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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WYATT RAY 🙂 🙂 🙂 You are quite the "Spokesdawg" for showing everyone the art of eating green beans properly!! 🙂 🙂
Draco! Your turn! Now we need a picture of you eating a raw green bean! 🙂 BTW. The picture of you waotong for your meal....such a good looking' fella'!! 🙂 So handsome!
I think you're right about the water content in the hydrated food. Innthe meantime, hope the green beans, or somethw similar, can help fill his tummy 🙂
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
I have the same problem with quad pug Obie, my little barfy boy! Slow feed bowls are a must for him.
I learned about salty food with Obie when we took an obedience class years ago and our trainer suggested hot dogs as a 'high value' training treat. I didn't think to check the salt content...doh! The trainer was right- Obie did great at class...when we got home he threw up hot dogs all over my bed!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Oh Draco, such a handsome fellow and so patient waiting for dad to get his food together.
As a lab/rottie mix, Isa's weight was always a challenge, even long before her stint as a tripawd. She ended up being a massive green bean fan, would even eat them straight, not mixed with kibble or anything. I always used the frozen beans and would cook them as the package instructed, maybe a bit shorter cooking time. I don't think any of the frozen beans have salt added but always double check..
Yes, Wyatt Ray , fresh is of course better. But I haven't found any decent ones anywhere this summer for my own consumption much less a furry friend. But then Roxy is under the impression green beans are poisonous so more for me.
Congrats on sailing through the chemo! keep up the good job!
Teri, the Roxinator and Angel Isa
Right rear leg amp 7/12/16 due to OSA. Metastatic lesion on her right front leg, January 2017. Joined the Winter Warriors January 19, 2017. Run free my sweet girl.
Yo! Draco! You are one good lookin' fella! Just got caught up on your whole story and it looks like you are rockin' it on 3! I tried green beans on Travis (frozen) and found a few were OK but when I gave him what I thought was enough (maybe a cup?) to really fill him up his
got loose and I still have the last of the bag in the freezer
I don't think celery would be a problem. Does he like broccoli? My pups love fruit as well, but they only get it in small amounts (too much sugar).
xoxo,
Martha, Travis Ray, and the Oaktown Pack
Hi everyone! Labor Day weekend is finally here for Draco and family! I got him some fresh raw green beans to try, I'll get some pictures of him eating them soon!
Has anyone added another dog to their family while going through their current dog's tripawd life? I've been on a list to adopt another dog from a rescue, but after finding out about Draco's osteosarcoma and his amputation, the adoption had to be put on hold. I still want to get another dog eventually, but I'm not sure how soon. Part of me feels like I should add another so that the new pup will learn from Draco before the inevitable happens. And another part of me feels like maybe it would be better to wait until after Draco. Right now, Fez and Draco get along, but they can't really play with each other. Fez is afraid of getting squished! But both of them will be around each other and give each other space when needed. I leave both of them together to roam freely while I'm out at work. Any input and opinions would be great! Thanks!
I have added two pups into my pack after my first tripawd. But they were both tripawds as well! So the playing field was pretty much level. And my first is a dominant female so she keeps my boys in line 
As far as adopting another pup with Draco I would consider their size and energy level. I would think twice about adopting a puppy or other high energy 4 legged dog. But a mellow pup or an older dog? Shouldn't be a problem!? Probably best would be if you can do a foster to adopt, so you can give it a trial run.
Hi everyone, just a quick question about Gabapentin. I've emailed my the oncologist already but she usually doesn't answer all of my questions at once, so it takes multiple emails and days to finally get all of my questions answered.
After amputation, how long is Gabapentin usually given for? It's been about 1.5 months now since Draco's amputation and has been getting 800mg (two pills) twice a day. The last couple of days I reduced it to 400mg (one pill) twice a day to see how he does. So far he seems to be the same, but maybe I need to look out for certain signs of when he's uncomfortable. Thanks in advance!
Draco's dad - RJ
Hi RJ and Draco
every dog is so different, but Stewie was on Gabapentin for about 3 weeks post surgery. You are definitely doing it correcly by dropping back slowly. Gabapentin is one of those drugs you can't just stop all at once. It really is best to check with your vet as to the lowering of Draco's dosage, that way you are all on the same page... is Draco seemingly comfortable at all times? Is he suffering from any phantom pain that you know of. If he is, it is best to keep him on the Gabapentin for sure.
Sloppy kisses from Stewie👅🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾🐾❤️
Remember...“live in the moment!“ 
RJ, you ask great questions.
Have you had a chance to see our article about Gabapentin?
All About Gabapentin for Tripawd Dogs and Cats
As Petra said, all dogs are different in how long they are on it and you definitely want to reduce it slowly and under the guidance of your vet. So don't cut back any more until you hear back OK?
Meanwhile, here's a good article about pain signals in dogs and cats that you may want to check out, it will tell you what to look for.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Today is Draco's chest xrays and 3rd chemo appointment. If chest xrays look good then we'll move on to chemo. I'm hopeful that his chest will look good because he's not really showing signs of decline. He's still eating, drinking, and doing #1&2 fine. I don't know if a decline in their behavior is a definite prerequisite to lung mets or if it can still show even when everything else is normal on the outside?
I've come to the conclusion that Draco slips and slides most of the time when he puts on the brakes with his front leg on smooth flooring. He doesn't like going inside the vet building and will put on the breaks so I'm basically sliding him across the floor while inside. But when it's time to leave he is happily hopping quickly towards me and out the door. 
I'm in the waiting room right now at the vets to hear back on the xrays and bloodwork before they proceed with chemo. So I'm hoping for good news. I will update after the visit! Draco's 2nd month ampuversary is in a few days!
Draco's dad- RJ
Stewie & I are keeping our fingers crossed for you Draco!
keep us informed...
Sloppy kisses from Stewie👅🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, & his feline siblings, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾🐾❤️.
http://stewie20.....pawds.com/
I spoke too soon, we have bad news! They found 10 nodules of lung mets from xrays 
So we won't continue with his 3rd carboplatin chemo.
The oncologist suggested the oral pill chemo that's given every Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Palladia is what it's called?
So sad about this news!
Draco & Dad
we are sooooo sorry to hear the crap news about your lungs sweetheart! I'm swearing up a storm for you! Please give Draco a massive hug... he doesn't understand about the tumours, if he's still feeling good, then that is what truly matters! Live and love every second with your precious boy! We'll be thinking of you!
Sloppy kisses from Stewie👅🐾
& all the very best from his adoring pack,
Petra, Paul, & his feline siblings, Mr. Spike, Chester Molester & Miss Lily 🐾🐾🐾❤️.
http://stewie20.....pawds.com/
Oh guys I am so sorry to hear this. Dammit! Mets are a heartbreaker. OK but here's the Miss Merry Sunshine in me speaking...they don't always mean an instant end of the road goodbye. Many dogs live far longer than the statistics with mets. They can go on to have a good quality of life when the mets are brought under control. Just look at HoneyBear's story!
Yes, it could be Palladia they are referring to, or to metronomics in general. Find out which and then we can offer some suggestions.
Sending lots of hugs & love to you both. Keep us posted.
P.S. This video was made years ago by Karen, mom to Maggie, when another member named her two mets "Boris" and "Natasha", and referred to them as "mints." So picture the Palladia doing this:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
They gave Palladia for Draco to take. I haven't read into Palladia/metronomics yet, but I'll be starting on it!
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