Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
Thanks for the support over the past couple of days. Gatsby, is my four year old Irish Wolfhound and weighs in at 180 pounds. Two days ago he was diagnosed with a probable osteosarcoma of his right front wrist.
I have been in a state of utter panic ever since and cried solidly for the first two days. Thanks for the support here 🙂
Then I came to my senses and organised blood work, lung x-ray and had his other three legs x-rayed for arthritis or anything else that might impede walking on three legs. Surprising his vet and us, his blood work ALL came back normal. No elevated calcium nor inflammation. Chest infection was clear and only a minor touch of arthritis in one leg. Blood counts and major organs all within normal.
So tomorrow afternoon, Gatsby will have the leg removed as the bone has been almost eaten away. Having said that, he is still eating, leaping around and not requiring pain meds... I have some on hand, but he seems his normal cheerful self. Not standing on the limb too much, but he seems strong and willing and is still cheeky as.
The alternative was to have him put down almost immediately as the bone will soon break from his weight.
However, given is great blood work and x-rays, Mr Gatsby will live to see the future as a tri-paw.
We all love him so much, and I'm sure that's going to help him in the next couple of weeks.
If I figure out how to put a picture up I will.
Juliette 🙂
I’m also new to the tripawd world and you will be amazed at how well Gatsby does! We are three weeks in and it’s already starting to look like Colt’s been doing this his whole life.
its definitely a harder thing for us to cope with than them!
as far as pictures, there are some posts with instructions. But if you have an Instagram, the easiest way is to post a link to a specific Instagram picture and it will convert automatically. (Though it does allow people to see your whole account, if that is a concern)
Keep us updated on Gatsby! I hope his surgery goes well and he is up on three-legs soon. He's lucky to have a family that is doing so much good follow-through. 🙂
Gatsby is such a fortunate boy to have such great humans! We hope everything goes well. Try not to worry, I know it's hard not to, but if it's any help, one of the first Tripawds we ever met was a Wolfie named Finnegan. He lived two years after osteosarcoma and amputation and was a happy boy. Our Jerry and Finn got to play once, back in 2007.
There is also a great book you may want to read, called Sight Hound. It's about a Wolfie who goes through the osteosarcoma journey. Yeah, it's a tear-jerker but still a good read.
We would LOVE to see your photos of Gatsby the Great! Here are instructions for adding images to the forums. You first need to upload photos to an image sharing site like Imgur.com or Facebook, then copy/paste the image URL and paste it here in the little Photo icon in your forum post tool box (see above). Make sense? If not let me know, I'm happy to help.
Best wishes to you and Gatsby. Please keep us posted, we'll be waiting for an update.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Keeping fingers, toes, paws, and tails crossed for your family!
Jackie and Huck❤
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Best of luck with the surgery tomorrow!
I wanted to share the story of my friend Cemil. He was an Anatolian Shephard who weighed 'only' 150 pounds when he lost his front leg to OSA. Cemil was 3 when he had surgery and went on to live 9 YEARS! Of course that is exceptional but it does happen once in awhile, you are giving Gatsby a chance.
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
Love those dogs Karen, but a little shy about getting one after getting a dog smarter than me 
Totally love the life timeline though 
Sending love and pawsitive energy to Gatsby and his family
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Love that video Rene, so sweet!!
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Aww thanks Jackie. It brings back some good memories.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you everyone so much
I have dropped Gatsby off for his surgery and gave him a good talking to in the car about digging deep, being strong and knowing that everyone loves him. I turned around and he wasn't listening, but it made me feel better lol
So, a few logistics in terms of getting him home as he may not be able to even get into the car... we'll have to see.
I'll update later after his surgery.
Juliette x
Hi,
I'm a bit worried as I just found out that no-one is at the vets on a Sunday all day unless the vet gets called in for after-hours work. This leaves Gatsby two days post surgery there by himself... No-one is also there at night. I'm anticipating that he will sleep most of the time from being knocked out from the drugs anyway.
I had organised to have him there from today until Monday because of his weight. My husband is away at the moment and getting him up to go to the toilet and help him move may be quite difficult. Also getting him into the car may prove extremely difficult. I thought a few days at the vets would be better if I had to choose.
I was considering picking him up tomorrow at lunch time instead and taking him home, but I'm worried it will be too soon. I'm not able to lift him adequately myself.
I'm sure he will be okay - as they will have to go in to feed him... but it got me a bit cross that they elected to do his surgery this afternoon knowing that as from tomorrow lunch time that the doors close.. I suppose they had to do it all sooner rather than later, but its making me feel a bit upset.
Juliette
Do you have a 24 hour hospital that you can transport him to? Check around and see. I would not leave him in an unattended hospital. Just my honest opinion.
If not, do you have a friend or family member that can stay with you while your husband is away? Just another option.
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Ditto to Jackie's reply.
IDEALLY having Gatsby stay at 24/7 staffed clinic is best. We know that's not always possible though. It's a bummer that they just now clarified no one is there at night or on Sunday
So yes, if you can transport him to a 24/7 cljnic agter surgery, that would be wonderful..
Is your regular Bet doing the surgery, or an Orthopedic Surgeon?
And Jackie's other suggestion to bring him home ...is that an option? Bringing him home the first day if surgery will NOT be easy, but it may be better than leaving him unattended. Neither one of us are trying to "scare" you, just trying to say what would be ideal
Is it possible you could pay a Bet Tech to stay overmight at the Clinic?
We'll be looking forward to your reply.
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!
Love the conversation you had with Gatsby (although a one sided conversation😁). I have a feeling he heard every word you said a d he was thinking, "No worries my beloved hooman. I've got this handled!"
Stay connected and update when you can.
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Love the JERRY video!
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!
Thats a great idea Sally! If a tech would offer to stay that would be wonderful! And it CAN be very scary to see your 170 pound post anesthetic pup shuffling around like a drunken soldier, no kidding!
Anesthesia can make them very vocal, can intensify drama as though they are in pain when they really can't even feel the ground, can make them incontinent temporarily, and lots of stuff that can be scary if you are not used to seeing it. I am a former vet tech, and I have recovered more animals than I can count. Some are quiet and sleep, some are full of drama, and everything in between. I would definitely say that if you can make an opportunity for a pup that large to spend the night somehow, that would be best for all of you.
Regardless of your decision, we will be here to help in any way that we can.
Sending hugs and wishing you all luck
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
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