Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So for those of you who have not read our story, My little JRT was attacked by a german shepherd at 4 months old. The GSD broke my little dogs hip, we tried to save his leg but 3 years after the attack we finally found a vet that was willing to remove the leg. Everything changed for Quixote after the amputation, he is happier and friendlier and a dog again. Its been 5 months since the surgery.
Now the vet thinks he has cancer in his remain rear leg. We are not sure if its skin cancer or bone cancer. We do more tests on tuesday. If its bone cancer or even aggressive skin cancer we may have to remove his other leg too. I have informed the vet that we will NOT be doing chemo or radiation therapies. If this is cancer.
In reality Cancer is the only thing this could logically be. Hes only 3 years old I dont know what to do anymore. I cant do this. I really dont think I can. This dog and I have been thru so much, I bottle raised him and hand fed him. I was there when he woke up from BOTH surgeries thus far, and I have nursed him thru both of those I dont know if I can do it to removed his remaining back leg. I cant believe that my champion ratting dog is going to be a biped, never to hunt, go to ground or even play flyball again. I feel like doors are slamming shut in his face
I feel like I failed him.
and If I cry anymore I am certain I will be admitted to the hospital for dehydration.
Oh sweetie, you have not failed him! Quite the opposite. I am sorry that you are dealing with this. It just plain stinks! If it is skin cancer,is it something they can remove and save his leg? Check out the website where I got my Tripawd from. It is called Pets with Disabilities and they have an fair number of pups on wheels. They actually get around quite well. I know that doesn't help your situation, just thought it would give some insight. All He knows right now is how very loved and spoiled he is. Keep us updated, Lori, Ty & Gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
You have been the best thing that ever happednedw to Quixote! THE BEST THING EVER!!! And it would really upset him for you to think fornine secondnyou have failed that voy!! As Lori said, the opposite is true!! And she pointed out some great options. There is a wonderful video floating around here somewhere of a dog running and chasing a frisbee on two legs! But try not to even think today. Today Quixote feels great and hes not going anywhere anytime soon! He's a Jack Russell...young and fiesty!
For now though, get back to the present....impossible,.... but try not to jump ahead with the what ifs! Right now all is well is Quixote's world a d he is in the moment not worrying about a thing! And you really don't know what this is! And it is likely it could indeed be something less scary! Once you do find out what it is, you will make the absolute best decision for Quixote...you always have, you always will!
Stay right here with us....vent, rage, cry....but drink lots of fluids to prevent that dehydration you talked about!
Now go love up on that cutie pie and wat h that little nub of his wag!
We love you and we are right by your side!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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 agree, you are the best thing going for him. I just want to scream at the top of my lungs for you. This stupid f'ing disease has no f'ing mercy.
You can do this. This is not a failure on your part. There is nothing any of us can do to predict this stupid piece of crap disease. You have nursed him from the beginning and there is no one better to help him through this than you. If for some reason, they do have to remove his leg, he can still do all the great things dogs can do. Like Lori said there are tons of wheelchair bound dogs who play fetch and get to be regular dogs.
Sending lots of prayers and hugs your way.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
I can't imagine how worried you must be, I'm sorry! Please though, try not to panic, this could be a number of things, we've seen it happen many, many times here. What someone thought was surely to be awful news about cancer turned out to be something else that wasn't as bad. Until you have a biopsy report back and have official confirmation from a vet, do your best to stay centered and calm. You can do it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh my goodness... I am so sorry.... But like the others have said - you did not fail him. The opposite.... you are giving him an amazing and FUN life!!! And all he knows right now is SO much love!!!!
Holding you in my heart and waiting for the update...
much love,
alison with spirit shelby in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
You definitely have not failed Quixote, just like Lori said, and I have to agree with what everyone else has said........ He is a happy and very loved little guy, and that is what is most important right now, like Jerry said though, try not to panic too much right now as hard as that may be. Many of us have gone through this awful ugly c journey, and we all gave it everything we had to fight it, and you will know in your heart the right decisions to make if that time comes. Unfortunately, this ugly, crappy disease does not discriminate, but try to think positive and wait for the results from your vet. In the meantime, spoil your boy to no end and enjoy each day that comes, he doesn't care about what may or may not happen tomorrow, just what happens today.
