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!
Hey everyone! It's been forever since I posted last because I was so consumed with the cancer and everything and just needed a little normal in my life! Lol So I stepped away from everything and acted like nothing happened! It wasn't easy, but then I realized the other day that it was Jilly's 2 month ampiversary! Yay!
So the other day I noticed a bulge above where her shoulder is. I'm not sure how long it's been there, but it's probably the size of maybe a golf ball, but like half of it because it doesn't stick out that far. It looks almost like maybe her shoulder migrated slightly because the leg is no longer there if that makes sense? We were just at the vet last week because we came home and our bed was covered in blood and it turns out she had either a kidney infection or uti. So we got her antibiotics, but the vet didn't mention anything about it and I forgot to ask because I was so traumatized by the situation, thinking she was dieing! But I would imagine he would have said something if it we serious, right?
I'll try to post pictures later. I'm on my phone and it's so complicated to post them. But I'm just wondering if anyone dealt with the same thing? Thank you!
ETA: Here are the photos. 🙂 Someone on a fb page said it was possibly the scapula since her body twists to accommodate her balancing with just one leg?
klove1432 said
I would imagine he would have said something if it we serious, right?
Only if he felt/noticed it. If Jilly went in for something totally different, and it never came up, he may have noticed it.
As Dr Sue says, See Something Do Something. At least call and ask to speak with your vet. Describe the lump. Mention if it is hard or squishy. Is it stationary, or does it move when pressed? And is it painful when touched? Hopefully it's nothing serious. Please keep us posted.
PS: Hoppy Ampuversary Jilly!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
admin said
klove1432 said
I would imagine he would have said something if it we serious, right?Only if he felt/noticed it. If Jilly went in for something totally different, and it never came up, he may have noticed it.
As Dr Sue says, See Something Do Something. At least call and ask to speak with your vet. Describe the lump. Mention if it is hard or squishy. Is it stationary, or does it move when pressed? And is it painful when touched? Hopefully it's nothing serious. Please keep us posted.
PS: Hoppy Ampuversary Jilly!
I was looking it up and saw something about swollen lymph nodes so now I'm freaking out! I'll be really upset if she had to go through another surgery or if the cancer has spread all over. That's my worst fear. And to think I was finally starting to enjoy life again and not letting the panic and anxiety take over me!
Is it at all possible it's bone and Jilly has lost some weight? I had that fear w/Shelby when it was in fact, her bony hip. But I would call your vet if you are super concerned. But it's probably just a boney part that wasn't noticed before.
Oh and happy ampuvesary!!!! YAY!
And I totally get needing "normal" in your life. We are always here ... one month, one year ... 10 years .... don't ever feel like you have to explain that to us!
Hugs and love,
alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
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
Oh you silly Jilly! What are you doing scaring your momma?!
NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!! Jilly feels fine!!! You'll get it checked out for your own sanity and reassurance!! We all understand how easy it is to completely freak out now over things that never scared us before!!!
My adoptee Frankie is a front leg amp a d he has sort of a swollen area in that general vicinity. The vet says it's related to the surgery. I've forgotten all the mumbo jumbo he used. Also, and I'm no vet, but the lymph node is, I believe, a little higher up and not that far over.
Stay away from Dr. Google tonight, okay? Promise? Nothing has changed other than the stuff we all make up in our heads! Now make up something more empowering like a cycst, or a bad bug bite or a fatty cyst, etc. You are going to feel so much better after you talk with your vet. You may just be able t o send a picture...or not!
We have a TWO MONTH AMPUVERSARY to celebrate!!! Waaaaay to go Jilly!! ,Looking forward to celebrating them for years to come!!
Se ding love and hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
mom2shelby said
Is it at all possible it's bone and Jilly has lost some weight? I had that fear w/Shelby when it was in fact, her bony hip. But I would call your vet if you are super concerned. But it's probably just a boney part that wasn't noticed before.Oh and happy ampuvesary!!!! YAY!
And I totally get needing "normal" in your life. We are always here ... one month, one year ... 10 years .... don't ever feel like you have to explain that to us!
