Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi,
I don't really know how to start my story. I get upset just thinking about it. Here goes, I've been a police ifficer for 10 years and have had my K9 Rexo for almost 7. Rexo will be 9 in April. Just recently he started limping for no reason. It was very subtle at first and I thought it was a hind leg. I didn't make a big deal of it at first because we're always doing stuff at work and occassionaly he tweaks something, but it alwas goes away after a couple of days. He was still limping after almost a week so I take him to the vet and he thinks it's his other hind leg and since he's had spinal arthritis for some time just assumed it was from that. Let me say that his arthritis has never been an issue before and when we work, he'd work for me until he passed out. Vet told me to take it easy on him and he got a nice mini vacation and I left him at home. Almost another week goes by and now the limp is a little more noticeable and I can tell it's his front left leg. Back to the vet again. Vet feels a noticeable difference between the left and right shoulder and after stretching his left leg, he's limping more now. X-ray then shows something on his left shoulder and vet informs me of the possibilities of what it could be. Either bone cancer or a bone cyst. They want me to wait a month to take more xrays to see if there's a change.
I'm a very impatient person and feel that waiting could do more harm than good. I know if it was me I would get a second opinion and so that's just what I did. Got several referrals from other K9 officers for one specific doctor. Contact her after doing hours of research myself on the internet. So long story short, she's gonna do several xrays and a biopsy Wednesday. I know the odds of it being cancer are very high and the odds of it being osteosarcoma are very high so I wanted to get the ball rolling.
It's only been a week since the first xrays but I'm still so upset. I'm with my dog almost 24 hours a day for the last 7 years and thought I'd have at least a few years with him after he finally retired. I'm hoping for the best but am prepared to do what needs to be done for my dog to annoy me for a while longer. I just hope I make the right decision for him and not for me. Even before he went on the pain meds he was still running around and playing with me. He has just as much energy now as he did when I got him when he was 2 so I know if it comes down to amputation/ chemo he will do phenominally. He would do anything for me and he already has time and time again so I just want to return the favor and do everything in my power for him. He's saved my butt more times than I can count.
I'm at work and my squad laptop doesn't have spell check, just an fyi. I'm on lunch too! Thanks for listening/ reading.
Welcome, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
We are very sorry to hear about Rexo, but glad you found us. Our first advice would have been to seek a second opinion, so you're already on the right track for coping with whatever comes. Your story of how Rexo presented with symptoms is much like our own Jerry, and many others in this community.
Please bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for many helpful links to the best blog posts and forums topics, and consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for immediate answers to the most common concerns about a cancer diagnosis or amputation recovery and care.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello and welcome to our little family! I'm so sorry to hear about Rexo's problems but you've come to the right place! You'll find many of us on here, including myself and my little kitty Jill, dealing with osteosarcoma. Please feel free to ask ask ask away. We're here to help! Keep us posted and if you get a chance pop on over to the chat room at some point.
Erica
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
Oh first of all thank you and Rexo for your brave service! Wow, he sounds like an amazing dog. We'd love to see some pics of him.
I'm really hoping this isn't osteosarcoma, let's hope the biopsy comes back with something else that's not cancer. Kudos to you for listening to your instinct and getting another opinion. Waiting can be one of the biggest mistakes when it comes to diagnosing cancer, just read Dr. Dressler's post about common mistakes people make at times like this.
Who can blame you for being upset? Not us, that's for sure. We get it, and you are not alone. Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for your service. You have found one great community. You are definitely on the right track with the 2nd opinion. My Sassy had Osteoscaroma and I sought a 2nd opinion right away. Everyone has given great advice. Definitely keep us posted.
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Welcome to Tripawds.
Not much new advice to offer, I just wanted to say welcome and I'm sorry you had to find us here. You and Rexo sound like an amazing team, I know what ever comes your way you guys will be able to handle it.
Good luck with the xrays and biopsy tomorrow. Sending positive thoughts for the best possible outcome.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Thanks for lettingnus get to knlw a lottle about your woderful "partner to your soul", Rexo. You love for eachother is coming across loud and clear!
You have dneyour research and yoj are on the road to a specific plan.....good for you for being sch a wonderful advocate for Rexo! Your decision will be the right ne because itis made out of love.....and there's a whole lotta' love there!
Should you need to proceed with amutatin, Rexo sou ds li,e he's in great shape to handle it just fine! He's lready basically using three legs anyway. Reovery is NO picnic for about two weeks...some need less recovery tme...some need more. Generally, not always, larger dogs are in the "need a little more" catefory.
But once recovery is complete and all that horrible bone pain is gone, you will jave o e happy dog just waiting to lap up all the lovng and spoiling you can give! My Happy Hannah is al ost eight months post amp. and cntinuing forward (knocki g on wood) She's nine now, 118 lbs. after amp and I can not even begin to express what this gift of time means tous both! Every sngle day is avout love, fun, joy, tummy rubs, rolling on her back in the grsss, sittingin the sun sniffing the breeze, begging for food nin-stop....and getting anything she wants anytime!!
Rexo is reall going to enjoy his pain free life and maybe even becomng a retired couch potato!!
Remember, NO dog has a time frame stamped on their vutt! No dog cares about any stupid diagnosis or statistics! We have dogs her who have gone n fora very, very long time...beating all the odds! SSome, of course, don't get as mich time. But remember, in DOG YEARS, many, many good quality months equals a year or two!! And a year of good quality equals seven!!
