Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi All,
I don't frequent this board like I used to a couple years ago. Everyone was so much help after my then 6.5 year old yellow lab Bella was dx with Osteosarcoma in her front leg. First Vet said not to amputate because of her weight 90lbs .. that fact it was her front leg and that she had arthritis is her knees and hip problems. I did not listen and a week later her front leg was off with another vet. She did 4 round of Chemo after which ended in Jan 2011. Since then we have done nothing else but treat her the same, feed her the same etc. and she went about her life a little slower but did not stop her from swimming every summer going on boat rides and just loving life. They told us 9 months was the average even with Chemo. I am glad she fell out of the "normal"
We just took her in for an xray this past week and all was clear, no signs of Lung Mets. We are so grateful, although the knees and weight have caught her to her. We just put her on Rimadyl to help but vet said both knees are really bad. She is no pain and just takes her time getting around places and takes a lot of breaks.
I am very grateful for this board back then when I knew nothing and for all the support and just wanted to stop by with an update and will stick around to help any newbies.
Thanks.
Karen and Bella
How nice to read an update and that she's still clear of the cancer!!
Sad that she's now suffering from pain in her joints, but if you'd listened to that first vet, you'd all have missed out on two wonderful years together! Are you thinking of getting her a cart? Might give her a new lease of life! We're starting to think about maybe looking into it for Sid, who has been a tripawd for five years now.
If you need suggestions on weight loss, I've been successful in taking up to 60 pounds off of a foster dog. Just let me know. You can email me at BHS74FlyGirl@aol.com
What a great update! I'm very glad to hear that Bella is kicking cancer's butt!!
My quad pug Tani has severe arthritis, she has been on rimadyl for a couple years now. Be sure and keep up with the blood work- but Tani has been fine so far. We took the next step last month and started her on Adequan injections. It is an anti-inflamatory and joint supplement that, when it works, helps relieve pain. We did two shots a week for 4 weeks, and we will follow up with one shot a month. I saw small improvement with each shot, and a huge improvement when we got to the end of 4 weeks. You might ask your vet about it.
Karen and the pugapalooza
WOwwwwweeeee! Thank you so much for letting us know, it's always so nice to get updates like this. We always want to assume no news is good news and here it is!
Three paws up and a big CONGRATS for being "abnormal" and beating those silly odds!!!!! WOOO HOOOOOO!!!!
I second the advice about Adequan. Here's a nutrition blog post about it.
Keep us posted, we hope that you have a long, long time together. Yay!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
What a wonderful update. Thank you so much for sharing. We need some good news of dogs beating the odds.
Sorry the knees are giving her trouble but at least she can swim!
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
That is soooooooo awesome. Keep up the great work. 2 plus years is so great gives us "newbies" a lot of hope 
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."
Bella, you are an inspiration to us all. You kicked cancer in the butt and never looked back. Way to go Bella ! Keep fighting the good fight.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
so happy for you and ms. bella,,,,a miracle! stories like this gives us hope,,,,God Bless and thanks for sharing!
Yes!!!! These are the stories we love to hear! Way to go Bella and mom! Excellent news! Keep us posted on how her knees progress and what you find helpful. Best wishes! Belly rubs!!!
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Sorry to hear about her knees, but otherwise - wow,what a great update! Hooray for Bella!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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