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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What did the vet say/do yesterday?
Dawn
Rottie Raven, osteosarcoma at 8-1/2 years old, amputation in October '09 and in February '10 due to liver mets he went back to heaven where he came from. raven.tripawds.com
Now I have Miles, rottie mix amputee from a shelter and traveled 1500 miles to find his way here through the Rescue Railroad thanks to tripawds.com. miles.tripawds.com
The stitches failed due to her skin turning black in one area. I was told that the skin was dead, that was why it had turned black. The vet had to remove the black/dead skin, and during the removal, he found a "gray" area of infection in the wound and he cut that out too. He thinks that was the reason for the oozing problem we have been dealing with. She has been on antibiotics however they are working very slowly on the infection so removing the infected tissue should help with the healing dramatically. After a good flush of the wound he packed it with gauze and I just got her home. Her doctor says she should look and feel better in a few days since he found the infected tissue and removed it. I am scheduled to bring her back in on Friday for a re-check of the wound and to remove the rest of the stitches. Sadly, our vet confirmed that the tumor was Osteosarcoma from the biopsy of her removed leg so we are starting her chemo on Tuesday, June 8th. I am hoping she handles the chemo okay.
One good thing for Brandy is her weight, she is down to 101 lbs. Originally she was a husky 120 so the vet wanted to get her down to between 90-95 lbs since she will be depending on only 1 leg on the front. She seems to be getting around really well now at her new weight, she even jumped into the truck on her own today before I was able to help her! Brandy has never been athletic and has always been pretty clumsy. We were so worried at how she would handle 3 legs when she had such a hard time with 4!! HaHa. It just shows how adaptable these dogs are 
God bless to everyone and their wonderful dogs, I will let everyone know how Friday's visit goes...
Just catching up. Sorry to hear about Brandy (oh, my, she's young) and the diagnosis of osteosarcoma. But, I will say, you've found exactly the right site for support!
It sounds that she is doing well. It is amazing how adaptable our canine family members are.
Good luck with the chemo on Tuesday! Look forward to updates.
Carmen, Catie and Riley
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Oh I am so glad they found the bad stuff and got it out. Please keep us posted after Friday's visit. I too had an overweight one…went from 114 to 91 since the surgery which makes it easier for him and for me to help him…Now that you know she is going to try to jump in, try to keep her from doing it so she doesn't injure her other legs! We had a problem trying to get Magic into the truck (see the steps posts!!) and he has finally decided to ride behind the driver's seat in my small ford ranger. So he starts in and I grab the handle of the Ruffwear harness and give him a boost…then when he is coming out, I support his hind end as it comes down. Doesn't do a lot for my torn rotator cuff, but it seems to be working ok for us. That harness is a lifesaver.
Good luck with the chemo, keep us posted on how she does…..crossed fingers and paws for you!!
Well, that's great that the infection didn't spread! I'm sorry about the confirmation of the bone cancer - but she's young so you just never know!
I'm sure Brandy will be a graceful 3 legged dog!
We'd love to see pics! At least a profile avatar pic!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
good to hear your doc got the dead tissue removed...brandy will heal much quicker now!! the diagnosis is tough, as many of us know. we too chose the chemo route, and fortunately there haven't been too many 'rough spots' with the treatments. keep looking forward, but live in the present!! oh, and we agree with comet...how about some pictures of this tough little girl 
gayle & charon
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
I just updated a picture of Brandy for all to see. She is such a sweet heart 
The doctor did a great job on her yesturday, she is feeling really good today. She ate a full hearty meal and she started wagging her nub at us!! (her nub is her tail 
) I am sure by Friday when I take her back to the vet she will be in really good shape and they will remove all of her stiches! Hopefully she will be cleared to swim in the pool this weekend.
I love dogs so much, they bring so much happiness to our lives 
Goodness! Scary stuff with that infection. Way to hang in there, and it is great to see Brandy's sweet face
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Oh, she is indeed a sweetheart. Happy things are on the mend now!
Carmen, Catie and Riley
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
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