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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Izzy the Three-Legged Wonderpup Strikes Again!
I took my sweet girl to the vet for a check up ... boy, has she gotten chunky! I asked for a chest x-ray just to see where we are at with her cancer. As you might recall, we chose to amputate but not do chemo or other treatment due to Izzy's advancing age. Much to my surprise, they don't see any metastasis in her lungs.
You read that right.
Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but this is pretty darn unusual, no? I didn't get a chance to speak to the vet - she left me a voicemail - but does this mean she's unlikely to see spread to the lungs? It took us a while to sort out that she'd broken a leg, so that tumor was on the bone for at least another 4 to 6 weeks. Maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but this all seems like really, really, really good news.
I guess I've gotta put ole girl on a bit of a diet! hahaha Great problem to have!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Seems like great news to me!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
That is AWESOME NEWS!!!! Just awesome!!! Congrats!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Yeah Izzy! Whoo Hoo! 
You just keep on keeping on girl!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Online
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR IZZY!!! 🙂 Grrrrrrrreat news!!!!
Izzy is feeling great and the xrays are clear 🙂 You have every reason to be optimistic!! Yes indeedy, really great news!! I know it was a huge relief. Of course, Izzy doesn't care about anymof this anyway. She feels GREAT and that means all is well in Izzy's world! YAY!!
Diet to orrow! Tonight it's ice cream and cake!!
Love to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Thanks, everyone! We are excited and Izzy goes back to the vet on the 31st for vaccines. Her doctor held off on them because she didn't want to "rock the boat" but with clear lungs, we're back in business! So happy for my fat little hopper! Of course, she still old and I know she won't be with us forever but I'm just so glad I made the decision to amputate and quickly!
Thank you to all of you who gave advice and encouragement!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Just throwing this out for whatever it's worth. Do you think your vet would consider NOT doing vaccines (guess it's rabies?)? Considering her age, the fact that there is some controversy about so e vaccines, too many, etc. I'm certainly no vet, so consult with your vet. It would just be one less "thing" for Izzy's system to deal with.
To hear how well Izzy is doing is such great news! I know you atomized over the decision, like we all do/did. It's especially harder when a ".ature" dog is involved. Izzy is DEFINITELY thrilled with the decision! 🙂 To know she is having extended quality time...time for more loving and spoiling...pure vbliss!
Izzy, you are a bright light of inspiration! 🙂 Keep in keepin' on! YAY IZZY...THE THREE LEGGED WONDERPUP! And YAY for mom too! Good job! 🙂
Love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
I agree with Sally. I think you could probably ask your vet to do titer tests to find out which vaccines she can do without. The tests will show her immunity to things she has already been vaccinated for. We plan to ask for them for Ollie, as I am pretty certain that he was overvaccinated last year (he was a stray into the shelter at about a year and a half, so I am fairly certain that he had a double dose last year), plus he is terribly allergic to many things. His dermatologist said that if we are going to have him vaccinated, he should not get the 4 or 5 in one, but have the shots separately about a month apart.
Great job on the clear lungs!
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
I would agree with the no vaccine part. When Shelby was fighting cancer, her vet agreed to no more vaccines.... it worked for us and he didn't question my decision or inquiry. I would check with your vet though. Just to be sure.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
That is SUPER great news! Seriously, run with it and have a ball.
Ditto on avoiding vaccines. Unless Izzy has easy access to wild critters every day, titers would be the way to go. Here's some info about why giving vaccines during cancer isn't the best idea:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This is great info! I think Izzy's vet would be willing to forego vaccines ... she's been really great so far. She even discussed with me to possibility of discontinuing Izzy's health plan and just paying as I go because you pay a year at a time and, well, there's no guarantee she'll live another year. She might, but we're trying to be realistic. I'll ask about titer testing!
Thank you again, Tripawd Nation!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Thanks for the info on vaccines. 30 years ago, my family had another osteosarcoma dog. There was no chemo back then and she only lost part of her foot, but I do remember the no vaccines part. Wasn't sure if that was still the protocol. Nice to know.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
We also did not do vaccines for Nitro this time....his rabies was up to date and his vet went along with my wishes. Great news about the x-rays!
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
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