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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In a nutshell, Bubbles began limping right after Thanksgiving. I thought her hips were going- bulldog, 6 years old, heavy, made a little sense. I got her glucosamine vitamins and made sure she got a good amount of rest.. not like she didnt already sleep all day. Fast forward to December, right before Christmas. Bubbles gets up from a "much needed" nap, and limps as she's been for a bit, but I noticed her back right ankle looked swollen. We decide to put her on some bed rest until after the holidays when we could get her into the vet. Sold a purse, got some cash, and on January 3rd got Bubbles some x-rays. She was diagnosed that day with cancer. We now have answers that Bubbles' lump is a soft tissue sarcoma enveloping her ankle, and we will be amputating this week. We are all a nervous wreck, but are grateful to have found this website where we know we'll have great support from fellow tripawds and their pawrents. So nice to meet you all..
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not require moderation.
I just finished reading your blog, I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer. You have found a very knowledgeable and supportive community here, we have been where you are now. What day is surgery scheduled?
Let us know if you have questions or concerns.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi Brenda--nice to see you found the place to introduce Bubbles! It was nice chatting with you last night.
Make sure to look at Jerry's Required Reading List on the site, because it's full of practical information. It will tell you what to do if you have slippery floors, how to handle stairs--all kinds of things. And certainly check in here with any questions you have.
The big decision has been made: amputation. Now you have to get your house ready for a convalescent. The good part is that Bubbles is not the kind of dog that was running 3 miles a day or doing agility courses, so her recovery will largely mirror her life before. It's really hard to keep some of these dogs down! But a bulldog kind of lives like a convalescent anyway!
Make sure you check with your vet after you bring Bubbles home if you have any questions about her pain or side effects of medication. They usually put the dog on a combination of something like Deramaxx (or similar) and Tramadol, and pain management is like an intricate dance. Too little and too much look very much alike, but just right is a narrow window.
If you have hardwood floors, you'll need to put down some things to help Bubbles with her footing. If you have stairs that she must navigate to do her potty business, you need a plan for getting her up and down. If you have questions about any of these things and you have a few days before surgery, go ahead and read the Required Reading here to get many of your answers. If they spring it on you suddenly, you can always ask here.
I know with a baby and a toddler and a bulldog (same as a toddler), you don't have a lot of time on your hands. We're here to help!
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Hi Brenda & Bubbles!
I talked with you a little last night. My baby Shine just had his leg amputated last sunday. His situation is quite different from Bubbles'. He was in an accident and our decision had to made VERY quickly. The first couple of days were the hardest! It's amazing how well they can adapt! I'm very new to the forum as well, but everyone here is helpful! I can't help much with info, but I know about the worries!! Jerry's Required Reading List did have a lot of information. It made me feel better realizing how great a dog's life can be no matter how many legs they have!
Good luck to you and Bubbles!
Keep us posted after his surgery!
-Jena & Shine
Brenda and Bubbles, welcome! Looks like I missed the chat pawty last night but I hope I get the chance to meet you there at some point.
Good luck this week. Please let us know how we can help you with your journey. As you can see, there are some great people here to help you through this, you aren't alone. Dig around the site, prepare your house for her post-surgery arrival as Dakota advised, and of course drop by with any questions you have.
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just wanted to welcome you and Bubbles to the site and send healing thoughts for a speedy recovery. Please keep us posted on Bubble's progress.
My advice at this point is to rest when Bubbles rests. You have a tendency to want to watch them sleep during the recovery period. Resist that urge. You will hear her if she needs you. She needs a rested human to help her through the recovery period.
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.
Jerry, you sure did miss the pawty last night in the chat room !
Welcome again Bee and Bubbles. Just remember we are all here to help. No question is too dumb and ask as many as you have!!
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
So sorry to hear about Bubbles' diagnosis...this is an amazing community for support and resources for all tripawds. Please keep us posted on how your girl is doing, we will be thinking of you both!
-Kori & Angel Lupe
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
Welcome, and I'm sorry you found us here, but we're all so helpful (or try to be)! Best wishes for the surgery. The night she's in the hospital, get lots of rest yourself. It can be a rough few days (or weeks) and she'll want all her mommy-love she can get!
BTW - I support your move to sell a purse for her. That might have been a tough move, but the first sight of your girl after surgery, all wags and smiles will confirm that you made a right move. She's in great hands and will do so well!!! Keep us posted!!
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!
Welcome to you and Bubbles. Sorry you had to find us here. I know it's all overwhelming right now, but it does get better!
We're here if you have questions during her recovery.
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
I just found all your amazing replies. Thank you all so much. I am still learning how to navigate around the website, and with needing "three legs" myself- one for each baby, I haven't had much time other than to blog and log on to chat for some quick advice. Again, its unfortunate we all went through what we have, but I couldn't be anymore grateful for having found such a supportive community. I thank you all for that. Bubs is 10 days post-op and I think we have her figured out for the most part. She's been up and about more so than she has the last week and a half, still panting, complaining a little, but I think the meds are finally starting to wear off and thats what she needed. We are finishing out her antibiotics, but she's sailing, and thats all I could have hoped for at this point. We've got the place tripawd proofed, our stairs are the challenge, and she's got me and my husband forklifting her up and down to go poop outside. But we are searching for the right harness for her so its here when her staples are ready to come out and we can start tackling those stairs with some harness assistance. Thank you all for your warm welcoming! I am so happy to be a part of this awesome tripawd journey!
Bee said
I just found all your amazing replies.
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Hope this helps!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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