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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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OS Strikes again
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Leicester, NY
Member Since:
23 August 2010
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22 September 2010 - 2:07 pm
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Daisy the Dalmatian became a tripawd in Aug 2010 due to a car accident. I was so relieved to find this site- so much info and support! She is recovering nicely with the help of physical therapy sessions and everyones pawsitive thoughts. We have another Dal, Samson who is 12 yrs old. Focusing on Daisys recovery, I failed top notice a large lump forming above Sams wrist area. Went to the vet yesterday and got the devestating news of OS. I am just heartbroken. He is not a candidate for amputation because of hip displaysia, he could never support himself. We hope to have a few good months with him as the vet has given him 3-6 months. I am trying not to grieve before he is gone but I have to hold the tears back when just looking at him. Ironically, Sam sees me tear up and comes over to lick my face.

Daisy earned her wings on Oct 22, 2011 at 14 years old

She is now the official greeter at the rainbow bridge

Everyone is guaranteed a welcome sniff and Dalmatian smile

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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22 September 2010 - 2:28 pm
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OH! I'm so very sorry!  That has to be devasting to say the least!

 

Of course your vet knows best...so I won't dispute the inability to walk without the leg.  I am so sorry.

We are here for you.

Her Retired AvatarComet - 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.

My heart lives at Rainbow Bridge
Member Since:
28 November 2008
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22 September 2010 - 4:04 pm
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I, too, am sorry to hear Sam's diagnosis.  Don't be too hard on yourself.  Those first few hours after diagnosis are really hard to get the emotions under control.  You no doubt have already learned a lot here.  You know how important it is to let Sam take the lead and show you  how to make those difficult decisions.  Many good thoughts coming to you and Sam.

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.

Member Since:
1 January 2010
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22 September 2010 - 4:26 pm
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Oh, I'm so sorry to read this.  I was a mess for the first few weeks after Holly's diagnosis... and reading on this site helped me immensely.  We'll all keep fingers and paws crossed for Sam.  Give him lots of loving, and plenty of hugs.  We are all here for you.

Sending lots and lots of hugs,

Holly, Zuzu and Susan

Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!

http://anyemery.....ipawds.com

knoxville, tn
Member Since:
12 February 2010
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22 September 2010 - 4:51 pm
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julie, this is just sad, sad news.  our thoughts are with you guys...the only 'good' thing is that samson doesn't know anything has changed.  he's just enjoying his life, loving his family and making memories.  enjoy every second you can.

charon & 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

http://etgayle

Member Since:
26 November 2008
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22 September 2010 - 5:33 pm
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Julie,

Very sorry to hear of Samson's diagnosis but please try to keep a positive attitude as you move forward. Miss Cherry's diagnosis was extremely poor and if we had ever asked for a Life-Expectency, it would probably be significantly less than Samson. She had a growth on her remaining kidney which was not a good sign. However, we did not even think about the length of time, but rather focused totaly on the quality of that time. I honestly believe that this is one of the main reasons that we got both.

Find something that Samson loves to do and can still do with this new diagnosis. Many here know that for Miss Cherry that was rides in the truck. It put smiles on both our faces and gave her another reason to fight so very hard.

May your time with Samson be filled with the very best of memories.

Spirit Cherry's Dad

Member Since:
7 June 2010
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22 September 2010 - 6:11 pm
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I am so sorry to hear that news. cry

I, like Comet, won't dispute the vet, but I will share my experience:

My local vet suspected and confirmed with a visiting vet in their office. I then took Charlie to the Oncologist to get a confirmation, not that I didn't trust my vet, or the visiting vet, per se but I wanted someone who specializes in it to give me the low-down. Next we met with the surgeon who was either going to do the amputation or the limb-sparing (we were looking at both options at the time). When we decided on the amputation, although the local, Oncologist, and surgeon all agreed that he would be a good candidate, I also got a consult from the Orthopedic doctor. Dang it (sorry for the colorful language) but I wasn't going to put my boy through this if he couldn't freakin' (again, language apologies) handle it!

Charlie is arthritic, old for his size (108 lbs at time of amputation and almost 11 years) and had Lyme disease as a puppy. He also blew out a knee when hunting. I thought for sure he wouldn't be a candidate! Anyway, not trying to sell any false hope, nor question your or your vet's decision. I totally respect whatever you choose to do as you know your boy best.

