Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi All,
Kona has been doing really well. Then, this late this last week she started to act stressed, panting and weak.
At first, I thought that maybe she tweaked her rear leg and it would pass. After a day of rest, by night time she was much more herself. But, by Saturday, late day, she seemed worse..........we went to our emergency vet and got xrays of her leg and chest views and had them sent out to be read by a radiologist.
To say that we are relieved/lucky is an understatement.
Kona's lungs are CLEAR !!!
And, after much inspection, yes, her rear leg has a minor tweaking. To go from crying from fear to crying from joy....the full gamut of emotions.
We know that we are so lucky/blessed. Within 6hrs of the doctor visit, Kona was 100% better. Our challenge now has been to keep her from doing too much. We're on minimal tramadol, anti-inflammatory and minimal muscle relaxer.
Whew, I hope all can be so blessed.
I just wanted to share because it is possible not to have everything be a big serious thing. I have to say that after going through the diagnosis, surgery and chemo, it's hard to remember that sometimes it can be something more simple.
Here's to this being the case for all of you too.
Big hugs and thanks to you all............I really felt you guys with us there through all of this, your support and love (even though you didn't know about all this til this posting).
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.
Yay - how wonderful to read such good news for you and Kona this morning!! Thanks so much for sharing and we'll continue to keep you all in our thoughts!!
Bethany and Kobe
Oh, what a relief! Thanks for posting - sometimes it's hard to remember that not everything is big and bad. We'll celebrate with Kona today!
Hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan 
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
I know exactly how you feel. I've been there and done that and know that paralyzing fear and the relief of knowing all is truly well. I'm so sorry you had a bad day, but happy it turned out great for you.
Continued good thoughts for the two of you.
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.
What a time for you! I'm glad all has turned out to be mnor issue compared to yes, I think we all have a slight paranoia to the worst!
She didn't injure her ACL did she? Just a muscle tweaked?
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
Denise and Kona,
There are no two ways about it, when you are moving along this journey you feel as if you are walking on eggshells. Every limp, whimper, sad face starts the process of worry, fear, and doom. We have all been there, and very gratefule that Kona is doing so well that was able to "tweek" her leg. I am sure that it is difficult for anyone outside this community to understand just how happy we can be at a "tweeked" leg. It ranks up there with that first poopie after the amputation. Strange? Well then I love being strange and loving them so very much.
So back to the real message, you go girl and enjoy every moment to the ultimate. We will learn to deal with these moments so that you can enjoy you life to the max.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Whew! Don't scare us like that Kona! We're just glad you're on the mend. How about a little physical therapy and rehab to help you get stronger?
Take it easy sista, we can't wait to meet you soon when we come to Washington!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We ALL know what a roller coaster of emotions this journey is! A few days ago Tai had a coughing fit and I immediately thought OH NO is this the end, is it time to make the final decision? I cried and cried and cried, despite telling myself I wouldn't. The next day we had a routine bloodwork vet appointment and I mentioned the coughing fit. The vet said " that's not the type of cough from lung mets and you would see other signs before coughing, she probably has a touch of kennel cough, here are some antibiotics, she looks great, take her home and love her." I WAS ECSTATIC!!! Who gets ecstatic finding out their dog has kennel cough??? We're a funny bunch.
So glad it turned out to be just a tweaked leg. Extra treats all around.
Laura and Tai Dog
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Denise,
I'm so glad that Kona is OK. Think back to before this journey started for you- if you found out she 'tweaked' her leg how worried you would have been! Now it's - oh, just a tweak!
It is funny what perspective this journey gives us. After everything I went through with Mag I find myself pretty calm when a pug crisis arises. Two weeks after I brought my adopted pug Obie home he ulcerated his cornea and it got infected. This is a very serious injury, it is vision threatening and pups do loose their eyes if you can't treat it successfully (it happened to Mag a couple times way before her amp, and I really stressed about it then).
I found myself acting like- oh, its not that big a deal, its not like he's going to lose a limb 
.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Everything's relative!
Sorry about Kona's leg, but glad to hear that's all it was.
Zack, King of Dogs, 1996 to 2010
Zack lived a full 14 years, even to the end.
The joy and memories he provided us will last a lifetime.
Surviving him is his sister, Izzy, a 12-year-old boxer mix quadpawd.
And the latest addition, Zula, an 11-month-old pit bull mix tripawd.
Thank you everyone !
And no, thankfully no ACL issue. The doc said just minor wanking (hmmm, I think that's the correct medical term ! )
The tough thing now is that she feels better, she does more, then she does too much....then she's sore....then repeat....ahhh, kids.
We are relieved and yes, trying to think of some rehab. Kona definitely has that override aspect of launching after squirrels or the scent of coyotes, bobcats, cougars, deer, ahhhh, our patrol girl. Right now, she's supposed to be on rest duty, doctor's orders.
So, Rene and Jim, when are you coming out this way???
Here's to a wonderful happy weekend to us all !
hugs,
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.
konakaismom said:
And no, thankfully no ACL issue. The doc said just minor wanking (hmmm, I think that's the correct medical term ! )
So, Rene and Jim, when are you coming out this way???
Denise, that's GREAT! If you can really monitor her playtime, that will go a long way in her recovery. One thing we were told by a rehab therapist was that if a Tripawd is used to walking, say a mile, and he's overdone it, after strict rest his next walk should only be one quarter of a mile (or one quarter of what his last distance or playtime was). Gradually work your way back to regular distances or playtime from that point.
As for coming out to WA, we're looking at the first week of November so far. Stay tuned to our Tripawds Parties Discussion about it.
As soon as the snow starts flying here in Colorado we're gone, but so far so good, it's been a beautiful fall. We expect the weather to get nasty in a couple of weeks though, which means we'll be on our way to see you guys! Can't wait.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Denise thanks for putting the "huge relief" in the title!
That's such great news about Kona. I'm so, so, so glad it was that stoooopid cancer! And I very happy it wasn't an ACL either. I still have nightmares about ACL repair surgery (x 2)!
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.
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