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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Last Monday we found out that our 12 year old Yellow Lab has a bone tumor which is most probably osteosarcoma. I got so many opinions and most vets agreed that we should amputate his leg to save him from the pain and a possible fracture in the future. His lungs so far look clean so I am hoping we have the longer estimated life expectancy with him. I am so nervous and scared and hope that we are making the right decision.
Xrays taken Jan 31, 2014, Osteosarcoma biopsy results Feb 10, 2014, Amputation Feb 17, 2014, Happy and healthy until June 2015 when a hip tumor started to form, passed away Aug 22, 2015. 18 months past amputation is pretty remarkable for this miracle dog!
Hi Bob, welcome to Tripawds, your future posts won't require approval.
I'm so sorry to hear about your pup. Please hop over to the chat room right now, we're in there.
Meanwhile, it sounds like you have done your homework and are making an educated decision for Bob (is that his name or yours?). We are here to support you every single step of the way. If you haven't already done so check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books where we try to cover every angle of this journey. But whatever questions you have, however we can help you, don't hesitate to ask.
Good luck tomorrow. Keep us posted OK? We'll be thinking of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Actually my nickname is Bird (given to me by my husband) and the dog is my Bailey. But his registered name is Bird's Bailey Bob. The Bob was my husband's contribution to make him sound like a country dog since my husband is from the country.
Xrays taken Jan 31, 2014, Osteosarcoma biopsy results Feb 10, 2014, Amputation Feb 17, 2014, Happy and healthy until June 2015 when a hip tumor started to form, passed away Aug 22, 2015. 18 months past amputation is pretty remarkable for this miracle dog!
Thanks for clarifying! Glad to see you in the chat now..
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Bird (did I get that right?),
I'm in a similar place with my yellow lab. We're pretty sure (ruled out everything else) that he has osteosarcoma. We have an appointment at a local university on Thursday to find out more. Hope everything goes really, really well. I'll be sending lots of good energy your way.
Heather
Charlie, our English yellow lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in February 2014. He became a tripawd on February 24th, with clear lymph nodes and lungs, but that didn't last long. After three doses of Carbo, in May 2014, x-rays showed lung mets. We briefly tried Palladia, which went well. Unfortunately, Charlie developed unexplained complications in his hind limbs. We said a reluctant farewell on June 11, 2014. Still miss our boy each and every day.
Thanks Heather. My real name is Dayna, nickname Bird but either way you want to refer to me is fine. I dropped him off this morning a little after 8 and surgery was supposed to be for 9 but the doctor had a little of a scheduling conflict and they will do it more like 10:30-11:30 which is only 15 minutes away at the early time estimate. They are supposed to call before they start. We will have him transported to a 24 hour clinic so they can monitor him overnight and then he should come home sometime late on Tuesday. He was super energetic this morning and excited to go to the vet. I don't think I am going to visit him after surgery because I have heard here that it may work the dogs up too much and the receptionist at the vet agreed. Her yellow lab also went through the same thing and she said he did very well with everything.
What leg is it for your dog? How old is she? Fill me in after the appointment on Thursday.
Xrays taken Jan 31, 2014, Osteosarcoma biopsy results Feb 10, 2014, Amputation Feb 17, 2014, Happy and healthy until June 2015 when a hip tumor started to form, passed away Aug 22, 2015. 18 months past amputation is pretty remarkable for this miracle dog!
Hey Dayna,
Hope you have some good activities planned to keep your mind off things. The waiting is hard--even just waiting for the appointment. I can understand your need to let others do the caring right after surgery for Bailey's sake. It would be tough to go and see him and then have to leave again. Sounds like he is in good hands.
For Charlie it's front right. Anti-inflammatories have been great for him--possibly until this morning. He's having an off day. I can tell he's having a hard time getting comfortable. He's 7-8, not totally sure since he's a rescue. I just posted the full story in the diagnosis section. Just waiting it out and loving him up. Wish we could get him in sooner.
Be well and let us know how things go.
Charlie, our English yellow lab, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in February 2014. He became a tripawd on February 24th, with clear lymph nodes and lungs, but that didn't last long. After three doses of Carbo, in May 2014, x-rays showed lung mets. We briefly tried Palladia, which went well. Unfortunately, Charlie developed unexplained complications in his hind limbs. We said a reluctant farewell on June 11, 2014. Still miss our boy each and every day.
Good luck Dayna and family, we'll be thinking of you! Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dr. just called and said they are about to start. Should be 2 hours for us to find out how he did. Planning to throw myself into work to keep my mind distracted. I will update as soon as I hear something.
Xrays taken Jan 31, 2014, Osteosarcoma biopsy results Feb 10, 2014, Amputation Feb 17, 2014, Happy and healthy until June 2015 when a hip tumor started to form, passed away Aug 22, 2015. 18 months past amputation is pretty remarkable for this miracle dog!
Best of luck today! I know how hard the waiting is - I remember it like it was yesterday and it was 14 months ago for us! Once you get that phone call you will feel so much better!
Keep us posted!
xoxo,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty 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
Good Luck Dayna
Hope all is going well with Bailey's surgery.
Tucker, a nine year old chocolate lab, is almost five months post amp and loving life!
Keep us posted on how he is doing....and you should try to get some rest after you are hear back from the vet.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
Wishing you all good luck and let us know how you all are doing! My dog, Shelby, had her rear leg amputated almost 6 weeks ago due to Hemangiosarcoma (not OSA) and the waiting for the 'all-clear' was hard! But when you get that call, you'll be able to breathe a big sigh of relief and let the healing begin.
Wishing you all the best and welcome to our little family - this forum is a great resource and was super helpful to me in the beginning. (and now too).
Alison and Shelby
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Bailey did great yesterday. I wanted to update but couldn't get the password to work on the computer I was on yesterday. He was stable the whole time and stayed groggy most of yesterday. This morning he walked into the clinic when they transported him from the 24 hour place. They said he went on a walk today and was eating normally. They said he is still a little bit wobbly but doing great. I pick him up later tonight and can't wait to see him.
Xrays taken Jan 31, 2014, Osteosarcoma biopsy results Feb 10, 2014, Amputation Feb 17, 2014, Happy and healthy until June 2015 when a hip tumor started to form, passed away Aug 22, 2015. 18 months past amputation is pretty remarkable for this miracle dog!
That's great news, Dayna! You'll be amazed at how quickly she will adapt. I'm sure you've read through all the great advice these forums have to offer on how to prepare and what to expect. I look forward to some pics and an update when she gets home. Good luck!
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
2 Guest(s)
