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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Well, it has been a little over a month since Alexander was amputated.
Alexander was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of the right forelimb...he is only 4 years young....
The first few weeks were absolute HELL. He was okay at first, then he went about 9 days refusing to eat. He was dopey and lethargic, we actually considered that he may be depressed. He would just lay in one spot ALL the time, nothing motivated him. Once we took him off the meds, he was a little less lethargic, but really did not move much.
Two weeks after his amputation, he had his first chemo, The morning of his chemo, he actually ate! It was funny, the only thing that got him going was the prospect of riding in the car and going to see his oncologist....
Alexander had no side effects from his first chemo treatment. We never noticed any nausea, he was actually eating again!!
This past weekend, right before his one month ampuversary, we really began to see our old Alexander again. He is finally playing and barking. He greets us when we come in the house, and is antsy being in the house. We cannot wait to re-introduce him to socializing with other dogs...he was so social before, going out to parks and yappy hours. We are a bit nervous for the first few meetings with other dogs, so we are going to use some friends dogs to re-socialize slowly. We really need to do it soon though, he is getting way to antsy at home.
The reason that I posted our back story and what we have gone through is that I want everyone to know: We were scared out of our minds! We second guessed our decision, and thought he would never be the same again. We were terrified we had put him through trauma and he was never going to recover......Today, I wouldn't change a thing. Yes, I still get sad that this had to happen to him, BUT Alexander is alive and enjoying life. He is absolutely amazing.
For anyone going through the early stages of this awful disease, whether it be the decision making process, or recent surgery: it gets better!!!!!!!
This website has been a God-send to us. Thank you Jerry and all of the members. I am not sure I could have kept my sanity through the past month and a half without all of you!!!!!
Alexander The Great Dane
Suspected Osteosarcoma July 12
Diagnosed Officially 7/16/2010
Amputated 7/27/2010
Became Spirit Xander 2/20/2011
We're so happy to hear Xander is back to his old self again. Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom for others going through the same thing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Glad to hear Xander is doing so well! Chloe is just a few days shy of her one month ampuversary, but I decided today I would celebrate that on my blog. I added Xander's name to my shirt, so check back in 7 names (yes Names) which is when I will post a new photo with the new names!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Awwww! This made me a little teary-eyed! (maybe I need to up my meds, hehe). I'm so glad that you are starting to see that our doggies really aren't any different post-amputation...it must be such a relief that Alexander is becoming like his old self once-again 
Continued happiness to you all!
<3 Laura and Invisible Jack
I am so happy to read that the old Alexander is back. It's so amazing when they recover and they return to their old self again. Great update, brings a big smile to read such good news.
Jo Ann & Tasha
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
great news!!
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Here's to being our ol selves !!!
Yea Alexander!
I knew you could/would do it, boy!!!
Happy Days !
Denise
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
I am glad to read that even though the beginning was a struggle he has managed to pull through! That gives me hope that if things don't go completely smoothly there is still light at the end of the tunnel. I am so glad for you and Alexander. Thanks for the post and the heads up of what maybe ahead.
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
We love reading good news first thing in the morning! Give that pup of your's a big belly rub from us.
I'm so glad to read that Alexander is doing so well!! His story was one of the first that I read about the night before Kobe's surgery and being the first Tripawd I read about he has a special place in my heart 🙂 When you wrote that he wasn't eating we sent lots of good thoughts your way!! Thanks for sharing your good news!!
Oh Alexander, I'm so happy you are doing well!
Angel Ruthie's Mom
Great news for our big boy! You keep hopping along.
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.
Such wonderful news to hear that Xander is back to being his ol' self again! Best wishes for many, many more ampuversaries!!
Sue and Queen Nova
Dane Mom Sue at nova.tripawds.com and Mom to Beautiful Great Dane Queen Nova, a Blind Tripawd, who kicked cancer's butt from 11/08-03/13. The Queen is Spirit Nova now, but her legacy lives on here at Tripawds!
That's wonderful! We love hearing good news and ampuversaries! (1 month counts!)
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
1 Guest(s)
