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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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Dane with Bone Cancer: I Need Reassurance
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Member Since:
10 December 2020
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10 December 2020 - 12:20 pm
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HI, My name is Lynda and my dane is Jessee.  She is an 8.5 year old female dane.  Diagnosed with bone cacncer on front left leg on Monday.

I just need reassurance and calming right now.  Her lungs are clear, her blood and urine came back good.  We see the oncologist this coming Monday.  I've had a tripawd before when I rescued a three leg border collie.  He had a wonderful life to 12 years of age.  Jessee is much larger at 124 lbs but in great shape aside from the big C..  I'm a friend of Lady Darla's mom, Sue.  She has shared her story of Nova from this page.  Jessee is on pain meds now and doing outstanding until Monday appt.  We are all set to proceed with amputation to get rid of the PAIN.  Just looking for calming reassurance I guess.  So many critical people of doing this.  I don't agree.  I'm looking for quality and qantity as much as possible now.  She is doing amazingly well not using that front leg already.  thanks for listenting.icon_rolleyes

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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10 December 2020 - 1:39 pm
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Hi Lynda and Jessee, welcome to the club nopawdy wants to join. But we are so glad you are here! Queen Nova continues her reign! What a beautiful thing that her mamma Sue sent you over here. Please give her our best. Meanwhile, let's see how we can provide that reassurance and calm.

I moved your post here because this Size and Age Matters forum is a great spot to inspire you. You'll see that dogs of all sizes have done really well on three legs and almost every member here says they would do the amputation again if they had to, because it allowed them to spend pain-free, quality time with their beloved fur kid. You are doing everything right as far as helping her kick cancer's butt!

Have you seen Jerry's Required Reading List or the Tripawds e-books yet? Our What to Expect articles are also full of pawesome tips to get ready.  Have you made your home Tripawd-proofed yet, by adding traction and creating a safe recovery spot for her? Don't let this all overwhelm you. You've been through the three-legged life before, you can do this!

And whatever you do, stay away from the naysayers. As I mentioned earlier to another member, unless someone has been through this experience with their heart dog, they have no right to comment. Amputation isn't always the best move for an animal but 99% of the time, it is the one that gives them bonus time with their favorite people. I hope you get lots of it with Jessee!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
10 December 2020
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11 December 2020 - 11:48 am
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OMG thank you, I just found this reply.  Like I said earlier, I'm just numb.  WE went from  having a sore foot to a cancer diagnosis so quickly.  Jessee will have a safe spot.  I had already purchased an open top crate and orthopedic bed for her when we were trying to isolate movement due to the swollen foot.  Also a playpen for isolating her from our other dane Jaymee.   She is doing so well on the meds so far.  Appetite is good.  She is very engaged with activity around ie mailman, ups driver, people outside.  I am not listening to anyone other than the professionals and experienced dane owners that have been here before.   My vet had great advice, this is between us and out dog, and its a personal decision.  The clear lungs and the good bloodwork and urinalysis gives me hope that maybe through the amputation and the follow up chemotherapy we can have more time with Jessee and she can enjoy painfree quality time with ussp_hearticon2  I will dive into all the information on this website in the next few days.  For the first time since Monday I'm not crying constantly but have hope we can and will get through this.  THANK YOU!!!!!

On The Road


Member Since:
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11 December 2020 - 12:34 pm
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Awww you are so welcome. I'm happy that you have an awesome vet and that Jessee is doing so well! And you are too, give yourself some props for seeing the pawsitive side of this tough situation! 

I'm glad we could be of help. Please holler with any questions at all and keep us posted OK? 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
1 October 2020
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11 December 2020 - 5:20 pm
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I have a smaller Dane, Lucy. She was about 115 at the time of surgery. She is 10 weeks post op now and is doing AMAZING! She has done 3 out of 4 rounds of chemo and only had minor side effects on this last round. 

I mean how can you argue with this!?! 
https://www.ins.....xk30g8brw6

Member Since:
10 December 2020
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15 December 2020 - 6:44 pm
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Well it's official, I'm a tripawd diva mom.  Jessee underwent left front leg/shoulder removal today and is spending the night at a 24/7 emergency hospital.  It has been an absolute horrible day.  Beginning with driving to the clinic in the dark with rain to anticipation of results.  Just horrendous.  But good news is after 2.5 hour surgery the surgeon feels very good about the operation.  Her ultrasound was clear and she is in recovery mode now.  Can't wait to get my baby girl back home.  She walked into the surgical center today and greeted everyone because that's what she does, she is a people person and my social butterfly.  I think I'm prepared for what comes next.  But I know it's going to be incredibly difficult.  Gotta get her healed up so we can start chemo and move on.  Jaymee, my other dane is wondering where the heck she is at.  Giving him extra cuddles and love today to make up for her not being here.  Any comments from anyone would be welcome.  Thanks, Lynda