 

We'll be thinking of you and Samson. Keep us posted!

Charlie & VQ

"I don't know where I am."

Member Since:
30 July 2010
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22 September 2010 - 6:53 pm
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So sad to hear.  We are sending our thoughts to you.  Cancer is no fun. We know because our Tripawd Chloe is dog #2 that was diagnosed with cancer frown  We wish you as many happy, life filled days as possible for you and samson.

-Chloe's mom

Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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9
22 September 2010 - 9:44 pm
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Wow, that is just stunning. We can't believe it, and feel just so bad for you, Sam and Daisy. How unreal.

Please know that if he truly isn't a candidate, there are better options for helping to relieve his pain. Check out this post about bisphosphonates (be sure to click through to all the links, lots of good info) and see if that's something that you guys can do. In a lot of cases it's helped many dogs who weren't amputation candidates.

We are deeply sorry. No matter what you decide, we are here to help OK?

Many hugs coming your way.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Leicester, NY
Member Since:
23 August 2010
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10
23 September 2010 - 4:05 pm
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THANK YOU for sending this piece of information on bisphosphonates . I have made an appt at Cornell Univ Onocology for Sep 29th to discuss various options including this.  It sound like the option I was looking for, I just dont want him to suffer through a painful end but I would like to do something besides just giving him pain meds and hoping his bone does not snap in two.  

Tripawd Daisys first dunk in the hydro-treadmill is tommorrow....she just LOVES water (not). She may try to spout wings to get out!   

Thanks for all your posts. I have never posted on a forum prior to this, I do not have a facebook page or anything else but I can tell you, just being able to read posts for others who have "been there - done that" has been a blessing. I may tell my co workers that "crap- my dog was diagnosed with OS" and they say "Im sorry" but when the Tripawd community posts "Im sorry" the connection means so much more and truly helps get through the 2am blues. 

Daisy earned her wings on Oct 22, 2011 at 14 years old

She is now the official greeter at the rainbow bridge

Everyone is guaranteed a welcome sniff and Dalmatian smile

Member Since:
10 March 2010
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11
23 September 2010 - 4:45 pm
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what lousy luck...what lousy lousy luck.   Maybe they will be able to offer you something helpful so please keep us posted and sending you many many hugs

Manchester, UK
Member Since:
2 February 2008
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24 September 2010 - 9:07 am
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Well isn't that just a load of old **** cry evil

I'm very sorry to hear your news and send lots of good wishes for both Samson and Daisy kiss

Darcy – tripawd since 16th October 2007.

***Darcy would love to be your friend on Facebook - just search for Darcy Deerhound***

Greater Western Washington area
Member Since:
25 August 2010
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13
25 September 2010 - 8:49 am
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I too am sorry you are having to deal with this.  It is completely unfair that cancer steals time from our wonderful friends.  It is good that the tumor is down by the ankle I have read.  That is where it was on my boy and they say that improves the odds for more time for you.  I would ask around to see if there is some way or something you can put on his leg to help protect it.  My boy didn't have a visible tumor, but less than a week after diagnosis he had a fracture at the site.  I have since wondered if there was some cast or some wrap I could've put on him to help strengthen it.

 

Elizabeth and Sammy

Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,

leg fractured 8/27/10,

leg amputated 8/30/10

http://sammyand.....pawds.com/

 

I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us.  Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.

My heart lives at Rainbow Bridge
Member Since:
28 November 2008
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14
25 September 2010 - 9:11 am
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fightingforsammy said:

 It is good that the tumor is down by the ankle I have read.  That is where it was on my boy and they say that improves the odds for more time for you. 


Elizabeth, can you share this reference?  As much as I've read, I've never come across that.  Wondering if it has something to do with Trouble's longevity.  Her tumor was between the knee and ankle - closer to the ankle than the knee.

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.

Member Since:
1 January 2010
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15
25 September 2010 - 9:31 am
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I hadn't heard anything about odds and location, but Holly's tumor was almost at the hip joint, which both the vet and oncologist said was highly unusual.  The oncologist is predicting that when it comes back it will reappear at her hip, rather than in her lungs or spine.  It could be interesting to start a forum on where these tumors have been, and see whether within our community there is anything to be gleaned from that.

Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!

http://anyemery.....ipawds.com

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