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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Hi,
I'm new to Tripawds--had my front left leg amputated yesterday because I have bone cancer. I'm not letting it get me down though, it hurts but I'm gonna press on. A few hours after surgery, as I started coming around, I got up, went for a short walk, got something to eat--no worries. Now I’m at home with my folks and starting to heal. I'm getting one of those cool harnesses from Tripawds as soon as my incision area heals up a bit and I can go for long walks again--soon.
Hi - I'm Mike, Polo's dad. This is kinda cheesy but I love it, and I love Polo and I Love the stories I've been reading about other folks and dogs going through this. Polo is doing awesome. There really wasn't an option, his mom (Jenny) had a conversation with him the night before last--let him know how much we love and need him and told him to do good. He's surprising the heck out of us and we plan to keep the good energy going. We know we have a fight ahead and Tripawds has already helped us prepare for that. I'm researching nutrition and immunity. We lost Polo's older brother to autoimmune disease and I'm seeing the commonality. Any info in that area is greatly appreciated. I hope I’m doing this right?
Thanks - Polo, Mike and Jenny
Polo Jones, Golden Retriever, Shalimar FL
Hi Polo, Mike and Jenny
Welcome! Your story is so sweet as is Polo's face. Tell us more about Polo - how old is he? It sounds as though he is doing really well, so we will just say hi for today.
Tazzie 2 & Susan
Polo said:
I hope I’m doing this right?
Perfect! Though here in the "Treatment and Recovery" forum, we might discuss the type of treatment Polo is undergoing, or how his recovering is going ... which like Tazzie mentioned, sounds great. You all definitely have the right attitude!
Since you did create Polo's blog, you might consider sharing his progress and photos there while using this forum topic to discuss treatment concerns and questions. Or, we could move this topic to the "Share Your Story" forum. Whatever works best for you. Regardless, we are sorry to hear about Polo's diagnosis, but happy you found us!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Polo! Welcome to being a Tripawd! I have been a Tripawd for almost 4 months now, and my mom says I have more energy now than I did when I had 4 legs (I think that extra leg just got in my way). I also had bone cancer and had 4 treatments of adriamycin chemotherapy but had to stop at 4 because it got too expensive for my mom who goes to school. Now that we have moved and my mommy is working, I hope she can start me on the anti-angiogenic protocol my new oncologist suggested. Your parents will find a bunch of information on these forums regarding treatments and supplements as well as treasured support - they have come to the right place! You seem to be doing quite well after your major surgery, but don't be surprised if you have a couple set-backs. I had to go back to the vet 4 days after surgery because I was too active and broke some capillaries which gave me nasty bruises all over my tummy. Oh, and I had phantom pain so I woke my mommy and daddy up in the middle of the night screaming which scared the bejezus out of them. Now, I am taking over the world and can't be stopped. I hope you hurry up and heal as fast as I did so you can join me in my quest to rule the universe!!!
Sincerely,
Captain Jack
Excellent KISS tshirt! Our dog Tazzie favored a Led Zeppelin shirt when she was healing. She is now 13 months post-op and doing well.
Hang in there because it really does get easier.
Pam and Tazzie
Welcome Mike, Jenny and Polo:
I'm glad you have started off so well. Polo will surprise you, stun you, humble you in the weeks to come. Take care of yourself and don't overdo it for the next few weeks (that goes for you humans in the family also!) there will be some ups and downs.
The main thing is that nasty old tumor in the leg is gone and that's a huge thing for Polo!
Best wishes to you!
--Kim and Tika (almost 10 months along!!!)
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Tazzie said:
Hi Polo, Mike and Jenny
Welcome! Your story is so sweet as is Polo's face. Tell us more about Polo - how old is he? It sounds as though he is doing really well, so we will just say hi for today.
Tazzie 2 & Susan
Tazzie 2 & Susan,
Thanks for the welcome. Polo is nine, closer to 10. He came to us through the Emerald Coast Golden Retriever Rescue (ECGRR) in Fort Walton Beach, FL. He was found on the streets of Panama City, FL and ECGRR (No kill) bailed him out of a shelter. He's been with us since he was 1 year old. He is doing well--walks around like nothing happened. He gets winded quick but he's on board big time. We're concerned about his breathing--heavy at times. His chest Xray wasn't bad / wasn't great according to our doctor--we're hoping for the best long term. Whatever comes our way, we're gonna fight. Thanks again for the welcome--see around the blog. Mike.
Most of our dogs do the 'heavy breathing' thing after amputation, some (like mine) for a long time. Your vet's comment about the chest xrays: does that mean that they see some metastases in there? If so, are they recommending any form of treatment?
That is amazing he is walking around already, particularly for a 10 yr old.
Susan & T2
Hi Polo, Mike and Jenny! Well, shucks, not sure I can think of anything to add to the good advice and well wishes you already got...
