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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First of all I just want to say how wonderful and informative this site is! I've been doing a lot of reading about osteosarcoma and amputation lately and all of the stories I have been reading have made me feel so much better about our desicion to amputate our boy's leg.
Clifford is an older doberman (10-12) who was dumped at an ambulance station out in the country. When we got him on 7/13/12 he was emaciated, covered in fleas and ticks and had no hair because his skin was so infected. After a couple of days we noticed a mass near his joint on his right front leg and that is when we got the diagnosis that it was more than likely osteosarcoma. (We opted not to have a bone biopsy done) Because his overall health was so poor at that time we were told he probably only had a couple of weeks. About a week later we did X-rays and were thrilled when his lungs were clear. We started learning all about osteosarcoma and how agressive it is and were told to expect a couple of months. We started managing his pain with Tramadol and NSAIDs and treated his other medical issues. Cliff started to gain weight and turned into a beautiful dog with the best personality. It became clear to us that all he needed was a home filled with love and someone to fight for him. His tumor started to grow but his personality and happiness never waivered. He dances in circles when it's time to eat and when I get home from work. This was all months ago and recently the tumor started growing rapidly and he stopped using that leg completely. We decided that since he has proved everybody wrong we wanted to get him evaluated again and see if amputation was an option for him. He went in today for x-rays and his lungs are clear! He is scheduled for amputation tomorrow as long as his bloodwork looks good in the morning. I'm excited and very nervous at the same time. I know this is the best option for him and it will take that pain away but I tend to worry a lot. I really just wanted to share Clifford's story and let everyone know what an amazing dog I was blessed with! 
Hi Nicole and Clifford, welcome to Tripawds. This is the club nobody wants to join, but if it happens, we are here to help make your journey easier.
Clifford, you sure have a lot of oomph! As sucky as cancer is, I know you've got what it takes to kick cancer's butt to the moon or beyond. You will do fine but if there is anything that we can do to help, just let us know OK?
Good luck tomorrow! Please keep us posted and let us know how surgery goes. We'll be waiting for updates!
P.S. Thanks for registering as a member, your future posts won't require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good luck tomorrow, Clifford! You sound like quite the trooper! You're going to do great and will continue to amaze everyone! Soon, you'll be dancing around in circles again without that painful thing in your way. Keep us posted!!!
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Good luck tomorrow Clifford! We'll be sending positive thoughts your way!! Stay strong!!
Good luck Clifford. You found a great support. 
You can & will continue to kick cancer's butt.
Michelle & Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
You are an absolute angel for rescuing Clifford. He sure is one lucky dog to have you in his corner. It always breaks my heart when I hear how horribly someone can treat a dog. Then there are wonderful people like you, who come along, and with a lot of love, can turn a dogs life around. Clifford sure sound like a fighter. I'm sure he is going to kick this cancer thing in the butt, and he is going to adjust to life on three legs just fine. Please let us know how the surgery goes, and if you have any questions please ask. We are here to help in any way we can.
michele
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
Clifford is such a lucky boy to have found you!!! He is doing amazing so far, already laughing at the odds. Good luck with the surgery. Whatever the future holds Clifford has gotten to know what it is to be loved.
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/
Welcome! Please do check back tomorrow to let us know how things are going. We fret.
You did a very special thing by taking Clifford into your home and making him a family member. He will repay you, I guarantee it. You will discover that as strong as the bond is between human and dog, it's even more special after going down this road.
Good luck tomorrow, Clifford!
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
In case anyone is interested, Clifford has his own Facebook page... http://www.face.....igRedDobie
Welcome to Tripawds, sorry to hear Clifford has OSA.
Today is surgery day- I hope everything goes well and he is back home with you soon.
Keep us posted on his progress.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Bailey and I hope that Clifford's surgery went well today. Clifford sounds like one tough cookie, and that is a wonderful thing! He is lucky to have you to care so much about him. We are sending positive thoughts your way.
Just thinking about you and Clifford. Hoping that the surgery went well. I know things are hectic for you right now. But when you get a chance, let us know how the surgery went. We are here if you need us.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
Thank you so much for all the kind words of welcome! Sorry it took so long to get an update on here, I guess I forgot to mention in Clifford's story that I work for a vet! Surgery went great and I was able to be with him every step of the way, it was my first time to see an amputation and it was interesting. Our boy is doing great! We aren't a 24 hour clinic so I opted to bring Clifford home with me tonight. He still has his IV catheter in place so I am able to give him IV pain meds during the night rather than have my boss go into the clinic and check on him. I just feel that he'll do much better having me with him because he is very attached to me and since I'm able to take care of the medical issues I think it was the best choice for us and his doctor agreed. He was ready to go once he woke up this afternoon! I was worried about how he would do after the surgery but Clifford thinks that was silly of me. Now I'm worried that we are going to have trouble keeping him calm enough to let his incision heal! He was ready to run into the house as soon as we got home. ( I didn't let him of course!) Cliff is handling all of this like a real trooper and that makes me feel so much better about a lot of my concerns. I'm sure we will have some ups and downs as we get further into his recovery but tonight we are all doing great! Oh, I also wanted to share that his blood work came back and everything was within normal limits! He is such an amazing boy.
I forgot to ask if anyone here has heard of or even used a supplement called Protandim? It's relatively new to our area and I'm just wondering if anyone has advice or feedback on it. Or any other supplements for that matter, I know there are a lot of options and I just want to do what is best for my big guy!
What a lucky pup to be able to come home with his mom and his IVs! I bet all our dogs (and pawrents?) would have had a better first night if we could all have been together. Lucky guy!
Great update, too! It's wonderful news. Good bloodwork, good surgery, good recovery, and good energy. I think most pups here express quite a bit of energy and strength immediately after amputation, but a day later they crash for a few days. I think the pain meds make them feel like SuperDog - which, frankly, I think is a good thing! Good luck over the next few days. You no doubt have all the education to help you along, and you have us too.
Way to go, Clifford! You ARE amazing!
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
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