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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Hi everyone,
We received the devastating news last week about our 7 year old Rottie having osteosarcoma. He is the absolute light of our lives and we are devastated.
We have been told his best chance of survival is amputation. My partner is having an extremely hard time accepting this. He hasn't slept in days, he can't imagine his boy having three legs. He has never seen a dog that has three legs before. I keep showing him these beautiful stories on here, yet he is still depressed.
I think if he actually sees a three legged dog in person it would help him so much. I know this is a random ask, but I am desperate for help. If anyone from Sydney would be willing to meet at a park close to them or anywhere convenient for them so my partner can see a three legged dog coping well, it would mean the world. I just want to help him during this tough time and assure him that his baby boy is going to be okay.
Thank you.
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are dealing with the OSA diagnosis.
What is your boy's name? Is the cancer in a front or rear leg?
I don't think I had ever seen a three legged dog before either when my Pug Maggie was diagnosed with mast cell cancer. I ended up going forward because the tumor would have eventually ruptured, and the fact that without making that tough decision the cancer would spread. Maggie was only 7.5 years old and still had life to live. With amputation I gave her a chance.
Bone cancer is extremely painful, pain meds will only work for so long. Amputation takes away the pain.
Have you looked at the videos in our gallery? Not in person but maybe those will help your partner.
While you wait for responses I did a forum search on Australia and got these results.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi, I was also devastated when my 12 year old lab, Brownie was diagnosed with OST. Due to his age I decided to treat with pain meds. But Karen is correct. The pain got worse and the tumor grew. My biggest fear was he would fractor his leg while I was at work and would be laying in pain all day. I went ahead with the amputation. Even though he is 12 he bounced back. His second day home he was walking on his own. The only regret I have is I didn't do it sooner. I realized this was about Brownie and not me and how I felt.
I believe you and your partner will make the right decision for you fur babie. Just remember dogs are not like people. They don't care what they look like. And they will find away to do everything they did with four days. They just want to be happy and pain free.
There is a video on this site of a Virginia tripawd party in 2017. You can see how all the dogs are loving life and our hapy!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Leona I'm so glad you posted here. I moved your post with the hopes that our Aussie members will see your request to meet up.
This is the video that Brownie's mom mentioned:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just wanted to add there is a video online named "Odie's Tripawd story". It takes you from the time this Golden Retriver was diagnosed, thru amputation and recovery. How the dog enjoyed running, playing and swimming after surgery.
And this site is amazing! There are so many wonderful volunteers here for your support. It's like they are right there with you!
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
I have to agree with all who have replied. Although Maggie's amputation was due to ignorance and abuse, she is doing GREAT on three legs. She just passed her one year amputation anniversary. We also celebrated the 1st GOTCHA DAY anniversary. At first, I was not excited about a three legged dog, but my wife saw her in the Houston SPCA and insisted on meeting her. Our lives changed that day and we have never looked back since. I know that what you are going through is difficult, but these TRIPAWS are just amazing. After recovery, they bounce back and get back to life. It still WOWS me all the time seeing how Maggie gets along.
We have also had the privilege to meet and spend some time with Brownie. To see these two TRIPAWS together getting around was truly a blessing and inspirational.
Please use this site for guidance and support. It has helped us to understand and how to help our TRIPAW.
Maggie & Dave
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