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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Hi,
My name's Anne, and my boy Tango will be joining the ranks of the tri-pawd next week (cancer in his hind left leg). I just wanted to thank everyone who makes this site possible, I have been devouring the forums in preparation for our consult with his surgeon, and thanks to you all I felt well-prepared with all my questions and concerns. I know it's not going to be easy, but the depth of knowledge and hope here makes me feel like we have a fighting chance.
Thanks everybody,
Anne
welcome anne and tango, your future posts won't require moderation. sorry you have to find us, but this is a great place to be when faced with these types of challenges. hard for us to tell from your avatar, what type of pup is tango and how old is he?? we love pictures and videos, once you have your footing and can take a breath, of course.
looking forward to hearing how tango does, please don't hesitate to come to the forums or start a blog - we've all been where you are and maybe can offer us some support.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Thanks for the welcome! I've put up a better pic I think. Tango was a stray adopted from a shelter, so his age and breed are lost in mystery. But we think he's around 8.The vet calls him a "border collie/mix", the closest breed I've ever come across that resembles is a hovawart, although he's smaller. So loveable handsome mutt would be most accurate:)
Welcome to Tripawds.
Sorry Tango has cancer- what kind, osteosarcoma? My little pug lost her left rear leg to a mast cell tumor.
What day is Tango's surgery? If you have any questions or concerns be sure to voice them here. As you have seen this site has lots of information and tons of support to offer.
Good luck next week and keep us posted.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi Karen, they thought it was osteo, but now they are leaning towards a less aggressive type-it's been a long haul re" diagnosis. He doesn't have any visible mets in lungs or elsewhere, and he's in good health except for his leg, which is in very bad shape. So I'm hoping with the surgery he can enjoy as much pain-free time as possible. Surgery is on Monday.
Like I said in my first post, I am so glad I found this place! Thanks so much for your kind words.
Welcome Anne and Tango! He's adorable! That's great that they think it might not be osteo and something less aggressive instead.
Try to rest up before Monday. Even if he doesn't need you during the nights when he comes home, you'll likely be listening for every little sound and won't get much sleep. Once you get through the tough part of the recovery - usually the first 10-14 days - you should see his old personality start to come back!
Being a Tripawd pawrent is an awesome thing. Welcome to the club,
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!
Thanks so much Jackie-I hadn't even thought about the lack of sleep.
Abby was a beauty, such a happy face!
Hi Anne and Tango!
Welcome to our group....you've definitely come to the right place for advice and questions you might have during the recovery of your Tango before and after the surgery. He sounds like he is really healthy so I'm sure he will do really well. Seems that everyone has some roller coaster rides during recovery and the forums help a lot and that's why we are all here. We have all been through it and can help with many of your concerns and questions. He sure is a good looking dude! Please fill us in when the surgery happens and how his does. I will be thinking about you guys and praying for a speedy recovery!
All the Best
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
Hi Anne,
You bet Tango has a fighting chance! I can see it in his eyes, he's a really cool looking pup!
If you haven't found our Required Reading List yet, I highly recommend checking it out, as well as our CARE videos about surgery, recuperation and post-amp care.
We're glad you're here (but sorry you had to find us!). Let us know what we can do to get you both ready for the big day.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks Suzie, Rizzo and Jerry-this is a great place for keeping my spirits up! (Tango's are never anything but up!)
Welcome Anne and Tango! I gotta agree 100%, your Tango looks like a handsome lovable boy! You say "mutt", I say "unique"! 
And unique dogs are the bestest!!!
One other little thing you can do now, is get some runners/throw rugs and put them in the slick areas of your house. (walmart has some cheap ones that are in various sizes and they match each other OR ROSS Dress for Less has a ton of inexpensive ones).
We'll be here fighting the good fight for Tango with you...so let us know if we can do anything!
Best wishes to the handsome guy!
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.
Thanks so much-I think I'll be making a Walmart trip tonight to get ready. Comet was a lucky girl to have you, it looks like she had a great life!
Welcome Anne and Tango! Tango looks pretty cool to me 🙂 Make sure you get some sleep, the first 2 weeks are the toughest, but being a pawrent to a tripawd is one of the coolest learning experiences around. We learned so much from Chili Dawg.
Jenna and Spirit Chili Dawg's pack
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.
Welcome Tango and Anne!
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
Hi Tango and family. Sorry to hear about the diagnosis, but you seem to realize the most important thing - that there is certainly hope and Tango can do very well despite this monster disease. I can't add anything more than the members above suggested, but the 'get some sleep before amp' suggestion is very good advise. I don't have kids but after the recovery period I had a whole new respect for sleep-deprived new parents!
Tango is gorgeous! Good luck with the surgery and recovery!!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
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