Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello, I'm very new to the forum scene but after my golden retriever Peaches' news I began doing a lot of research on the net and found you guys. Peaches is a 6 year old golden retreiver and has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma. It all came as a complete shock as many if not all can relate to. On Friday evening 1 July, Peaches ran away from the vacuum cleaner, as she always did, but this time our other dog was in the way and she bumped herself on the dining room table leg. She didn't put any pressure on her front right paw so I called the vet and made an appointment. Took her to the vet and thought she would definitely need x-rays, meds and a cast or something. My vet gave me the most shocking news, Peaches did brake her leg and she has a tumor at the fracture site. I couldn't believe what she was telling me and then when she began speaking of amputation, I was more than shocked. Her leg was amputated the next morning and she came home on 5 July. I must say I really am thankful to have found Tripawds because I have been a complete mess. The thought of losing her in a few months or a couple of years brings me to tears.
So she has undergone her first chemo treatment one week ago. BTW, if anyone has any information about the dangers of chemo to bystandards I would love to learn about that. To top things off my husband deployed a 10 days ago so it's me and my two girls and my two dogs so it was a bit overwhelming through our first chemo. Then, the day after treatment her incision began oozing this thick bloody liquid so I took her back to the vet and because I have two little ones the vet suggested they keep her overnight. I once again hit rock bottom and my feelings of sadness came back. They put her on antibiotics because it became infected and so on.
Today I took her back in for blood work and check her white blook cell levels and they are a bit low. The vet said it could be that she is fighting off that infection and it hasn't completely healed but it's working. So that is where I stand. I have been looking over the site for any information on white blood cells being low because I am freaking out a little bit.
Just want to tell you all I think you are very strong and have a very supporting network...thank you! Even reading other people's post and your responses is a great healer!
hi and welcome miss Dizzy's white cells dropped after her first chemo session but after her second session they are a tiny bit better it is hard with other dogs around while they are healing i have 3 dogs here in total and it just means i have to be more organised. You will find so much info here and so many people know the feeling of being in a mess trust me I do, but it does get easier.
If you let yourself think she may not have long left it does upset you I go through this a few times a week but I gurantee you whatever time she has left is precious make the most of it and it is about quality not quantity.
you have done what you can to give her the best future.
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
Suck-a-Roo! That's the word that comes to mind! If it were me, I'd never vacuum again!!!! 
Welcome Peaches and Mom! SO, SO, SO, SORRY you find yourself here! Poor Peaches! But gosh, it sounds like the worst is over! And it sounds like she is getting her strength and that's great! So, what's next?
My suggestion: Nip those sad feelings in the bud! (Come over here and write about them all you want but don't let on to your family - not now with your husband being deployed) And enjoy the next 10 days with your complete family!
We are here to support since we understand how tragic it all seems. It will get better though.
Tears Schmears - crying can come later! For now, we got some celebrating to do! Peaches has a 1 month ampuvesary coming up soon! So, get out the red party hat and get some ice cream ready! You only got 3 days left! Chop! Chop!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Welcome to you and Peaches! The very first thing you will learn here is that it is paramount that you stay as positive as possible. It helps you and it will help Peaches (and those two little girls). None of us want to believe we can lose one of these special creatures in our lives. Getting to that point where you don't focus on loss, but instead focus on the good in each day will help you more than anything.
The ability to focus on the positive comes slowly to most of us, so give yourself a break. You will get there. And regardless of what you are told or what you read, statistics are just numbers. They do not apply to each individual case, they are there to give you some idea of what the averages are. Peaches does not have a time/date stamp on her butt. No one knows exactly how much time she has, so enjoy each and every day with her.
Here's sending good thoughts for many great days ahead for you, your family, and Peaches.
And thank you to you and your husband for his service to our country.
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.
Welcome to Peaches and family! Bo is a 6 year old yellow lab and he's coming up on his 2 month ampuversary from an osteosarcoma diagnosis. We were shocked to say the least. Once I accepted that the quality of life is more important than the quantity of life, things got much happier for us. Our Bo is still swimming, rolling in the grass, and de-stuffing squeaky toys. It's not always easy, but we are trying to think like a dog and live day to day and not think about the long-term.
We are so grateful for your husband serving our country. Please join us on here anytime you need advice, support, or to CeLeBrAtE!! We look foward to hearing about Peaches' progress!! Stay strong!!
Welcome! First of all, cancer sucks, plain and simple. I also have 2 little ones, and I know how hard it is to stay positive when you want to be crying during all of this. When all of our cancer and amputation stuff went down, my husband was out of town for a couple weeks (I know MUCH different than being deployed in another country, but I do understand a little bit how alone you are feeling) and I was left with our golden, our other dog and our 2 little ones. After they were in bed, I would do my crying, but during the day I was as positive as possible, because everyone picks up on it, including the dogs.