Member Since:
10 December 2020
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15 December 2020 - 6:47 pm
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Oh my gosh that's outstanding news.  Jessee is a smaller size dane too at 124 lbs.  Less now after losing that front legsmiley6

She is just shy of 8.5 but in very good shape...  I'm so nervous not having her here with me tonight.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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15 December 2020 - 7:46 pm
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WOOHOO! She made it through surgery! smiley_clapDoing the hoppy dance over here, that's such great news, thanks for letting us know.

Keep in mind that not all recoveries are hard or awful. Many are surprisingly smooth. I don't want to say that they can be "easy" because it's really hard on us emotionally (more than for them!), but she may surprise you with her bounce-back. The important thing is to set a pawsitive tone and she will give it right back to you.

Then, focus on the day in front of you, one step at a time. Celebrate all the little things as her sparkle comes back, from her first poopicon to her first romp outside, all those ordinary things are going to be such a big deal now! And we want to celebrate with you too so keep us posted OK? 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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15 December 2020 - 7:54 pm
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Just catching  up on sweet Jesse.  She is clear adored and very well loved❤

She is in good ha ds tonight.  Surgery is done and she is high as a kite on some good pain meds.  So try and get some sleep tonight.  Getting to this point has been exhausting  and you need to get some good sleep.

We look forward to her homecoming.  Recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks but we are here to help you navigate through it.  Let us know what paulin meds she comes home with, the dose and the fre.  The hospital meds stay in their system a couple of days, so sometimes  they feel a bit "better" at first, then a bit of a crash once those meds are put of their system.  

Update when you can and STAY CONNECTED! Recovery doesn't  last furever!

Oh, and make sure you have nonslip scatter rugs for traction if you have hardwoods. 

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

 

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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10 December 2020
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24 December 2020 - 12:29 pm
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Hi Jessee here

Well it's been nine days since surgery for amputation.  I don't want to jinx anything but my girl is doing so very well.  We are now going up and down the ramp her dad built instead of using the very shallow steps. This seems to help the slamming of the front foot.  She is back up to full meals and licking the bowl.  A bit of an issues getting pills down but we are working thru that.  Fortunately only a few days to go with the antibiotics.  System starting to work well now as poop is getting solid and regular.  I am so relieved.  Best Christmas present ever.  I know this may be a ticking timebomb inside her.  I am truly loving every single day I have with her.  Her morning cuddles are just the best ever.  She gets up and down off the couch now on her own with the help of steps we have set up.  Not allowed on the bed without our assistance.  Her right front foot is swollen but surgeon and my vet are both saying that seems to be a normal side effect.  Massaging it and cool compresses.  No pain.  We start chemo on the 29th as well as getting the stitches out.  I'm going to have to learn how to add photos so I can share.  Best wishes to everyone here and thanks for words of encouragement.  smiley9

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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24 December 2020 - 1:28 pm
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WOW that's great news! Don't worry, you won't jinx anything, she sounds so strong and mobile, just doing exactly what we all hoped would happen. YES! Best Christmas indeed!

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You are doing everything right by watching her activity level and making sure she doesn't do any crazy stunts. I love that you built a ramp! Got any photos? We would love to see them.

Be sure to check out our Tripawds Medication Tips for some new ideas to get her medicine down.

This is how adding images to the Forums works.

  1. Upload pics to a photo sharing site like imgur.com or your own Tripawds blog!
  2. Right click and copy the Image URL or just copy the image if you’re on a phone
  3. Return to your Tripawds Forum post and paste the image URL (or the image itself) in your post. It should automatically appear.

If you’d like help figuring out the process let me know, I'm happy to help!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
10 December 2020
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24 December 2020 - 1:56 pm
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Lynda/Jessee here Love the melted cheese tip!  will be doing that for the 4PM gabapaten cause my girl loves cheese!

Thanks for the tip...

Would also love assistance in posting the 14 second video of her going down her new ramp.  I am not tech savy, but can usually figure it out with some guidance.  would it be easier to do it via the blog?

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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24 December 2020 - 2:03 pm
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Oh that's great about the melted cheese!

Best way to share video is to upload to YouTube and then share the video URL here or in her blog. You don't want to upload video directly to the blog because they take up tons of space and if yours is free, you'll run out right away. Tripawds Supporter blogs receive lots more storage though.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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