shy...she was on Tripawd Talk Radio yesterday! Catch the show here.
Good luck tomorrow, let us know how things go.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hang in there. God knows it's gonna be emotionally taxing the next few weeks. Do your best to stay clam for him 
he feeds off the positive energy. As you go, you have us and your vet to talk to..the good thing is the pain from that tumor will be gone. After a few weeks of adjusting..he'll show you how strong he is best of luck! I'll be thinking of you tomorrow!
Also, I think Bella is another saint fairly recently amp'd here if you look her up in the blogs..
Hang in there!
Lori, angel chuck and betsy
Just want to send our best wishes for you and handsome Tonka tomorrow.......very hard thing to go through but there is a ton of wonderful support here.
Bonnie and Polly
Hi I'm new to the tripawds community. We live in Fort McMurray Alberta Canada We just adopted a saint Bernard who just had his leg amputated last week and we will be bringing him home on Sunday. he's from the same litter as our girl Bailey they both turn one today.
was just wondering how you and your furrbaby are doing after the surgery?
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