TRIPAWDS: Home to 22971 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

Join The Tripawds Community

Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:

Instant post approval.

Private messages to members.

Subscribe to favorite topics.

Live Chat and much more!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
Newcomer- 17 month old with Osteosarcoma
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Member Since:
11 October 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
11 October 2019 - 4:27 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hello wonderful people,

firstly how brilliant is this site? It saved my sanity in the 5 days we were waiting for biopsy results.

My girl Lucy is a German shepherd pup who unfortunately is one of the rare young ones to get osteosarcoma. The cancer had not yet attacked her bones instead it presented like a tumour so we had a biopsy which came back as positive.  Her amputation was 3 days ago, her hind leg. She’s doing remarkably well, eating a lot and her toileting is getting back to normal. But she’s still a pup ( and honestly a slightly crazy one at that) so as I can see her puppy energy coming back I’m worried about how to keep her quiet? I took her out for a piddle this morning and she took off like a wild thing ( on the leash but strong enough to pull me). She’s very fit as we live in a hilly part of the world but I won’t be exercising her for at least a month I imagine ( and would love some advice on that if anyone had some) She’s due to start cheamo 10 days after surgery so we really need her to rest and her better. We have sedatives for night time but don’t want her on them long term. Any advice would be much appreciated 

Member Since:
1 October 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
11 October 2019 - 5:41 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi and welcome!

17 months... wow.  We have seen a few pups come in with cancer. 

I'm giggling about the energy level ( not in a bad way)  I don't know any young GSD that i didn't lock my shoulder before opening the kennel gate 😂 i just knew it would be a wild ride ❤

On a more serious note,  it might truly be in both of your best interest to ask your vet about a medication to keep her calmer and more sedate through recovery. The last thing you want right now is a seroma , or for her to injure herself right now. 

Also,  be sure to give her pain medication on regular intervals... what is she taking now? Very soon she may have a bit of a nose dive as the hospital meds leave her system. 

Right now short leash walks for potty and rest is in order,  at least until suture/ staple removal.  If they have to give her a sedative,  might not be a bad idea. 

Would love to see a picture of your girl❤

Good luck and stay close by! Recovery can be somewhat of a rollercoaster ride. 

Hugs, 

Jackie and Huckleberry❤

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
11 October 2019 - 7:11 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Oh my gosh I can't WAIT to see pictures of Lucy. As Wyatt Ray 's momma I'm a total sucker for those pointy ears!

It is indeed hard to keep a puppy quiet during recovery. One of the best things you can do for her is to challenge her mind with brain games, obedience learning and that kind of thing. Basically, work her mind while her body rests. And believe it or not you can really tire a pup out like that!

Here are some Tripawds Gear blog posts we have written that talk about interactive brain games . If you look for them on Amazon UK you should be able to find some durable enough for her energy.

Best Interactive Pet Games Added to Tripawds Gear Shop!

https://amazon......pawd-dogs/

https://amazon......ain-games/

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
11 October 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
11 October 2019 - 7:12 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Ooh as soon as I can figure out this site on my phone I will 😂 she’s a beauty. But yet GS pups are not the quiet type are they?? But the seroma looks horrible so I think dosing her up is the best idea. We have tramadol and carpobrophen plus some anti anxiety meds. We just got her back from the vet and they were surprised at how well she’s healed already so hopefully my baby continues to surprise everyone! Thank you so much xx

Member Since:
11 October 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
11 October 2019 - 7:15 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Amazing THANK YOU

Member Since:
1 October 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
11 October 2019 - 7:43 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Xoxo you got this,  i can see already that you are in top of whatever it takes to keep her safe while she's recovering. 

I don't have a GSD... and Huckleberry is a formerly feral cat lol. But we adopted an Australian Cattledog 8/1/18 at 4 months old.  Can I say OMD!??!! He's finally starting to fit into his big boy pants,  lol, a challenge and a huge pleasure❤

When I was an early vet tech,  the hospital i worked at did boarding.  We boarded a LOT of GSD pups,  a lot of young ones,  lol. I was pretty strong but they could take you on a ride if they didn't think of you as alpha lol. 

