Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks all for the Complements on My Little Girl, her personality matches her face. She is a wicked fetch hound and look forward to her getting comfortable enough to fetch some tennis balls. She continues to improve with each day. She walks a little further and does more of her usual activities. Last night she came out and watched me hall firewood; laying in the snow and sniffing the air. I also took her for a little ride to here her brother. She now will hop up the 3 stairs to get into the house as long as I am behind her.
The great thing about dogs is they don't feel sorry for themselves! I remember the night I found out Supai had cancer, I was devastated for her but I pitied myself, I knew what the future was going to bring. Yet I could see her smiling. The next day I said no pitty, learn a lesson from Supai and lets make the most of everyday for as many as there are.
Hope your friends are doing well.
Shaun & Supai
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You are absolutely right. There is so much we can learn from our dogs.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Glad to hear that Supai is home and doing well! She is a real cutie! 🙂
Kristin and Toto
And Toto, Too – fighting the good fight against hemangiosarcoma http://tootswee.....pawds.com/ Amputation - 9/21/09 Earned his wings - 7/09/10
It sounds like Supai is well on the way to a speedy recovery. Trouble didn't let surgery keep her down long either. Although, she would take me out in the yard, hop as far as she could and lay down to wait for a recharge before coming back in. With me on the other end of a leash, it wasn't a lot of fun 😉
We live in SE Texas, and it doesn't get extremely cold, but one of Troub's favorite things after surgery was to lay outside on the cool ground - amputation side down!
Keep posting great news, we all need it!
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Supai was pretty restless late last night. I was on the floor with her from 1:45 until 4:45 AM when the alarm went off. As long as I was petting her she would relax and sleep. I looked at her and asked if she wanted to go for a walk she shot up. Went outside and it is snowing, she was charged up. We went for the longest walk yet, her nose to the ground right behind her buddy Barley. We walked for about 20 mins. total, Supai wanted more but I didn't want to over due it. This was more then twice the walk she has done.
The toughest thing about this whole ordeal is knowing there is a time bomb ticking! Last night Supai coughed a couple of times (after grooming herself) like she has in the past, but I can't stop thinking is this it? My sense of observing her gets too acute and little changes become signs. I just have to look into her eyes to see she is happy so I smile.
Hope you and your friends are doing well today
Shaun & Supai
supai said:
Supai was pretty restless late last night. I was on the floor with her from 1:45 until 4:45 AM...
We hear this all too often. As difficult as it is to let them be, sometimes what recovering pups need most is to be left alone. We have heard from many members whose dogs have become dependent on the them sleeping with them and giving them constant affection. Eventually they may whimper, not out of discomfort, but for the attention.
In the wild dogs will usually leave the pack to be alone and heal on their own. Perhaps not what you want to hear, but something to consider, especially if you ever want to get any rest. 
Try to forget about that ticking sound and enjoy every moment with Supai. And always remember... Supai is living with cancer, not dying from it! (I can't take credit for that one, it's been said many times here in the forums but bears repeating.)
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, I should have thought of that. If it happens tonight I'll take the pills and sleep. Who ever came up with the observation "...our dogs are living with cancer, not dying from it!" thanks, that will become my mantra. Can't wait to get home and see how the girl deals with 12" of new snow.
Shaun & Supai
Congrats on Supai's recovery, it sounds like she is doing outstanding! Please try not read too much into her cough, she may have some days where it feels like one step forward two steps back as well, so don't panic if this happens. This website is a great source for information and support, but sometimes it is hard not to focus on the negative outcomes that others have had. Please remember there are also many positive stories too. Enjoy every moment with her and try not to worry because I really believe that they pick up on your energy. As far as the pain meds go, I think it varies, Zoe took the Tramadol for about a week after surgery. It took her about 2 weeks to get back to normal though. Keep us posted and best wishes for a continued successful recovery.
