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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homer, great news that you are doing so well. we did the first round of films, but haven't done any since june. it's so stressful on gayle, and she is doing so well, we're just enjoying every day without looking for the bad. hugs to homer!!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
blackcloud4439 said:
She said we can do Xrays...
After Jerry's amputation, we decided not to do follow-up x-rays. Rather than play that stressfull waiting game, we chose to enjoy just every moment we had together, knowing that he would let us know when he got sick.
It was about 16 months later when a vet convinced us to do x-rays. That's when we discovered the cancer had metastisized, and we then started Jerry on his metronomics and K9 Immunity, which we believe helped give us another eight months. So at that point, we're gald we did the xrays, but we do note regret doing them more often.
The sad truth is, osteosarcoma has usually already metastsized at the time of diagnosis, in the form of "micromets – they are just too small for x-rays to pick up.
Thanks for the update and best wishes for Homers continued success!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I did x-rays at Sammy's 3rd chemo appointment but from here on out I choose not to continue with that. I feel for my boy that I am doing everything I can for him and the rest "Is what it is."
He sounds like he is doing very well. 🙂
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Welcome Homer! So glad to hear things are going great for the big boy!
I, too, have waived doing any follow-up x-rays since Maggie's amputation... What's the saying, "what you don't know won't hurt you?" I just choose to not put Maggie thru the stress of it all...she's had enough of vet visits thank you very much she says!
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
I'm so glad to hear Homer is continuing to do well. He sure is one handsome boy…..pictures please!
I decided early on that I wasn't going to do routine x-rays with Fortis. I eventually did have x-rays taken but not until seeing him cough up a small amount of blood. It looked like a duck, walked like a duck and quacked like a duck but I wanted to make sure. It may have been something treatable and I needed to know. I did a follow up x-ray after Fortis suffered from a lung met burst and for comparison. Fortis actually enjoys the whole process. Throughout his life I have always been in the x-ray room with him. He just jumps up on the table (these days he has to be picked up) and allows what ever manipulation is necessary. He totally trust our vet. I must say, I'm lucky to have such a great vet. I was even allowed to spend the night in the ICU with Fortis after his amputation 
Sorry….I ramble sometimes. If I was starting this journey over again I would once again waive the routine x-rays. I would however elect to have the x-rays done for the reasons I stated above but only if they didn't cause undue stress for my pup. My advice…stay flexible!
Keep up the great work Homer and family Give that big boy a hug for Fortis and I
Fortis'Dad
Foregoing serial imaging is probably the most reasonable course....I wish I was reasonable...
Despite, initially thinking I wouldn't repeat Isabelle's CXR, she had one about 30 days post-op, because she had a runny nose and I created an extreme drama in my head
. Her runny nose was probably due to environmental allergies during our very crappy summer!
I also had another one done at 3 months, because my anxiety won. If anyone is flying over Chicago & notices a strange glow around Wrigley Field...it's not the lights...it's probably my dog
. I have resisted the urge to repeat her abdominal US for now.
Her xrays are done at our integrative vet's, so there's no stress involved for Isabelle. She is there 3-4x/week for rehab & loves it. There are no traditional exam rooms & she runs around like it's her private playground. If that wasn't the case, I might make different choices.
Much of my usual practicality goes straight to hell where Isabelle is concerned....
I'm happy to hear Homer is doing well.
Hi Homer and Dad!
I'm glad Homer's doing well, he's a gorgeous boy. We initially passed on the chest x-rays after chemo. Then, I was going on a 2 week vacation and I think I wanted some piece of mind (I really felt that she did not have lungs mets) and her x-rays were fine. I had them done again 3 months later, also clear. Sadie loves going to the vet. and never seemed to have any anxiety or problems from x-rays, or the previous chemo (all that suffered was my bank account!) Unfortunately, one day she could not get up on her own and when we took her to the vet 2 days later, she had a mass on her back right leg. I guess what I'm saying is that I don't think the x-rays are necessary unless symptoms develop, or you feel that the results will change your course of treatment, or you just can't stand not knowing
Best wishes for a continued recovery!
Lisa, Ranger and Spirit Sadie
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
Homer's update. Things have been going great for Homer here in Maryland, he has been very happy that there has been some snow to play in, although nothing like the monster storms of last year. He still prefers to hop around without assistance from his dad holding the harness and has had a couple of good faceplants in the snow and ice. He enjoys his daily rides around the area and an occasional trip to walk in the park, Dad is a little reluctant to have him hopping around too far stressing his remaining front leg----don't know if I am being too cautious! We haven't returned for any follow up X-rays thusfar, but may decide to get one in the future, sometimes ignorance really is bliss. Will keep you updated on Homer's progress.
I am glad he is doing so well!
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
Great to hear that Homer is doing so well. Enjoy every moment with him. And he sure is a stud!
Cathy/Jane/Spirit Skyler/Chloe
blackcloud4439 said:
Dad is a little reluctant to have him hopping around too far stressing his remaining front leg----don't know if I am being too cautious! We haven't returned for any follow up X-rays thusfar, but may decide to get one in the future, sometimes ignorance really is bliss. Will keep you updated on Homer's progress.
Never too cautious....rehab vets have told us that ideally, a Tripawd's walks should never be more than 15 or 20 minutes at a time. You're doing great!
As for the x-rays...that was my pawrent's philosophy too. Doesn't work for everyone but it did for us.
Pawsome update! Rock on Homer Dude!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sooper glad to hear that Homer is doing so good! Hope he keeps right on going that way!
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
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