Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks everyone for your support! We really appreciate the
outpouring of love for Rusty during these trying times. Rusty reached his three month ampuversary on Sunday the 25th! He is doing so well adjusting to life with three legs that
it seems like it should be more than three months since he lost his leg.
He is continuing with his
monthly Chemo treatments, April being the 3rd month; Rusty suffered
fairly severe nausea and diarrhea after the the last treatment and
required some additional meds to control the episodes. He will receive
his 4th IV treatment next week, and we are hoping that he does not have a
repeat of this month.
His energy levels, after getting through the nausea, and eating are the
best since the surgery. We are now taking an additional evening walk in
addition to his early morning walks. With our temps moving into the 90's
the heat is now bothering Rusty; we asked Dr. Macy and he said that the
Chemo will cause him to react to the warmer weather. Our Spring weather has been
much cooler than normal this year and we have not been able to use the
pool; now that it is warming up we will get him in the pool which
should help keep him cooler. Rusty took an accidental preview dip last Friday. He is our Cabana Boy and fishes out any flowers, etc. that blow into the pool and was walking on the spa ledge, which is about an inch above the pool level, and slipped and fell in. He immediately swam to the steps and exited the pool; he seemed a little shook up but otherwise okay. I have ordered underwater non-slip tape to apply to the tile to reduce his chances of slipping in the future.
Rusty's monthly blood work continues to be excellent and he is not
showing any signs of the cancer returning, however we know once he is
off Chemo the odds will turn against him.
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Thanks for the great update! Hoppy ampuversary Rusty, here's to many, many more. 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yeay Rusty! Three is the magic number! Congratulations.
Check out the latest Tripawds News video, Massage and Rehab Therapy Tips for Tripawds, Part II. Dr. Gallagher talks about swim therapy in it.
Keep up the great work and enjoy swimming in your pool. What a lucky pup!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey Cabana Boy,
Happy 3 month ampuversary! That's pawesome!
We hope your next chemo treatment won't be so rough on you. Mackenzie did 5 chemo treatments in total and she also had side effects with each one (nausea and loss of appetite.) The doctor gave her anti-nausea medication to take during those first few days plus ginger plus an injection of the anti-nausea med before her chemo treatment. It seemed to help. Her doctor also ended up slightly reducing the amount of chemo she was given because it was harder on her. But after 4 - 5 days she bounced right back to her normal energetic self. It's sounds like you're doing the same :). So enjoy your walks and all that swimming - we're so glad you're doing so well!
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
Very glad that you were able to get this update posted and we are even happier at the quality of the update. Three months is definately a milestone that deserves a PAWRTY. We are hoping that Rusty gets extra hugs, more play time, special treats, and Miss Cherry's favorite – ICE CREAM. We will be toasting this great event from Northern California and sending you all the pawsitive thoughts possible that Rusty may have many more such ampuversaries.
We replied in an earlier posting that chemotherapy can impact the ability to tolerate temperature swings. This is very common in humans and it is only logical that the same is true for our companions. Many here know of Miss Cherry's special hand made TriPawd sweaters where I adapted the pattern to remove the left fore-leg hole while maintaining a contoured fit. The three TriPawd sweaters that Miss Cherry had were the only sweaters that she had in her twelve years. The first was made between her first and second chemotherapy treatments when she would literally shiver from the cooler winter temperatures. The sweater made an great alternative to keeping her covered throughout the day. Thus, I would not be suprised that Rusty had more difficulty with tolerating the temperature swings in the desert.
Continue to enjoy the walks (adjusting to early morning and evening as summer approaches) and the swimming, remain optimistic (you may be as fortunate as Nova & Trouble both with seventeen months and counting), and give Rusty a hug from all of us.
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Rusty, what a handsome tripawd you are. So glad to hear about your 3 month ampuversary. The chemo will be finished soon and you'll be feeling better. It kinda kicks the energy level and tries to make the bloodwork a little on the low side.
Have a happy celebration even if it is just relaxing with the pawrents. I know they are glad you are fighting the fight.
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.
Congrats Rusty- 3 months is awesome!!
Good luck with the rest of your chemo treatments-
Karen and the pug girls
Oh Rusty! That is some super duper wuper good news!
And here I kept thinking you were a little Cabana Girl! Hmmmm...I bet Daddy didn't 'pink' you all out! That looks like mommy chose your bandana! But that's okay, when they look like a doll, it's hard not to play dress up - I plead GUILTY, too!
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.
Happy 3 month ampuversary Rusty!!
So glad that he's doing so well. It'll be great when the pool warms up some and he can go swimming. My Jake loved swimming... it was the best excercise for him!!
Wishing Rusty many, many more happy ampuversaries!!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Congratulations, Rusty, on your 3 Month Ampuversary! Did anyone tell you, you are sooooo cute! 😉
Good luck with your chemo....hoping for no reactions this time...
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Hoppy Ampuversary! Wishing you many, many more to come!
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
Happy, Hoppy Ampuversary, Rusty!!! We're hoping you got lots of extra treats to celebrate this awesome milestone! We hope your next chemo is easier on you than the last... Holly also reacted with nausea and loss of appetite. I'll echo what Mackenzie's mom said - they are now giving her more anti-nausea meds and have reduced the chemo amount a little and it seems to be making a big difference for her.
Hugs!
Holly and Holly's mom
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
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