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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Hello everyone, one of our dogs was recently diagnosed with osteosarcoma and it has been the most difficult thing that I've ever had to deal with. We never in a million years would have suspected such thing and hearing such news was totally devastating, we did what we thought was best and got blood tests done, lung x-rays, and a bone biopsy to determine for sure if it was in fact cancer and the waiting period was unbearable and extremely hard, we got the results of the bone biopsy just two days ago and it determined that in deed she does have cancer and now we have decided that we will be proceeding with amputation next week. The rest of the tests came back normal and even the bone biopsy determined that her cancer was in its preliminary stage (whatever that really means) and the vet told my husband that being that her case, she was a good candidate for amputation, we are just praying for her like we have been since day one and for us it is nothing short of a miracle to know that her cancer is on its early stages or whatever, we have faith she will still be with us for a long while even if only with three legs.
Hi Faith thanks for joining us. Your future posts wont require moderation. Will welcome you whe I'm not on my phone.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there and welcome to our little family!
I am so sorry to hear about your dog's diagnosis, but you've come to the right place for support and advice!
Tell us more about your pup and your family!
My Jill (shes a cat) is now 10 months post amputation for osteosarcoma and is doing great. It's been a rough journey, but the support we've gotten from everyone here has been invaluable! Please come join us in the chat room if you get a chance, theres usually at least one of us in there at night.
Let us know any questions, etc. you have at this time. I know it's a scary time for you and your family, so let us know what you need!
xoxo,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty Jill
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
Hello! Boy oh, boy, we can all relate to the devastation and shock of a cancer diagnosis. The good news is that you've found us, although this is where no one wanted to be. I'm sorry you found us. Have some good cries, but make sure it's away from your beloved pup. Your pup needs strength. But we all know emotions are running high right now. Breathe.
The GREAT news is no cancer in the lungs! The GREAT news is all other bloodwork came back! The GREAT news, if I'm understanding correctly, is that the cancer is either "young", "slow", or has a low mitotic index. A little bit of research suggests that these lower values, mitotic indices, leads to a better outcome for you pup! YEY!
Next up, you've decided amp'ing is the way to go. Superb. You'll take your pup's pain away. No more pain. You won't have to worry about that. You've got a week to buy loads of rugs and maybe an elevated dish, especially if it's a front limb that's going. You've got time to bust out many doggie beds or blankets around the home and maybe even arrange your schedule a bit so you can watch over him/her for the first few days. You've also got some time to surf this site, visit us in CHAT, and get educated. Bring that education back to your vet, surgeon, and maybe other experts - an oncologist?
We're here! You'll be OK! Your pup will be OK! Cancer sucks big time. We hate it, but this'll change your relationship even more with your pup. You'll be stronger and bonded deeply. You'll have a sense of what's to come and will be prepared. Let the love shine.
~ 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!
Katy and Jill jave given you great advice. Jerry will chime in with more links for research. There' also a great book "The Dog Cancer Survival Book" by Dr. Dressler and Dr. Ettinger.
Couple of gquick things, remember your dog does NOT know he's "sick .....he dlesn't care about any stupid ole' diagnosis and doesn't give a rip about statistics! He is just enjoying getting treats and being loved and spoiled! Now, go give him a hug and watch nis tail wag! All is well in his world!
Now, for you B.R.E.A.T.H.E............B.R.E.A.T.H.E..-.......B.R.E.A.T.H.E..---
For me, this was like a nightmare from which I couldn't wake up. I cried, sobbed, gasped for air.....for weeks as I agonized what to do......I researched 'til K didn't even know my name anymore.....I set up amputation appt.....I cancelled...then set up again. The first two weeks (at least) after amutation I was hysterical because I thought Id made the worst decision ever! I found this site during this time and held on for dear life!! The knd people here held mh ha d and walked by mh side and gave me strength and courage and owlege and love And PROMISE that she would get better!
BEST DECISION EVER!!! My Happy Hannah is over seven months post amp. and still moving forward (knocking on wood over here)! EVERY SINGLE SECOND HAS BEEN FILLED WITH MORE LOVE, MORE JOY, MORE HAPPINESS, MORE PURE BLISS than I could ever have imagined!! We live in the moment and focus on the time together now It is sacred. It ks a gift.