Please keep us updated and I am keeping you and him in my thoughts and prayers,
Bonnie, Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu
Well our appointment with the oncologist and for biosys is fast approaching. There are not many things this could be and the most likely is cancer sadly. We are HOPING for Bowens Disease (form of skin cancer) as it is the easiest to treat. IF it turns out to be bone cancer, a second amputation is plausible. I do have the wheelchair already (and so many people told me I was jumping the gun purchasing that thing, and that I would never use it.. oh the irony). Right now he is NOT in pain, even when I touch the lesion he doesnt fret over it.
This has got to be it for medical things though right? I mean dysbosis, a blood infection, amputation, broken hip. All this for a dog that has had only puppy vaccines, fed raw, not neutered till 3. ahhhhh I love him. Mind you the blood infection makes sense after having Dysbosis.
I went back and read your lost to the Ask A vet to see if there were any more clues.
Two things that stood out:
There are sooo many thi gs it could be other than that piece of crap disease!
Quixote got better after that first array of meds! "Something" was working in some form or another on whatever "it" is.
All good signs leading away from the crap disease and leadi g towards so ething else.
A d a other thing stood out...it doesnt hurt.
I know you're sick with worry and I don't blame you! But I do think you have a lot of really valid possibilities. Were some of those things Dr. Pam mentioned ruled out by the tests she suggested?
Hang in there! Quixote is such a loved little boy and soooo lucky to have you as his human! BTW, still waiti g for more pictures of Mr. Adorable!!
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Just wanted to add one more thing. I really get your frustration at trying to do everything "right"...raw food diet...no vaccines...staying away from a antibiotics if at all possible....not nuetering/spaying..and then still dealing with "stuff".
My Happy Hannah, as best I can remember, never even had any antibiotics for anything until her surgery.....I was able to skirt around vaccines and she only had her puppy and one yr. stuff.....she ate "quality" food ranked high by Whole Dog Journal, although the homecoooking and Honest Kitchen didn't start til after the "diagnosis"...she was spayed after two heats. And I've had dogs "back in the day", who were spayed/nuetered between six and twelve months, got all their vaccines "regularly", ate what we now call crap food, and some of them lived well into their teens!
Grrrrr.....
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!
We have done numerous tests to try to figure out what this is. The vet is pretty certain its cancer. We are hoping for Bowens Disease but it could be Melanoma or worse. I should be counting my lucky stars, as out of 6 dogs theres only one that is sickly. On a positive note I finally paid off his amputation with the vet yay... AND he is down to the weight they wanted him at ..16 lbs. I am preparing for the worst because thats all I can do. I dont want to convince my self its not cancer and then have it turn out it is.
Its hard to tell if he is limping because well its his back leg and he only has one of those lol
Hi, we just got done chatting, and I came back here to read the whole story. You have NOT failed her! Failing her would be giving up on her when the going got tough and you've been there through hell and back! If it went away once, that really doesn't sound like the C word, but I guess you never know. Good luck, and many many prayers coming your way.
Paula and nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
I do hope your right. At this point its really the only LOGICAL thing. Unless he has something new hmmm Its not allergies, a bug bite, a fungus, a scrap from being a terrier, MRSA /MRSP, a blood infection, or even a skin infection. He has no parasites. Its not seasonal as last time it happened it was spring, and now its summer (and yes the seasons are completely different) Spring is wet and rainy summer is hot and dry.
I just want answers and a healthy dog. And less vet bills.
And look who is up worrying (and I completely understand)! And I bet Quixote is spund asleep dreaming about digging tunnels and chasing bunnies!
Hang in there! Whatever it is, we'll deal whatever this it and move forward with the best solutions for Quixote!
No try and get some rest. Look at Quixote and know all is well in his world.
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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