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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Hi everyone! Glad to find a site so helpful to our situation! Well my 8 year old golden retriever, Bear, had been having leg problems (limping) and we recently found out he had bone cancer in his left hind leg. The decision has been to go ahead with the tripawd surgery because he is healthy in every other way other than the cancer.
His surgery is on Monday (2/2/2009), so we are praying that all will go well! Bear should return home on Wednesday. Thanks again for the support this site has given!
EDIT: Other than the effects the chemo had on him, Bear's recovery from surgery went really well! It's amazing how quickly they adapt to such a drastic change. Within a couple of weeks he could hold a fast walk on three legs. Amazing!
UPDATE:
His recovery was going well until we began chemo and at that point all went to hell. He began to look depressed and refused food and water, as well as throwing up and having diarrhea. We took him to emergency hospital where he stayed for the weekend, and we found a much happier dog. They had given him medicine and fluids which helped him recover.
Recently (about 2 weeks after first hospital visit) he was refusing food again and a sore on his leg was looking gruesome so we took him to the vet. It turns out he was running a high fever and that (this is extremely rare in dogs) the chemotherapy destroyed all of his white blood cells, allowing infection to attack his sore (the sore has nothing to do with the surgery). That is where we stand now. The next week will decide if he survives and if the antibiotics can fight the infection long enough for his blood to recover.
We are praying for him.
UPDATE:
Bear went in with a fever of 105 (I believe 101.5 is average for dogs) and it has been steadily decreasing. He will remain hospitalized until his temperature stablizes and the infection disappears. After all that has happened, we have decided (obviously) to not continue with chemotherapy. And yes, it was carboplatin chemotherapy, and this was a very rare reaction. We hope that we will continue to recover!
-Sam
Welcome to the group. There is lots of helpful information here and some wonderfully supportive people who have already been down the road you are starting down. Here's hoping Bear has an uneventful surgery and a speedy recovery.
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.
Hi Sam,
We are scheduled for Monday as well - our 12 year old chocolate lab Marley will be having her left hind leg amputated due to bone cancer. She comes home on Wed too. See my previous post and all the responses with great advice on how to handle all of this!
Holly
Hi Sam, welcome and thank you for joining us here. We know how getting that diagnosis is like a kick in the stomach, but as you can see here, there is definitely life after cancer. Silly humans forget how resilient and tough we dogs really are! Now, you be sure to follow Bear's lead OK?
We send our love and support for the surgery. Recovery isn't the easiest thing, but we are here for you if you need anything. Pretty soon, a couple of weeks will go by and you'll be wondering why you were so nervous about it in the first place.
Good luck! We're rootin' for ya!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Bear and Marley..we are sending double extra, extra prayers, paws crossed, pawsitive thoughts and tons of love your way tomorrow. It's a tough few hours to get through until the Vet calls to say that everything is A-OK. Like Jerry said, there is life after cancer and you may be surprised the lessons and the gifts that you receive as a result of this journey you are about to take with your fur kid.
Please let us know how it goes and if you have any questions or just need a shoulder to lean on. We are here for you.
xo
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Update on Bear:
His recovery was going well until we began chemo and at that point all went to hell. He began to look depressed and refused food and water, as well as throwing up and having diahrea. We took him to emergency hospital where he stayed for the weekend, and we found a much happier dog. They had given him medicine and fluids which helped him recover.
Recently (about 2 weeks after first hospital visit) he was refusing food again and a sore on his leg was looking gruesome so we took him to the vet. It turns out he was running a high fever and that (this is extremely rare in dogs) the chemotherapy destroyed all of his white blood cells, allowing infection to attack his sore (the sore has nothing to do with the surgery). That is where we stand now. The next week will decide if he survives and if the antibiotics can fight the infection long enough for his blood to recover.
We are praying for him.
Sam
We will keep you in our prayers as well. Good thoughts coming your way. Stay strong.
Seanne and Wrigley
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
Sam,
Sorry to hear that Bear is going through such a rough time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you both. Stay positive for Bear!!
Tina and Shadow
Tina and Spirit Shadow
I'm sending good thoughts your way. Hopefully the antibiotics will do their job and Bear will begin recovering. I know this must be terribly difficult for you. Hang tough.
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.
We are all sending good thoughts your way. I'm so sorry that he had a bad reaction, but don't forget that you can stop the chemo at any time. Our vet told us to just try once to see how Willy responded to it, but that it can be stopped at any time. These dogs are so strong and resilient. You have a whole community here hoping with you that Bear comes through this (look at what he has already been through!). You go Bear!--Willy and family
Willy--diagnosed with osteosarcoma January 5, 2009 (amputation January 27, 2009) left us just after his 11th birthday on December 2, 2009 to join all the other brave tripawds. We'll always love you!
You and bear are in our thoughts and prayers too. Whatever the outcome, please know that by sharing your experience here, you are certain to help others who may face the same issues with their pups. Thank you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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