What everyone else is saying is right, no one knows how much time Peaches has left. They don't have an expiration date stamped on them, so once I realized that, I made the decision to enjoy every day that I have with Chili Dawg (and our other dog as well). It has helped a lot, and sure, I get sad now and then, but it doesn't overwhelm me like it used to.
Hang in there! You can do this, and if you need to rant, this is the right place to do it, because we are here for YOU. Thank you to you and your husband for serving our country- God bless you guys!
Jenna and Chili Dawg
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
Hey Peaches & Family, welcome, we're glad you found us too.
Oh boy, that diagnosis happened fast! That's enough to give anyone whiplash. We're sorry that you went through all this, but rest assured you are NOT alone. In fact someday we need to start a club here for Tripawd families with deployed pawrents, because you're definitely in good company there, we've had lots of pawrents looking after their new Tripawds while their spouse was overseas. Tell your hubby we salute him! and we promise to help you though this tough time with as much emotional support as you need.
Cancer sucks, but it does have some lessons that we keep with us forever. Like never taking tomorrow for granted, like learning to live in the now and putting those pesky "what ifs" out of our minds. All those things in life that we worry about take a back seat to having a good time when you're reminded that in reality, nobody is ever sure how long they have together.
Post-surgery infections and Low white blood cell levels are a regular occurrence around here and most dogs do bounce right back so they can go on to have more chemo. Follow your vet's advice and she'll be ready for her next round in no time. It sounds like you've got a great medical team there!
We can't wait to see some pics of Peaches!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to you and Peaches -
So sorry you had to find this website with such a horrible set of circumstances....I tried multiple times today to type something intelligent and nothing is working (your story hits way too close to home) - so just know our thoughts and prayers are with you....
All of us here know just how hard this is.....Keep us posted.
Sending hugs -
KaCee & Riley
PS - We are big fans of pictures.
::BIG HUGS:: to Peaches and family!
Gotta love the emotional rollercoaster of canine health problems and how much they affect us-- they're part of our families, after all! Make sure to take good care of yourself during all this, you have to be a good pack leader in order to take care of your doggy buddy! It's something I'm struggling with right now too (having bipolar plus a sick dog makes for some serious craziness), so I'm with ya there.
We'll be sending good thoughts to all of you! Hang in there, and post as much as you need to 🙂
Julie, mom to Spirit Max the Pomeranian,
the bravest poofle dog who ever lived!
THANK YOU ALL! Thank you for your positive thoughts, it really does help. Peaches is doing really well, eating well, and nudging my arm for more belly rubs which I love and don't ever want to be without. Believe me when I say I never ever thought losing my "first children" my two dogs was going to be this tough. It has proven me wrong. But I am learning to take it one day at a time and to really make the most of it. I make it a point to give plenty of kisses and belly rubs every chance I get. So I am going to go keep cleaning Peaches' scar and hopefully in two weeks this WBC count will pick up. I will follow orders from "Comet dog" and celebrate her one month ampuversary in a few days. Again, thank you all and I will hopefully figure out how to post a picture soon. Thank you.
Marisa aka Peaches' mom
I just wanted to add my "welcome" to everyone else's. Our founder Jerry summarized the lessons well and it takes practice to learn them. Thanks to you and your husband for your service to our country.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
peaches1 said:
I will hopefully figure out how to post a picture soon.
Follow these instructions for adding images to forum posts if you already share photos somewhere online. If not, start a blog and you can upload to your media library.
PS: You can also upload your user avatar by following the link from your forums profile button at top right.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Peaches and her Mom and all the family!
You found a great online family to join, not that we want to go through this journey but at least we have a wonderful group of people and "kids" to be with us!
HUggs!
Lylee's Mum
* Lylee amputation date was June 20th and is now doing chemo so we are similar dates.
http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com
Welcome to the family, wow, sounds like you had a " lucky break" so to spreak, talk about things happening for a reason, just think if you hadn't been vacuuming, who knows how much longer it might have been until you discovered the cancer. By no means should you think of timelines, Trouble lived over 2 years, no reason you can't keep the pace!!! Sounds like you have already been through the hardest part, you will be constantly amazed at how well Peaches will adapt and at some point will be just like before, it's just now she wil hop instead of walk, and thats character. You will find three legged dogs teach us alot about life. Don't be afraid to ask anything, experience gives the best answers,and for the most part, there isn't much someone here hasn't dealt with, Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
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