We ALL want longevity, make no mistake about that! THE most important thing is QUAILTY!! You are givi g your pup the gift of pain-free quailty!!
There are NO guarantees on tnis journey. Every dog is different. No dog has a timeframe stamped on his head. What we can gjarantee for our pups is that we will make decksions for them out of love. .....and tnat is always the right decison..
And WE can guarantee YOU that we are by your side every step of the way! You are NOT alone, okay? I' still connected to this site like it's my lifelline! So k ow that we have plentyof "lofe line rope" to share with you!
As others have said, let us know if you have any questions or how we can help. In tne meantime remember, yojr dog is not worried about a thing. You are doing this amputation FOR him...not TO him!. They adjust to three legs incredibly fast......you will be i awe!
B.R.E.A.T.H.E......and stock up on chocolate!
Surrou dingyou with calm a d strength,
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!
Welcome! Why don't you tell us more about your pup? And pictures! We love stories and pictures!
and the waiting and uncertaînty is one of the hardest parts...now you have an action plan, which is always a rełief, of sorts.
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Thank you very much to all of you that replied back, you have no idea how much it means to have found this site where evidently there is a lot of support, it has been extremely painful to practically be going through this without much support or encouragement from those that we know, almost nobody has reached out to us with encouragement or anything like that and its not surprising to say the least for most of them are not animal lovers or simply just very insensitive people that may be thinking we are absolutely nuts to be "suffering" for a dog!!!!!
I only have a few minutes right now but I will most definitely come back to tell you more about our family and what we are going through, what I can tell you now is that it has been extremely painful for me personally to hear the news because I have felt so guilty about her now having cancer because according to what I've read, it can occur in cases where there has been a shot wound to the bone or a metal plate has been placed on the bone. Well, like about five years ago, we were coming home and as I opened the car door, both of my dogs just run out and the next thing I heard was a car hitting one of them, she was just a pup at the time and the driver took no responsibility at all so then I did the best thing I could do and rushed her to the emergency room where they did the surgery but NEVER once was I told that if we didn't later remove the plate, osteosarcoma could be a possibility later in her lifetime so I never bothered to have it removed and now this is the consequence!!
She is a Tosa Inu, (Japanese Mastiff) a type of dog that is very unlikely to develop osteosarcoma, there is no doubt in my mind that she got it as a consequence of her injury.
I don't know much about this metal plate business, but what I do know about is having an animal that is rare to get osteosarcoma. My tripawd Jill is a CAT........VERY VERY rare for cats to get osteosarcoma. In fact, her type of osteosarcoma (giant cell) is SO rare in cats that the oncologist sent it her biopsy to a second pathologist to confirm the diagnosis.
Jill is living proof that it rare cases DO happen, so don't be so quick to blame yourself!
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
Ditto to Jill!
The stupid disease makes it's own rules....and you never, ever kow who, or whyit will happen. Dogs/ cats without plates get it...dogs/cats without plates don't......it's just a crazy crap shoot.
If I may, for now, just focus npositive energy surrounding your Tosa Inu! I say this so lovingy, please know this.......do NOT let ANY negative emotion rob youof your joy of being together now!! If you do, then that will be one more thingnyou can add nto your quilt plate years from now, okay!!
There's not a single person here who hasn't questioned....was it the vaccines......was it the food......was it the xrays years sgo....was it spaying too soon....was it neutering too late....was it ppollution......was it the water.....and on and on and on. You will NEVER know what IT was. And IT doesn't matter anyway. All those endless loops questions with no real answers are zapping you of your time spent loving and spoiling your wonderful pup. And just a little "aside"....many' many dogs..and humans..have plates,etc. in full time for various reasons wkthout ramifications
You are going forward with a plan.....you have a strong, vibrant hapy sog ready to get on with his life and you are doing everything that needs to be done to make that happen, okay??
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!
Sorry! My tablet keyboard disappears sometimes.....and I aplogize for all the typos...it doesn't let me go back and correct three fourths of the time !!
I'm so excited tonsee pictures! My Happy Hannah is a Vull Mastiff so I don't know if there's any similarity or not!
