Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I couldn't be more pleased by how well she's doing. My neighbor came by yesterday and was amazed. The wound is red and bruised but it's beautiful to me since I know it means she's not in pain anymore! She ate about 1/2 her dinner (but she also ate 3 times already at the vet - clearly getting her money's worth). She didn't seem in a ton of pain. Slept hard so I am sure she didn't sleep much there (how could you, they are checking your vitals every 2 hours!!!!). She's got the soft pillow cone on and I think that will work for her. We both went to bed early and slept through the night. Got up this a.m. and walked, did her business (both) and came in and got her treat. AMAZING! She's the same dog, just one less leg. I am truly amazed - as someone pointed out to me yesterday on these boards, that after all she's been through, blood transfusion, chemo, amputation, etc, that she's acting totally fine really is a testament to what kind of amazing dog Shelby is. She knows she's got it good here.
She is turning her nose up (as usual) with what food I have for her - even cookies that she used to love! So I have to work this a.m. and I'll get some food on my way home that she might find more palatable. At least to help her get the meds down. I am nervous leaving her but I'm going to lock her out of my bedroom / bathroom so she's got about 400 sq of space (I have a very small apt) to roam. I suspect she will just sleep since there isn't anything else she can do (couches are blocked off so she can't jump, but she has looked at it already). But I think she's still really sleepy. She hasn't even been home 24 hours.
Thank you all for your continued support. I think this mama might attempt to eat real food again and stop with the wine/chocolate dinners! I need to keep my strength up for her!
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
PS - she's laying in her bed and she's laying on her wound side so you can't even tell she's a 3-legged dog the way she's sitting. I assume she would move if it was uncomfortable (she layed the other last night) but I just wanted to check. Seems odd to me but whatever - she's on drugs. She probably feels no pain.
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
Wow! She slept through the night AND she's laying on her amp side already? Shelby IS AMAZING!!!
WOOHOO!
Don't worry about her turning up her nose at food right now, the pain meds just do that. You are right to notice how odd they make her behavior. But of course if your gut instinct is telling you it's something else, do let your vet know OK?
We'll be thinking of you today. Can't wait for more pix!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yay - sounds like she's doing great. Eva hasn't lain down on her wound side yet, but I'm sure Shelby wouldn't lie that way if it was uncomfortable. Hope she likes the new food you get her. Our Eva is a real gannet and eats anything, but our other dog is really fussy!
YAAAAAAAAAY! HAPY, HAPPY UPDATE!
Grinning ear to ear over here!
It took Hapy Hannah almost five weeks before she slept on her amp side! I remember how very hapy I felt! Yeah, if Shelby was in pain, she would not lay on it.....so the drugs are workng realky well. 
Eating some! Drinking! Walking! Poopi g! Peeinb! WONDERFUL
Awwwww, go ahead and keep eating chocolate...you deserve it!
Hugs to you and Shelby!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
OK so Shelby is exceeding expectations! Good to know my girl's an overachiever! 🙂
I got home from work and she was still laying on that side but I guess if it doesn't bother her, shouldn't bother me. Took her out for a quick pee and she does need a little coaxing to get her to move but then she's got it and knows why she's out there. I blame the drugs on that one. She did almost lose her footing but her front legs supported her. I think she turned too quickly or something. I gasped which I know not to do. She seems spacey now that she's wide awake but again, she's on a pain patch and tramadol so that's all w/in the healthy range. Actually, it looks like she's fighting falling asleep!
She used to eat anything BUT since this has all started I guess the food they serve at the vet is better. It's moist food which she doesn't get here. But I mixed her kibble w/chicken stock and pure pumpkin and she just licks the good stuff out.
I'm trying to get used to seeing her w/out her leg - it isn't that it's gross (because it's not as bad and we're icing) but I look at her and it throws me off - every time. Will I eventually get used to it? I guess it's the same as when she's been shaved - it's shocking and then I don't notice anymore. I know I did the right thing as she's not in pain BUT it's still shocking.
I'll try and get some more photos... I need to figure out how to get them from my phone to this site w/out posting them on FB first!
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
You've done an excellent job of analyzing everything and "answering" your own questions! Love this post!
Yep, everything she's doing is "normal"...even ahead of the curve...and all your reactions are in the "normal" range too! It really seems as though her pain is being managed well and that's realy important.
Yes, you won't even notice the missing leg, especialy as her hair grows back. Now, that said, every now and then when I see Hapoy Hannah up and avout I'll kinda' gasp too when I realize...ohhh dear...she's missing a leg! Shelby will c tinue to amaze you!
Maybe try some steak...seriously...fix her some cut up steak and boiled chicken .she may go for that.
Hang in there! You both are doing great!!
Lota of hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Thank you Sally and Happy Hannah! 
You're always such a ray of sunshine and positivity! It really helps. Here is not so sleeping beauty! See, on her amp site. Happy as a clam! 🙂
I am a so so cook (can't cook a steak to save my life but I know she needs the red meat) but I will boil some chicken for her for later. She will eat the cookies for now and ate the deli meat off my salad! I can't believe she weighs the exact same w/out that leg. Odd. Hugs to all!
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
Shelby last night ... zonked. Day 2 post amp. 
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
Oooh love those pics!
In time you'll forget what she looked like on 4 legs. I know that happened with us! Seeing old "Quadpawd" photos was like "Who is that dog?"!
And it sounds like you're a pretty good doggie chef!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Alison and Shelby
Sounds like everything is going very well at your house
And...you really will get used to seeing her with three legs......Tuck had his surgery about 3.5 months ago and it is really "normal" now....
Shelby looks great....her surgical site looks fabulous and when her fur grows back she will look amazing!
Linda and Tucker
I agree with everything everyone has posted already. For the first week or two when I would look at Boomer my brain would go "Wait A Minute!!" but now it is just his new normal. Occasionally he will stand in such a way in the yard that it looks like he could still have four legs and I have to stop and think for a second but that is pretty infrequent now. The only time it really draws my attention now is when I have him out in public and people ask about him.
I wouldn't worry too much about the not eating thing right now, fentanyl does weird stuff to dogs and from previous posts it sounds like she has more pronounced side effects from the tramadol. Give her what she wants - red meats are great for iron since she needed a transfusion. If steak is too intimidating, ground beef is easier to cook, or just throw some beef in a crock pot with some water or no sodium broth - "crock pot beef" was a big hit with lots of sick dogs at the sanctuary where I used to work.
Our dog, Shelby, who passed away in July of 2012 became very anemic a couple of months before she died. I did a lot of research back then and now I work at a pet supplies store that really specializes in understanding and educating people about pet nutrition. The Evo dry food line has the lowest carb count of any dry food on the market which is good for anyone fighting cancer and the Red Meat formula has a little over 380 mg/kg of iron which is about as high as you will find in dry food (most are between 150-250 mg/kg). It has an exceptionally high meat content which means it is usually very palatable and lots of picky eaters like it.
It really sounds like everything is going very well, I am really happy for you both. Keep it up!!
Allison, Boomer & Amy
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