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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Thanks for all of the encouragement, fellow tripawd lovers! We hope to celebrate Zack's 14th b-day on 12/15. He's always been a cool dog, but he really has amazed us over the past month or so with his ability to adapt.
While it is not a position any of us want to be in, it is great to have this site to share the experience with others. I've often said that I prefer dogs over people (and I'm only being half-facetious when I say it, too!) and it warms my heart (& often brings a tear to my eye) to see how many puppies are getting so much love out there. 
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.
What a beautiful boy! Almost 14 - that's truly amazing! We are so happy to read that Zack is doing well after his surgery and chemo. Mackenzie will be celebrating her 11 month ampuversary next week and has been doing great ever since her surgery. She still loves to run, swim, play ball and do all those things she loved when she had 4 legs. Zack, I'm sure, will continue to amaze you too with all that he'll be able to do once he makes a full recovery. He won't even know that he has 3 legs and neither will you (probably doesn't even know now) It's amazing how our tripawds adjust so well.
We'll be keeping our paws crossed for Zack. Let us know how he's doing! 
Kami, Mackenzie & Kobe
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Hello All,
Zack's dad here, I figured it was time for me to register and start posting up a little, too (can't let his mom have all the fun!) So here's the update: today is Zack's 1 month ampuversary. He had his first chemo dose on 9/23, he went back for blood work on 10/1, and that first dose kicked his doggie butt. 
His white blood count was WAY too low, so the vet gave us an extra antibiotic for him, which he refuses to take unless they're either shoved in a hot dog or wrapped in a Greenie Pill Pocket. So we went back in this AM for blood work, and his counts are all back to normal!
The vet even D/C'd the antibiotics. So we're now on the road to Treatment #2 next week, they're just going to tune it down a little for this one so it doesn't wreck his blood counts again.
I just wanted to thank all of you for the priceless info we've gleaned from this site, and for sharing your stories, happy and sad. It gives us hope for Zack's future, however long or short it may be.
Hey Zack's Dad, thanks for joining!
We appreciate the update and are so glad to hear he's perked up after a ruff start. Lots of pups go through the low blood count situations, and they typically bounce back just like Zack is. Your vet sounds very capable and caring, how wonderful!
And it's us who should thank YOU for sharing Zack's story. His courage and zest for life is giving hope to others as they start their journey.
Hugs coming your way!
P.S. Don't you know the whole reason dogs refuse pills is to get more hot dogs???!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Zack's Dad-
More importantly Happy Ampuversary Zack!!! Way to go, I hope this is the first of many. And to Zack's mom- we are looking forward to hearing about his 14th birthday celebration in December!!
Our oncologist vet approached chemo in a similar way- keep the dosages tolerable. I hope the second treatment goes smoother and Zack continues to progress.
And why would any tripawd take a pill without a bribe??? Keep it up Zack- maybe you can get steak!!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hoping Jack stays on that recovery road. Wow, 14 is a big birthday for us all to look forward to celebrating! But for now we will celebrate that one month ampuversary and send lots of good thoughts for the white counts to stay in the normal range with the next round of chemo.
You're looking good, little guy! Keep us posted on your 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.
Thanks for all the encouraging words, everyone. Zack went in for chemo#2 last Thursday, 11/14. He seemed to tolerate this one much better, didn't seem as tired after--they cut the dosage by 25%. We went back in to the vet this morning, his counts are low but not dangerously low like they were after the first dose. The vet is going to tone it down just a wee bit more for dose #3, in 2 weeks. In the meantime, he's off all the meds (except his Zantac and a vitamin) and his personality is returning to his pre-surgery demanding levels! As in, "I demand food now," or "I demand to be let out now," etc. 
It's good to have him back.
Thanks again everyone for all the advice and well-wishes.
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