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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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New here... My dog is having his surgery tomorrow
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Member Since:
7 August 2009
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16
1 February 2010 - 7:23 pm
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Dear Tonka's Mom: We will be sending you good thoughts tomorrow. As everyone has said, the first two weeks are difficult. And for me, it was heartbreaking when I first saw Romeo (front leg amputee) after the surgery. In a couple weeks, however, we will celebrate Romeo's sixth month ampuversary! And we just celebrated his tenth bday! Romeo runs, jumps, plays in the snow, holds his bone, hogs the bed---everything he loved to do before the surgery! He has even cleared our garden fence in pursuit of a squirrel! We decided not to do chemotherapy. We wanted him just to enjoy his regular life, day by day, and he has been doing just that. We just had a checkup and he is doing great.

We were so moved by your post because many family members and friends also thought we we were being cruel by amputating Romeo's leg. Interestingly, none of them were "dog people." And many of those critics have just been amazed by Romeo's energy and joy! You know in your heart what is best for Tonka. My partner just kept saying to me, "We're not taking away his leg, we're saving his life." The people and pups at Tripawds are amazing. They were a lifeline for us in those early days.

Hang in there. Give Tonka a little time and he'll bounce back! Take care, Eve and Romeo   

Member Since:
14 January 2010
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1 February 2010 - 7:28 pm
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Good luck with your surgery tomorrow! You are absolutely right, this is the right decision. Mary and I agonized over it for Nikki (she's on day 13 post surgery now) but honestly within 4 days we knew without a doubt that we had made the right choice. Even though Nikki is still in the healing phase, you can see that she's much more comfortable without the pain in her leg... Please keep us informed.

Arizona
Member Since:
28 September 2009
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1 February 2010 - 8:09 pm
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Best of luck tomorrow, the next two weeks might be hard but then things will get better, so much better.  Tasha is celebrating 4 months post amp today, she has never been so happy and loving, you will be surprised by Tonka. All the best.

Jo Ann & Tasha

Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.

Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….

Los Angeles
Member Since:
2 November 2009
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1 February 2010 - 8:24 pm
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We agonized over our decision on the amputation and even 2nd guessed ourselves during the 2 week recovery whether it was the right thing to do (it can be pretty rough) but have to say that it was the best decision we could have ever made. Mackenzie (8 in March) is now celebrating her 3 month ampuversary and is doing great. She's the puppy dog she was a year ago. She has her life back and is pain free which makes it all the more worthwhile. So your Tonka will do just great too like all these other tripawds. People and doctors told me to be prepared when you first see your tripawd after surgery. I wasn't really shocked at all - in fact, I was so happy to see her and she was so happy to see me - the best feeling in the world!

My sweet golden Mackenzie.  She became my angel on Dec 29, 2010 at the age of 8 1/2  although she was always my angel from the time we brought her home.  She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in Sept 2009 and officially became a tripawd (front leg) on Nov 5, 2009.  She will be forever in my heart and now she's running free with all of our other tripawd heroes.  I love you Mackenzie!

Member Since:
26 November 2008
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1 February 2010 - 9:14 pm
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Tonka and Mom,

I once told Cherry's breeder that I still had difficulty saying that I willingly allowed them to amputate her left fore-leg. Boy did I get an ear full. She told me in the most loving way possible, that not only was Cherry still alive because of that decision (and the chemotherapy) but that she was enjoying a great quality of life in the process. Enough said about the decision - you have made the best one for Tonka and now we must move forward to making the best life possible. As you can see from above, you have found a great community filled with wonderful people who will share their diverse experience base, give advice, and provide enormous support. I would not have any sanity left had it not been for them.

A few things that may help you prepare for Tonka’s return from surgery.  Stealing from a recent Jerry posting, I would suggest:

What to Expect Part 1:  http://tinyurl......tToExpect1

What to Expect Part 2:  http://tinyurl......tToExpect2

Also, there are my usual suggestions:

1)  Remain as positive as possible around Tonka.  They will pick up on your feelings and if you are down, it will only make it harder.  I have often left Cherry, left the house, and then totally lost it before regaining composure and returning with a smile.  It will make a difference.

