Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Can I start a new post? I'll get it together at some point and write a blog. 
. Thank you guys so much for checking in. I truly feel like I have my own secret cheering section and that is HUGE. Auburn called- Tilghman made it through the surgery well and is groggy. My husband spoke with them so I of course am dying for additional details, but I guess there aren't really any yet! We'll get the pathology report in a few days- which I guess will help tell us how our margins are, the grade etc. so just waiting now. And catching up on sleep I guess? Can he have people visitors this weekend do you think?
Side note, our pittie rescue had a red bump pop up on her rear ankle and I freaked out. She apparently has rubbed a callous and it got infected and she is now on medication. Phew. Hoping that's it.
Way to go Tilghman! We knew you'd make it through nicely! And way to go, mom and dad, for making it through with him! If you can, just forget about the pathology report and relish in your pup when he comes home. He'll be SO excited to see you! The first night with Jackson, I camped on the floor with him, mostly b/c we had too many stairs and he drank SO much water when we got him home that I knew he'd want to pee like every 3 hrs. Yep, every 3 hrs, all through the night, we went outside. He was pretty restless, but I think there was the comfy cone impacting him movements, a strange feeling in his stump, and major drugs still wearing off. He wasn't interested in kibble. I hand fed him initially, but then cooked up rice and ground beef. Have some of these tasty foods and others around in case he gets picky. We tried to put a cool compress on his stump to help with swelling, but he hated it and would get up and walk away. We chose for him to remain planted on a bed, passed out, rather than chase him throughout the house. I'd imagine that if we had visitors within days of Jackson's surgery, he'd be too tired to notice. I do think, though, they are too tired to be kept awake, so perhaps for your sanity, have folks over! Just don't expect much from your boy.
I'm so glad to hear he made it! Congrats! Keep us posted!
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
What great news. Way to go Tilghman! When does he get to come home? Make sure you rest up tonight. The first night Cadence was home after the surgery I had a hard time sleeping. It wasn't because she was in any pain or restless. I was just paranoid to fall asleep. I wanted to make sure if she needed to go outside to use the restroom I was awake. I didn't want her trying to get up on her own. After the first couple of nights I relaxed. She was so doped up she slept through the night. I was almost wishing I could be on the Tramadol so I could get a good nights sleep.
I'm wishing Tilghman a speedy and uneventful recovery. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask them.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
Way to go Tilghman. you will do awesome
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
emmie2008 said
Can I start a new post?
Of course, you just did. But this is a new topic, you can continue to reply with new posts until you have some other reason for a new topic to discuss something else.
I'll get it together at some point and write a blog.
Um, Tilghman has a blog. Check out the tutorial videos if you need help getting started.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wonderful news. Good luck with the sleep! Please keep us posted.
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/
Great job Tilghman! After surgery Shine was pretty out of it! He didn't have cancer but had some other injuries so we had to help him a lot. Every dawg is different. Keep us posted! Speedy recovery to him and hoping for good news!
Jena & Moon Shine
Jerry- LOL at your post. I don't want to be the obnoxious person posting topic after topic. And - sometime I'll actually write in Tilghman's Blog. 
I made a list of questions for my husband to ask the doctors today, so I feel a bit more relaxed. He is eating, going to the bathroom, not in any apparent pain, and the docs are surprised at how much he wants to walk. SO, I think we will have to be focused on keeping him quiet, restricting activity, and making sure the girls (our 3 female dogs) don't attack him with love when he comes home. Paws crossed for a good pathology report, but I'm feeling so much better. Yesterday, I had a mild case of --- OMG, we just had our dog's leg cut off. And I felt terrible. Yet, I'd make the same decision again and again.
Tilghman will be ready to come home tomorrow evening or Friday evening- doc things tomorrow. Husband is worried and wants him to stay until Friday. Of course, I want what's best for Tillie, but am so excited to have my baby boy home, I want him home tomorrow! Thank goodness for the ridiculously large couch- as I'm sure hubby and I will be camped out on it with Tilghman on his doggy beds below.
I don't want to be the obnoxious person posting topic after topic.
We could change your topic title to Tilghman Updates and you can post here until you feel like starting a different thread (or posting in your blog
). Just let me know and I can change it.
Sounds like Tillie is doing very well! Be aware that sometimes when they come home from the hospital they crash a little. Most of us experienced lots of ups and downs the first couple weeks after surgery, so don't get discouraged. Hopefully your boy is one of the lucky ones that sails right through!!
This may sound strange- but did he pee and poop? We like to celebrate the small milestones around here- so you better stock up on treats. Maggie didn't poop until 6 or 7 days after surgery! Peeing and pooping after surgery are small milestones but a big deal when you have to wait 
.
Let us know when he is home.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Thinking of you and Tilghman-sounds like things are going well!! There are ups and downs, so we are always here to support and celebrate! Can't wait to hear that you are all on that couch and doggie bed together
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.
UPDATE....
We have Tilghman home and we're so excited. He did great hopping to go outside potty and the girls (dogs) seem happy to have him back. Unfortunately, on the way to get him, we got the pathology results. Hemangiosarcoma. It had mestatisized into the lymph nodes... no sign of it in heart and the sonogram of his spleen showed some unusual patterns, but no tumor.
Ugh. We were so optimistic (foolishly so perhaps) that the amputation was going to do it.
We did our first round of chemo tonight and so far all seems to be going well. I am going to try to learn to what the others on this board have done- don't focus on the amount of time- because who really knows- but focus on the quality of time we have together. Cancer sucks.
Welcome home Tilghman!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so happy Tilghman is home with the family. Having family around and all the love is what he needs. Sorry about the news. I agree with you, cancer does suck. But you are going in with the right attitude. For me, it was the hardest thing to wrap around my head. It took encouragement from everyone her to make me understand that we should all be focusing on the time we have, and not to get so wrapped up in everything else. I enjoy each and every minute I have with Cadence. Give Tilghman a big hug for me and the best to you with the recovery.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
I am so sorry to hear about the diagnosis. We are all here for your support. Hugs to Tilghman and you.
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Welcome home, Tilghman. I hope you're getting plenty of rest. After all, today is National Couch Day!
Listen, I know that the hemangio diagnosis is scary. It can be a nasty cancer, but I want to make sure you also know that there are times when it isn't. I hope that this story about Bucky, who dealt with soft tissue sarcoma and hemangio, will give your people hope.
We're glad you are home where you belong my friend, what a great place to be.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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