Good energy is great! It goes a long way. Don't be too surprised though if in 2-3 days Polo's energy level seems to crash though. Seems pretty common that as the heavy-duty painkillers from the surgery leave the system, your pup will need to rest more and start acting a little more like a dog who's been through major surgery than he might be now. Bug the vet with your questions and concerns as much as possible - don't be shy. If you let your worries weigh on you too long (about something that might be wrong with Polo, but you're not sure) your immune system may suffer and that's no good for Polo! And I know I've been surprised at how often my gut has actually been right about what's going on with Yoda (though it was waaaay off once or twice too - so trusting your vet is also important).
Go Team Polo! Fight, fight, fight!
Yoda&Mom united: 9/5/06 …….… Yoda&Leg separated: 6/5/09……… Yoda&Leg reunited: 10/14/09 ……… ……………….………….………….……. Yoda&Mom NEVER separated! …………………….….……....….…… Though Spirit Yoda currently free-lances as a rabbit hunting instructor for tripawds nationwide
admin said:
Polo said:
I hope I’m doing this right?
Perfect! Though here in the "Treatment and Recovery" forum, we might discuss the type of treatment Polo is undergoing, or how his recovering is going ... which like Tazzie mentioned, sounds great. You all definitely have the right attitude!
Since you did create Polo's blog, you might consider sharing his progress and photos there while using this forum topic to discuss treatment concerns and questions. Or, we could move this topic to the "Share Your Story" forum. Whatever works best for you. Regardless, we are sorry to hear about Polo's diagnosis, but happy you found us!
Thanks for the encouragement and I definitely hope to discuss treatment and recovery with other folks in whichever forum is best/appropriate, “Share Your Story” works or both. I intend to read up on the sight, check out the tutorials, figure out how to post pics, etc. I spent some time reading blogs before Polo's surgery and thought I’d register once we started treatment. Thanks again—look forward to sharing info. Mike.
Polo:
I don't have a copy of Tika's latest Xray, but here's her lung mets progression here. After a bad scare a little over a week ago, she's back being her big bad belligerent self.
From the last image in that post, her mets are worse, but a week ago she still had 98% oxygen blood level. She does tire, she is a bit slower, but she's not ready to quit.
The lung mets evidently caused some problems that her body was trying to fight, and between that and the fact that we had her on some metronomic protocol drugs, I don't think her immune system had enough to do it's own job.
However, that being said...I believe that being on a metronomic protocol has extended her life. Unfortunately, there's a point that you will have to figure out what's going to be working out best, and for us now...it's letting Tika's own body do the fighting and we just give her a little boost to help. (She's almost 10 months post amp, 5 year old, been told by several doctors very aggressive OSA)
We've had a long and fruitful fight with Tika, we've tried several non-invasive treatments. The metronomic protocol seemed to be very helpful, we started Palladia, but stopped when Tika took a nose-dive healthwise (can or cannot be attributed to Palladia for sure)
Anyhow--heaving breathing now is probably post surgery recovery issues. We were on our oncologist about Xrays until we could almost read them ourselves professionally. (Sadly enough, my husband had to have a CT scan of his sinus cavity and the doctor made the mistake of giving us the radiographs on CD, and yes, we dove right in, does that look normal? that? that?)
So, lung mets look scarier on Xrays, that's the moral of my story.
Good luck Polo! (PS--become a member, quick! Jerry will bark at ya!)
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Tazzie said:
Most of our dogs do the 'heavy breathing' thing after amputation, some (like mine) for a long time. Your vet's comment about the chest xrays: does that mean that they see some metastases in there? If so, are they recommending any form of treatment?
That is amazing he is walking around already, particularly for a 10 yr old.
Susan & T2
Good to hear on the breathing--we'll ask the Doc about it this Friday, he wants to see Polo before the weekend. We saw what we think are mets, I reckon there could be other explanations but the Doc's experience tells him they could be mets (very small, vague spots). Polo will start chemo as soon as the Doc is comfortable he can handle it. We’re considering Melphalan.
Yea he's walking around alright. When we picked him up after surgery, the Doc walked out with me to help load him--Polo jumped right into the back of my Honda Element. We just looked at each other (thinking we shouldn't have let that happen). No one has told him he's missing a leg...
PMJ
Thanks for the look at Tika's xrays--awesome sight! I noticed smaller spots than your early film. The Doc had a couple of different thoughts. We're hoping for the best--time will tell I reckon. I'm glad that Tika is spending her life with you guys--she's a lucky gal. Thanks for the tips. Hope your husbands CT is good-to-go, after a while I guess you do gain a certain amount of experience...
I'll get on that membership--I intend to read up on the sight a little more, figure out what I want to do.
PMJ
tazziedog said:
Excellent KISS tshirt! Our dog Tazzie favored a Led Zeppelin shirt when she was healing. She is now 13 months post-op and doing well.
Hang in there because it really does get easier.
Pam and Tazzie
Thanks for the push Pam and Tazzie--Polo likes Led Zeppelin as well. We're staying up!
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