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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Hello to all of you in this wonderful community; thank you for being here and providing such thorough knowledge, inspiration and most of all, hope.
Rocket, our 4 1/2 old greyhound is having his right foreleg amputated tomorrow, 3/20. I hope that the 1st day of spring will also prove to be his "rebirth" as well. Rocket was diagnosed with an osteosarcoma a week ago Saturday. What a whirlwind this has been and so very unexpected. Up until 3/10, I had never heard of thais dreaded disease, and now, I feel like I've researched so much, I could write a college thesis on it. Mostly, thanks to this forum.
I really just wanted to reach out and let this world know about Rocket. We are so very worried but will show him nothing but strength tomorrow morning. Please say a prayer for him--- or well wishes-- or just a simple warm thought ---it would mean the world to us.
I'll keep you posted after surgery--- and will start a blog after the news comes in.
Thanks for listening,
Lynda, Jessica and Rocket
Rocket is a 4 1/2 year old, male greyhound, 82 pounds
Welcome and best wishes for Rocket's complete speedy recovery! We're sure you'll receive many more warm thoughts here as well. Be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of links to the best advice we have to offer too!
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi and welcome to the site. Sorry Rocket is dealing with this nasty disease, but I'm glad the site has been helpful to you. I was in your shoes not long ago and found the members here to be incredibly supportive and helpful.
Sounds like you have done your homework, which is wonderful because, as Jerry likes to say - knowledge is power. Please know that many thoughts will be with you all tomorrow.
Prayers to your family and Rocket for a safe surgery and BORING recovery! Please keep us updated.
Lisa and Zeus
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
I'm so sorry you find yourself here with us. Poor Rocket, he's just too young! I'm so sorry.
But tomorrow is a "good day" because you'll be getting rid of the dreadful and unbearable pain! However, we totally understand how scary it is. We are here for you!
Sending you tons and tons and tons of good healing wishes!
(I, too have a "Rocket" - so we're are rooting extra hard for him!)
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Keeping Paws crossed and sending lots of good thoughts your way that everything goes well and recovery is smooth. Rest when you can (worry is exhausting). I'm guessing by the name that your biggest challenge will be to keep Rocket quiet during recovery. Younger, trimmer dogs seem to have quicker recoveries - so you have that in your favor.
Keep us posted when you can!
Wags and Slobbers
Judy and Baby
Paws crossed for a speedy recovery, perhaps not TOO speedy though considering he is a Greyhound after all. 
We'll be thinking of you so let us know how he's doing whenever you get a chance.
Laura
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
Sorry you had to find us here, but you will not be sorry you did.
I know how overwhelming this all is right now. Hang in there. Once Rocket gets through the recovery he will begin to amaze and inspire you. Being a tripawd pawrent is an awesome thing. There are still lots of great days ahead for you and your boy.
Will be thinking of you tomorrow! Try to rest while you can! The first few nights when they come home can be very tiring - even if your pup doesn't need you, you will be listening for every ssound in the night!
Keep us posted!
Jackie, Angel 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!
Thank you everyone so very much! I just dropped him off for surgery, which will be sometime this afternoon. He was happy as can be going in-- so that's a positive sign. I'll keep you posted-- thanks again.
Lynda
Lynda, I'm sure that in the near future we will all be offering advice on recovery and general tripawd life, but for today this is what I would suggest: Go take a nap. You will be seriously sleep deprived for the next two weeks (not b/c anything is wrong, but paranoia takes over and most of us ended up waking up EVERY time our kiddos moved, even if they really didn't need us for anything!). Starting the recovery period well-rested can make all the difference in the world.
Good luck with surgery today!!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Welcome to Tripawds.
You have lots of good advice already. Try to keep yourself busy today- surgery day is long and stressful for us. Rest when you can now- as others have said the first couple weeks can be bumpy. I was even doubting my decision to amputate for a few days. But things got better, and Tri-pug Maggie did fine for almost 4 years.
Sending strong, positive thoughts your way today. Let us know how Rocket is doing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Good luck with the surgery today and the recovery. Keep us posted on how it's going.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
Lynda, Jessica and Rocket, you've got the whole Tripawds world thinking of you today! We're sure that you will be zooming around in no time Rocket!
Here's to a new, long, healthy hoppy life ahead.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
we too send best wishes for successful surgery and quick recovery. the first two weeks post-amp can be 'hell weeks', but it gets better. let us know how it goes today!
charon & spirit 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
The very best to Rocket and you Lynda. I want you to know that my wife and I are faced with the same; our 6.5 yr old female Golden is schedule for a front/right amputation Thursday morning. Osteosarcoma !! One of the most difficult pet decisions I have ever made. Our prayers go out to you and Rocket.
This is my first visit to this site. I'm looking for advise for post surgery care. Although I have done a great deal of research, first hand experience from others is so very important. Good luck Rocket...
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