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
OOOHH i LOOOVED that! You haven't been around for too long so you dont know my LOVE for these videos. What a joy Charlie is!!
Everytime I read these posts by "newbies" I immediately have to remind myself I am no longer a newbie. I remember it so so well. It is almost surreal the night before surgery and the days after. As I'm typing this, Jill is sitting here next to me, happy and healthy. If you wouldve told me when she was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma that she'd be so happy and healthy 14 months later, I dont think I wouldve believed it. If you wouldve told me she would be so happy and thriving on three legs, I DEFINITELY wouldnt have believed it.
You'll get through tomorrow, you'll get through the recovery, you'll get through it all. Promise. What pushes you through is your love for your boy.
Best of luck tomorrow, please keep us posted...
and for some inspiration I wanted to share this video I made around this past New Years Eve to celebrate just SOME of our brave tripawds - I couldnt fit them all into a 3 minute song!!!!!
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
Thanks for the continued support, everyone! You all share such important points. And thanks for getting to know Charlie through the video. Erica, the video of the tripawds is fantastic! I may share it with friends, if it's ok. They haven't been taking the time like John and I to make the transition, though they're so supportive and really cheering him on. And by the way, even though I'm the one who posts here, this site has really made an impact on John and he's ready to go.
Heart is breaking wide open this morning. But staying centered on the hope that we're catching things early and moving toward a pain-free spring. Of course, Charlie is most concerned that I haven't given him breakfast. 
Praying that I can be strong for him this morning.
Catch you all in a couple of days.
Heather and Charlie
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 morning Heather&John,
Love the video of your handsome Charlie.
Tucker, my nine year old chocolate lab, had his right front leg amputated five months ago due to an invasive sarcoma.
Good for you for investigating everything before you move forward with this surgery - but I agree that the clinical team would have told you about less invasive options if indeed they existed. In Tucker's case, he had one surgery prior to the amputation that was not successful so the amp was necessary.
As everyone has told you, the first two weeks or so can be a bit of a roller coaster for everyone - all of you will be juggling pain meds, a major surgery and Charlie's new normal.
But - do not be alarmed - things get better quickly! I now look at Tuck and it is hard to remember when he had four legs.
Please keep us posted on how Charlie's surgery goes!
Many hugs,
Linda and Tucker
PEPPER! Thanks for posting that video aain!! Tears are flowing like a waterfall!!! Such BRAVE, BRAVE aouls!
Heather and John..yeah, the second guessing thing is soooooo natural... and may even continue you into the first week or two after recovery. As Tuck said, you really will forget he even had a fourth leg very quickly!
I just got back from a trip ...first time away from my Happy Hannah since the amp....I had a tiny jolt when I first saw her...oh my gosh, she's missing a leg!! I really, really don't ever even notice it any more!
Remember, we're all here for you!
((((((((hugs)))))))))))) and break out the chocolate!
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!
I LOVED meeting quad-pawd Charlie! He's perfect! Look at his smile, esp when in the snow and camping with his people. Jackson is and was the same way. Sadly his days of backpacking are over and we have cancer to thank for that one. I don't think I'll ever get over that. So many of us here were robbed by cancer. Amputation is a marvelous gift to give our pals more time without pain! Amputation is a GIFT. Try to remember that today and on the hard days ahead. There will be hard days. But once he's out of recovery and shining brighter than before, you'll rejoice and BE HAPPY! There are many days ahead that may not involve backpacking, but certainly car-camping and romps in the snow that Charlie will be JUST as excited about.
Sending good thoughts to you and your boy today. Post as soon as you know something!!!
~ Katy & Jackson
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!
Good luck you guys! We are thinking of you and sending lots of Tripawd love!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know how you feel today!!! Sending you lots of well wishes and good thoughts! Charlie will be great!
Hugs,
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
1 Guest(s)
