Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I remember coming to this forum looking for info when we first receive our dog, Onder's, diagnosis of Osteosarcoma. I didn't contribute to the conversation then, but read many many other dog's stories trying to"read the future"
I wanted to come back here now, four years later, to share Onder's story, to give some hope to people where were in our situation. Onder is a (very) mixed breed Golden Retriever-Great Pyrenees-German Shepherd-American Pit Bull Terrier-Labrador Retriever-Beagle-Siberian Husky mix. She weighs about 90 pounds.
In 2019, when she was just over six-years-old, her first symptoms presented as a limp in her front right leg which grew progressively worse over three weeks. One day, while playing, she "collapsed" that leg, yipped in pain. She seemed to recover somewhat, but when it happened a second time we took her to the vet. From the first x-ray the vet recognized the tell-tale bone fracturing pattern of the cancer in her lower leg. We were given the standard prognosis and treatment options. We decided to amputate, but not begin chemo. (She had always had digestive and eating issues, so we did not want to add to her suffering.)
The amputation went smoothly. She was able to walk to the car the next day. As horrific as the surgery felt and looked to us, she didn't care in the slightest. After a typical month of recovery (one of the hardest times emotionally and logistically of her entire journey) she was back to her completely normal self. She could walk and run for miles.
She had one set-back about two years after the surgery when she jumped down from a perch and sprained something. For a few weeks we were back to the pain pills, harnesses, and sleeping on the floor. But tests showed it wasn't cancer again, so patience was enough treatment.
At 10.5 years old, Onder is now four years past her amputation. Other than the normal slow-down of aging, she's is doing fine. We do worry that the added stress on her spine and joints will eventually become too much for her to bear, but for now she's the same dog she always was. We cannot believe that we\\\'ve had this much "bonus time" with her.
I wanted to share the particulars of her story because I know someone will read this after getting that first desperate diagnosis. We know our farm dog girl has beat the odds by a county mile, while most beloved pups do not. We are glad we made a quick decision to amputate (three days after diagnosis.) Not having chemo obviously did not matter in her case, but it clearly does in others'.
If Onder's story helps guide someone, she's happy to have helped. We wish you luck in your post-diagnosis decisions and ramifications, and hope the days to come – no matter how many – are filled with love.
YAY for Onder!
Josh we are so happy for you and Onder, and really overjoyed that you decided to come back to tell the community how she is doing. Her story is HOPE to so many people, now, and in the future.
Yes, people come here looking for some sign that their dog can be OK, and Onder's story proves that it's possible. Amazing that she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma so long ago. What a miracle girl!
If you'd like to share photos, this is how adding images works. Or you can PM me and I"ll post them for you.
Thanks again for sharing.
Thanks so much josh for sharing Onder's story. Sooo happy for you and her!
This is great to hear - and very kind of you to come back and tell. It's a reminder to me (and likely so many here) who are still in the early stages of this journey that we don't really know what will happen in our own furry friend's story.
Juno and I wish you continued happy time together.
Natalie & Juno (aka June)
OVER THE MOON HAPPY TO HEAR IRACLES DO HAPPEN!!!👏👏
You have just lifted the Spirits of everyone here now and of any newbie to come here in the future.
You've also proven that chemo is not always the magic bullet and dogs do indeed beat the odds without it!
We read soooooo often o here about the "inevitable", about "knowing" the crap disease will return or is "always' lurking somewhere. And you and Onder are proff the "inevitable" and the "always" do not fit the outcome of every single dog. Every dog is different and there will be a miracle story that pips up like thos one every now and then to give hope and to inspire
With all our heart thank you so much for coming back and sharing Onder's inspawrational journey
And yes, we must have pictures!!!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
All I can do is add to the comments above, and thank you so much for sharing Onder’s story.
It is wonderful to hear that you are having so much wonderful time with Onder after the awful diagnosis of osteosarcoma, after going through the amputation with or without chemo I know that the question of just how long do we have he’s always somewhere either at the back or front of my mind. Our Rottie Kaya is currently three months post amputation and just finished chemo last Friday, sadly this is the second time we are going through this as our Rottie boy Conna had the same around 12 years ago, he lived about eight months past limb sparing surgery and chemo and of course we don’t know how long Kaya will have, we are enjoying every single day with her and making sure she has as much fun as she possibly can.
I always tend to think about the lower end of the spectrum of expectancy which sadly I think is the norm but it is absolutely wonderful to hear that there are exceptions and how wonderful that your Onder is one of them, thank you again for sharing your story, I am about to take Kaya out for a walk. I will do so with your wonderful story in my mind.
Josh,
this is how adding images works in the Forums.
Basically you need to:
- upload a photo somewhere like your own Tripawds blog, or a public image hosting site like Imgur.com
- then copy the image URL (or just tap the image and copy it if you're on a mobile device)
- return here, and paste the image into your forum post.
Hope that makes sense. Let us know if you'd like help!
Josh, if you create an account, each of your posts won't require approval to be visible to other users. https://tripawd...../supporter
Stunning pictures, absolutely stunning! This bumper knows how to work a camera, that's for sure! Thanks so much for sharing these with us I think we all feel in love instantly with the first photo.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too
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!
Hi all, just wanted to pop back in to let people know that Onder has survived another year. She’s now over 5 years past surgery. She still lives a very active life for an 11.5 year-old, large breed, tri-paw.
Even though we know her story isn’t typical, we want to continue sharing so people know there is hope after a Sarcoma diagnosis.
And Onder wants everyone to know that she would gladly trade a day for every pet and owner whose story wasn’t as fortunate. We all appreciate how lucky we are.
CHEERS to the a-typical Onder! Josh thank you soooo much for returning to let us know. You're right, she is far from typical but she also embodies the hope that people need when they find this community. So thank you from the bottom of our hearts for making us smile and cheer for your special, beautiful, cancer warrior!
Got any photos or video you want to share? Let us know if you'd like help!
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