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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Rooney’s a new Tripawd
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Member Since:
17 June 2021
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17 June 2021 - 1:24 pm
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Rooney became a Tripawd on 6-15-21. Her’s is a long journey and hopefully it’s about to get a lot better.  

In March 2019 she had a Soft Tissue Sarcoma removed from her front right leg.  We were optimistic because our vet was able to get good margins and this type of tumor rarely spreads, however it has large chance to come back in same spot.  In November 2019, it returned & was removed again. Because so much skin was removed around the tumor, our vet didn’t think it would be able to be removed again if it came back because they would not be able to get a wide enough margin.

Our vet mentioned radiation or amputation as a future option if the tumor came back (chemo is not an option for this type of tumor). He said he would not put his dog through radiation. He also said that dogs do great with amputation and said he thought this was a good option for Rooney.  

In February 2020 the tumor was back. We found it so quick that our vet removed it once again.  She recovered really well after all these surgeries.  She still would go on at least 2 mile walk daily. We moved out of state in the summer due to my husband’s job and Rooney continued to due really good.  We thought the tumor was finally gone for good!  

In December 2020 it was back.  We could not find any vet to see her because of COVID and their reduced hours or surgery schedules months out so we took her over an hour away to an animal hospital with an radiation oncology department on site, praying for any other options.  We were told that they could not remove it for the same reason as our original vet stated.  He mentioned radiation or amputation (again chemo not an option). He said that radiation wasn’t a good option because it would do more damage to her leg and would just reduce the tumor size.  He said that Rooney would do great with amputation and that he felt that she has several good years left (she’s only 9 now) and she would not die because of this tumor.  He also said before amputation to have chest X-rays because it rarely spreads but if it would spread it would be the lungs.  Her tumor was still small and she was not having any problems walking yet, so he said to wait and when she started limping or the tumors started ulcerating it would be time.  He also said another vet could do an amputation so we wouldn’t have to travel so far.  

Rooney continued to do really good.  The tumor was growing and she was still walking a lot and going strong. In May we knew it would not be long, she was getting tired on walks so we made an appointment with a local vet and took their first appointment which was a few weeks out.

A week before her appointment, she started limping and and her tumor started ulcerating.  At her appointment, they did her bloodwork and chest X-rays (luckily they were clear).  Her surgery was scheduled for 10 days later (that was the soonest they could get her in, apparently all the vet surgeries around here are backed up because of COVID and many are not doing them. If was a difficult 10 days.  

Rooney came home yesterday and is doing ok so far.  She is sleeping a lot. It was difficult to see he after surgery and it’s difficult having a positive attitude around her when all I want to do is cry.  

Reading all the stories about other dogs on TRIPAWD helped me come to the decision that I wanted to give Rooney this chance. Thank You!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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17 June 2021 - 1:48 pm
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Hi Rooney and family, welcome! I'm in the Tripawds Chat for a bit if you want to hop on over. 

You sure have been down a long road, I'm so sorry. The good news is that now Rooney is on the recovery road, and in a couple weeks you will see such a difference in her personality. That bad pain is gone, and she's going to be ready to pawty! 

For now, rest is medicinal. Let her do the bare minimum and don't push her to do anything other than go potty on her usual schedule, and drink water. She may not be hungry for a couple days, and she may be constipated too. Totally normal for a new Tripawd, don't worry. But do keep her pain management on schedule and if you notice any pain signals , let your vet know right away OK? 

While you snuggle with her, be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books if you haven't already. Ask any questions you want, we are here to help. Keep us posted on how she is doing! 

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

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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17 June 2021 - 11:01 pm
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What an ordeal getting to this point!  WOW!!

Recovery  is no picnic for a couple of weeks, but it doesn't  last furever.  Rest is exactly what she needs right now.  It is MAJOR surgery!  So stay connected and we can help you navigate  through it.  You will be amazed at how well Rooney does once he gets his sea legs and starts mastering  his new gait.

And yes, surrounding Rooney with a strong confident  energy is important  to his healing  and overall well being.  As you get further jnto recovery  and see Ronney's sparkle come back you will realize  you did this FOR him!.  To be able to take away Rooneys pain and restore quality is a gift that he appreciates!  So yes, celebrate  that amputation  gives him a path to a pain free quaility  life where Rooney can be Rooney again!

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!

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