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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Max is an 8 year old, 100 lb. Golden Retreiver diagnosed on April 13th, 2009 with osteosarcoma in his right front shoulder. After getting over the shock of my baby boy having this horrible disease and the doctors being somewhat skeptical of a dog of his size recovering from a front leg amputation, I found this website and learned so much from people and dogs in the similar situation. We were given great advice from the people here and decided to see an oncologist and an orthopedic surgeon and start fighting!!!!
Max had his front leg and shoulder amputation on Thursday April 23rd. He was given great care at VMSG in Ventura, Ca and was up and hopping around the very next day! That was when we knew 100 percent that we made the right decision for him. He continued to do extremely well with hopping and eating for the next few days but because his drain was still accumulating fluid needed to remain in the hospital until Tuesday. So he was in the hospital for 5 days total.
He has'nt been home a full 24 hours yet but has been sleeping since he hit the floor. He ate a full dinner last night and a light breakfast this morning so it's "all good" here.
Oh yeah, we found out that he has another type of cancer on his tongue call "spindle cell" which is slow to metastasise and shouldn't be a problem compared to the obvious.
All things considered he is still our handsome, happy and loving little boy !!!
Great news that Max is doing well--Every day gets better. Marley (our 12+ year lab) is now 2.5 months post op and almost done with her first full round of chemo--She has been to the beach and is doing great (although she gets tired easily)--
We wish max a quick recovery !!
So glad Max is home. You will both feel better being together. They do sleep and rest a lot while they recover, take time while he rests to catch up on your rest as well. I know with us everything happened so quickly, and we had to make decisions so fast, that I was up all hours researching. By the time Trouble came home, I was happy to get some rest too!
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.
Isn't is just amazing how fast they get up and hop around? My Jake had his amputation on March 25th and actually lept into the back of my truck the very next morning...while he was pulling the bewildered vet tech behind him! I knew right then that he would get through this whole ordeal just fine. Jake is also kinda big.. he weighs 83 pounds, but that doesn't seem to have slowed his recovery down at all. I do worry about the added stress on the other legs so I'm trying to slim him down slowly but surly. We've even started taking therapy dog classes with the hope of someday being able to help human amputees cope. I know that Max will amaze you many times as he adjusts to his new situation! If only we people could be so resiliant right? 🙂 Anyhow, I'm very happy to hear that Max is home and doing well! Keep us posted. 🙂
I took Max in for what was supposed to be his first chemo treatment today but unfortunately we have a set back.
A couple of days ago, I noticed a lump near his incision. They checked it today when I brought it to their attention and it is a tumor. So here we are back where we started, thinking about what is best for Max and making the right decision for all of us.
He has a suspicious nodule on the lung and now this!!! He is in great spirits though...jumped right out of the car and ran about 30 feet into the hospital...I'm not sure but I think they may have spoiled him while he was there;) He kept up his celebrity status with the staff and doctors during our visit today
and continues to be his happy-go-lucky self dispite the "c" word.
Wow, we are so, so sorry to hear this, it's truly heartbreaking the way cancer can suprise us like this, and put you right back at square one. But you know, the best thing to do right away is to follow Max's example, and keep on keeping on. Dogs have the good fortune to not understand how to spell "the c word," and really, even if they could we suspect they still wouldn't care what it really means, because all dogs want to do is enjoy every minute, not worry about things that haven't happened yet.
Sounds like you are definitely trying to stay pawsitive through this, so keep it up and remember we are all here if you want to talk.
Many many hugs to you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry to hear of Max's setback. Two things come to mind here that may help keep that attitude up. Live day by day, and make the decisions as they come. Decisions must be based on what is best for Max and what quality of life will it provide. And cancer is a word not a sentence. Do your research and know your facts.
I know exactly what you mean about 'status' at the clinic. Trouble is given all the attention she could possibly want, lots of hugs and kisses from the staff, in addition to the excellent care. We board her at the same facility where she is treated, and when I call they 'make room' for 'our' Trouble.
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.
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