Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My name is Max and Ive just found out that I have osteocarcoma. I am a 19 month old Black Lab and the light of my moms eye. I presented with a torn crutiate ligament in my left knee and had that fixed, but after a couple of months I stopped using my leg. My mom was concerned when I stopped eating and growled at her one day when she touched my leg. Im lucky that she took me back to UWVTH to see Dr. Julia. Its been a hard decision for my pawrents but with the support of Dr. Julia nd Dr. Sara they decided to go with amputation and chemo. Please wish me luck tomorrow and say a prayer. Im already dreaming of chasing my tennis ball in the backyard again!!
Paula and Spirit Max
Best of luck to you for a full speedy recovery! Thanks for joining the discussion and sharing your story. Be sure to keep us posted on MAx's progress.
Where is UWVTH ... University of Washington? Max should be in good hands there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dear Max's mom, Welcome to this wonderful community at tripawds.com. You will find alot of great encouragement and information here. I'm so sorry to hear of your little guy's diagnosis and hope the very, very best outcome for you all. I'm sure he will be up and playing in no time; it's so amazing how quickly they adapt. I'm surprised to hear of this diagnosis at such a young age. I wonder if anyone else has familiarity with that? Please let us know how Max is doing. We are here for you. di
Good Luck Max things well no doubt go well. And remember three legged dogs get a lot of extra treats.
Our dog Port (Black Lab) was diagnosed with boner cancer in her right front leg when she was 4 years old. We decided to have the leg removed and proceed with chemo post surgery. I am very happy to say that was 3 years and our last check up (just a week ago) indicates that everything is still looking good. After the surgery the tumor was sent to the university of colorado and they indicated that with Chemo we could expect at most 18 months, we have proven them wrong 🙂
The first few weeks after the surgery were tough and we had some hurdles but once Port started to recover it happened fast. While she was a very active and athletic dog, let's say she turned it up a notch after the aputation, its very impressive to watch (hold on tight). We are extremely happy we made the decision that we did and regardless of what happens from here Port has already changed our perspective on life and demonstrated to us how living life to the fullest each day is an absolute requirement (she is trully an inspiration). It's hard to let unimportant things get to you when you are greeted at home everyday by a three legged dog that has a smile from ear to ear.
Here's a picture of Port:
penalow said:
...very happy to say that was 3 years and our last check up (just a week ago) indicates that everything is still looking good.
And we're very happy to hear that, what great news! Thanks for joining the discussion penalow, please feel free to add a topic and share your own story. We love to hear good news like this.
Have you heard of Three Legged Red wine? It was named after another dog named Port.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the Three legged wine info, I will definitely have to check that out.
Thanks everyone for your encouragement. This was so incredibly unexpected and really caught us off guard. We were thinking that the TPLO plate was broken or a bone was broken when we took him in and NEVER even considered the possibility of cancer.
Max is in surgery now and we are trying to stay calm until we hear something. UWVTH is in Madison, Wi and is one of the best. We have entered him into a University of Wisconsin pet pain relief study and hopefully it will assist other dogs. The oncology dept will also use the removed leg for a study as well. Max will start chemo 2 weeks after the surgery and since he is so young the likelihood that the cancer has spread is high, but so far no lung mets. We are praying that he lives longer than expected, but at this point are so thankful for the time we will have with him and that he will be pain free. He is a wonderful, smart, happy, loving Labby. We love him so much. If anyone is in the area, I highly recommend this facility. The doctors are top notch and take the time to explain and answer all questions. I believe they feel as badly as we do. I will post later when I get the call.
Paula and Spirit Max
Max made it through the surgery ok....a little sick from the anesthesia, but they were able to give him something for that and wash out his esophagus. Dr. Julia looked at his bone and said that the cancer had almost eaten through the bone and he would have fractured within days. He is in a pain study so lots of attention and constant monitoring which makes me feel better. What a range of emotions we pawrents go through for our babies!
Paula and Spirit Max
Max's Mom,
We're so happy to hear that Max came through his surgery OK and it's great that he is part of a pain study. Hopefully, with all the attention he will get, they will better be able to understand pain in dogs and improve pain control. Please keep us posted on how he is doing.
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
Dearest Port,
We are very happy to hear you are 3 years past your surgery date for cancer! That is very amazing and hopeful news for other pawrents who have pups who are cancer survivors. Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
Whew! So glad to hear Max made it through. What incredible timing that you were able to get him into surgery when you did.
Yeah, the University there is top notch, we know others here have had their surgeries done there too. You and Max are definitely in great hands. It will be interesting to see how he does with the pain meds, we'd love to hear more. Thanks for letting us know about it.
Keep us posted, we're here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
! Here is a picture of Max..he is covered up with a warm towel. LOL...he loves warm laundry! Penalow...Port is beautiful! I hope Max has the good fortune that you both have. 
Paula and Spirit Max
I'm so glad the surgery went well! Max is a gorgeous dog!! He is going to be so much happier and be able to run and play without pain. You will be amazed how quickly he recovers. Port's story is awesome and so encouraging. He's a beautiful boy too. I know you are looking forward to bringing Max home. I have a feeling he is going to get LOTS of warm towels over the next few weeks! di
Max is a beautiful boy indeed. Thanks for sharing his photo.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Max is very handsome and I'll bet he does love the warm laundry! We're so glad to hear that his blood test that starts with an "A" came back normal. It's great to hear that he is recovering well and I'd probably sleep with my beloved dog's collar, too, if I was in your position. Thanks for keeping us posted!
And, Penalow, I forgot to mention in my earlier post how cute Port is! I really love it when people include pictures of their beloved babies on tripawds!
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
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