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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My dog Tonka is 5years old and had or has soft tissue sarcoma in his left hind leg. On Wednesday he had his leg amputated, because there wasn't a way of removing the lumps completly. Myself and my husband didn't want to put the dog through radiation and chemo. He is three days post op, and I amazed at how well he has already adapted! Seeing sites like this has given my great hope that he will live along healthy life!!!
Hi Marla,
We're so sorry about Tonka but I'm betting nothing is going to slow that kid down! He's in good company, we've had quite a few members go through amputation this week and you'll also find many who have dealt with soft tissue sarcomas.
We'd love to see some pictures!! What kind of dog is he?
Thanks for joining us here (your posts won't require moderation any longer since you joined as a member).
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tonka is a lab pitbull cross. I am trying to post a pic but am having some trouble.
marla said:
...trying to post a pic but am having some trouble.
Here are instructions for adding pictures to forum posts. If you don't already share photos somewhere online, the easiest way may be to start a blog so you can upload them to your media library
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
we had a soft tissue sarcoma removed in february 2010 (front right leg). we did opt for five rounds of chemo - gayle was 10 at the time and weighing about 70#. she continues to amaze us each and every day, check out her blog for details on her healing and wonderful life. http://www.etga.....ipawds.com
welcome to the site!!
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
Welcome Tonka and mom!
Lots here have had soft tissue cancer, maybe they will chime in and give you even more inspiration!
If you have a Facebook account, that's the easiest way to post a pic. Just upload the pic on FB and after you have uploaded it, right click your mouse on the pic (make sure it's the big pic, not the small pic on FB) then---> click "properties" with your mouse over the pic and ---> copy the "http" URL Address (be sure to get the whole thing which should start with http and end with a .jpg. Then on a post here when you open up to post a reply, click the tree looking icon and a window will pop open. Paste the http address in the
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.
Would anyone know if it is normal after rear leg amputation for a dogs chest to be swolen? Tonkas left side of his chest is hanging low. It doesn't seem to bother him, and his breathing seem to be fine. Of course it's the weekend so the vets office is closed. If anyone could give me some advice that would be awesome!
Marla,
Start a new topic with the question so others can see it easier. I personally don't know. Sorry.
(never went thru an amputation, had a deformed leg).
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.
marla said:
Would anyone know if it is normal after rear leg amputation for a dogs chest to be swolen?
Marla, my first thought was this could be a seroma (fluid buildup) but then I re-read your post and saw that Tonka is a rear-leg amputee, so this shouldn't be happening. Generally seroma 's happen at the amputation site. It's how the body sometimes gets rid of fluid buildup after losing a limb, the fluid takes the path of least resistance out of the body.
Is the area soft or hard? Squishy or firm? Does he cry out in pain when you touch it?
I wish I knew what it was. If you can post a pic, do so. Otherwise call the vet in the morning and let us know what they say OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Most of them adapt pretty quickly after surgery. It is truly amazing. We didn't experience anything like you describe with the swelling. I would be cautious and have the vet check it out, just to be sure.
My Trouble was a Pit bull Terrier and her brother is a Staffordshire Terrier/Pit Bull mix. Can't wait to see pics of Tonka.
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.
Welcome to the Tripawd family. I hope you were able to contact your vet this morning about the sweliing in Tonka's chest. Skyler was a rear leg amputee, but never had swelling issues. Please keep us all posted.
Sending you many golden hugs!
Cathy
I took tonka to the vet this morning, and it is just the swelling. His chest is lower than his hind. Nothing to be too concerned about at the moment. The vet will see him again on thursaday to double check. All in all he is doing wonderful! He is a very determined dog! Hopefully we caught the cancer before it spread. The vet had the lab do extra staining on the lumps that they were able to remove before. It would only take to one stain, and they were unable to tell us if came from the joint. So they still say it is a soft tissue sarcoma. Hopefully nothing had spread before amp.
Thanks for advice and well wishes!!!
Excellent news! Here's to a continued good recovery!
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.
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