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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I still feel in a fog. One minute you think your baby has a sprang and the next you find out he has to have his leg removed because of bone cancer? 1 week later and it still has not sunk in my baby has only 3 legs? He has his good moments and then the moments I wish he could tell me whats wrong or how he is feeling so I know how to help? Suppose to find out by today the biopsy results to tell us how aggressive to be with chemo. I just dont even know what to write I just want someone to tell me "everything will be ok"
Everything will be OK.
We know how you feel, even a week is not a long time. But what you need to focus on to bring you out of that fog is t focus on the good moments...on what Leo CAN do, focus on the things he is able to do that he couldn't do just one week ago. Every new accomplishment, even the smallest one, adds up. And he will get there.
What he wants most is for you not to worry, to be happy and joyful like he is, to live life one day at a time because that's all he knows.
The biopsy results will tell you what you're dealing with but they wont' tell you how to cope emotionally. That's what Leo will tell you by showing you. Watch his behavior and follow his lead, he is smart enough to know that there's no sense worrying over things you cannot control, like the future. Enjoy every moment together, it's all anyone really has.
I hope this helps in some small way. {{{{hugs]}}}
P.S. Please sign in as a member so that way your posts won't require approval and appear immediately.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
EVERYTHING WILL BE OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I know it's ruff right now, ya just gotta get throught the hard part! and we are all here for you.
I know waiting for biopsy results suck too - waiting is the worst.
Try to focus on the good moments and realize there will be a ton more of those in the future!!!!!!!!!
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
DITTO! DITTO!
Everything WILL. be and IS okay!!
You have come to the right place for support and I formation. This is an extended family who understands what you are you going through almost better than anyone!
Try and chunk it down. This is all so overwhelm I g and frighten I g right now. once the results come in....I assume your vet suspects osteosarcoma? you can develop a plan of treatment and take action.
Leo is VERY early in his recovery from major surgery. He's still adjusting and certainly is still dealing with pain.
What pain medicine is he taking and how often? Balancing that is tricky. For the first so weeks....or more...or less.....you will see sparks of improvement and then you will see what appears to be steps back......that's all normal!! Leo's sparkle will come back consistently soon! PROMISE:-)
Is he eating? CO GRATULATIONS if he is!
Is n' pooping? CONGRATULATIO S if neis!
Is he adjust I g to walking? CONGRATULATIONS if he is!
Does he wag his tail if you give him a treat? CONGRATULATIONS if he is!
All these things gs are signs of progress.
YOU ARE VERY STRO G and have made the RIGHT decision to give your go as much quality time with you as possible. You will develop a bond deeper than you could ever have imagined AND he will teach you to Be More Dog 🙂 Live in the present, don't worry!
We are all here for you and Leo. You are not alone!
You are doing an amazing job! Now go look at Leo's face and smile!
Look forward to your next update AND. MORE HOTOS OF LEO:-) WE LOVE PHOTOS!
Surrounding you with calm and serenity-------
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!
The great thing is that dogs don't mourn the loss of their leg, they just adapt and keep going forward. There might be bad days and good days, and then suddenly you'll realise that every day has been a good day. No more pain or discomfort. His old personality will begin to shine through and you will realise just how happy he is now that the painful leg is gone. Before you know it, he will be wagging his tail and wanting to play just like before. Just hang in there and yes it really will be okay!
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
It will be ok, and it will get better. Snoops 10 days post amp. Each day we see improvements, some small some large, And weve had a couple of not the best days. but thats to be wxpected. youll see Leo will improve, you may hit a bump along the way but you will move beyond that. It will be alright you just have to remind yourself to take it one day at a time.
Welcome Leo and family - I think everyone here has about covered it. You will find that around here we celebrate the little victories...pees, poops, tail wags, farts and other various bodily functions. You are still in the difficult part, but it really does get better. You will be amazed at how much tighter your bond with Leo will become through all of this.
There is always someone here to give you a shoulder to cry on or share a laugh. You are not alone.
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 Leo's family,
We are nearly at two weeks post-amputation. There have been some really sad, confusing times since we learned that our dog, Dotty, needed to lose her leg. We have cried and cried and tried to be sensible about all the decisions we made for her. Ultimately, we wanted to keep her around so we have gone down the amputation road. So, we DO have her around and that alone is worth a hundred little celebrations. You need to give your dog the message that everything is ok. As much as you have come here to be reassured, your doggy needs you to do the same thing for him! I know it's a really terrifying time, but that's what these forums are for, come here for love and encouragement and then pass it along to your loved pet. That's the message that I got loud and clear when I first fronted up, quite sad and unsure. So, I got down on the floor and put my bravest, most positive face on and transmitted hope and happiness to Dotty. She looked at me like I was an idiot but I felt BETTER! If you feel better, your dog will feel better.
Good luck, lots of love and strength from us!
Victoria and Dotty
Victoria said
If you feel better, your dog will feel better.
Truer words have never been spoken.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am right there with you Leo, just four days post surgery. I'll be thinking of you!!
TJ will be 1 week on 6/10. He's doing great. Like others have said... good days, bad days, but more good than bad so far. Once I figure out how to read his comfort level and give him pain meds properly I'm sure he'll be much better off now than with that bum leg.
Pay close attention to your hound. Learn to read him and what he needs. I've learned so much out my TJ this past week than I ever knew was possible to know about a dog.
I'm sure TJ already has me completely figured out 
He's on the couch sleeping right now. 6 days post amp and he's hopping on the couch to sleep (well, I helped a little).
Your dog will surprise you. Sit back and enjoy it.
Great update o. TJ....and great insight also!!
On the soafa already....even with a little butt lift?? CONGRATULATIONS!
And it only gets better....and TJ's ability to train you to spoil him to pieces will only expand:-) 
Please keep us posted and would love more photos!
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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