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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hello all,
It is wonderful finding this site. God knows I've been googling everything I can to find out info on this nasty beast osteocarcoma.
Dexter is our 6 y/o aussie/mix that we rescued from "Last Chance Rescue" in MI. She is by far, the smartest, most loving, funny, human-like dog we've ever owned. She has bought nothing but joy into our lives.
In mid Aug. of this year she developed a limp. We take her on "mega-hikes" of 3-5 miles on a semi-regular basis and she gets walks 1-2x/day so we weren't too concerned at this point. Took her to the vet and they gave us anti-inflammatories and said to keep her mellow for the next 4 wks. We did (it was difficult!). The limp would come and go, but never quite went away completely or for any length of time. I called the vet after 4 wks. and they gave us 1 more week of pills w/ instructions to bring her in if it didn't heal. Well, a week later when I came home from work, the poor thing was limping so badly and I could tell she was in serious pain, I took her to the vet 1st thing the next morning where an xray was highly suspicious of osteocarcinoma. I was absolutely shocked and in total disbelief. At that point I was thinking that she tore a ligament and would have to have it surgically repaired; cancer never even entered my mind. I couldn't stop crying and had the vet have every Dr. in the bldg. look at the xrays to see if they thought the same as he and they all though it was cancer. Well, that was a Friday morning. The following Monday she was taken to the dog oncologist and that Tues. she had her left front leg amputated up to her chest. What a whirlwind of emotion we went through in less that one week.
Her recovery has been a slow-go as she overdid it the first day she was home, but we are through the rough part and now we see slight improvements daily. She's slowly gettin back to her normal self. While we are thrilled with her recovery progress, it is difficult to focus on one day at a time, knowing that our time with her is limited. I try hard to take it one day at a time and focus on the now; thats all I can do to get by.
I'll post pics of the "D" soon.
in the meantime, this site has been a great help to us and we wish everybody the best.
Sherri
Hi Dexter, I am sure you will find some helpful tips for your recovery on this website. Remember we are here for you if you need us. I was also too active when I came home after my operation and after about two weeks, I went into a bit of a depression... But I snapped out of it very quickly and now I am as naughty as ever!!
I wish you well on your road to full recovery after the operation!!
Lotsa Love and lotsa licks, Dee xxx
Hey Dexter, wishing you all the best on your new journey. Take good care of your pawrent while you're at it.
Lots of sniffs and wags
Dextersmom said:
It is wonderful finding this site. God knows I’ve been googling everything I can to find out info on this nasty beast osteocarcoma.
Thanks. That means everything to us. Keep up the research and don't forget to Puppy Up!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Dexter,
Glad to hear your recovering well. Just take one day at a time, there will be some good days and bad days so be prepared.
I will put u in my prayers,
Dawn
Thanks for the kind words and support. Yesterday I had a breakthru and took a walk around the block!! It tired me out, but I made it all the way around without any problems. Even poo-pooed a couple of times which made me feel much better. 
It's a very slow recovery process, but I was strong and in good shape before my diagnosis so I'm sure I'll be back in action before long.
Love you all and enjoy every day to the fullest!
Dexter
**I'll post pics of myself soon**
Hi Dexter - Zeus here...you sound like you're doing great pal...keep it up, but rest easy too...you've been through a major surgery and time needs to work its magic.
Hi Sherri - Zeus' mom here...I know it's hard, but try not to focus on the inevitable, as my dad says who was just diagnosed with cancer, none of us are getting out of here alive...focus on the here and now, today and all the joys and wonder that each minute brings with our furry loved ones and all the loved ones in our lives for that matter. It's so difficult when the "C" word invades our lives...it's horribly upsetting and it made me very angry and words came out of my mouth that I was surprised I could mutter (or scream actually) when my baby was first diagnosed. But I realized after a few weeks that I could either focus on the time when he won't be here which is a waste of negative energy while he is currently here with me or focus on the time that he is here...I will be faced with the reality of loss and grieve him one day...today I choose to enjoy him and love him and play with him and bond with him, etc...
I hope this helps a little bit. I'm thinking about you and sending lots of love and prayers your way.
Much love,
Mom and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Thanks Zeus!
We had a good day yesterday. I went for 2 walks!! Mind you, it was only around the block, but man it felt good to get out and hit my usual sniffing spots. I didn't get too tired either, but this morning I am whipped.
Mom here: I am amazed at the progress of her recovery. One week ago it was horrible; 14 days later and drastic improvements noted. I am really trying to focus on one day at a time and it does indeed help, but I lose it sometimes at the strangest times and places; driving to work, grocery shopping....it's difficult, but I'm doing better.
Thanks to all the support and advice that I am getting from this site. I don't feel so alone and I know that people here can really relate to what we're going through.
Dex and Mom.
I hear you...I can very easily get overwhelmed thinking about Zeus not being in my life and tears will well up at the most inconvenient and unexpected times...it's not an easy journey that we have chosen to walk with them, but I think we become better, more compassionate and patient human beings as a result of the experience.
You are never alone on this website - it's where I come when I need understanding and support. I have people in my life that I love tremendously and who I know love me the same, yet cannot comprehend my feelings for my bestest friend in the world...it's not that they don't love me or Zeus - they just don't understand...here is where i get that understanding and it's an amazing gift that Jerry and his pawrents have given all of us. Priceless....
I'm glad that Dexter is doing so well - it gets better - and 14 days post op is when Zeus started really feeling better too.
hugs and licks (hugs from Mom licks from Zeus 
)
Mom and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Hiya Sherri & Dexter!
My, it's so good to hear that Dexter is doing so much better. You are right about the rough spots when a dog goes through this very serious surgery, but it sounds like Dexter is rebounding now and it won't be long before she is back to her good old self again. Thank you so much for sharing your stories and we sincerely hope that you will keep us posted, as you are an official member of the Tripawd family. People here really care about Dexter and you and as someone else mentioned, don't forget to look at the other areas of this site for all the resources they offer and a Ruffwear vest might just be something that will help you support Dexter if she gets tired out and needs a little help with stairs or getting into the car. Yayyyyyy for Dexter!
Love, Vicki, Blazer & Kitty Kimber
1 Guest(s)
