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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Eider 6yo M Lab, Pelvic bone cancer, hemipelvectomy
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Member Since:
29 March 2016
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29 March 2016 - 6:58 am
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Eider 6 year old male/neutered labrador retriever.  52.5lbs of joy!!!  

3.23.16 took Eider in to regular vet with concerns re: "flattened poop".  I was concerned over enlarged prostate or anal sac infection/tumor.  Vet performed rectal and immediately x-rayed to find a very large bone tumor on the interior of his pelvis, growing inward.  It is putting serious pressure on the rectum, hence the ribbon-like poop.  Not good.  

3.28.16  Auburn University oncology referral appointment.  CT scan does not show mets in lungs or anywhere else (yay!).  However, the tumor has broken the "cortex" of itself.  (not sure of the wording here)  So, the vet does not like that.  All parties agreed to hemipelvectomy which is likely to be performed today at 1p CST by Dr. Matz and Dr. Lee.  

I'm trying to learn as fast as I can and also I'm at work.  I will keep you all updated as much as possible.  

Thank you, 

Lauren

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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29 March 2016 - 8:17 am
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Hi Lauren & Eider, welcome. So sorry you have to join this club but we're glad you're here and will do what we can to make the transition smoother.

That's terrific Eider is in such great hands. We love university teaching hospitals, they really do provide fantastic care. Eider's situation is unusual but it sounds like you caught it early and the docs are fantastic. What a whirlwind though, it's enough to give anyone whiplash.

The best place to get started learning is to begin at the Tripawds Start Page. Lots of your questions will be answered by checking out the links on that page, and of course we'll be here to help answer them too. Try to breathe and know that you're not alone.

By the way I'm in the Tripawds chat room right now if you want to stop by.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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29 March 2016 - 9:48 am
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Hello and welcome.

I'm sorry cancer has brought you here, but you will find this community is the best place to be when dealing with amputation and cancer.

If his surgery happens today I would think they would keep him at least one night?

Some things to think about immediately:

Do you have a lot of hardwood or tile floors? Tripawds need traction to get up and around, especially new tripawds. You can use those cheap runners from Target or other places, as long as they have good backing, yoga mats work well also.

Eider will need a quite and smallish place to recover.  Can you block off a room?  He shouldn't be able to jump up on furniture or do any stairs without supervision.  If you have stairs he should be able to do them fine, but for the first few days especially you want to be with him and assist if needed.

Keep us posted on how the surgery goes.

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Norene, TN
Member Since:
21 October 2014
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29 March 2016 - 12:34 pm
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Howdy and welcome!

Is that him in your avatar? Makes my heart melt.

Keeping you and your sweet fur-baby in my thoughts and prayers. Update us when you can.

pam

Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.

"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."

- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey

Westminster, MD
Member Since:
31 August 2013
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29 March 2016 - 1:55 pm
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Hi Lauren and Eider, and welcome to the best pet support community in the world..... I am so sorry about the ugly "c" diagnosis with your very handsome Lab boy. I am a bit of a Lab lover myself, they are the only dog I have ever had, and had/have 6 in total so far. 

This is a unique situation for sure with Eider, but one I am sure can be dealt with. Jerry and Karen have given great advice, and like they also said, you have a great team of veterinary care to help get you through..... The rest of us here can be the support you need with tons of experience, wisdom, and friendship to also help you through.

Please keep us all updated on your sweet boy, and we will be here for anything you may need... 🐾

Bonnie, Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu

Member Since:
29 March 2016
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29 March 2016 - 3:58 pm
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He went in at 1pm.  It is now 4:56pm.  Still waiting.  Hope to have an update for you soon!   Thanks everyone!!!

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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29 March 2016 - 6:18 pm
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Hey Lauren and Elder! Just catching up in the knick of time!! Elder is seei g a whole @ot of pink elephants whiles you are sitting here worrying like crazy! Oh yeah, we understand all too well the "waiting" to hear that the surgery went well! This is when we grab a bag of CHOCOLATE and eat the whole thing! Some start drinking a lot of alcohol! Some pour alcohol over their chocolate! Whatever works!

Stay connected. We are all right here by your side. We all knkw how scary this journey is. It does get less scary as each day of recovery progresses.

