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.
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!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Shelby has lung mets on the same side as her right front leg amputation. I don't know the specifics (i.e. size, prognosis, etc.) but I've spent the last couple of days in a bit of shock.
As time goes on, you tend to be a bit *smug*, for the lack of a better word. I can't tell you how many times I told people *Yep, over two years and cancer-free!* So while my head knew something was wrong (coughing, getting tired easily), my heart wasn't onboard until I heard the words and saw the radiographs.
It couldn't come at a worse time financially, but then again....is there ever a GOOD time? My other golden, Phoebe, underwent 2 breast cancer surgeries in the past 8 months and thankfully is doing beautifully. She and Shelby are BFFs....I hate that they share this common thread.
My wonderful friends who have offered to help as they can have ordered K9 Immunity Plus....between that, appointments with our holistic vet (who walks on water) and a great allopathic vet, the gloves are on and we're ready to fight.
We're back, friends................we're back 
Offline
Oh, I am so sorry to hear this. Like you, after two and a half years, I would be confident that the cancer was gone. I can imagine the diagnosis of lung mets was just as horrifying and shocking as the STS diagnosis was years ago. You must feel sucker-punched. However, Shelby is clearly a fighter, and I hope that she beats the odds once again. Thinking of you, Shelby, and Phoebe.
((hugs))
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
Oh, Pam, I am so sorry to read this. I know how devastating it is to get news like this. I know it doesn't make you feel any better right now, but don't forget about all the dogs that have done well even after mets. Zeus had that lone met that barely grew for ten months. And Abby, of course, beat the mets for a very long time. There's also a news story somewhere on this site about a dog (husky?) that lived for years without any serious problems from his mets. Maybe Jerry can chime in with that link?
Please know that you guys are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Pam,
Here's the link I mentioned.
http://tripawds.....lung-mets/
I must have read this story a hundred times. It gave me hope and maybe it will give you just a bit, too.
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Lisa, you are wonderful for researching and posting that....thank you! I'm not doing chemo on Shelby, and we've not yet had our first visit with her holistic vet....just learned of this cancer dx on Tuesday.
But have ordered K9 Immunity ......and like I said, the gloves are on.
I'm so sorry to hear this news! I will be praying for Shelby and sending positive thoughts her way. Like OK Scout said, your girl is a fighter, and I know she will fight this battle too!
Ugggh! Darn mets! I'm so very sorry Pam, I know this kind of news really hits hard. You weren't being smug in the past, you were being hopeful and optimistic, and I think that's a pretty excellent attitude.
I also firmly believe that you and Shelby will fight back twice as hard with everything you've got, by showing those mets that you won't let them rob you of all of the beautiful moments still in front of you. In the meantime, keep us posted and come here anytime to vent and let some steam off, we're here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know what a wallop that punch packs when you let yourself believe you have beaten it- I'm sorry Shelby is facing a new challenge.
But you are doing it right- pick yourself up and keep fighting!!
Quad pug Tani is fighting a variety of ailments, including mast cell cancer. I think K9 immunity has really helped her, and our holistic vet has helped too. Good luck with that appointment and let us know how it goes.
Sounds like you have a houseful or warrior princesses! Keep that positive attitude going down there in FL.
Karen and the pugapalooza
I am so very sorry to hear about Shelby. She has such spunk, and I just know that she will kick cancer's butt as long as she can. There are such encouraging stories about dogs that have done well for quite awhile after mets. I am sending positive thoughts and energy to all of you.
Take care,
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
So sorry that you are back here. It sounds like Shelby is a real fighter so I'm sure those mets are going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
So sorry to hear about Shelby. Like others said, she is a fighter.
No matter how much time you have left, we all know that no amount is "enough" - we all just have to make the most of whatever time we have. Enjoy every moment with her.
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
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!
You guys are just the best........I don't think I realized until now what an amazing group of friends and support you are.
Today, Shelby went to Hip Dog Canine Hydrotherapy & Fitness for massage/low impact swimming. Well, that was the plan. Tropical Storm Shelby got there and said *I don't THINK so*. It was diving in the pool, swimming after squeaky toys and generally just her typical balls-to-the-walls attitude.
She's a rock star.
If you go to the Tripawds FB page, I'll post some photos......thanks again for your love and support! xoxoxox
Oh that sounds like a pretty pawesome time! She's a rock star indeed.
Hey I didn't see any photos on Facebook. When you do I'll put them here for you. Can't wait to get in on the fun!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I don't get to Tripawds much any more but I do browse on occasion looking for news about Tate's friends from his months here. I remember Shelby, that beautiful golden, so well and I'm sorry to hear about this diagnosis. I know you'll take the best possible care of her and it sounds like you have a great team to help you with that. With that in place, all that's left to do is follow the plan and enjoy every moment!
Glad to hear Phoebe is doing well!
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
1 Guest(s)
