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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Great photos!!! I would sit with Shelby in my arms like that one of you two in the water ... you can just SEE the love in Millie's eyes for you! She is your heart and soul. I love seeing that!
As far as the food/bone thing, Shelby was an only child so I can't weigh-in on multiple dogs BUT I will say she did develop some really peculiar mannerisms post-amp. You can read our blog post about her taking over residence of my teeny tiny bathroom! Seriously - I think she kept doing it because she knew it was making me bat crazy. http://mom2shel.....e-bedroom/
however, about the food, I got her raised bowls too (rear amp here) but right after her chemo sometimes she would only eat out of my hand OR one of my china bowls. And then she preferred to eat in the living room (not the kitchen). So perhaps it is a comfort level thing or a pack leader .. .I don't know. Shelby and I were pretty bonded like you two sound and maybe - even though there was no one else here - she felt safer having me hand-feed her (which of course I did).
Glad she's feeling better off those drugs! They do make them a little loco! 🙂
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Well tell Sara I think she has awesome ink! Very nice work.
Sounds like Millie is just feeling a little unsure and looking to you, the pack leader, for confidence in all the pack craziness. With so many changes I'm not too surprised and in time she'll be back on top of the pack again. It's clear you're not babying her too much, she just needs that boost of confidence from her #1 dude!
Great pics, makes me want to visit Florida!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My pug girls were sisters from different litters, Maggie was about 15 months older than Tani. I got Mag when she was just 10 weeks old. Tani joined us when Mag was about 2 and Tani was around 10 months old. After some hesitation on Mags part the girls became best buds. But with two girls there is often alpha issues. Mag was clearly the alpha, but every now and then Tani would challenge her, but Mag always prevailed. Most of the time they played together without issue and were pretty much inseparable.
When Maggie had her amp surgery my dad kept Tani for me for a few days so Mag could get settled in and I could focus on taking care of her, they were apart for about 6 days. When Tani came home she sniffed Mag for a second then attacked her! I was really surprised and not ready at all for that reaction. Before I could intervene Mag had put Tani down, even as wobbly as was on three legs! I think Tani sensed weakness in Mag and tried to take advantage. That was the very last time Tani ever tried to take the alpha crown, even as Maggie aged.
Most people who have more than one dog here post that the other pack members seem to respect the new Tripawd and give them space to heal.
I bet once Millie is feeling stronger she will regain her place in the pack. Be careful to spend time with the other pack members so they don't feel left out.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I love her photos! Thanks for sharing so many. So...you've made it through the weekend. How did it go? Did she come home for a bit of familiarity and a break from other Queens?
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Yes, we spent the weekend with her and she did pretty awesome but we left her again Sunday night. Tonight she was down again and not really eating so we decided to bring her home. Once she knew she was coming home her whole demeanor changed! She was very agile and spry.... jumping into the car sitting on the front seat balancing herself while she stuck her head out of the window. Then we got home and she ran up the stairs to our apartment and jumped right onto our bed. Now she is kind of back down to earth...just tired from exerting herself I'm sure but still it was nice to see the old Millie for about and hour:)
Now for the bad news but it was already suspected. They confirmed it with us today that it is Osteo. She gets her stitches out this Wednesday and we will begin the discussion with the Oncologist.
This place was recommended by our vet and everything happened so fast I really haven't done much research into the oncology. I guess I have some researching to do after I talk to the oncologist.
Any suggestions of what I need to know? Questions I should ask the oncologist? Should I shop around for an oncologist? I really just want to get her on the chemo as quickly as possible...is that a reasonable thing to want? Responsible? Is Rene going to get mad at me for asking these questions in the "share your story" section rather than the "Treatment, Recovery, Oncology and Ongoing Care"
Seriously, you guys are great and I hope you guys had a great weekend!
Car Ride Home!!!
!
Millie and Dad,
We just got caught up. Welcome, and your girl looks great. We "interviewed" our potential oncologist. Didn't like her and felt she was a good match for us and Snoop. We were referred to another met with dr Glasser, talked about treatment options, liked and felt confidant with him. We started 6 rounds of carbo with dr Glasser. Snoop did great,
When we went to Fl for winter again met with an onco,wasn't a good fit and was referred to another who was fabulous.
Good luck in your process, ask for a recommendation and make sure you feel comfortable and confidant with the dr.
Esther and her Snoop
milliesdad said
Is Rene going to get mad at me for asking these questions in the "share your story" section...
No, don't be silly! But she may get mad at you for not searching the blogs first! 
Just kidding, we know how overwhelming this can be. Hopefully these posts and podcasts will be helpful...
Tripawds News, 02/14: Questions to Ask Your Veterinary Oncologist
Tripawds Downloads, 01/13: Questions to Ask Your Veterinary Oncologist
Tripawds Downloads, 11/13: Best of Tripawd Talk Radio Veterinary Cancer Care Oncologist Interviews
Tripawds Downloads, 03/14: Dog Cancer Kit Converges Science, Hope, Answers After a Diagnosis
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
TOTALLY reasonable. As soon as I got Jill's confirmed diagnosis that the met in her leg was osteo I called her onco and she didnt have an appointment for three weeks and I was SO disappointed! I know it seems like a silly thing to be "sad" about, but I wanted that cancer OUT OUT OUT.
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Awwww! Look at her! She does look so happy to be with her family and perhaps knowing she gets to go home! I'm happy to hear she's been able to return to some normalcy. Bravo!
Bummer about OSA. As much as it stinks, there's also a comfort in knowing what you're up against. Then next bit of comfort may come from having a plan, and that'll hopefully be after you meet with an Onco. Have you checked here to see if someone else has recommended a nearby onco in your area?
In addition to the questions possibly outlined in Admin's list (I didn't open the links): find out how the Onco deals with "after hours"? If you have a problem late at night or weekends, what are you to do? Who to call? You should NEVER feel alone! I mean, we're here, but there are so many ways we cannot help... Find out how they manage side effects. Some folks leave appointments with meds in hand (we did), ready to give if XYZ symptoms appear. Others don't. What do you want? What does s/he like to do? Low WBC is common after IV chemo - how do they deal with that? And, I would fully discuss the more traditional approach (IV carboplatin chemotherapy) to fighting OSA vs metronomic therapy (oral chemo given at home - which we still do). There are pros/cons to each and, I think, should be discussed as options!
Good luck!
~ Katy & Jackson
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
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