Hang in there! This can be a rollercoaster ride but there will be a light at the end of the tunnel❤

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Member Since:
11 October 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
11 October 2019 - 8:03 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I think she knows I'm not the alpha icon_lol but she's a sweet, sweet girl and we will do everything we can. And our vets are amazing and super invested in her. Australian Cattle Dogs can give the most excitable pups a run for their money but they are just so beautiful, so smart and so happy! Our puss has been very perplexed by all this- sneaking peaks at Lucy when she can but luckily has stopped tormenting her. Thank you again for your support, this has been such a scary roller coaster and I would have lost my mind was it not for finding this site!

Member Since:
1 October 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
11 October 2019 - 8:19 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

My cats hid for three months when Bo came home,  lol. They now live really well together❤

Lemmee see if i can find a pic of him😊

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Member Since:
1 October 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
11 October 2019 - 8:37 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Image Enlarger

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Member Since:
1 October 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
11 October 2019 - 8:38 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

I see your Avatar!!! Omd gorgeous❤

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
11
11 October 2019 - 8:48 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hello and welcome.

I'm sorry cancer has found your girl so early!  Cancer sucks in all shapes and forms but at 17 months!

You are in good company here with a rear amp GSD! I've had two rear amps but both small.  Maggie was a Pug who lost a rear leg to mast cell cancer, and now I have Elly, a Pug-mix who lost her leg to a car accident. 

Usually you can start activities once the sutures or staples come out.  You want to start slowly and work on her core and balance. 

I second the food puzzle and game ideas.  I do one or the other nearly every day with Elly.  It burns energy, challenges the mind, and is easy on her joints.  Once Lucy is a little more healed you might try the 'search for treats' game.  I have Elly sit and wait in one room while I hide treats in another, then let her search for them.

Yeah, Tripawds like to go fast- keep your running shoes handy.

I hope her recovery continues smoothly!

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Member Since:
11 October 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
12
11 October 2019 - 9:46 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Bo you are a beauty! 

Member Since:
11 October 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
13
11 October 2019 - 9:53 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Oh wow two tripawds! What an adorable handful for you! I think the initial fear was replaced by shock when we saw the wound but she’s just so much happier without that sore leg already. I love the treat hiding idea- she has a long she loves but I don’t think she’ll be throwing it around for a while. It’s spring here so we just took her out for a snooze in the garden and she blissed out. Some bruising is coming through but thanks to this site I’m not worrying. It’s crazy how last night I was devastated I’d made the wrong decision and in one day it feels like my happy girl is on her way back 

new hampshire
Member Since:
26 June 2019
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
14
12 October 2019 - 7:19 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Hi there littlelucy and welcome! Love your avatar, what a beautiful spunky girl! 

Having a big energetic pupper can be a bit of a challenge. Lucy sounds like shes showing everyone how the big dogs get it done. 😉 a trip to the garden sounds wonderful. I can picture her laying in the nice warm sun. Roane wasn't as energetic but we use to make an impromptu pen so she didnt get rowdy and could still survey her yard. 

We can all understand the second guessing you were doing last night. I think its harder for us silly humans to learn to Be More Dog . Dogs just know there happy and loved and life is good. Believe me you did make the right decision. You love lucy and she loves you. Her spunky beautiful self is bound and determined to show you that. 

Looking forward to more pupdates. 

❤ Bev, Moe cat, autumn angel Roane & angel dog Gypsy 

         Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾

My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.

Member Since:
1 October 2017
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
15
12 October 2019 - 7:21 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Omd,  sorry about the ginormous photo, hahah! I answered from my phone last night and I had no idea it was going to post that big!!! I cannot edit now, so sorry.  On desktop I can resize photo, but on Note I cannot. It usually comes out smaller, hehe.

Yeah, some bruising is totally normal, it is not swollen or leaking fluid?

Where are you? I made a friend in Sydney Australia and it is spring there too. It is autumn here in Kentucky, leaves are falling and evenings are getting brrrr... chilly.

I am glad you feel better today, this really can be a rollercoaster ride while recovering. 

sp_hearticon2

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online: Joyce_1, Cynthia Lindgren
Guest(s) 217
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17732
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256798
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG