Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone, I have a basset hound named Lila that this week was diagnosed with a mast cell tumor on her back leg. It grew very large very fast, but seems to have stopped growing since on prednisone. Our vet referred us to an oncologist who did an ultrasound and has recommended the treatment plan of amputation followed by Palladia. She did not find any definitive evidence of spread to lymph nodes or other organs.
Does anyone have any advice for us? Also, can anyone recommend some easy raw meals? She is on an appetite medication to get her to eat which is working but she still won't eat her normal dry food. We have been feeding her things we already have here like canned salmon and apples, which she is eating.
She is acting like her normal self when she is on paid meds which gives me hope for her post-operation.
I am constantly having to defend our decision to not put her down, and it is very frustrating. I would not put her through this if I didn't think she had a fighting chance. We have both taken on part time jobs in addition to our full time jobs to pay for her treatment.
She is on prednisone, tramadol, benadryl, pepcid AC, and the appetite med.
Thanks 
| Lila's Journey |
| Kirska, mom to tripawd basset Lila and two other rescued hounds |
| DFW Rescue Advocate: Dallas Pets Alive & Operation Kindness |
Welcome, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
You'll find lots of great raw feeding suggestions in the Tripawds Nutrition blog and more and healthy recipes in the Downloads blog. Here are just a few posts to begin with...
Raw Feeding Facts and Tips for Tripawds
How Do You Pick a Dog Diet for Your Tripawd?
Learn Raw Feeding Basics for Optimum Canine Nutrition
Save on Wysong Premium Raw Dog Foods
Raw Diet Kept Gracie from Getting Cancer
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Kirska and Lila,
Welcome to Tripawds! We hope we can put your mind at ease during this scary time. There have been lots of dogs who have battled mast cell cancer tumors, just check out these search results to read about some of these Tripawd heroes.
You are doing a great job giving her the care she deserves, what fantastic pawrents you are! My biggest suggestion is to start your journey by reading our Required Reading List and also our ebook, "Three Legs & a Spare," which can prepare you for life just before and following amputation. And whatever questions you don't get answered there, I'm sure others can help you with here.
Be strong, Lila needs you to be a tough pack leader now more than ever. We're here to help you however we can OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry you had to find us here. Lila is gorgeous. Most dogs do well on three legs. I would think for a Bassett, losing a back leg would be easier than the front, so that seems good at least. It must be hard to have to defend your decision. Hang in there!
Know that post op, a lot of people sometimes feel doubts. The recovery period can be a little rough, and you might be low on sleep and start to worry and think What have I done? That's normal! You should also know though that once Lila is done with the pain meds and the stitiches are out, she should be mostly back to her old self. In all the time I've been on this site, in the end I've only ever seen one person say they regretted doing the amp.
Keep us posted,
Jackie, angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Thank you everyone for the replies. Yesterday morning Lila was doing very well, wagging her tail, and upset with me that I wouldn't let her try to climb on the couch. After I left for work though, her tumor ruptured with what my husband described as a two inch gash in her leg. He left her at our normal vet, who during the day called the oncologist. All of her organ biopsy results came back negative. They bandaged her leg up.
We are leaving her at the specialist office over the weekend to tend to her wound and they have moved the surgery to Monday as long as her leg swelling stays down.
The oncologist thinks the rupture was a result of the tumor responding to the steroids. She said it was a bad wound, but a good sign.
Thank you for the advice! I am confident we have made the right decision for her. I am ready for the leg to be gone. It's just causing her unnecessary pain and grief at this point.
I took this picture of her just a couple of days before it got bad. It is the last quality picture of her "normal" and is very valuable to me now... She's a pretty girl.
| Lila's Journey |
| Kirska, mom to tripawd basset Lila and two other rescued hounds |
| DFW Rescue Advocate: Dallas Pets Alive & Operation Kindness |
Aww she is a doll! I love that pic too. But don't worry, after a while you'll get so used to seeing her as a Tripawd, you'll forget she ever had 4 legs.
I'm sorry you had to go through that scary tumor rupture. But your husband acted quickly, and now your pack can move forward and then get on with life. We'll be thinking of you on Monday, please keep us posted and let us know if you have any questions in the meantime OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I started a blog here for her, thanks for the great site 
| Lila's Journey |
| Kirska, mom to tripawd basset Lila and two other rescued hounds |
| DFW Rescue Advocate: Dallas Pets Alive & Operation Kindness |
Lila is such a cutie. Don't worry about "normal". Soon you will be thinking that "normal" is 3 legs.
Good luck with the surgery.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
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/
Lila is gorgeous. I will be thinking about you tomorrow. Please keep us updated on how she is doing and also how you are doing. Im new to this too and this site had been a life saver for me. The people on here have such warm hearts and genuinely care about us and our doggies.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
Oh I just saw the blog, thank you for starting it! Mast cell cancer is something that folks always want to know about, and it's good to have a resource like a blog to send folks to.
Good luck today, we are thinking of your pack. Paws crossed for a speedy recovery!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Lila came home today. She is already hopping around without help. The incision is very big but they did a great job sealing it up. Thanks for all the good thoughts. I'm anxiously awaiting the lab results.
| Lila's Journey |
| Kirska, mom to tripawd basset Lila and two other rescued hounds |
| DFW Rescue Advocate: Dallas Pets Alive & Operation Kindness |
Yaaaaay! That's great news. Getting over this major hurdle is the hardest part. While recovery might have its ups and downs, at least you can put the surgery behind you.
Good luck with recovery. Please let us know how we can help make anything easier for you. I hope things continue to get better and better!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
She seems to have a bladder infection which makes this infinitely more difficult. We are giving her the bladder herbal supplement we give our incontinent dog to fix her problem, but I hope the vet can give us something that will kick in sooner...
| Lila's Journey |
| Kirska, mom to tripawd basset Lila and two other rescued hounds |
| DFW Rescue Advocate: Dallas Pets Alive & Operation Kindness |
Oh no! What kind of symptoms is she showing?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi and welcome...I don't know how I missed your posts.
My little pug lost a rear leg to a mast cell tumor. You can read Maggie's Story Here, and read about her Amputation and Treatment Here.
Glad to hear Lila made it though the surgery and is home. Sounds like she is doing well so far. Mag had a bladder infection too, I think right after the surgery. She took clavamox and it cleared right up.
I am also dealing with mast cell cancer in my 12+ year old quad pug Tani. We are going holistic this time and she is doing well so far.
Let us know what the lab results say. Also let me know if I can answer any questions for you.
Karen and the pugapalooza
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