2)  Remember to treat the spirit as well as the body.  Find something that they love and can still do during recovery.  Then exploit that love to give them purpose.  For Cherry, it was her trips in the truck/car.  It was the first and for a long time, the only place that she would willingly take food when offered.  As the time when she thinks that she is going for a ride approaches, you can see the excitement grow.  Jake's mom would probably tell you that for Jake it was the swimming pool.  Once Jake saw the pool and was allowed back in, the improvement appears to have been remarkable.  View the Fun!  Doug and Heidi will tell you that for Molly it continues to be canoe trips.  Watch her celebrate her one year anpuversary!  Finally there is Calpurnia who loves the life filled with the outdoors and sledding and has survived the amputation for more than two years.  View the fun!  Help them find a purpose to fight.

3)  Consider keeping a journal.  I kept a journal and posted much of it on-line.  It allowed me to go back days/weeks/months and make a good comparison.  The detail that you keep in this journal is more than I would ever put into a blog ,which is also a great idea.  This very detailed journal really helped to make honest assessments of Cherry's progress during the ups and downs of recovery.  Our oncologist actually used these journal postings to keep up to speed on Cherry's condition.  She was even reading it as Cherry approached her one year ampuversary.  I have a page of thumbnail photos (with links to larger versions) covering from just after the diagnosis, first days home, chemotherapy treatment, through recent days.  View Cherry’s TriPawd photos.

I hope that this will help as you as you plan for Tonka's home comming.  Emily's mom, Debra, also likes to add - consider raising their water and food bowl.  This will help them balance. Cherry's first chemotherapy treatment occured just hours after amputation, and her first two months, which included all the chemotherapy, were to toughest. However, it was a wonderful trip filled with fabulous memories.

Sending positive thoughts from the San Francisco Bay area.

Spirit Cherry's Dad - Bob

Northern Indiana
Member Since:
15 January 2009
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1 February 2010 - 10:46 pm
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I remember what our surgeon told me when I asked what to expect after Paris' amputation........he told me that she would be much better the day after surgery than she was the day before. The diseased and painful limb would be gone.  He was right.  Tonka will amaze you and your family members!  Nothing cruel about this.....take a look at this web site!

Take good care of Tonka, give him lots of love,

Ginny & Angel Paris

Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!

Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!

Member Since:
1 January 2010
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2 February 2010 - 6:48 am
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Hi Tonka,

We're sorry you needed to find this site, but have to say that this site has been the best place - full of supportive people and lots of good information. We'll be thinking about Tonka today and hope all goes well with surgery. Holly's surgery was just over a month ago and she is doing great! The first 2 weeks were hardest, but give Tonka lots of love and time to heal and these next 2 weeks will be behind you before you know it... and Tonka will be happy to no longer have that painful leg. Like Tehya's mom said - we didn't realize how much pain Holly was in at the time but can now look back and see how much more active she has become again. Best of luck today!

Holly and Holly's mom

Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!

http://anyemery.....ipawds.com

Wesley Chapel, FL
Member Since:
13 September 2009
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2 February 2010 - 6:53 am
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Hi Tonka's Mom,

Welcome to our Tripawds family! I'm so sorry to hear about Tonka's diagnosis... Wishing Tonka all the best for the surgery today!

Remember, the first 2 weeks post-op will be the most difficult... and there will be many ups and downs... but we're here for you!! Keep us posted!

Angel Jake's Mom

Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!

Member Since:
30 January 2010
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2 February 2010 - 7:35 am
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I have a lab who was diagnosed a week and a half ago with Osteosarcoma in her left hind leg, and like you I chose amputation and chemo because of the degree of bone degeneration, pain and risk of fracture. I was so nervous that it was going to be a long road to recovery and would take her a while to learn to walk as a Tripawd. I am elated to tell you that when I went to see her this morning she was up and walking around like she'd never had four legs to begin with. I was so blown away and relieved I couldn't help but cry. Good luck on your surgery and I'm sure that Tonka will be hopping around in no time!

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