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, I'm new here and have spent the last two days on this amazing site reading your wonderful encouraging words! When our 10 1/2yo golden girl Marlee was diagnosed in Nov 2017 with a small MCT between her toes I had NO IDEA where it would lead! She has been through electro-chemo, palladia, intravenous and oral chemo, several holistic treatments and now its just taking over her paw and I'm just not sure what's left! Yesterday we met with her oncologist, radiation specialist and surgeon. They suggested taking the front right leg and lymph, when you first hear that your heart drops! After the initial shock I started to realize this may be what she needs to live her best life to come. She is still a happy girl not giving up the fight. Today is the first day she has shown signs of discomfort. 
I know I'm here in the right place, and I know this is a tough decision, we don't have a lot of time. The tumor is isolated at this point to her paw. Of course everyone has an opinion and I'm just so sad that I've been shamed for even thinking this is an option! I guess I just need those encouraging words!
Ember said
I've been shamed for even thinking this is an option!
There is no need to be ashamed for going to such lengths to do what is best for Marlee! Please try to Be More Dog - and that is not just some silly saying, listen to that podcast for details.
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Hello and welcome.
I'm sorry you are dealing with mast cell cancer- what a fight you have put up so far!
My Pug Maggie lost her left rear leg to a MCT. If you are interested you can read her story and about her amp and chemo, the links are in my signature below. Maggie's little sis Tani also had recurring MCTs over her lifetime.
There are lots of people out there, most well meaning, who don't know anything about Tripawd dogs or how well they do after surgery. They say 'how can you do that TO your dog?'. Around here we say we are doing it FOR our dog!
Your opinion is the one that matters and it's your decision to make. You know and love Marlee and are making choices in her best interest.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you both! It’s so good to hear encouraging words! I’m so blessed to be here! I know she will be a great Tripawd beauty it’s just so scary going into the unknown! I hope to keep meeting great people here and calm the nerves so I can Be More Dog
I’m off to read Maggie’s story!
Okay, okay, I'm in love ❤ Marlee has THE sweetest face! And those gorgeous eyes melt my heart!!
You can just tell by her avatar photo Marlee has lots of spunk and personality!
YOU ARE NOT ALONE and you are definitely in the right place! We get it! We understand your love for Marlee and your willingness to give her the best quality possible! Amputation surgery is ONE surgery and BAM! That's it! Onward and upward!! Now, that's not to say recovery is a cakewalk, because it's not! It's major surgery and, like all surgeries, there are unknown risks. But we all took those risks and we all were willing to deal with a rough recovery time so we could see our dogs and cats pain free and living life to the fullest!!😎
You are doing your research. You are talking with the professionals. You know your Marlee best. All od those well meaning people have NOT done research. They have NOT talked with the professionals. And they sure don't know Marlee and her zest for life as well as you do!!
Stick with us! We're all on Team Marlee! We'll help you navigate through the recovery and help alleviate your fears by empowering you with knowledge! Best adcice forneight now? Eat chocolate, lots of chocolate! It helps you think better!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Thanks! Surgery is scheduled for 8/13 as long as all prescreens come back good! NERVOUS but we knows it’s right for her. 
Today is surgery day! I just keep waiting for the call that everything went well 
I cannot figure out how to add her drop off pic tho
Here is how you add photos to the fourms, they have to be hosted on line somewhere.
Best wishes for a smooth, successful surgery! Keep us posted.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hey sweetie pie 🌸
How is Ember ?
And you ?
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Marlee is in surgery now, they said two hours. I just keep waiting to have a breakdown into tears. I’ll post when I hear from DR
Sending strong, positive thoughts- I'll check back in a couple hours.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Dr says all went well she is already distributing weight well even being groggy. They will keep monitoring her and hopefully she can come home tomorrow night
Yay! So glad surgery is over.
Try and rest up tonight so you are prepared to welcome Marlee home tomorrow!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
YAAAAAAAAY FOR MARLEE!!! THRILLED TO HEAR THIS!!😁😁😁😁😁
And mobile a little already???? MARLEE IS A GOLDRN ROCK STAR 😀
HUG
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
I am THRILLED to hear surgery is over and your girl is well ☺️
Plus she is already distributing her weight, that is massively pawsitive 😍
Are you prepared for her return, do you have carpets, rubber underlay, yoga mats in place if you have hardwood or slippery floors?
Also, you should consider having her wear a shirt at all times to protect the incision until stitches come out.
A harness on top of the tshirt would be helpful too as she may need assistance to stand up, lie down and got potty.
We are all here to answer any questions you may have, we're Team Ember 🎈🎈🎈
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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