Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thought I'd post a few videos of Duke running on two legs. They are horrible videos - but enough such that you get the drift. The second video, with his leg wrapped in blue, is the most recent and he is starting to not hold his chemo oops! leg so high anymore. I expect he will be back on 3 legs soon.
http://s1240.ph.....wo%20Legs/
We get to run in and out the back door at the vets because, well, we can't stand around on two legs, ya know? It's like trying to stay on a bicycle at a dead stop. So we were running in the back door the other day from the parking lot and a guy says "Wow. Running on three legs!" And after a half a second he said "Wait! TWO LEGS!! What happened?!?" I was polite and just said a left rear amp due to bone cancer and then a complication from chemo caused the problem with his left front. I did not say that the tech screwed up and gave the chemo outside the vein. My onco was standing there with me - hope she appreciated my tact. 🙂
I believe Monday will be 4 weeks since the extravasation, and we still have a long road ahead. Much of the necrotic skin is still attached, so until it all comes off and things heal up, we are on hold for chemo. They have not yet wanted me to do the honey wraps that Dr. Pam suggested, even though I'm eager to start those. But, the rehab doc is about ready to start sugar wraps apparently. I guess they use sugar rather than honey at the clinic. However, they are going to want me to come in daily for the sugar wraps. My onco knows that just won't happen. I live 30 miles from the clinic, work full-time, have 3 other dogs, and as much as I love my boy, I know my limits. I think I'm going to start the honey wraps on my own after we visit the vet on Monday. They look like a great idea.
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I'm going to have to go back and see if you have posted updates that I missed. But WOW! Amazing!
Is the vet charging you for all of this? Or since this was a mess up on their part are they at least fixing things as much as possible???
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
Holy Cow!!! That is so amazing and inspirational. That is what you call a will to recover! I am so happy for him dealing so well with what he's been dealt and still so angry that he is even having to deal with this issue. Duke is my HERO!! and so are you for having to deal with this "error". I'm just glad Duke is feeling good enough to run around. I realize you still have some recovering to do, but the road so far looks good. What a dog, simply amazing!!!
All our Best,
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
That is SO great to see, that made me laugh out loud! One night when I was trying to decide yes or no to chemo I read all about Duke's ordeal...I'm so happy to see this...talk about a will to live. Go Duke!
Wowza!!!!!! Chloe doesn't do anything that amazing. Sometimes she pees on two legs. When she squats, most of her weight is on her front legs and occasionally her remaining back leg lifts off the ground for a few seconds. Reminds me of crow pose in yoga.
Hope Duke recovers soon so he can get back on the chemo
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
This is wonderful news. I know Duke has been through a really rough patch and it has to have been very tough on you too. I know there is still much more healing to do but it is great to hear that he is improving and you are getting more time together. Enjoy every moment.
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Oh my gosh, those are great videos. I hope everything continues to go well!
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
when gayle had a rugged infection on her remaining front elbow, she had sugar wraps - sugar mixed with antibiotic goo - really helped the skin granulate and heal. they flushed it daily with warm water, and re-wrapped. might be something you can do at home, it was just regular domino sugar, and the vet should be able to supply the antibiotic. use an extended shower sprayer to rinse, if you vet gives the ok.. good luck.
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
I don't know anything about sugar wraps..........but I do know what it's like to have a 2 legged dog (3-legged Comet had knee surgery) SO...........OH MY WORD!!!! OH MY WORD! I can't believe Duke can do that! That's amazing!
Do we have any awards for him? I think he deserves one!
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.
That may just be the most amazing video I've seen since joining tripawds a year and a half ago-- wow!!!! Your Duke is one in a million-- what a will to live! I was so afraid you were going to lose Duke because of this horrible mistake, and look at him now. He's incredible-- so very happy to see this ultra-pawsitive update. GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!! I second Cometdog's nomination-- that boy definitely deserves an award.
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
WOW!!!! How inspirational-Duke is incredible! What a tripawd (temporary bipawd) warrior-go Duke!! I always worry about what would happen if Lily had something happen to another leg- these videos shows such determination. Thanks for posting them.
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
That is amazing! I am so glad you didn't give up on him. It is obvious that despite the setback, Duke has an amazing spirit and he seems so happy!
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Duke is truly a warrior and you can tell he has a great spirit! Amazing to see him running around on 2 legs but let's hope he gets back on three real soon!
-Kori & Angel Lupe
Diagnosed with possible synovial cell sarcoma of right front elbow 5/31/12. Amputation surgery performed 6/7/12. Final diagnosis of histiocytic cell sarcoma 6/11/12. Her soul and spirit were strong, her body was not...my little girl earned her wings 6/14/12. "If there are labradoodles and goldendoodles, why can't I be a cockadoodle?"-Angel Lupe (June 28, 1997-June14, 2012) http://lupepod......pawds.com/
Incredible !
What an amazing kid!
Bravo
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
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