This is also how many email groups get set up - blind dogs, deaf dogs, cats with kidney disease, the list goes on. Its great that people can share their ups and downs about their particular case, and help others.

Robin February 11th, 2008 05:15:00 PM

Great site but I don't know of any cases where osteosarcoma doesn't end poorly usually in less than a couple of months. For me amputation isn't a viable option with this particular example.

Jules February 11th, 2008 07:33:00 PM

I wouldn't say it always ends poorly (except in the sense that we all die!). My 13 year old golden was diagnosed with an osteosarcoma, and we opted to have her front leg amputated. She adapted amazingly well--in fact, it was quite inspirational. She even managed to go upstairs, with a bit of a push. She also continued to "chase" her beloved red ball in the backyard. The amputation and chemo gave her a year--and it was a very good happy year (all but the last day or two). And that was with a 13 year old dog with other health issues (like spinal stiffening and arthritis issues).

Arlene February 11th, 2008 08:42:00 PM

I'm very glad that you are so supportive of web-based communities for pet owners to get support for dealing with specific diseases.

I certainly hope everyone with a tripawd finds that site! I know it can be very devastating at first to know a pet is going to lose a limb and sometimes owners can't imagine how they or their pet will cope. But when they see how well others have done with their similarly challenged dogs, they begin to realize that they can do it and so can their pup!

I know a couple of animal lovers (2 dogs, 3 cats) with a tripod kitty. She goes everywhere and does everything the others do, and she gets extra love.

Thanks for the nod to my peeps at felinediabetes.com. They are fabulous!

Stefani February 11th, 2008 10:52:00 PM

Arlene that is wonderful news, please give your girl a hug from me. I tend to be very negative about osteosarcoma because I have seen over a dozen dogs where owners elected amputation and 4 months was the average life span after amputation and chemo. I have had both a tripod cat and dog so I agree they can live full, happy lives but neither were from Osteosarcoma. I'm not comfortable doing any more than palliative radiation for that dx.

Jules February 12th, 2008 07:13:00 AM

I seem to have a computer issue here, so apologies if this is a repost.

Does anyone know a good site for advice dealing with blind cats?

emily February 12th, 2008 09:53:00 AM

emily: I wish I knew one. One-eyed cats I got. Blind ones--not yet. Hopefully someone else will find one for us.

Dr. Patty Khuly February 13th, 2008 08:12:00 AM

I just recently adopeted a three legged dog. She was underweight and very timid. She was not abused though. I think she was hit by a car. We just recently house trained her and we are now working on on other commands. I am wondering about a further amputation though. She is only missing half of her back leg. It does not seem as if she trys to walk on it but i wonder about the extra weight with no support. Does anyone have any support? noon43138@yahoo.com

Nancy C January 9th, 2009 03:03:11 PM

Dr. Khuly, my pawrents are SO thrilled that you mentioned our site, <a href="http://www.tripawds.com">Tripawds.com</a> on your blog, thank you so much!

We really do want to show the world that "it's better to hop on three legs than limp on four." Our Tripawd family includes fur kids who are amputees for many reasons . . . accidents, birth defects, cancer, you name it.

And as we like to demonstrate, life on three legs ain't so bad. Whether we're Tripawds for one month or many years, we feel that it's all about quality of life, not quantity. Yeah, the amputation process is scary and can be ruff at first, but as anyone can see by visiting <a href="http://www.tripawds.com">our site</a>, we dogs don't give a hoot that we're missing a leg, or that we have cancer. All we care about is  that we're out of pain, and we got another chance to play, love and teach our humans lessons about how to really live life.

Thanks for helping to spread the word, doc. We love you!

Jerry G. Dawg January 17th, 2009 02:55:28 AM

Whoops, sorry Doc, I thought I could type HTML in my comments...

Jerry G. Dawg January 17th, 2009 02:56:29 AM

We just adopted a young stray female (today), that had to have her back left leg amputated. Unfortunately her leg was gangrenous when a good samaritan found her and brought her to the shelter. She likely has had a very rough life until now. She is a small Shepard Cross, but looks amazingly pure bred. Our five year old German Shepard male has instantly taken her under his incredibly large paws and is looking after his brand new sister. She is sweet and calm considering her horrific last few weeks. I already know she is a perfect fit with our kids, cat and fanily. She is deeply imbedded in our hearts already. Still kind of fitting a name on though. Any suggestions are welcome.

Donna January 22nd, 2009 09:40:43 PM

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