Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi, our beautiful Aussie cattle dog, Kona Kai became a tripawd on Friday, June 4th, 2010.
She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on May 29th, 2010.
She's already doing so well with her recovery. Kona is one tough girl, with a zest for life!
The morning after her surgery, the tech was feeding her baby food, blocking the opening of the raised kennel , well, being the clever, ever plotting Aussie, Kona took a sudden flying leap right over the tech's legs.........of course, she only got so far, because she was still hooked up to her IV. Ahhhh, yes........Kona has always been quite subborn and what we like to call "My Do".
She does what she wants to do.
Thankfully, her chest x-rays were all clear.
We're so happy to have found this site.
The information, the common ground we all share.
Thank you all, ahead of time.
Truly, you give us hope.
And that's a lot to have.
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.
Welcome Kona and Denise!
We are so sorry you had to find us this way! We are really sorry for Kona's diagnoses but you have come to the right place. It sounds like she is doing very well. And I might add, that she is a pretty girl!
Admin has put together some great tips in one location so you know what to expect over the next few weeks. They are not going to be easy but perhaps these will help! Take a look around this link when you get the chance.
http://tripawds.....ding-list/
In the meantime, please feel free to ask any questions, we have a lot of advice and great support and don't mind answering your questions. You may want to consider starting a blog about your experience which helps mentally and emotionally through this difficult time.
Sending your warm healing wishes!
Comet's mom
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.
Oh Denise, welcome to you and Kona. Osteosarcoma is a scary thing at first but as you can see here, there's still plenty of living, loving and having a good time after the diagnosis. I'm betting Kona is going to kick this cancer's butt, she sounds like a real go-getter!
Where in Western Washington are you? Our favorite Tripawds vet, Pam Wiltzius, practices in Puyallup.
You're going to find there's a great community of caring, compassionate folks here who are ready to help. Comet already gave you the Required Reading List I was going to, so if there's anything we can do to answer your questions or ease your mind in the meantime, just let us know OK?
Even though osteosarcoma really stinks, we're glad you joined us here. Can't wait to follow along with Kona's Triapwd lifestyle!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
HeyDenise, just wanted to welcome you - Trouble is one of the long term osteo survivors and we hope to be inspiring folks for a long time to come, so you will see us here a lot. Once you get past the diagnosis and recovery things start to calm down, the brain starts to recover, the emotions settle a bit and you begin to cope with the one day at a time philosophy. It sounds like Kona will have no problem at all adjusting. You may have to get some new running shoes - they are faster on three legs than on four
Recovery is a tough time, lots of changes to get used to, some dogs do better on pain meds than others. What ever you do, rest while Kona rests. Resist the urge to sit and watch her sleep. You need to take care of yourself in order to care for her.
Great news about the clear chest x-rays! Keep us posted on her progress.
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.
Welcome Kona and Denise!
Sounds like Kona is doing fantastic! Yes, as Shanna said, you'd better get your running shoes on cause they DO move faster on three legs than four! I do a bit of jogging behind my dog if she has to be on leash...not a good runner but I manage to stay upright! LOL
Hope Kona's recovery goes well...she looks like a strong girl! How old is she? My other dog is an Aussie..
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Thank you so much everyone!
As you all of you know, it helps so much to have others to relate to and to be a shoulder too.
Yes, I have to admit, it's been hard not to watch Kona all the time......however, she doesn't like it.....the suspicious cattledog and all....
but, I've been getting a little bit better. I also have to admit that that first week of getting the diagnosis was HELL and we cried a lot...
Now, each day since her surgery, we are getting filled with more and more hope.
We saw her doctor today and they removed her fentanyl patch and checked her out. Her doc is really happy with her progress.
Next Monday, she'll get her stitches out and then later in the week, start her chemo (three treatments).
Oh Jerry, I'm in Lake Stevens, WA...........probably 80 miles or so north of Puyallup.
Shanna, I just LOVE hearing that there are long term osteo survivors out there---thank you!
Tracy, you are so right. Already Kona is well, hauling A$$ !
Ok, especially when we got to the vet's and she said she'd prefer to go home.
Thank you, Comet's Mom.........what a cute pup!
Thank you all,
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.
Hi Kona and Denise!
It's hard to believe five months ago I couldn't even SPELL osteosarcoma let alone know what it was. You've found the perfect place on this site; the tripawd family is sooooo supportive.
Recovery can be a bit of a challenge; it's already been said but I'll reiterate: make sure you and Kona get plenty of rest! Kona sounds like a strong girl. And gorgeous too.
Best wishes!
Carmen, Catie and Riley
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
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