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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I am so glad you found a vet you can connect with. That just makes all the difference in the world. We had the most awesome vet to guide us on the journey. I never had any reason to question his recommendations, he always patiently talked me through everything. Hopefully you've found such a jewel 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.
Not too long ago, I was in your shoes… debating on whether or not to amputate. I can tell you, as other have done so already, that he decision has to come from your heart. After much research and consideration of our situation (Bear has bad hip dysplasia; therefore not a good candidate for amputation of front limb) I had to go against all statistics and veterinary advice for our case and amputate. No regrets!!!
VCA does have good doctors. I do not know where you are located, but the price you got quoted sounds about right for the surgery. Of course, as someone pointed out, the price may go up depending on how many days of hospitalization will be required and other post-surgery factors. The important thing is that you found a vet that treated you and Rock with respect; a vet that you feel you can trust.
The chemo question… yes.. so I debated this too and I researched it and analyzed, etc… Bear had his sutures removed just last Tuesday and so I had to make some decision.. Again … I decided to go with my gut: to leave Bear under the care of our homeopathic doctor and not to pursue chemo.
I know this is hard…but things do get better and you have all these wonderful people here to advise and help you get through it. Best wishes to you and Rock.
Sorry about Rock. My dog fractured her leg yesterday and had to have it amputated. Not sure what to expect for either of us. Havent paid bill yet as I dont pick her up til Fri or Sat, depending on her pain.
Hope you and Rock do well. This looks like a place for great conversation. Once I figure out the site better, I hope to be more active and get advise.
Karen
kjmannisto said
Sorry about Rock. My dog fractured her leg yesterday and had to have it amputated. Not sure what to expect for either of us. Havent paid bill yet as I dont pick her up til Fri or Sat, depending on her pain.Hope you and Rock do well. This looks like a place for great conversation. Once I figure out the site better, I hope to be more active and get advise.
Karen
I'm so sorry to hear about your pup. Please feel free to start a new topic in "Beyond Cancer" so we can learn more about your new Tripawd. We'll be here to help however we can.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm glad you have found a vet you can connect with and trust. This is such an emotional journey so it is so important to feel comfortable with your vet.
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/
well i decided to go with amputation reason is if i didn't he would have 0% chance for survival ,and as his best friend i see it fit to give him the most chance to live and enjoy this gift we received as life, i know he would so the same for me . I dropped him off this morning to have the surgery . yesterday we met with the doc and he did blood ,urin ,and more xrays everything was great still from what he can see the lungs are clear and all other major organs .So now the big obstical is for him to adjust to the amputation.I will have him treated with chemo just to increase his chances. Hopefully from here on he does well .I would also like to thank everyone here for there input and kind words i have never been in such an emotional state then this , i have been deployed twice and this by far has and stress i went though beat ! I now have a community of new brothers and sisters in this world i applaud you all . i will post pics and keep in touch to let everyone know how hes doing.
best
Charles and Rock
Sending good thoughts for a speedy recovery and a long and happy life together.
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.
I bet you feel a little bit of relief making the decision. Keep yourself busy today- surgery day can be very long while waiting for the post-surgery call.
Also- thank you for your service! Where were you deployed?
Keep us posted on how Rock (and you!) are doing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
krun15 said
I bet you feel a little bit of relief making the decision. Keep yourself busy today- surgery day can be very long while waiting for the post-surgery call.
Also- thank you for your service! Where were you deployed?
Keep us posted on how Rock (and you!) are doing.
Karen and the pugapalooza
thank you , i was deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan my rotation is due next year for another tour to afghan but depending on rock and my other 4 dogs i dont know about that .
Hey Charles,
Well we are sending you all our best wishes for Rock to have a speedy recovery! You sound very confident in your decision, and that's great. Whatever we can do to make this easier on you both, please ask OK? We're here to help.
And I concur; thank you so much for your service, you are a hero and so is Rock!
Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
charlesrock said
thank you jerry , i have one question how is the k9 immunity stuff?
Sure! There's so much to talk about with K9 Immunity . I was introduced to it when my oncologist put me on a clinical trial she was conducting using it. We had never heard of it before but once we learned more we said "why not?" We learned that human oncologists who practice holistic medicine have been using mushroom therapy on their patients for years. So we figured if it's good enough for humans . . . In the end, we really feel that K9 Immunity gave me a good quality of life even when I the cancer came back in my lungs.
You'll find TONS of reviews and info here and in all of our Tripawds blogs , from others who've tried it. Most people have good things to say and did notice an improvement with their dawgs once they got on the protocol. Be aware though that it isn't a magic bullet, and it won't "cure" cancer. What it will do is boost your dog's immune system and give him a good chance at being healthy while fighting cancer. Some vets/oncologists approve of it, and others don't think it makes a difference. It's the same story as it is with other natural supplements, you'll need to decide if it's right for Rock. Whatever you do always let your vet know what herbs he's taking, if any.
Hope that answers your question but if not I'll try to.
How is Rock? Did you hear anything from the vet?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
yea i think ill try it with him .. yes the vet called me he got out of surgery around 5 so they decided to keep him overnight the doc told me he was sleeping like a log and his vitals where excellent he did tell me he was going to take out the lymph node thats there but he couldnt find it so im guessing thats a good thing being it wasnt enlarged which i believe thats what happens when cancer went to it
Hi Charles,
Good to hear Rock is recovering well. I do think it is a good thing that the lymph node was not found. It is good too that Rock is staying at the vet overnight- he can get most of the anesthetic out of his system and they can make sure his pain is being managed correctly.
I never got to try K9 Immunity with my tri-pug Maggie. She had two kinds of cancer and by the time I decided to try it she wasn't eating very well due to kidney issues. However, Mag's little sis quad-pug Tani also has mast cell cancer, I am treating her holistically and I do use K9 Immunity . I can't say for sure what it does for the cancer, but she definitely has more energy on it. It is kind of expensive, but in this case having a small dog does help with the cost.
Let us know how Rock is doing when you get him home.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Glad to hear Rock is out of surgery! I hope he will breeze through his recovery. If he doesn't and you have questions, we're here! We may not always have the answers, but we always are here with support and good thoughts.
Thanks very much for your service!
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!
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