We all want longevity...and we all kow nothingis MORE important than quality! You already get that. You have a wonderfully positive attitude and that's iportant to Rexo.
".....Give me patience.....hurry up! I need it NOW!" Yeah, lots of great learning lessons on this jour ey and one is to Be More Dog ! Think like a dog.....which is all about living in the moment, not worrying avout a thing.....jist giing and receiving love! And have fun every single day and wake up with your tail wagging!
Kow that we are all here for you. We understand. For me, it was an agony I can't even describe whe I started going through this with Happy Hannah...I was stuck in a nightmare it seemed. Staying glued to this community pulled me through. I'm still"glued" and have no intention of letting go!
NOW!, Hapoy Hannah and I are in a state of constant bliss and happiness! We will let NOTHING rob us of this treasured, sacred time we have together! You both will be fine! PROMISE!
Oh, as far as "typing"? Hope this makes you feel better...and that's with spellig checking
Give Rexo a big tummy rub for us, okay? Watchhis tail wag and no that all is well!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Hello,
I hope Rexo and you both get great news at your next vet appointments but if and when surgery is indicated I know that both Rexo and you will do great!
Tuck is a nine year old chocolate lab who will be celebrating his one month ampuversary this Friday!
As Sally said, the first few weeks can be "interesting" and may even make to question your decision.
However, Tuck has adjusted beautifully to his new "normal" ....almost to the point that I forget he only has three legs now 
The bond that you have with Rexo...both as your partner on duty and as your companion.....will surely help with the healing process for both of you.
All the best
Linda and Tucker
Post hijack alert!! LINDA! We will be celebraring Tuck's ampuversary with yu! Great news! Now, it is picture time! what do we need to doo make that happen!
Love to you and Tuck!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Welcome, you and Rexo have found a good place with wonderful people to help, share and listen. We've been where you are now and it's a lot in the beginning. Once you know the diagnosis you can make the decisions you feel are the best for your boy. Our Snoop is a right front amp due to osteosarcoma. He's did well with surgery and had a pretty good recoup, and we just finished our 6th round of chemo. We'll be onto metronomics
soon. No regrets and were taking each day as it comes. Snoop has actually taught us some lessons in life these days.
We hope you have the best possible outcome with your X-rays and biopsy.
Esther and her Snoop
Sending you and Rexo thanks for your service and many pawsitive thoughts as you work through this new challenge. Rexo has a great partner and guardian watching his back as he watches yours. Whatever unfolds, you'll make the best decisions for your buddy, and you'll find the best help and the biggest hearts in the world right here to help you both. Best wishes for the best news - paws UP!
GSD's have a special place in my heart....and that is one handsome dude!!
-Liz and Angel Roxie
Hi Rexo and Dad Having grown up surrounded by firemen and police and treating several K9 officers in my career as a vet tech I understand the bond you two have. I can honestly say the roughest part in all this for Rexo is not being by your side 24/7. Chemo and surgery is nothing in his mind compared to that.
I know how devoted you are to Rexo and going for that second opinion is the best thing you could have done for him. Early detection is key in the fight against cancer so always go with your gut if its telling you something's not right.
Hang in there, we're here to support each other and advise when its needed. Give Rex a big hug and try not to worry just yet. Step at a time, start with the biopsy.
Sending good thoughts your way! And please, stay safe out there. You guys don't get enough credit for everything you do.
Mandy and Maverick
Maverick is a wonderful miniature australian shepard born with a malformation of the front right radius/ulna, amputation performed on 11/4/13 at 6 months old. Follow his story at mavericksjourney.tripawds.com.
There isn't much I can add to what other members have said. Welcome to the group. I'm sorry Rexo is having a problem with his leg that is hurting him. Hopefully there is something less threatening going on than cancer. We will all anxiously await an update and hope for good news. And if the news isn't so good, well, we are here with many experiences and answers to questions.
Good luck,
Karma and the pack
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
Hi Rexo and Family,
I too just found out that my dog has cancer and needs amputation. I just bought the e-book on tripawds and am finding that very helpful in a nice orderly way. The site is helpful too . . . but I keep jumping from one topic or blog to another. It's hard to concentrate on anything when there is so much to think about with our dogs condition, at least for me.
I'll be watching Rexo's progress and hoping for the best. He looks like a pretty tough guy who can probably kick cancer's ass.
Kelly & Nosey FLynn
I want to thank you guys for all the support. I got some good news. The new vet to several xrays of rexos shoulder and chest and she can't see anything. She also had 2 other vets take a look too and they had the same opinion. She told me she wasn't going to do the biopsy right now because there's just not enough evidence to make her do it. Blood already came back clear and just waiting on the urine. The night before I found a video on here talking about certain fungal infections in different regions in the country and she explained it to me too. There's another K9 somewhat near my town that is actually being treated for a fungal infection and she should know by tomorrow about that. I feel so much better than I did last week but I still know that there is something going on with my dog so I'm hoping for the best.
She had no real reason why the different xrays would be so very different but the only thing I can think of is my original vet uses a very old xray machine with the film and the new vet used a newer machine that produced the image directly to the computer. She did tell me that if he had cancer and that is why he was limping that it would almost definitely show up on the xrays she took. I'll keep this updated as I find things out.
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