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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The day we have been dreading is finally almost here ... Ollie is having a front leg removed (due to osteosarcoma) tomorrow. They expect to keep him overnight and we should be able to bring him home Wednesday late-afternoon.
As encouraging as this community has been, my husband and I are beside ourselves. He is a very vibrant dog and we hope he will bounce back quickly, but the future is impossible to predict. My heart is in my throat.
Please keep us in your thoughts and I will post an update later in the week. Thanks, everyone.
-Karen
Six-year-old Ollie, a spunky, 55-lb. Australian cattle dog mix, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma May 1, 2015. Front right leg was amputated May 12. Did four rounds of carboplatin chemo treatment, ending Aug. 20. Lung x-rays still clear as of end of September. The rest of our story is still unfolding.
Good luck! I'll be thinking of you and Ollie.
If you can, try looking through examples of surgical sites in the gallery before you pick him up. I found it very helpful for a number of reasons - I wasn't as shocked when I picked Jack up and could stay relaxed and easy-going when talking to her, which I think helped to keep her relaxed, too. And it will help you know if healing is progressing well - you'll be able to spot and identify any problems if they crop up afterwards.
Best wishes for a perfect procedure and speedy recovery!
The vast majority of dogs bounce back quickly, often quite literally. They certainly manage better than we silly people do. Our best advice is to Be More Dog .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Best of luck!!! We will all be thinking of you ... the best advice I can give is positivity, smiles, and joy ... dogs read our emotions so if we act as if all is fine, then they will follow our cue!
Like Admin said - "Be More Dog "....
Keep us posted!
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her her (and little Jasper too)
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
Best of luck tomorrow sweet Ollie & family. Just remember you're not facing this alone. We'll be right there with you to lend support & advice when you need it.
Hang in there you & Ollie will get through this.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
The Oaktown Pack is sending you and Ollie all our tripawd strength to help get through the surgery and recovery. Odds are that Ollie will do great, especially since it sounds like he is otherwise healthy. Although some pups hit the ground running, don't be surprised or alarmed if it takes a few weeks for him to regain his "vibrancy" 
We will be here for you every step of the way so please try not to worry too about the future. So get ready to set your mind firmly in the here and now so you can be upbeat and pawsitive for Ollie when he comes home!
xoxo,
Martha, Codie Rae, and the Oaktown Pack
Woohoo! Tripawds Rule!
Regulator of the Oaktown Pack, Sheriff of the Oaktown Pawsse, Founding member and President of the Tripawd Girldogs With 2 Names ROCK Club, and ... Tripawd Girldog Extraordinaire!
Keep yourselves busy tomorrow, surgery day can be long and stressful.
This is a big surgery,but remember, you are not doing anything to Ollie. You are taking away his pain and giving him a chance. A chance to have more quality time with you.
Sending strong, positive thoughts for a uneventful and successful surgery.
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
The best advice I have to offer is: One day at a time, literally. As Alison said, be positive! I remember going to pick Eddy up after his amputation. I was scared. I was scared to see him missing a leg. I was scared to look at the amputation site. I was just plain scared. The minute they brought him out with his sling, I was no longer scared. Sure he looked different, but his spirit was unchanged! He literally ran out of the door at the vet, or shall I say, hopped! It was so delightful to see how he adapted so quickly. Sure there were ups and downs afterwards, but for the most part, his spirit soared. Just remember to treat him like his old happy self. The amputation is so much more apparent to us than it is to them. The day following my boy's amputation, he was hopping down the driveway with me to get the mail, just like before. It was awesome to see that resilience in my boy! I know Ollie will show you that this amputation is no big deal. Hang in there and remember always, one day at a time!
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
Thanks, guys.
Surgeon called a little while ago; he is out and everything went smoothly. I am relieved there were no complications but having a hard time processing that his entire leg is actually gone now.
Apparently the standard at Penn (we are in Philadelphia) is to keep amp patients for two nights, not one, so I don't think we can pick him up till Thursday. My husband and I are still feeling very sad but we will not act like it when we greet our boy. It will be all smiles and kisses for him!
Six-year-old Ollie, a spunky, 55-lb. Australian cattle dog mix, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma May 1, 2015. Front right leg was amputated May 12. Did four rounds of carboplatin chemo treatment, ending Aug. 20. Lung x-rays still clear as of end of September. The rest of our story is still unfolding.
Try not to worry too much (hard I know). But if Ollie is like Ellie, he'll be all smiles and kisses and wags too!
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Sounds like Ollie is in good hands. Please keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good to hear surgery went well. Take the opportunity to rest up and finish setting up for Ollie's homecoming.
I think someone already suggested you look at some post op pictures so you know what to expect when you pick him up.
...but having a hard time processing that his entire leg is actually gone now.
I think we can all relate to this- and it is just like us humans to focus on what is gone. Remember when you go to get Ollie to focus on what is still here!
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
Sounds like Ollie is doing GREAT and on the road to recovery .... I know it is hard to not think about that missing leg (I had that challenge too) but I promise, once you look into Ollie's eyes and see nothing but love .. that feeling will pass~!!!
Keep us posted!
Hugs and love,
alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)
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
Best of luck! The next 2 weeks may be a challenge but remember once they heal they forget about the leg. Truly they do. You will have many more days with your pup so enjoy, spoil, take lots of pics and just love! We are all looking forward to your update. Blessings to you all!
Nicole, Angel Lily and sweet Violet
ollie did great on tuesday. we can't bring him home until tonight, but we went for visiting hours yesterday, and he looked better than i had expected for the day after an amputation ... he's still drugged and glassy-eyed but is up and moving around, has an appetite and went to the bathroom for us. he got tired easily but after lying down for a while was able to stand up on his own. i am so impressed and inspired by our little champ.
even though he is kicking butt so far, we know the next couple weeks will bring challenges, and we plan to keep him as calm as possible. thank you all for your support.
Six-year-old Ollie, a spunky, 55-lb. Australian cattle dog mix, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma May 1, 2015. Front right leg was amputated May 12. Did four rounds of carboplatin chemo treatment, ending Aug. 20. Lung x-rays still clear as of end of September. The rest of our story is still unfolding.
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