Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am a parent of a 9 year old female pitbull. I have had her since she was only 4 weeks old and she is my BEST friend! She has been there through everything and is my life!
A few months ago, my sweet Grace started limping. We took her to our regular vet for xrays and nothing showed in her hips or knees, so they put her on anti inflammatories for a "pulled muscle" and she seemed to get better. After a few weeks, the limp returned even worse. This time I took her to a speciaist, thinking she may have a torn tendon or such.
The new doctor did xrays, this time of the entire leg including her little ankle. To our surprise she found a tumor that had taken over Grace's bone. It was bad and I was devastated! The doctor told me that it had probably spread to the lungs and a chest xray would be done. As I sat in the room, I cried and prayed for the best! This was my best friend....what would I do??!!!
The xrays showed clear lungs, but our only option for her leg was to amputate it asap. We chose to take Grace home and love her and have surgery the following morning.
The morning of surgery, I told her I loved her and that it was all going to be ok. I kissed her sweet nose and she hopped back with the tech. She had no idea. =( All day I cried and prayed and just sat and waited. Several hours later I got the call that Grace did Great! She was awake and wagging her tail! She even got to come home the following day because she was doing so well!
When I picked her up the following day, she was bright eyed and bushy tailed! She ran right out to me! She was my same Grace....just a little bit prettier! For the next couple of weeks, I watched her every step. My family, friends and neighbors were amazed at how she adapted! She was the same Grace!!
It has been 1 month and my sweet baby is doing well. Her incision has healed completely and her hair is growing back. She runs and swims with ease and is Always in Great spirits! We opted to not do the chemo after much discussion with family and friends that have put their dogs through chemo. I would rather her have a happy and healthy life than be sick her last few months. At this time, the cancer has not yet spread...but it could at any time.
I cherish her every day and we say our prayers every night. I know I should be the stong one....but she is the strong one for us both! She has taught me that you never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice!
I hope and pray for years more with her and can only be positive. She is my strong girl and she Amazes me!!
What a beautiful story! And so much like my Trouble's except we had a second opinion thrown in less than 24 hours after her diagnosis. We made the decision overnight and I dropped her off on my way to work the next morning - and like you I cried the rest of the day and worried we had not made the right decision.
Trouble was an amazing girl and I am sure your Grace is also. What is it about a pitbull that just steals your heart and soul?
It sounds like Grace is just doing great. Happy one month ampuversary! I hope to be sending congratulations to you monthly for many, many months to come.
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.
Thank you for commenting on my post. =)
I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet Trouble! The picture of her is adorable! It's so hard to go through this. They're your kids and it's hard for me to understand why such a bad thing has happened.
Can I ask if you did chemo on Trouble? We opted not to do it bc everyone I spoke with regarding it, said not to. They said it was a tough situation. I can't bear putting her though it and her not understanding why I'm taking her to the dr. I'd rather her be the healthy girl I know and leaving us in a natural healthy way.
I'm hoping for the best!
Thanks again for commenting!! =)
What a lovely story!!! Thank you for sharing it! Brings tears to my eyes...
I haven't done chemo with my girl, Maggie. She is coming up on three years ampuversary...but every dog/situation is different. Maggie also had soft tissue sarcoma not OSA.
So nice to read her recovery has been excellent!!
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Aww what a sweetie Grace is! Thank you for joining us and sharing her story, it's the week of the Pittie here, we've had quite a few become Tripawds lately. Welcome!
I'm so hoppy to hear she's doing great. Pitties are such a resilient breed, I'm going to bet she will continue to thrive for a long time.
The question of whether or not to do chemo here is a tough one, and no single answer is right for everypawdy. You can search our blogs and forums for lots of stories about those who haven't and have, and they can help shed some light on whether or not it's right for Grace. My biggest suggestion though is to at least meet with an oncologist to find out what your options are (it sounds like you haven't yet?). The more information you have, the more comfortable you can be with your decisions for Grace. Information is empowering.
Welcome!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Grace is a true Tripawd Princess Warrior! Its amazing how strong they are and she will continue to amaze you. Whatever you decide regarding chemo will be the right choice for you. I had decided not to do chemo on Lupe post-surgery, I was told that if the cancer hadn't spread, removing the bad leg should be sufficient (like Maggie, Lupe had a soft tissue sarcoma).
Please keep us posted on Grace's progress...she's a doll!
-Kori & Angel Lupe
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
Welcome to Tripawds.
Around here we call them ampuversaries and we like to celebrate every one. So let me be the first to say Happy 1 month ampuversary Grace!!
My pug Maggie had mast cell cancer, not OSA. I chose to do chemo because post surgery tests showed mets in the lymph node removed with the leg. Maggie had 6 months of chemo and tolerated it very well. She was given 6 to 9 months with chemo and lived almost 4 years. Unfortunately she developed oral melanoma. Because of other health issues I was not able to treat the melanoma aggressively, and chose not try any kind of chemo.
Maggie's little sis Tani also has mast cell cancer, with re-curing tumors. I have chosen a holistic approach for Tani's cancer.
All that to say that I have made different choices based on the circumstances. There is no right answer for all situations. You decide what is right for you and Grace. My only advise is to be very comfortable with your decision. I had a list of reasons for choosing not to do any treatment for Maggie's melanoma. Once in awhile doubt would creep in, especially in the first year after she passed. I could look at my list, review my thinking and I always come to the same conclusion- I did the right thing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hooray for Grace and happy one month ampuversary!
It's an amazing thing to be a tripawd pawrent, isn't it? Make the most of every day with her. I hope you have lots and lots and lots of great times ahead,
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!
Grace is a real cutie. I'm glad she is recovering well from her amp.
It is so hard to know whether or not to do chemo and we can't go back and try the other option to know which one is best for our dog! We chose to do chemo but I think the holistic route is also a good choice, or a combination of both. Do your research, even see an oncologist as Jerry suggests and then go with what seems right for you and Grace.
Good luck and we look forward to more updates
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
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