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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Really nice Christine!
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
..and every word true. We had 6 months with Princess Roxie, and I wouldn't have traded a day. It's never long enough, but because we knew, we made each day into a pawty. You will, too, for her.
Hugs and blessings and peace, Liz and Angel Roxie
To be loved like she is? To have a family who has helped her through this, been her advocate, and made the decisions--the easy ones AND the hard ones? No, sweetie...no matter WHAT happens, she absolutely is of the lucky ones. And you are too, to have been blessed with such a wonderful girl. Never, ever, ever doubt that...no matter what.
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Thank you everyone for the support. <3 I guess I should be happy that she has made it 6.5 months and counting since her amputation, but from the beginning I just hoped and prayed that she would become a 1 year survivor. I did everything I could for her... changed her diet, gave her supplements, took her to chemo every month... and as soon as the chemo was finished, it seemed the cancer grew back with a vengeance.
Athena seemed to be feeling good today, which makes me feel a little better. The pain meds seem to be helping with her leg and she hasn't been limping. She has moments when it seems like her breathing is more labored, and sometimes it seems almost normal (maybe it depends on which way she is laying), and she gets tired after playing for a few minutes. It is difficult for me to see how her breathing has changed because of these tumors.
The most recent picture I have of her is from her Halloween costume contest. She won 1st place (of course)! 
I wish it wasn't blurry because she wouldn't sit still.
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
ATHENA!! First place!! Way to go!! That's how we Virginia girls roll!!
And you know what Athena? You are FIRST PLACE in our hearts too!!
Okay...this costume.....is kt a 'prates outfit"? You wouldn't happen to have a PEG LEG would you? Is that a peg leg?? It is! Jessica!! You dressed Athena up with a peg leg?? I LOVE that!
Jessica, you are doig...and have been doing...everything possible for Athena! This is a nasty, cruel piece of crap disease that makes up it's own rules.
But ya' ow what? Athena is still enjoying life and has NO i te tin of going anywhere anyti e soon!! And NOTHING can touch that lovely courageous spirit of jers! Yeha, she may hsve some less good days than others
This is becoming your "new norm" and it will be less frightening as you adjust. Maybe she'll have less energy on so e days than others. Maybe some days her breathing will sound different than others. As long as she's happy and giving you tail wags and kisses, she's still having good quality. just a little different "norm".
Athena still jas a lot of fight in her and will let you know in every way when she doesn't. Right now, all indications are she is happy!!
Soooooo glad you posted this great picture!! She looks so darn cute!
I'm glad you're feeling better too. I know seeinb Athena having a good day just makes your heart soar!!
All paws crossed over here for many, many more good times!
Holding you and Athena safely in our heart and surrounding youu with positive energy!
There's a special talk radio show on nere Su day with a very well kown AND successful Holistic Expert. You can go throubh tripawds and post questions. I'm not explaining it very well Go to the forums, you'll see it...it's posted there. Anyway, it may be helpdul for you and Athena.
Sally and Happy Hannah
Thank you for comoping back with a pretty
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!
Jesse,
So sorry Athena's cancer came back and I know exactly how you feel. My Maggie's cancer came back 4 months after her amp and she was only 5 yrs old at the time of her amp. I felt very cheated and robbed and pissed. BUT in those 4 months she went on horse rides, went fishing, celebrated her 6th birthday and generally lived as comfortable a life as she could. I would suggest you read the pennies in a jar article because it was really helpful to me. I love the picture and it's obvious you have been a great Mom. Good Luck.
Penny, Blink and Maggie in Heaven
Athena the Pirate Princess, may you keep on fighting those mets and living life with all the gusto of a pirate for a long, long time!
Jess I know it's hard not to feel defeated, or to stop and flinch whenever the mets interfere with daily joys and activities. Who can blame you? Whenever that happens though, try as hard as you can to stop and remember that Athena doesn't know why that happened, just that for a little while something felt weird; she just wants to get back to doing her thing. And thankfully there's some things you can do for that. Between prednisone, cough medications and these herbs we talk about in This Nutrition Blog Article, she can stay comfortable for longer.
You and Athena are winners in our hearts and in this community, always. We love you guys!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am going to ask my vet about prednisone first thing Monday. She couldn't seem to get comfortable today. Right now she is laying outside in the yard panting.
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
And Jess, I know it's actually kind of muggy/humid/almost hot in this area of Virginia, so I guess it's the same on your end....in fact maybe even more humid your way.
Anyway, point being, the weather makes all the difference in the world for larger tripawds. It could defnitely be this yucky humid weather causing the panting. I think Athena will feel a little more comfortable when it cools off. And defnitely trythe Pred. That little drug can be benificialin so many different instances!
I jad a chace to oisten to the "ztripawds Talk Radio" replay a bit ago. The Doc did jave some suggestins for you...j fortnately, I couldn't u derstand what she said! I DO know she defiitey elieves acuupncture hekps provide more quality. The herbs she suggested were anti-flammatory. And that's ne way the Pred. works too..so it sounds like you're n the right track..
Athena's just having o e of ner "less good" days.....the ole' "ups and downs" syndrome! Ugh! She'll balance back out and move over to the "up sde"!
Stay in the moment with Athena, she's staingin the momeng withyou!
Now, give the Pred. a couple of days to kick-in. She'll feel better!!
Sending you gigantic hugs and bunches of hugs foryou and Athena!! We're all here!!
Sallh and Happy Hannah
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!
benny55 said
Anyway, point being, the weather makes all the difference in the world for larger tripawds. It could defnitely be this yucky humid weather causing the panting.
I jad a chace to oisten to the "ztripawds Talk Radio" replay a bit ago. The Doc did jave some suggestins for you...
Sallh and Happy Hannah
I would definitely agree with Sally's theory about the weather, we see these kinds of reactions often.
And yes, Dr. McCullough sure has a talent for pronouncing those tough Chinese herb names! Here is the herb she suggested:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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