Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Today is 1 weeks since Spencer had his leg amputated. I took him outside (off leash since he won't go to the bathroom on leash) and when we stepped out a squirrel ran across the yard and Spencer took off after it at full speed! I yelled at him to stop, and he did; but he wasn't happy at all about giving up the chase!
He is doing absolutely amazing. His appetite is back. He is going to the bathroom no problem - though he does sometimes forget that he needs to NOT hike his leg. He has no problem at all getting in and out of my mini van (though he probably will need help getting into my husband's Expedition). He is completely back to his normal self.
We go in next Friday (Sept. 9) to get his stitches out and we will also be talking about chemo at that point. Right now our vet is talking with an oncologist about Spencer's case, sharing x-rays and all test results. So hopefully we can make an educated decision next week.
Thanks for all of the support!!
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
Good for Spencer! He's had a great first week, especially once you agreed to let him pee his way! Try to put the brakes on him just a tad. You don't want him busting his stitches! But it's really nice to read about one of our tripawds who is recovering without a hitch. May he continue on this road.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
I agree with what Shari said. It is amazing and good that Spencer is sailing through this, thank goodness! But, you might need to hold him back a tad, he probably doesn't understand about building the strength to not hurt his body in other areas. He is a young an healthy guy now, but pain pills and youth can side track him from what his body is saying, "slow and easy for now mr.!"
congrats though on such a good recovery!
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
So glad to see Spencer is doing so well and sorry he's not yet able to have free reign on squirrel chasing...
Its what dogs live for!!!
Keep up the good work and hopefully his stitches come out soon so he can resume chasing squirrels.
I don't know if I am more impressed with how well Spencer is doing one week post amp or that he gave up a squirrel chase on command!!!!
You see, I have pugs. In pug world commands are more of a suggestion to be considered. On the other hand I don't think either of the pugs would actually chase a squirrel- too much work with out a treat at the end!
But I digress... I am really glad Spencer is doing so well!! I hope your vet visit goes well next week- let us know what you decide to do.
Karen and the pugapalooza
That is hoppy news! Sounds like Spencer is truly on the mend. Good luck "reigning him in" so he doesn't hurt himself.
Good luck at the vet next week, and keep us posted on Spencer's progress.
Sending you many golden hugs,
Cathy
we're glad to hear how well spencer is doing - and like karen, we're amazed at his ability to stop 'squirrelling' on command...that doesn't happen at our house either... keep up the good work!
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
Love to hear good recovery updates! Hope he is off the DL list and approved for squirrel chasing duty soon!
All the best,
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!
Thanks guys. I'm definitely keeping him pretty reigned in. He is off pain pills now and doing great. I am so glad that we did this. It makes me so sad to think that had we not done it we very possibly would be looking at putting him to sleep in the next few weeks! 
(it was growing so fast that it would have started causing pain and would have broken through the skin.) I had worried how he would bounce back; but he has shown me that this was absolutely the right thing to do.
And we are so fortunate to have a dog that does listen to verbal commands really well. This next week is going to be tough keeping him confined; but after that I know he will be doing all the running he wants. We will just have to really work with him to teach him that he can't jump off of the retaining wall anymore! (concern about him landing with all of that weight on his front leg - we are trying to get him down to about 77 lbs - he was 85 at surgery time, lost about 4.5 with the amputation and could stand to lose a few more.)
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
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