Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Welcome Kelly and Taffy!
You two are super stars! Taffy because he has endured regardless of what life has thrown at him and you because of your big heart and the willingness to joyfully love special needs dogs! What great inspiration.
Sounds like Taffy has adapted well to his new normal and is feeling so much better already. It's too bad the vets didn't feel it safe to take the tumor long ago, but it sounds like they were trying to keep Taffy's best interests in mind.
Can't wait to see pics of your lovely family. I'm partial to senior tripawds!!
Luanne and Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Hi everyone, so last night before I gave Taffy his morphine, we went out to potty again, and then we sat out on the patio for a little bit, he seemed to enjoy the cool breeze, after a while we came inside, and I gave him his morphine, but then he decided he wanted to make another trip outside, this was a train wreck, and I managed to get him back in (was all alone) So when my daughter came home (around 1 a.m. ) we took him out again, he was a bit wobbly from the med, and took another chin dive, but then came in the house, and slept till 5 a.m. when he came to wake me again for pee pee time, the back in had all his meds, ate breakfast, drank water, and back to sleep till 7 a.m. back out again. I noticed not a lot, but quite a bit of blood around wound area, ( think it's from the drain while he's laying down) but he was moaning this morning when my daughter tried to clean it, so we're off to the vet at noon, which I feel good about at least letting her take a look, and make sure all is doing good. Thank you Jerry, I was talking to my daughter about stool softners this morning, and she wasn't sure so I will most definitely discuss this with the vet, and as far as pumpkin, I always thought you used that if they had diarrhea, so that's good to know. I had been giving him just cooked/boiled chicken, and then added a little rice, but switched out white rice, for brown rice, it has more fibers in it, and thought this might help. Other then the non pooping, and this area being tender ( which I could expect) Taffy is still reaching for the stars, and I'm right there with him all the way. Talk soon, bless all Taffy, and kelly 
woooooooooooooooooooooooowwwwwww!!!! Taffy.. you are an amazing dawg..
I'm just grinning from ear to ear on this guys adventures and how he has overcome them!!! good for you dude!
It was about 3 days for my Franklin to finally have a "pooping stroll" I say stroll cause he never used to just stay in one spot.. he'd poop and walk... well.. hope... poop, hop, poop, hop, poop, hop.. But with the meds he was on and the antibiotics, as well as not eating correctly for a few days, he just didn't have to I guess.
I'm so glad that Taffy is adjusting well to the tripawd world.. now.. how about you? You seem to be handling things pretty good there girl!! The good thing is that.. we here.. understand all the feelings you are going through.. and we allow you to vent, scream, cry and brag, brag, brag about your boys success!!!!
and of course.. pictures.. we all looooooove pictures!!! So when you figure it out.. show us that sweet boy!!
Christine..... with Franklin in her heart ♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Look forward to your update from vets. Don't wat any nfection t take hold so that's a good ides. think as s ee me tioned early---the "stench" is a pretty god clue!
Okay Taffy--------it's time for a pooh!! And we're ot talkng "Winnie the........." We're talkng good ole stinky POOH! Come on---you'll feel soooo mjch better"!
Slly and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
So just got back from the vets, and they removed the drain, and flushed, they said if we see anymore goo, to just put him in the tub, and flush with hand held shower, so that's no prob. Taffys wound looks amazing, as the bandages came off today, and it was my first time seeing the area, nice coloring, and stitches look good. They changed his antibiotic from amox, to clavomox, and told us to hold off on pain meds if he doesn't seem to need them, just because she doesn't want his liver to shut down after all he's been through, how ever his liver was good, from labs pre-op. I asked about a stool softner, and she said she would rather do an enema, but when they went to do it, his anal glands were supressed, so they popped them, and miraculously he POOPED, everywhere. She said he's more then a miracle, he's also remarkable, I tend to agree. he's now resting, everyone at the vets office loves Taffy, he's become part of the fam, and they all know him, from vets, to techs, to recepts,lol, but I think Taffy was thinking, please mom, don't let them take anything else, when I mentioned this to the vet, she chuckled! I will try to get pics up sometime today, for now I also need a little rest, but my emotions are great, I'm just happy to have my Taffy, and Taffy feeling better, that's the thing that counts the most. Thanks for responses, Benny,Sally, and Hannah, Jerry, Luanne, and Shooter, Christine, and Franklin, we're in it together. Bless you all! 
I'm a little late to the posts here, but just wanted to say welcome! What a fighter your Taffy is! What a remarkable story....you must be very proud 
Sounds like the first couple of days are gonig pretty well, and today's appointment was great!
Keep us posted and come by the chat room if you get some time!!
All the best,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty 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
Yay for poops! That's fantastic. Oh when it comes to pumpkin, yes, it works both ways, for runny poo and no poo. Kinda weird huh? Fiber that it contains both bulks things up and keeps things moving along.
I'm glad you had a terrific vet visit!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Haha, thanks Jerry, and the vet said pumpkin also if he gets constipated again. Will be posting pics soon. 
I thought I'd share some pics of Taffy's journey with you guys.
This first picture is of the ruptured tumor before his initial surgery.
