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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
This week was a double header for Rusty: his 18th month ampuversary was on the 25th and his 3rd birthday was the 30th! We took him to In N Out burger for his celebration and when I told them that is was his 3rd birthday, they gave him a double patty, which he enjoyed immensely! We will have a birthday party for him next Friday the 5th, as Dr. Macy, his Oncologist, wanted to be invited and was not in town until then. Rusty's entire medical team will be present along with 15 parents of his best buddies; I will take pictures and post.
Rusty will see Dr. Macy for his three month follow-up on the 4th and we are hoping for continued good news. The past two months have been the best health wise that Rusty has enjoyed since starting this ordeal; he still has issues with his stomach, but no diarrhea! We are keeping the stomach issues under control with his diet (chicken breast, ground beef, chicken noodle soup, brown rice and dry EVO) and medications. I have not found any suspicious lumps in his daily massages and he is not showing any other symptoms, other than lower than normal energy levels which we hope are from the hot summer temps. He still enjoys a good 20/25 minutes in the pool which is keeping him very trim. By the end of the day he shows noticeable fatigue in his leg and very seldom will walk around the lake in the evening; we go over and socialize with all of his buddies and then take a long ride in the golf cart.
Rusty's original prognosis was for 1 to 3 years of quality life after amputation and chemo therapy; we are now half-way through that time frame! We don't know what this incredible journey has in store for us in the future or when it will end, but we are very grateful that we are able to continue along its path. We make sure that Rusty enjoys each and every extra day that he has and we are so blessed to have him with us; he has taught us so much on dealing with adversity and is such an inspiration!
I am still working on a new surfin' video for him, which may be more swimming than surfin'.
Chuck & Rusty
Rusty is a Labradoodle who was diagnosed with level 3 Fibrosarcoma on January 16th, 2010 and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th, 2010 five days before his 18 month birthday. Please see Rusty's blog @rusty.tripawds.com. He is putting up one heck of a fight against this terrible disease.
Happy Birthday, Rusty! So glad to hear that he's doing well! A doggy party sounds like a blast, can't wait to see pictures 🙂
Julie, mom to Spirit Max the Pomeranian,
the bravest poofle dog who ever lived!
Happy Birthday and Happy Ampuversary, Rusty! You're one lucky dog to be able to celebrate with a burger. Trouble was allergic to beef
Here's hoping you have many more ampuversaries and birthdays. Who cares what the vet says, 3 years can easily be 5 (or more). Keep the faith, my friend.
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.
Way to go Rusty, 18 months is a great number, like I say, I love it when I see another one slap that crap in the face, Big paws up Rusty, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
oh rusty, you are such an inspiration to us all!! happy ampuversary and happy birthday too!!! we'll have a double celebration here in ET, plenty of cheese and ice cream!!! stay strong our brave brother!!!!!
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
Rusty, you indeed ROCK!! 18 months is awesome , now your 3rd birthday?? I had no idea you were such a young feller, Im bucking for you to blow those odds all to pieces and live a long and full life in spite of what you have been through! Keep on going little buddy! We are rooting for you!
Sooper Dooper Fearless Leader Clown Cooper
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
WOW! I can't believe it! It seems like just yesterday you joined us! I'm so happy and it's for sure a great celebration!
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.
Hoppy Ampuversary AND Hoppy 3rd Birthday! This is awesome news, and we can't wait to see the celebration pictures from your upcoming party. You sure are one hot surfin dude....
Cathy
hoppy ampuversary and happy birthday Rusty
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
Hoppy ampuversary and happy birthday! 2 great dates to be celebrating! Pawty hard buddy!
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
WoHoo Rusty! Thanks for the great update. 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hooray Rusty! Awesome double-header news! And also awesome to get a Flying Dutchman from In-n-Out! That is definitely Abby's favorite way to celebrate!
Jackie, 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!
I'm late! I'm late!
HOPPY BIRTHDAY AND AMPUVERSARY RUSTY!!!! You have proved that statistics are a load of ....... uh, you know!
Have a terrific celebration, we'll raise one up in your honor tonight!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Chuck -
Amazing what a bit of a nudge can do huh .
So happy Rusty is doing so well and that you have an In Out Burger close by!!! LOL
I wish Riley liked the pool (she's beyond terrified).....Oh wait, maybe I should send her to your house for a week or two and Rusty can show her how much fun it can be......
Have a great time on friday and give Rusty another kiss on the nose...
KaCee & Riley
1 Guest(s)
