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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Welcome Jackie and Abby! I'm so sorry that you are faced with this diagnosis but you have come to the right place as everyone has said. Abby is so young to be going through this but this cancer affects all ages , it's not discriminating that's for sure! You've gotten some great advice here and I just wanted to add that my Mackenzie (front leg amputation w/ OSA) was also very withdrawn from us following her surgery (and she's a very loving and affectionate golden.) And with the pain meds, it made it much worse. You'll see lots of improvements once Abby is off the pain meds or taking less of them. It's a balancing act - managing the pain meds and managing the pain cause you don't want them to be in pain and yet the pain meds have very similar side effects. It sounds like you're doing all the right things to make Abby comfortable.
After going through this recovery period, which can be brutal at times, looking back I wished I had paid closer attention to the advice that was given to me (Ok I was a bit traumatized myself having never dealt with something like this before) and that was taking it one day at a time, sometimes one hour at a time, and knowing that it will get better but it just takes time.
So we will be keeping our paws crossed for you and Abby and that she has a speedy and smooth recovery. Sendiing you lots of healing pawsitive thoughts your way. 
Kami (Mackenzie's Mom)
P.S. I live in the LA area and it was 95 degrees today! Those Santa Ana winds are wreaking havoc all around us.
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!
Thanks again all. I did download the book a little while ago and have just been pouring through it. Wish I'd had it *before* the surgery - but it's all good. (Just would have liked to have that warning about how scary the incision would be! We were NOT ready for that. Was expecting something much smaller.) What a great book to help people deal with all this. Hopefully I'm not going to have any friends or family in this same situation, but if I do, I'll certainly tell them what a wonderful resource this site is and how helpful and supportive everyone is.
(Karen - I couldn't figure out the sig. box thing. Couldn't find a "set up your sig" link in my Profile page. Maybe cuz I'm doing the freebie route...)
Thanks again to everyone. We saw the vet today and he said not to worry about the 'aloofness' - said basically the same as what I just read in the ebook. So, I'm really not worrying about it anymore. Also, he said she is looking great and recovering well. Everyone at the office was so happy to see her come hopping in. And she was happy to be there! She's such a love!
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Jackie said:
I did download the book a little while ago and have just been pouring through it. ... What a great book to help people deal with all this.
Thank you for the wonderful feedback on our first e-book to help others cope with amputation and recovery. We're very glad you find the content and links helpful – it was a long time in the making.
Couldn't find a "set up your sig" link in my Profile page. Maybe cuz I'm doing the freebie route...
Nope, probably just confused by the two profiles ... you were probably looking in your Tripawds User Dashboard. Click the Profile link above (top right) to set up your Forums signature from the far right tab.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You are so right about me - I was confused! It's a general state that I'm pretty used to by now!
Thanks for the pointer. Hopefully the sig I just added will show up after I post this!
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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