Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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The Big Dog got home Thursday night. I didn't cry at all. I looked in his eyes ad told him how beautiful and brave he is. We've got our boy back and that #@!&! tumor is gone. He has 2 pain patches on, but whined all night on Thursday- and when he didn't whine I had to check to be sure he was ok. He's also taking ACE to stay calm, Clindamycim, Deramaxx and Proviable. Kenmore now weighs 99 pounds. He's been pooping & peeing since he got home and eating ok.
We did run him to the vet on Saturday since we (mostly my husband) thought there was too much seepage. The Vet's took us right in and checked him, Kenmore broken a stitch-probably running around the yard. . She said to give him some Ace to keep him calm and for my husband to have an adult beverage to keep him calm.
Kenmore is doing great, as far as I can tell. He's eating standing up at his dish. He's dreaming- I see those back legs twitching- must be chasing squirrels in his dreams. His demeanor is the same. He's not crazy about the T-shirts he has to wear, but we are cutting off one of sleeves so he doesn't get wrapped up in it. He's going up & down the 3 steps himself, we are there to remind him to "be a gentleman" and go easy.
We got our boy back! I know this isn't over....its just beginning but I feel so much better about everything now.
That sounds great! Take it a day at a time. We are almost at 4 weeks and I still have to remind Champ to slow down.
Keep us posted on his progress. Those 2 weeks were the toughest weeks for me in my life. But so worth it to have my baby boy not in pain and still with me.
Joy & Champ
kenmoresmom said:
We did run him to the vet on Saturday since we (mostly my husband) thought there was too much seepage. The Vet's took us right in and checked him, Kenmore broken a stitch-probably running around the yard. . She said to give him some Ace to keep him calm and for my husband to have an adult beverage to keep him calm.
I couldn't help but laugh out loud at this. I have one of those husbands, too. Adult beverages don't seem to help! Maybe I should try the Ace.
I'm pretty level headed, and don't tend to panic easily, but hubby on the other had has me and Trouble in the vet's office if she even looks like something may be wrong. I know the vet thinks I'm the one that is the loon, but I swear, it isn't me!
Prior to the cancer, Bob once called me at work to come home and take Trouble to the vet - she was throwing up blood. I got her an appointment and went home to get Troub. He had me a little baggie of what she had thrown up to take with me. We got there and she was all happy and acting just fine. The vet checked her over, found nothing. Took a look at the baggie and says "That looks like watermellon to me". And that is exactly what it was. Trouble had eaten watermellon the evening before. We all had a good laugh at Bob's expense.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Just wonderful to hear that you have your boy back! I remember those feelings so well - it's like being on cloud 9 and nothing less than that. I'm so happy to hear that he is doing so well after this surgery. And yes, those adult beverages sometimes can do the trick for calming us down (I speak from experience! 
)
And I'm laughing at your story Shanna about the watermelon. Now that is really funny! If only all of our worries were that easy to solve.
Way to go Kenmore - keep goin' strong! 
My sweet golden Mackenzie. She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2 although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009. She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes. I love you Mackenzie!
That's is such great news! Welcome home Kenmore! Let the healing begin!
Hoo Haa! "Looks like watermelon to me!"
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Welcome home Kenmore! Just be ready for your humans to be a bit squirrelly for awhile. You'll love the attention and probably get some neat treats! Save the big eyes for steak!
Zip
Adult beverages and Ace....sounds like my kinda recovery!
Glad to hear he's doing so well, these are the recoveries we love to hear about, and the ones that keep inspiring others to have hope. Yay!
Keep us posted oK?
Shanna, that's pretty funny to think that Bob is such a worrywort, I just can't picture it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Its' great to hear he is back home where he
belongs. Don't make the same mistake I made when I let Alexei dictate
the parameters of his activities. Too much too soon will result in less
sleep for all of you. Enjoy your boy...
That's so great that he is home and doing good!!!
http://marmaduk.....pawds.com/
Glad to hear Kenmore is doing so well, as usual it's us adults that get all worked up more than the dogs, I might suggest watching the adult beverage intake, those three steps could have you walking like Kenmore!!!!! Big paws up to Kenmore, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
That's great news. I'm so glad Kenmore is back home and recovering nicely.
Welcome home Kenmore 
Fortis and Dad
Kenmore is is doing ok- he's on ACE right now so he's sedate and mopey. I had some moments of doubt and fear last evening. He just laid his head on my lap and pouted. He doesn't seem to like when we change his shirt- and goes in circles sometimes. What does this behavior mean? Is he looking for his leg? Is he just trying to get comfy? The wound looks like is healing- no swelling, no abnormal smell, the bruising is disappearing, the seepage is slowing also.
We just got the biopsy results back-its cancer- but the good new is that they can't see (doesn't mean its not there, I know) evidence of spreading.
So now we have more paths to consider. The "cadillac' chemo is $5000, the "ford" version is $3000. Also our Vet mentioned Neoplasene, from Buck Mountain Botanicals- something we are also considering. Its oral and $400.
We are also considering taking a loan out from the bank to payback the loans we took from our employers, since we still owe for the surgery.
sorry to hear that money's a problem. Never a good choice. I don't remember what it's called but I know there are services for pet surgery that give you a line of credit just for this sort of thing. No idea what sort of rates they have.
Kenmore's behavior sounds pretty typical. I think humans tend to overanalyze our recovery moods. What we are thinking is this: "gosh, I just want to get better, why do I feel so crappy?" In one week from now, I'm betting Kenmore's behavior will be much improved. As long as his condition seems good, I wouldn't worry too much. Anything that seems medically weird, by all means, call your vet.
As for the chemo and money challenges. Believe me, we have all had them when it comes to deciding how to proceed with cancer care. I'm so sorry. It just sucks. Do what you can afford to do and do your best not to feel badly about things that you can't fit into your budget. I know it's such a hard call to make. But remember, statistically chemo does give dogs a better chance of surviving longer than a year, but then again, many of us, including myself, did not have chemo, and we continued to beat the odds. Cancer cannot be absolutely predicted no matter how aggressively you fight it. Remember, there are no "right" answers.
We do have this Financial Resources Guide in our Downloads blog. Hopes it helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dear Kenmore's Family,
Kenmore sounds like he is doing fine for just having major surgery! He isn't looking for his leg - so don't worry about that and he's not pouting. He is just healing and all those internal nerves, tissues, etc... have to heal and that can be uncomfortable. His body is just very sickly from inflammation right now and he needs to heal.
Just try to remember to be his healing partner in the process and not to worry. Making him quiet and comfortable and just letting him sleep is what will do the trick! You'll have your baby back in no time so chin up and wear a big smile when you are around him! If you are not worried and are smiling, he'll feel better!
And try not to worry about chemo if finances won't allow it. You got rid of the pain in Kenmore and that's the most important part! Gosh, so many here have opted to not do it and it worked out just fine. Like Jerry said above, he beat the odds on survival time and is one that didn't have chemo. And from just being with tripawds.com awhile, that chemo can have some nasty side effects.
Give Kenmore a big happy, teeth showing smile hug!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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