I'm going to keep checking in, so update when you can. Elder is in good hands! The vets will take care of Elder tonight...and we'll take care of you! Deal?

Love and 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!

Member Since:
29 March 2016
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29 March 2016 - 6:51 pm
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Oh my god, Dr. Matz just called.  Eider is out of surgery and in recovery.  He said it was much more than they thought and more complicated but he seemed to feel good about it.  There is a student with him now and I am sobbing my eyes out and I feel like my head is spinning.  They are going to call us tomorrow morning.   Dr. Matz said our little guy will feel so much better without that big dumb tumor in there.  

I'm so overwhelmed right now.  Thanks for this site.  This is the only way I got through this day.  Thank you so much.  

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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29 March 2016 - 6:59 pm
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YAAAAAAAAAY FOR ELDER!!! Surgery is over and recovery is starting!! And remember, Elder isn't feeling a thing!! He is in excellent hands!!clap

We know how relieved you feel...and we feel it with you!!

Good job Elder! No! GREAT JOB!!!!clap

Hugs and love!

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!

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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29 March 2016 - 7:16 pm
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There are a couple people in chat right now if you want to hop over.

Karen

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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11
29 March 2016 - 7:24 pm
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Once you log on to chat you have to scroll down to the middle of the page- I see you logged on.

Karen

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Norene, TN
Member Since:
21 October 2014
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12
30 March 2016 - 8:46 am
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I hope this post finds you had a good nights sleep preparing for the return of your sweet Eider. You need to get as much rest as you can because once he gets home you'll naturally make him your priority. It will also help keep you mentally (and emotionally) balanced; as we all have a tendancy to panic when we're already stressed from lack of sleep.

Keep us updated!

pam

Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.

"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."

- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey

Member Since:
14 February 2016
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30 March 2016 - 10:46 am
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Hooray for a successful surgery!   Do you know yet when he can come home?

Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016.  Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016.  Lung mets August 25, 2016.  Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016.   Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.  

Wherever they are, they are together.

Maryland
Member Since:
28 March 2015
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30 March 2016 - 12:35 pm
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I hope Eider is doing well after his surgery! 

I have to say also that he's so lucky you noticed his odd poop. That probably saved his life. 

Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise

Member Since:
29 March 2016
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30 March 2016 - 3:39 pm
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Hey everyone!  So, we just got a report from the nurse:

He is standing, eating, etc.  They are very impressed with him so far.  They are switching him from IV Phentynol (sic) to Tramadol.  He was very dehydated post-op, so he was on fluids as well, but doing well now.  We told them that he HATES washing machines, so he is not near the laundry.  We also told them he is beyond-the-typical-lab, when it comes to food motivation.  INTENSELY food motivated...so they are being careful about food.  He used to jump so high that his head was over mine and I am 5'3"!!!  So, we don't want him to try any gymnastics.  

I was telling Jerry that I have been in the pet industry for over a decade, so I have the original RuffWear webmaster from years ago.  It's so funny to have to order a new one!  The design has come a LONG way! It will be here friday.  

We are going to visit him Saturday and hopefully my husband can pick him up Monday.  I'm glad he has time as the hospital because we are both in new jobs without a lot of opportunity for time off.  I'm ready to have him home, but this is working out for the best.  

Our house is all slick floors so here is the plan: the kitchen/LR and DR are all on one side and the bedrooms/bath on the other.  So, we are going to move our mattress off the frame and into the LR.  We will move the couch/chair out so he can't jump on ANYTHING.  That room has a 10'x12' rug that offers good coverage. I can move the 5x8 rug from the bedroom into the kitchen and that will take care of that entire room.  A cheap runner will handle about 4 feet from the LR to the Kitchen.  So, that handles furniture and slick floors.  

We have a raised feeder, only two steps off the back deck and he will have his harness.  What else???

Can someone explain the boxer shorts thing to me?  Maybe a photo?  

Lastly, and this is my biggest question:  my other dog Orli is a 10 year old Dane X.  She is BEYOND lazy but has a lethal tail when she is happy.  How do you balance having a recovering tripawd and not end up constantly scolding your other dogs?  She is precious and super sweet and very very very obedient but she can't help her size and tail.  Any tips?  

Thanks everyone!!!  

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