Karin and Zoe
Well it has now been 1 week since Supai's amputation. Things are going well, had one night when I assumed something was wrong but nothing there. Supai is getting stronger everyday. We are taking a 20 min. walk now. She wants to go further but I want to make sure she is ready. It has snowed and our walk is the limit on walking without tackling some steep hills. This weekend we will drive to a place where she can walk further on level ground. Barley our other Lab tried mounting here tonight, that was more then Supai could handle and she fell, Barley seemed like he was sorry after she went down.
Tomorrow we see the Holistic Vet. We have her started on a 2/3 BARF and 1/3 kibble diet which she LOVES. Clean bowl in 5 mins. Have here on a mushroom supplement and fish oil. Going to wait and hear what the Vet says to make the final choice on supplements.
Yesterday I heard from Dr. Woods who performed the amputation and the Pathologist confirmed Osteosarcoma diagnosis. The cancer originated at the bone/cartilage interface of the tibia and not at the site of the TPLO implant. HE is looking forward to seeing her next week to remove the staples.
Hope all of your friends are doing well.
Shaun & Supai
Yesterday we got a call from the Holistic Vet and they had a cancellation today, so we got our first visit 1 week earlier then planned. It was a very positive experience and I have gone from hoping to make to next summer with Supai, now I feel that we will see summer together. We had started Supai on a cancer diet, she likes it. Today we got the plan for supplements and which started tonight and will take 2-3 weeks to complete the introduction. The Vet took the time to gain Supais trust before she started the exam. She was impressed with her progress. In her experience dogs with Supai's personality do the best with the holistic approach. With diligence on our part and some luck it may be possible to get a year or two.
So here we go, beating cancer one day at a time.
Hope you and your friends are doing well......we are!
Shaun & Suapi
Shaun & Supai,
It's so good to hear you sound so pawsitive! All that good energy really goes a long way.
We would love to hear more about your holistic vet. We have a Veterinary Specialist Referral topic in our forums, and would love it if you have time to put your doc's name in there. Tripawd pawrents are always looking for great medical help! Also, about Supai's diet, we've started a Tripawds Nutrition Blog where pawrents are welcomed to share their pup's diet and other health information. Tell us what supplements the vet recommended, we'd love to hear it.
Many hoppy days are ahead for you! Keep on smilin'.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Shaun,
I just read through all your postings. Not only is Supai getting better but so is Shaun. It is amazing what education and support can do for you and did for all of us! Another thought that helped me from Jim & Rene is to remember that Supai doesn't know that she has cancer!
How did you do in the snow? Last January when Paris came home after surgery we had 20 inches of snow! My husband shoveled her a nice area.....but no, she wanted to run out to her favorite spots. I have found over these 11 months that it is good to let her set the pace and not to limit her in any way because she is a Tripawd.
Good to see things are progressing, take good care.
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Today was the best day yet! After eating breakfast I asked Supai if she wanted to go for a walk and she made her way to the toy basket and dug out a tennis ball! We headed out and she proudly carried her tennis ball with her. After taking care of her business we continued down the road where she stoped and turned towards me dropped the ball, perked her ears and cocked her head! Man I knew I shouldn't toss it but I had to, an easy toss and she gave it chase, picked it up and brought it back, man waht a great feeling, my girl is back! I took it easy with but let her fetch 6 more times during the walk.
Then this afternoon Fedex showed up with her new WebMaster Harness, tried it on, got it adjusted and headed out for a walk, we got to where we normally turn around at the top of a hill. At the bottom of the hill is a brook where Supai loves to take a dip, today she didn't want to turn around so what the heck we walked down, saw the frozen brook. Turned around and headed backup the hill. Supai had to stop once about half way and catch her breath and we continued back home. Went for a 1/2 mi walk and tackled better then 3/4 of a mile!
Now Supai is comfortably SNORING on her bed with a smile still showing.
On Nov. 25th when the decision was made to do the amputation I never imagined we ever get to were we are today. Now I think the sky is the limit.
Hope you and your friends are doing well, we are!
Shaun & Supai
The sky is the limit indeed! Thanks for the great update. Glad to hear Supai is doing so well.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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