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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Tungsten Blue does not appear to be in any pain, and that's good while he's recovering. I know he's still dealing with surgery recovery too, even this far out.
A other dog comes to mi d...Whisper. He didn't post in the forums, just blogs. He was an amazing senior! After the amp, he had what the et said was "something similar to a stroke". Not sjre of actual diagnosis. Anyway, it did regain smoe use of his rear legs, but most lreferred to semi slink his back side half way down and thoroughly enjoyed oving along like that. And he was blind too!
Yes, improvement can take awhile.
, that's for sure.
Another suggestion, post his situation under "Ask A Vet". Our "volunteer" Vet may pop in and offer some advice.
Lots of hugs to you!
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!
Tungsten Blue sounds like a champ who keeps on keeping on. Good for him!!! He is HANDSOME!!!
Here is something to think about: my previous WonderPyr had a rear leg amputation and afterwards never used his other rear leg again. Imagine the profile of a walrus or seal: that is what Heffalump looked like after the surgery. We ended up transferring his case to UGA's Vet School (for many reasons). As he had OSA (and MultiDrug Syndrome to boot) . Heffalump underwent chemo and an additional surgery all the while scooting around faster than any of us would have thought. And he was a working Pyr so he was outside working much of this time.
We had to make accommodations. We had a sling, we had a cart where you could remove any or all sides, we covered the floors in interlocking mats, and we ordered an Eddie's wheelchair - which, in our case was NOT useful:( Being a two legged walrus did not impact him at all. He became lightning fast and , literally, the Vet School almost lost him one day because they assumed it would be okay to let him hang in the back (he scooted himself down the hall to make a break for it or to get cookies...)
We will put our PyrPaws together for Tungsten Blue and hope every moment brings recovery. Hang in there!!!
I was hoping to see a happy post about Tungsten. He sure is having a time of it. I pray thatyou will get the answers/guidance you need to make good decisions for Tungsten. Your love and dedication are obvious. It makes me want to be a better dog mom. Big hug.
Thanks everybody for the posts and additional information. And Lisa thanks for the additional information on Pofi. At least the x-rays the doc did the other day did not reveal any additional OSA...I dont know if OSA can manifest itself into other forms of cancer after the initial OSA has been removed. Lets hope not. After reading a bit about FCE I am actually hoping that is what he has, at least he might have a fighting chance of a recovery in time.
I have gone out of town and left Tungsten with his dad for the weekend, so I only get updates from a different perspective. This morning however he wanted to get up and scoot over to line up for breakfast with the others, and he got up and scooted over to the stairs later in the afternoon. So at least he is motivated to get up, but as far as I know still cant use his leg. I am hoping to at least see him put his foot in the correct position instead of curling his toes, as I believe that might be the first sign of healing. As far as how the lameness progressed, he was a bit unstable on his leg last Saturday, a bit more unstable by Sunday and dragging it by Monday morning. I cant say he has gotten any worse than he was on Monday. Will update as I learn more.
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
Well, there were two things that stood out.
His attitude and spunk seem to have picked up some!
The fact that he felt motivated enough to scoot his sweet self over ro get in line for food, and then scooted over to the stairs!
I know it's awful to be in the "hurry up and wait" part of this "recoveryl from whatever it is. I would take the update from his Dad as a good sign though
Thanks so much for keeping us updated. We care.
Come on Tungsten Blue! We're cheering for you!
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!
I am sorry just catching up on this. I am so sorry to hear about this. 🙁 I can't add to any experience other than to add my prayers for a good recovery.
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."
Dad's first night alone taking care of Tungsten.....guess it was a mess. Tungsten was up all night wanting to be mobile around the room. Would not lay on his pee pads....pee and poo all over the room...thank goodness for steam cleaners. Tonight he is going to confine him to his transport crate...at least it can be hosed out. No change in his paralysis. I will be spending heaps of time on a recovery therapy when I get home on Monday....today is only day 5 of the full on paralysis, so a few more days of rest wont hurt.
Cheers,
Barb and Tungsten
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
I tell ua' what, if SPUNK helps heal, Tungsten Blue will indeed work though this!!
Not sure if your hubby can handle you going out of town anymore though! I'm glad you were actually able to get a little break yourself though. You are doing an outstanding job of holding it all together as Tungsten Blue maneuvers through his recovery.
Gonna suggest again posting under the "Ask The Vet Thread" spelli g out the symptoms, how they showed up znd the tests the Vet has done, the treatment, etc
She came to this site because her Mastiff Tazzie had osto and needed an aamputation. She continues to "volunteer" her input for several years now.
Tungsten Blue, your Fan Club is keeping all paws crossed for improvement!!!
Love and hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS....Really glad you are checking I to harnesses or slings. Saw your posts on the ones that are being offered. I think it would be a spectacular tool to help!!!! Hang in there!!!!
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 everybody...my hubby says I got the "golden kitchen pass"....guess he is right. He will be putting Tungsten in the travel kennel tonight in order to get some sleep, and contain any mess. He is dealing with the fact that Tungsten is inable to pull his penis back into his sheath....cant make this stuff up. He will be trying a cold pack and some lubricant to fix the situation. I guess I will owe him big when I get home.
Thanks to Sarah for donating a harness to Tungsten...we will need it for recovery therapy.
Cheers,
Barb and Tungsten
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
Nope, can't make this stuff up!! Yeah, I thinknyiu did get a "pass" on this latest issue.
I don't think I want to know Tungsten Blue's thought bubble as your hubby tries to find a...er...solution. hope his careful with that ice pack!!
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!
Just catching up with this. I am sorry Tungsten's having such a hard time. I do think it is positive that he is clearly wanting to be mobile, though clearly this presents its challenges for you. Do hope this issue resolves itself soon, and you can get back to a more straightforward recovery.
Sending all best to Tungsten and to you,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Thinking about you all, and hoping he starts getting mobility (and "control") back soon.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
You guys are awesome parents the way you are hanging in there and taking care of your boy.
Sending positive thoughts for some progress.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Just getting caught up. Poor Tungsten, he is certainly going through a difficult time right now, but he is certainly facing it bravely; so is Mom and Dad. I continue to keep him in my thoughts and prayers! Deb and Angel Bandit.
Thanks everybody. Got home this afternoon to find Tungsten a real mess. His penis has been out for some time now and Tungsten has been scooting around with it out. It was not looking good....bleeding. I got him into a warm bath, cleaned him up, got some vetrycin on it and slid it back into the protective sheath. Will have to keep an eye on it so that it heals up. His rear leg is rather limp as is his tail. He is not even curling his toes under or anything, just limp. His front legs have even atrophied a bit as I dont think he has done much moving. I will be using the harness we got in the mail to try to improve his front legs and get some mobility in his rear. I at least got him to eat a majority of his food this evening and he got a drink...he needs to get back to the point where he could at least prop himself up on his front legs to eat and drink. He needs alot of work.
Cheers,
Barb and Tungsten
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
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