WE ARE ALL HERE FOR YOU! And trust me, we've all dne the guilt thing (and still do......shhhhhhhh...don't tell anyone though). Just change your focus to one that empowers you, okay? You are SO strong and SO devoted!
And remember, EVERY decisuon made out of love is the right decision!!
Look forward tl hearkng from you.----with pictures!!
Surroundingyou with healkng energy and a whole lot of hygs!!
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!
Faith, welcome. I'm finally home and able to give you a proper welcome to the group, but as you can see our pawesome members were able to help with great info and support too!
Well as you can see you're definitely not alone. In fact one of the reasons Tripawds was started is because we too felt like we were the only ones dealing with decisions like the ones you're making and we got no support from friends or family either. But fear not, you've found your tribe and we do get it!
Now, please don't blame yourself about the cancer. ALL animals can get it, and although statistics say some breeds are more at risk, we've seen everyone from Miniature Poodles to Mastiffs get diagnosed with even the rarest cancers they're not supposed to get. And like Jill too, there's another one for you. No matter what this was NOT your fault, it wasn't your vet's fault, it just IS. It's hard to deal with but the sooner you can accept that you're in this moment and dealing with these lousy cards as best you can, the sooner you and your pup can get well and have a great life together. Remember, it's never about quantity of life but about quality. No matter how long you have (do we ever really know how much time we have, with or without cancer?), it's all about making the most of each and every day. You do that, and cancer never, ever "wins."
OK, so have you checked out our ebook library or Jerry's Required Reading List ? Those are great places to start to get the most common questions answered right away. And you can always, always jump in here and ask anything you'd like, we are here for you always.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So, as someone who had a plate in her own leg, I am aware of the cited risk of OSA with hardware. Still, I don't think you can...or should...blame yourself at all. Life is what it is. I wonder if sam's early neuter led to OSA and thyroid and SA...all if which can happen in akitas in certain instances. But wonder is all Icahn do, because what is done is done. dont waste time feeling guilty abothink ages thaah happened years ago and may have zero bearing on today.
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Hi and welcome! I just say like others here, the cancer is NOT your fault! But don't think we don't understand your feelings. I think we all have gone through that "guilt thing". Both my first two bullmastiffs got osteosarcoma, so I know your feeling. But we have to know it is not our fault. It's just life and we do the best we can. You never know what's going to happen, and I think that's good. You just have to live here and now. And you are doing everything you can for your dogs beacause you love them and they feel that and that's the most important thing. My Penny got a wonderful "extra" year with three legs. She run and played with Wilbur. Even in the snow she was sooo fast. In the beginning after the surgery you can feel good one day and bad the next, but in quite a short time you get used to the situation and will not think so much about that your dog has three legs. After some weeks I was just so proud and happy with Penny and loved to take her out for walks/to run (we almost ran everytime because it was easier for her 
) and when we met people she was as happy as always and everyone was so amazed about her happiness, good balance, enery and everything. I was sooo proud! So just think positive and when the two or three first weeks have passed I think you will be doing fine or even from the beginning, but normally the first two weeks can be a little challenge. Good luck with everything and remember YOU are the best owner for your dog!
Gunilla, Wilbur, Bellis and angel Penny
Welcome, you've come to a good place. I'm going to echo those before me, this is not your fault. The news we get with this diagnosis is overwhelming for all of us.....but we all have to move forward. Unfortunately cancer doesn't play by rules for us or our fur babies. It's life, and all you can do is go forward. And we all know there are days that are rough emotionally. It gets better, you get stronger you move forward. You have to, your baby will take your lead.
Remember those that haven't walked in your shoes with this May not understand, but you know what is best for your baby.
Esther and her Snoop
I can't thank everyone enough for all your kind and wise words, thank you so much for all your encouragement and support, it means a lot to me, it really does. I just wanted everyone to know that tomorrow is the day we bring her in to have her leg amputated and I have a lot of mixed feelings, but I only do what I can do best and leave it all in the hands of God. My daughter's father just lost a brother yesterday and as you all can imagine, I have to be strong not just for me but also for him that is going through this terrible loss, it definitely has been a time of trials and tribulations, but God will be with us; I will keep you guys posted in regards to the surgery, today we want to take her for her last walk on all four legs, tomorrow is always an uncertain day.
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