Here he is on the day of the first surgery to remove the 4 pound tumor and heading there in the car.
Here he is right after the surgery. You can see how skinny his little arm was once it was removed.
9 weeks, 2 surgeries on his eye and many other complications later. Here's Taffy on the way to have that arm removed. If you look at the shirt you can see how quickly the tumor grew back. It really exploded in the last week waiting for the surgery once the skin had burst back open. I'll spare you those pictures as they were really gruesome.
A kiss for good luck and love before surgery.
And here he is on his way home from the vet today after getting his drain removed. He's still smiling!
And for good measure, here is our little paralyzed peke, Louie, running around the yard.
And our only girl, Pearl, who is their cheerleader.
Also thank you to Tripawd Kitty, and Erica, everyone on here are awesome, so glad for finding all of you, taffy, and I, and our family feel very honored to be a part of this group.
Hello and a late welcome. Good to hear Taffy did well with surgery and has pooped!! As you may have noticed we like to celebrate every victory around here!! I was going to post earlier that it took Maggie 6 or 7 days for her first poop after surgery, but never mind!
Quite a pack you have there, thanks for sharing pics of the whole crew. Taffy sounds like quite a trooper- my quad pug Tani just turned 13, the oldest dog I have had. She has quite a few challenges in her life- just makes them more special 
.
I hope Taffy continues to do well.
Karen
What a beautiful family you have! I just want to hug Taffy!!After seeing thosr pictures I am doubly sure that Taffy is one tough cookie and a heck of a fighter. Plus, he's happy all the way through all his trials.
Hip Hip Hooray for a poop pawty!!!
Hugs to Taffy'
Luanne and Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
All I can say is, I'm really glad Taffy's first poop and anal gland expression took place at the vet and not in your living room!!:-)
I bet ne feels soooooo much better!
Taffy is ADORABLE! He is a very good looking senior and tell him ne looks you ger than fifteen!! His coat is still amazingly full and healthy looking.
Yes, you have quite the pack! Love how that Louie just paddles around in the wheel chair ! Smile n his face...tail held high! Precious!
So is Taffy off ALL pain meds or just the patch? It's still gotta' hurt I would think.....but maybe not!
As you said, we're all in this together and all of us are keepingpaws crossed for a speed recovery!
Try and get some rest! All is well, Taffy is home and nappy!
YAY for poopng
Keep on amazing us Taffy! And tha ks gain for posting those wonderful photos That Taffy has quite the tongue by the way!! Lots of good slopph kisses, huh?
Lots of love,
Sallly and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Good morning all, thank you for the warm welcome Karen, and also thank you for the nice comments Luanne, and Shooter, and Sally, and Happy Hannah. @ Sally, She changed his antibiotic, and told us only to use pain meds if we see he really needs them, she doesn't want his liver to shut down, all though there were no issues with his liver/kidneys pre-op, but we really don't want anything more then Taffy to heal, and enjoy the rest of his life. I didn't give him morphine last night, but gave him half a dose (25mg) of Tramadol, and then after a couple of hours I had to give him the other half, which seemed to calm him, and help him rest. He was really showing signs of troubles, first he wanted to lay down, but it seemed like he couldn't get comfy, either sitting, or standing, or lying down, and seemed to be more crouching while walking. I think it may have something to do with the bandage removal, he had a hefty tumor removed, along with the leg, and shoulder, so I think that the bandages were acting as a support, when they came off, everything just seems to hang, which may add pressure. My daughter, and I were wondering if maybe we should re-wrap, but then decided that it really needs the air to dry out, and heal. So this also caused him to have anxiety issues, but as I said, he finally relaxed, and slept through the night. He seems a bit better this morning, and took his meds, he's on novox which is an anti-inflammatory (cheaper then Remadryl, and exactly the same) no pain meds this morning,had his breakfast, and then went out into the yard to pee, and an unassisted #2, Yea Taffy I knew you could do it! Haha.. Well will post again if anything new arises, but if anyone else experienced the same with bandage removal, I'd appreciate feedback. blessings to all tripawds every where, and their loving families..Taffy is my rock star
YOU and TAFFY both getting standing ovation over here for hanging tough and strong!! I know right now is no"picnic" and you want all the healng to "hurry up"! H is healing tnough and it is still so early n recovery! And everything he's been through prior to this, plus a little "maturity"-----my goodness!
F course the mantra becomes, ..."Give me patkence--and hurry up! Ineed it ow"!
From your description of last ight, it does sound like symptns of pain so I'm glad the tram. settled him down. Yeah, I understand the vet not wanting to cause anyorgan damge and, at the same time, keep him free from pain.But', as you said, it's all sbout quality"
Can't really give you any iput on the bandage being off or on. It makes sense though about what you said about ia applyi g pressure....AND....it makes sense about leavi g it off so it can neal!! This journey is full of Catch 22s!! I do kow yo aren't supposed to get it wet and of course not let Taffy lick at it. But with that tongue he could reach kt:-)
He's eating, poong and peeig!!!!!! All really good signs!! Taffy is continuing to improve and he is certaily surro ded by love and that's reallh all he cares about!!
Hugging all of you (((((((((((HUGGING))))))))))
Sally and Nappy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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