Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am so grateful that there is such an amazing support community out there for our three legged friends and will be a resource that I am certain I will be utilizing heavily in the weeks to come.
For a while now we have seen our 9 year old black lab Jethro hobbling around as a result of severe arthritis in his front left leg. We have been able to work hard as a family and try and help this leg heal so that he could go back to being the rambunctious fetch obsessed dog we know and love.
This past Thursday my dad called me to invite me over to dinner explaining that there was something important he need to tell me. After trying to run through my head what exactly it could be I thought about Jethro and the issues he had. I couldn't face calling my dad and asking him if it was truly regarding Jethro so I sent him a text, to which he responded "yes". I spent the day at work stressing, I just figured he had given up hope and we were putting him down. The very thought broke my heart. When I came over my dad sat me down and told me the news. A couple nights prior he had watched Jethro sitting there holding up his leg to ease the pain - the only difference was that he was holding up his right leg, instead of the left. This is when he took him to the vet. Jethro has severe arthritis in his left leg which has been something we have known for sometime. The real news was that in his right leg, up by the shoulder there is a cancerous lump. The verdict - do nothing and he has two weeks left or amputate his leg. It has been a no brainer for our entire family and this Wednesday Jethro will become an official member of the Tripawd family.
We have tons of concerns going through this and each of us have shed our fair share of tears, but now it's time to face the reality and embrace the changes to our family. I know I will have tons of questions going forward: how to help the healing process with a brother who loves to play? What options are out there for a dog who will be losing the leg that up to this point has been the "good" leg? What can we do to keep our spirits high next week?
Yesterday I saw a commercial for the Canadian Paralympic team and at the end of the commercial they summed up exactly how I feel in the most beautiful way:
"It's not what's missing, it's what's there"
Jethro is gorgeous. Of course, I am prejudiced toward those black, Lab types. You will be amazed at how he will do, even with his arthritis problems. Once the healing period is finished, you might do well to have him seen by a rehab vet. They are doing some wonderful things with our fur babies these days. Please keep us posted.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Hi Jethro and momma, welcome to the family. I firmly believe that its always better to try than to just give up. It will be probably be the longest couple of weeks in your life while he recovers but after that it gets so much better! I agree with Kathi about visiting a rehab facility, since I take Maverick to one myself. It is beyond worth the extra money to learn the right way to help Jethro recover and keep him as mobile as possible for as long as possible. Whenever you need a pick-me-up, just log on here and read all the stories of triumph. We're all here whenever you need a chat. Big hug, stay strong!
Mandy and Maverick
Maverick is a wonderful miniature australian shepard born with a malformation of the front right radius/ulna, amputation performed on 11/4/13 at 6 months old. Follow his story at mavericksjourney.tripawds.com.
Yesterday I saw a commercial for the Canadian Paralympic team and at the end of the commercial they summed up exactly how I feel in the most beautiful way:
"It's not what's missing, it's what's there"
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jethro and family
My nine year old chocolate lab had his front right leg amputated five months and he is doing amazingly well 
I'm confident that after his recovery, Jethro will do very well too.
Keep us posted on how the surgery goes...and don't forget to come here for support during the recovery period and to share Jethro's success stories.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
Welcome to the the most amazing club nobody wants to join! 
Jethro, you are a handsome boy!
My chocolate lab had her right front amp at the age of 9. She is almost 13 months post amp and I'm looking forward to celebrating birthday #11 in a couple of months. There are plenty of things out there to help with arthritis, if he isn't already on something.
Read, read and read some more. This site is full of "pawinspiring" stories and is so very helpful. I have no doubt Libby would not have made it this far without the wonderful, caring people and their knowledge, on this site.
Good luck.
Amy & Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
I also just caught up n your post.
Sending you lots and lots of healing hugs. Know that uou are not alo e and we are here to support you. The firs tcouple of weeks can be rough. Just remember, your are doing this FOR Jethro...not to him!
Great quote you shared...very true..thanks!
Would LOVE to see more photos of your handsome boy! How 'bout posting some when yo can! He jist sounds like a wonderfully .oved boy!!
((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))
Sally and Happy Hsnnah
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!
Your Jethro is so handsome, but I am quite bias toward Labs as well......just want to add my support to you in your time of stress and uncertainty. One thing I am certain of, is that our pups and kitties ultimately do very well post-amp as Tripawds. Once they heal, there is no stopping them in their pursuit of playtime happiness.
Best wishes to you and Jethro, keep us posted as to his surgery, which I think may be today......keeping you and him in my thoughts...
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Thanks everyone for your support!
It's been a busy week between Jethro and my work. Due to circumstances we had to push his amputation to today. Fortunately our vet said that would not make a difference in terms of his condition.
He had a great week and was walking much better than I have seen him in sometime, partly due to having sufficient medication from the vet. We had a hard couple days on Sunday/Monday. I took him to the park on Saturday because he was doing so well and limited it to 10 mins. I just wanted to give Jethro a chance to run around and have some fun with all fours for one last time. I don't know if that's what did it or if he stumbled on the stairs later or what, but Sunday he refused to walk. At one point he was standing up on his cancerous leg and holding up his arthritic leg. My dad spent all day Sunday and Monday nursing him with ice packs and massages. I came over right after work to visit and as soon as I got there he was walking around with a slight hobble. We were able to take him to the beach and had a great photo shoot between the three of us. My dad looked after him really well that night and by this morning he was walking around better than we've seen in weeks.
We called about an hour ago and he has only just gone into surgery. As soon as I've gotten a chance I will update you guys on how everything went and hopefully post some pictures. Fingers crossed. He was in a great mood this morning and has won over all the girls working at the vet's so I think he'll be in good hands.
We are there with you Michelle and Jethro. We would also LOVE to see some of those beach pictures. We insist on photos around here.
Get some sleep tonight. You will need all the rest you can get before Jethro comes home.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
I hope the surgery went well. Update when you have news.
Don't worry...Jethro can still have lots of fun on three legs! My Willow had her leg amputated when she was around 8 or 9, had pretty significant arthritis, and still ran around and played and chased rabbits and lizards.
Hugs,
Carol
Yeah, ditto the picture request!!
I know thiis is an anxious time right now. The next week or two, can be kind of rough. But when the sparkle comes back...WOW!
It sounds like Jethro's Grandpa has the magic touch as far as making Jethro feel better!z, It does seem as though Jethro over-did it. He'll have to take it realkh slow after surgery. He probably wn't feel like dong much anywah at first.
We'll look forward tonyour updates. Let us know how we can help, okay?
Hugs to all!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Good luck Jethro, you will be an amazing Tripawd, I know it! We are thinking of you so keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good morning
Looking forward to the updates on your handsome boy, Jethro.
Linda and Tucker
Welcome! Our boy had his amputation almost two weeks ago.. and we also have a brother who loves to play! We separate them during the day while we are gone, but when we are home Ziggy just knows there is something wrong with Cody and he doesn't even try to play. He will lay with him and he started to "groom" him again this week. They will know not to play Try to get as much rest as you can... these first two weeks are a rollercoaster and sleep is something I found difficult. Good luck and keep us posted!
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
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