Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
Just got home from the vet with Tango, they don't generally keep them overnight if they are doing ok, so that's a good sign. His staples didn't look bad to me at all, the pictures here prepared me really well. He was so happy to see me he hopped right over and laid on my feet. Walked to the car by himself. The stairs were a bit of a nightmare, he was over-enthusiastic and stoned at the same time, but we took it slow and here we are, cone and all. I think I'm in a little bit of shock, but just trying to take it in stride, because that's what he does. Will post more later, and probably a zillion questions in the weeks to come, but for now I am just so happy to have him here, with his wonderful three legs!
Anne
Yay Tango! Home is good! Anne, the next few days will likely be tiring and anxious. Let us know if we can help in any way!
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/
Awww Anne,
I'm so happy that you are home with Tango....and I love your attitude - just taking it in stride - just like he does. Let us know what we can help you with and I am wishing you and Tango a smooth and uneventful recovery.
All our Best
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
Yes, taking it in stride like Tango does is the way to go!
Hooray for him being home. Don't be surprised if he crashes a bit in the next few days. Sometimes the transition from the IV pain meds to the at-home meds is tough and he might seem worse than he was when you first picked him up. That's normal! He might also be pretty out of it or seem really depressed. Again - normal!
We're here if you have questions. Even if you have a zillion of them.
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!
Thanks Jackie! He is definitely knocked out now,sort of half-sleeping and dopey. But he had a little dinner, so that's good.
One step at a time!
Yay for Tango!! So glad you're home with him! (I had a good visual of him being "stoned" too- thanks for that) 
Be sure to update often...I'll be where you are in a couple days. Im so glad to hear everything went well. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Kelly & Piper
Way to go Tango!!! good to hear his is home safe and well. Feel free to ask your zillion question but prehaps just one or two at a time 🙂 na we've all been there and you will have questions and some of them may sound silly but ask away someone will always help you out. Good luck and I hope his recovery is completely uneventful.
Sarah, Kayla and Sarge
Glad Tango is back home. The next big milestone-poop and pee. Dont panic if it doesnt happen for a few days (the poop part) The meds sometimes slow things up.
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
paws crossed for a speedy and un-eventful recovery!!!
charon & spirit gayle
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
Phew! What a relief! Super happy he is "stoned" and at home and not necessarily in that order! 
If he sleeps tonight and he may not, but if he does - try to sleep and not watch him with one eye open. Otherwise, you'll get sleep deprived and then the world will seem like it is spinning in the wrong direction and nothing is right.
And just remember, he may get really down (I hope not). But they are so pumped up from getting home and the adrenaline is rushing but then they crash. It's very common.
Come by when you need to!
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.
Glad to hear the surgery went well and Tango is doing well.
Just to echo everyone else- don't get discouraged if Tango has some down time- it happens more times than not (based on the stories on this site). Hopefully Tango sails right through like some lucky pups- but be prepared.
Be sure and let us know when the first pee and poop happen- both occasions for celebrating, and more importantly (at least to my pugs) reasons for extra treats! Maggie didn't poop for 5 or 6 days- which isn't unusual.
We are here when you need us.... 'answers are us!'
Karen and the pugapalooza
We made it through the night, thanks to painkillers, a glass of wine, and all the great advice and support here. He's done a fair bit of crying, but the meds seem to be helping.The hardest thing has been keeping him settled, he's raring to go and doesn't want to stay in one place (plus I think he's trying to "run away"from the pain.) No bathroom yet, but he's had some food and a little water, so here's hoping!
Anne
Making it through the first night ok is a big milestone!
Some folks do have a hard time keeping their pups settled. With Abby, we tried to keep her confined to a section of the living room, but she would come and stand at the little fence I had set up, acting like she maybe needed to go out and go potty. When I'd let her outside, she would flop down and absolutely refuse to get back up. We finally just let her hang out out there. It was OK, because she wasn't running around or hurting herself or anything - she just wanted to be alone and wanted to be outside. She would "hide" under our huge potted plant. Maybe he's just trying to look for a little quiet spot to go off and be alone? My vet suggested Abby's behavior harkens back to their days in the wild, when a hurt animal would go off and hide until it felt better.
And, seriously, we do want to know about that first pee and poop. We do the Happy Hoppy Poop Dance and everyone gets treats. Cuz we're weird that way.
Jackie
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!
Hi Anne,
I'm so glad Tango's op went well 
Moby has her op this Friday so it's reassuring to hear how your boy is doing!
How is Tango now?
Is that Moby in your picture- she is adorable!
He's doing ok at the moment, he had decided to lay down and stare at me and sigh until I take his cone off; I swear he's more upset about that then anything else. He's already getting the hang of hopping around, so the next big milestone is the bathroom! He's on some heavy painkillers, so he seems fairly comfortable,all things considered.
Honestly, I know there are lots of challenges to come in the next days and weeks, but just knowing his pain is gone makes it worth it, and he's such a trooper. I am sure Moby will be the same; ready to get on with things while you're still in a bit of shock. Everyone here has great advice-the most important thing is get sleep when you can, there wasn't much last night and we're both pretty wiped out, even though it's only 4:30pm here.
Good luck on Friday!
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