Hugs and love,
alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
Thank you so much! She actually gained one pound and it doesn't feel like bone. If I grab it in my hand and kind of pinch either side, it feels softer and moves. But, I'm praying that it is nothing major. I feel bad because we were taking the kids to medieval times and DC to visit the museums and I am cancelling it to go to the vet because I'll be sick with worry all day tomorrow if I go. Plus if I find out it is really bad I'll be so angry with myself for leaving her all day.
And thank you for that! I love that you guys are always here! It truly is like coming home! 🙂
benny55 said
Oh you silly Jilly! What are you doing scaring your momma?!NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!! Jilly feels fine!!! You'll get it checked out for your own sanity and reassurance!! We all understand how easy it is to completely freak out now over things that never scared us before!!!
My adoptee Frankie is a front leg amp a d he has sort of a swollen area in that general vicinity. The vet says it's related to the surgery. I've forgotten all the mumbo jumbo he used. Also, and I'm no vet, but the lymph node is, I believe, a little higher up and not that far over.
Stay away from Dr. Google tonight, okay? Promise? Nothing has changed other than the stuff we all make up in our heads! Now make up something more empowering like a cycst, or a bad bug bite or a fatty cyst, etc. You are going to feel so much better after you talk with your vet. You may just be able t o send a picture...or not!
We have a TWO MONTH AMPUVERSARY to celebrate!!! Waaaaay to go Jilly!! ,Looking forward to celebrating them for years to come!!
Se ding love and hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
I'm wishing for mumbo jumbo! LOL That will be excellent with me!
I'm going to call first thing in the morning. They are normally great about getting us right in so fingers crossed!
And thank you! I was just saying that I think she is going to be fine and live for many more years the other day....I hope I'm right! 🙂
Ps...can't promise about google! LOL It's an addiction!
I've been trying to take a picture of Frankie's "swollen" area but it's not coming out..he keeps moving! I think it would help settle your nerves.
Heck, it could be some sort of fluid pocket residue from the surgery....so many possibilities that are not awful!
Yeah, not everyone understands like we do! Dogs come first! D.C. trip can wait!!
Gosh, forgot to even say glad her uti is under control! Celebrating good news is always therapeutic!! So is chocolate
LOVE!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
So, I wish I had good news to put here, but we went to the vet on wed and he said he is 99% sure the bulge is cancer in the lymph node so he did xrays to see if the cancer has spread to see if it was worth removing the lymph node. My worst fears came true when he said that it did, in fact, spread to the lungs. 🙁 They are small mets, but still have spread. I'm so devastated. I was hoping we would be one of the success stories. I don't even know what to do now. I still don't want to do chemo and I think she is on every holistic supplement that I can find. I just feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. I asked if she even had a year, and he said that right now she is right on track statistically the way the cancer is progressing so not if he based it off of that. I just can't imagine her not being here....
I'm so so so so sad to hear this and I totally know what this feels like, it sucks. But as I mentioned in your other post, Jilly doesn't know what the vet said and all she knows is you are upset. It's hard not to think about the future, but this is when it is SO important. Cancer or not, mets or not, there is still no expiration date on any of us. All that matters is the Here and Now, all that matters is how you spend time with her.
Whenever you start to feel sad, ask yourself, if it was your last day together, would you want it to be spent that way? This is so tough for humans, but to dogs, every day could be a last day so why not make the most of it? Cancer teaches us this lesson. As sucky as this disease is, it helps us appreciate the time we have together. Don't waste it, some day there will be time for being upset and mad and angry at cancer, but not now.
I gave you some links about metastasis in your other post. Please remember we are here for you OK? {{{hugs}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ditto every single thing Jerry said! I also replied to your other post.
You are a very pro-active mom and Jilly is licky to have you as her advocate!
Ask your holistic vet about metronomics In conjunction with everything else you are doing.
We are all cheering for you!!! And cannot say enough, just as Jerry did, Jil l y has NO timeframe stamped on her butt!!
Stay connected...we are all right here with you! And we would love to see more pics of Jilly enjoying life! Don't forget to take some selfies with your girl too!
Sending you lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
1 Guest(s)