Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Well Libby has been home now for a week and she is doing really well. She continues to eat her normal dog food and seems back to a fairly normal routine of laying around the house most of the day 
. She is getting around ok at this point, though I'm hoping she gets more strength in her three remaining limbs as she still seems to be moving pretty slow and tires very easily. She is 12, so I'm certainly not expecting too much. I gave her a carprofen today to see if that might help. We'll probably bring her in for a blood check up in a week or two to see how that is looking. Tomorrow it's one month since her surgery, hoping for many more weeks ahead like this past one.
For a week out that sounds pretty good especially for a 12 year old gal. Staying on top of her lab work is smart. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Libby is absolutely beautiful. I'm so glad to hear she's doing better. Such a sweet face. You're a good pawrent!
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
She's such a dear! She'll get there. Promise. Are you upping the amount of protein in her meals? We top Jackson's kibble with many things, including always boiled chicken. The past few days both my husband and I have noticed how 'bulked' up he is. Thankfully, he had (and has) all that extra protein in his diet to support additional muscle growth. Boiled liver, too, worked well!
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!
Took Libby into the vet for a blood check yesterday and everything looked great, right down the middle. Very encouraged, and she has been continuing to eat and is wagging her tail plenty. She does still shake/tremor from time to time which is a bit puzzling. It comes and goes, I'm wondering if she is just cold as her teeth chatter at times when she shakes. We are now just over 6 weeks from the amputation. We still need to work on building some strength in her legs, so we will be trying to get out for more short walks. The vet also gave me some stretches/massages to do for her rear legs.
Bob
We still need to work on building some strength in her legs...
Keep in mind that walks do not build strength, only endurance. Focus on strengthening exercises and consider wathing our three legged dog rehab video interviews for more professional advice.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
admin said
We still need to work on building some strength in her legs...
Keep in mind that walks do not build strength, only endurance. Focus on strengthening exercises and consider wathing our three legged dog rehab video interviews for more professional advice.
Thanks! I will check them out.
Hey there.. My Franklin is the same age as Libby.. actually we believe he could be 13.. and he gets those little shakes now and then as well.. sometimes it is from anticipation of a treat!! lol obviously it must have been her kidney infection that was causing the lack of appetite. Good that got fixed up.. she must feel so much better now!
We were in the same situation as you... trying to decide if we should just let Franklin be a dog.. or do the amputation. After all.. he is 13 years old!! But... I don't regret the amputation at all! The spark is back in his eyes.. his tail is a waggin.. and he is the happiest dog to be with you. We have been blessed to have him around for a longer period of time.. and.. he has just become too damn cute for words!!
It's been 12 weeks now for Frankl'n'farter... and with his appetite, it did not bother him at all.. but I helped his appetite along by adding a little bit of gravy to his kibble.
Libby will get along better as she adjusts to her new hop! Good luck... and congrats!!
Christine & Franklin
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!
Jackson's cousin is a senior lady, but her exact age is unknown as she's a rescue. She has some issues and one of them is shaking/quaking and chattering her teeth - like your pup. She's not cold. It's a sign of her advanced age and neurological symptoms (canine dementia). Your pup could be showing some new signs of aging, brought on by or advanced by his recent operation. I get the sense that your pup really isn't cold but rather exhibits these symptoms when a little stressed, excited, nervous, whatever - just some heightened sense of emotion. It is a little upsetting, but Jackson's cousin really is a happy girl! I am not convinced she knows she's shaking or chattering her teeth!
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!
Well it's 4 months today since Libby's amputation, and she is still doing well. I'm so happy we did it! The first month wasn't great, but the last 3 have been special. I'm really enjoying her so much, as is the rest of my family. Her hair is finally starting to grow back, and she's getting around ok. I do think it is harder for her to get around than I was expecting, but she is an old girl. She does still shake occasionally, which probably is just her advanced age showing. We are very thankful for the extra time we've had with our Libby.
Bob
Bob this is GREAT news! Hoppy Four Month Ampvuersary! I can't believe it's been that long, these markers always come so fast! I'm sure it doesn't seem that way to you but aren't you glad that first month is long gone?
What an awesome update, we're always so glad to know that folks are getting great quality time together with their pups. Thanks for letting us know, we can't wait to see some pics!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yaaaayyy Libby!! Congrats!!
Another superdog that needs a new thread... I read the title & thought "oh no, how awful!" 
But this is great news!!
From my Libby to your Libby...YAY! Congrats. What a pretty girl she is.
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
What a GREAT update and what a great outlook you have:-)
She may be a little slower and have the seniou dog shakes but she's out of pain and being loved a d spoiled and loved and spoiled:-)
That's a happy dog lapping up all the love you can muster up----and that kind of love lasts eternally---or both of you:-)
And the audience is yelling at the top of their voices: PICTURES BOB, WHERE ARE THE PICTURES BOB??:-)
Continued joy to you! Sally 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!
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