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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What a journey it has been! It feels like it's been much longer since my girl's been doing the dance of her life on 3 legs! I remember telling my vet that even if she was pain-free w/out that extra leg for a month it would be worth it and here we are crossing the 2 month mark and showing no signs of slowing down.
I wrote a blog post today (that is much longer than what I will post here) about how the human is doing. But as far as Shelby is concerned, she has no concept of dates, times, etc. She doesn't miss or even remember that leg at all - her 'phantom' issues have decreased (however she will still bolt out of sleep and run away). Occasionally she will sit on the floor and make 'scratching' motions with that leg toward her left ear/neck. It's odd - she never (even when she had 4 ) scratched behind her right ear/neck. If I see her doing it, I try and help her.
She hasn't been in my bathroom in about a week (she still retreats there on occasion). She is less HUNGRY all the time which makes me think the probiotics are helping since she was probably pooping all her food/nutrition out. She still a lot of water if I don't give her more food or feed her fast enough or tell her to stop begging. It's like a weird OCD thing (mainly because she never did this before do I mention that it's a bit weird now). But no cause for concern, as far as I know.
She goes for chemo tomorrow and I can't wait to check her weight. I swear she feels heavier but I have been wrong in the past ...
She definitely enjoys her home-cooked meals (finally, someone enjoys my cooking).
She's a fighter and she's living her best life ... Here's to many more months!
Alison and Shelby (#shelbystrong)
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Hoppy Ampuversary Shelby!!! You are such a fighter and make us all proud!!
Keep up the great work girl!!
xoxo,
Erica & Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Woo hoo! 2 months down of many. Now she'll be truly back on her feet and getting into trouble. Congratulations Miss Shelby!
Adelaide is a young tripawd Husky, from an injury. Her amp was on 10/1/12. She has 4 sisters, Aissa (a senior border collie/chow), Maggie May (a puppy Great Pyrenees), Mathilde and Morrigan and 1 baby brother, Bagheera. We are all watched over by our angel Brendol, who was dx with OSA 1/30/13, amp on 2/6/13, and left us on 8/20/13.
You can read their stories at http://adelaide.tripawds.com and http://brendol.tripawds.com
Yay Shelby!! You are rockin' the senior tripawd life, showing the rest of us how it's done. Keep up the good fight you sweet thing.
Amy & Libby
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
Yey! 2 months! It's a victory. You have come a long way, you too! Congrats! Here's to many MANY more! I'll celebrate for Shelby tonight, even if she's developed some new, unique behaviors...
I run over to J and scratch his right side whenever he curls over with his stump. I can only imagine how frustrating that is...to not reach an itch?!
~ Katy & Jackson
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!
Thank you everyone!!!! Your support keeps us strong!!! 🙂
Shelby is going to have "frosty paws" tonight and I had cake at work (not related but I'll go with it).
We love you all!!! Enjoy your cake, Bonnie!!! 🙂
She's definitely keeping me on my toes tonight!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Hoppy Ampuversary Shelby. Way to go & keep kicking cancer's ugly butt.
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
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."
Yip! Yip! Hoooorraaaay! Shelby's kickin' butt, and her Momma is too!
Congratulations, may there be many, many more great updates like this.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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