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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Hi all,
I haven't been on for a little while and I saw that we have several big/large dogs joining the Tripawd family. I think sharing your story on here is so important for others with big dogs contemplating amputation to read.
I say this because I was in at my vets the other day picking up some flea medication for Koda and the nurse said that they had another dog who had just been diagnosed with Oesteosarcoma in his front leg, but because he was such a big dog (from memory 132lbs) they were not going to go down the track of amputation due to his size and the were going to see how he went.
I had to hold myself back a little at this stage and then I said, please, please, please go onto the Tripawds website and get them too as there are a lot of big dogs who go through amputation and cope remarkably well. I practically begged her. So I was so happy to see that we had a few more people join who had stories about their big dogs. Not too sure what happened but everytime I go in and see them I beg her to refer anyone who is faced with the same issue as us to read the stories on here to help in their decision making.
In my mind a big dog jumping around on a leg with a tumour has got to be far more painful then a dog coping on 3 legs as they can respond to how far to push themselves. Koda's leg was actually broken by the time he had his Xrays to diagnose the tumor that's how ugly they are.
Every story shared here will help someone make a decision. Keep posting all!!!
Storm and Koda:)
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Ohhh, thank you so much for spreading the word about Tripawds, especially when it comes to giant breed and large dogs. 132 pounds? Hah, that's nuthin! Well, we like to say here that every dog is different in how they respond and you can never predict the outcome, but most dogs do just great, even the big kids. We can't thank you enough for going out there and helping others find hope through stories like Koda's.
Oh yeah, and to make it easy for people to find stories about giant breed and large dogs, if everyone could remember to add related tags to their posts, it would make it sooo easy for big dawg pawrents to quickly find information. Thanks all!
Keep on truckin!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So true, Storm and Koda!
My biggest concern about Peanut's surgery was whether or not she'd be able to move around well on 3 legs. Thankfully, my vet made it clear that she was practically on 3 legs before the surgery. The significant change to come from the surgery would be the removal of the source of her pain. That was enough for me.
Although I still did a ton of research on my own. This site was the best I found in terms of information and understanding. Reading all the other stories of tripawds, especially the giant breeds, reinforced my decision.
My vet recently said another client of his has a Newfie just diagnosed with osteosarcoma. This client also has concerns about a giant breed on 3 legs, and is reluctant to have surgery. I told him to share Peanut's story, and the woman could even call me if she needed to talk.
But I was wondering….
Admin… would you have any objections to me posting a print-out of Tripawd's main forum page in my vet's office, with a little note scribbled, "Visit Tripawds.com", or something. I'm sure the vet office wouldn't mind. They have a few bulletin boards up for exactly this sort of thing.
-Melanie
~*~*~ Peanut is strength, love, and happiness. ~*~*~ 11/30/03 – 12/26/09
Peanut definately fits into the big dog category!!! And you have made such a valid point and kudos to your vet for breaking it down like he/she did, that peanut was practically on 3 legs before the surgery. I think that helps to make the decision a little more bareable of the unknown of how the dog is going to cope.
I too did as much research as I could but the thought of Koda walking around with a broken leg and the pain he must have been in was more scary for me than him being on 3 legs and I found this site the day of his amputation so I was so happy to have found it.
Oh and Jerry I just love your tag line "it's better to hop on 3 legs than to limp on 4"!!!! Well said, next time someone questions the amputation, I am going to use this line!!!
brandnewkey said:
Admin… would you have any objections to me posting a print-out of Tripawd's main forum page in my vet's office,
Not at all! 
In fact, we have some Tripawds cards and fliers ready for you to download and print. There are also some great posters and calendars in Jerry's Café Press store that make great gifts for veterinary offices.
Thank you for helping us spread the word that it's better to hop on three legs than to limp on four. The more people that know, the better off more pups will be!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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