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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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Im confused I would like opinion from others please
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Member Since:
17 August 2016
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17 August 2016 - 4:20 am
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Hi I have a 3 year old Labrador, she is 28kg, so she is quite slim and fit, she had an accident around 12 months ago, she broke her rear hip in a fall… she has had 5 operations to save the hip including a total hip and socket replacement… now yet again she is limping and the x-rays show the implants have come loose.. the operations up to now have cost £12,500 and we are back at square one.

the vet has given me the options of:
doing the hip replacement again, but this will involve more work to build up the bone with bone grafts before the hip replacement can be done.
the vet has advised me to go for removing the femoral head (which I think sounds horrific)
or the final option of amputation

iv had a second opinion from another vet who also advises me to go for the incision of the femoral head.

im really stuck for what to do.

she has been through too much pain and too many operations and i really don’t want to put her through all the pain and recovery of the removal of the femoral head.

any advice would be great.

thanks

On The Road


Member Since:
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17 August 2016 - 7:02 am
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Hi Laura, welcome.

I'm sorry to hear about all the complications your sweet dog has had. I would be confused too about what to do.

Is either vet an orthopedic surgeon? And have they given you a success rate for the FHO? (Femoral Head Osteotomy). We've had some members go through FHO after losing a leg and they recovered fine. It wasn't easy, but they did. FHO is a common surgery these days.

My understanding is that FHO surgery requires extensive physical therapy afterward. It also means keeping a strict eye on her weight and activity so that she grows old gracefully and avoids osteoarthritis. Then again, amputation also does and while PT isn't necessary most times, it's still recommended. So there's more time and money commitment with FHO as well.

This article has lots of details:

http://dawgbusi.....-with.html

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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17 August 2016 - 11:58 am
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Hi Laura and welcome heart

I have no advice concerning anything rather amputation.

My girl is a Great Dane, she is 68 kg, has osteosarcoma and had her right front leg amputated 3 and 1/2 months ago.

Whichever way you decide to go I just wanted to reassure you if amputation will be the decision, dogs adapt really well to life on 3 legs. 

The first couple of weeks can be difficult nevertheless, slowly but surely, they go back to doing virtually everything as before, albeit at a slower pace for most (there are exceptions, the one that comes to my mind is Tank, there are really impressive videos of him hoping around incredibly fast)

I'm sure others will share their experiences with you so stay connected, we are all here for you.

If you are in the UK have you considered seeing Noel Fitzpatrick at Fitzpatrick Referral Hospital?

He is the leading surgeon in the world doing bionic implants, reconstructive surgery, etc I would definitely discuss your boy's case with him. If you google him, you will know what I mean.

Sending you a big hug and cuddles to your girlheart

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

Livermore, CA




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17 August 2016 - 12:35 pm
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I haven't dealt directly with a FHO, but my uncle had a dog who had one at about 6 months old after an accident.  My uncle is a rancher who lives a bit of a distance from the city.  Because of his location and life style Lupe did not have any formal rehab as far as I know. She healed pretty well but never fully bore weight on the leg after her accident.  She used it some when she walked, but held it up when she ran.  And boy could she run!  We went on a 10 mile horseback ride once and Lupe must have run at least 20!

As she aged she got terrible arthritis in the hip, that is why my uncle eventually had to send her across the bridge- I think she lived until about 11.

I think this story emphasizes what Jerry said about the importance of rehab after surgery and watching activity levels.  I know it seems odd that a dog could do well without the ball of the femur- but it does seem to be a fairly common surgery.

I've had two rear leg Tripawds, both small, and both of them have done very well.  Maggie lost a leg to cancer and lived almost 4 years.  My current Tripawd Elly is only about 1.5 years old and lost her leg after a car accident at 7 months old.  She can do pretty much what any dog her size can do (15 lbs or 7 kg) and sometimes more.  I do have to regulate her activity somewhat to protect her other legs since she has a long life in front of her.

No matter what you decide to do we are here to support you any way we can.

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo


Member Since:
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17 August 2016 - 12:35 pm
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eurydice said
Hi Laura and welcome heart

I have no advice concerning anything rather amputation.

My girl is a Great Dane, she is 68 kg, has osteosarcoma and had her right front leg amputated 3 and 1/2 months ago.

Whichever way you decide to go I just wanted to reassure you if amputation will be the decision, dogs adapt really well to life on 3 legs. 

The first couple of weeks can be difficult nevertheless, slowly but surely, they go back to doing virtually everything as before, albeit at a slower pace for most (there are exceptions, the one that comes to my mind is Tank, there are really impressive videos of him hoping around incredibly fast)

I'm sure others will share their experiences with you so stay connected, we are all here for you.

If you are in the UK have you considered seeing Noel Fitzpatrick at Fitzpatrick Referral Hospital?

He is the leading surgeon in the world doing bionic implants, reconstructive surgery, etc I would definitely discuss your boy's case with him. If you google him, you will know what I mean.

Sending you a big hug and cuddles to your girlheart  

Hi
thank you for your reply we contacted Noel however the email went straight into spam folder , we then spoke to them over the phone and they told us they couldn't give any advice until we had been fully referred by our original specialist also I think there was a high cost involved regarding this referral . Xx

Thank you you for your help xxx

Virginia







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17 August 2016 - 1:25 pm
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Can't even imagine how frustrating this must be!

If I'm reading this right, becae of all the past surgeries, this will rewuire a whole lot of "pre-surgery" surgery, confinement, etc before the actual fer.al removal surgery. Is there a high degree of certainty that this will be successful and eliminate any need for future surgeries or complications. Of course, no one has a crystal ball, but they should have pretty solid statistics supporting this procedure.

Of course, amputation is MAJOR surgery. All surgery has a risk to it. Unforseen complications can arise, rarely, but it does happen. The "plus" side of amputation, if there is such a thing, is that it's ONE surgery, about two weeks recovery, and that's it!! DONE! Your pup can get on with livi g life to the fullest without that painful bum leg!

I'm going to copy something you said that seemed ro be from your pup's perspective. It may help bring you more clarity.

"she has been through too much pain and too many operations and i really don’t want to put her through all the pain and recovery of the removal of the femoral head."

Stay connected and let us know how we can help. And do check out the Tripawd videos of dogs rockin in three legs! They are incredibly resilient!!

Lots of hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!

PS. What's your pup's name?

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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17 August 2016 - 1:34 pm
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Really ????

That is very, very strange ...

Eurydice is being treated at Fitzpatrick Oncology Hospital and last week when we went for her chemo session, I met a couple who had brought their Dane directly as the vet wouldn't refer her (long story)

As it turns out, Suzie (their girl) had a tumour and after ultrasound and a PET CT scan was performed, the surgeon told them the tumour was enormous (inside her tummy) and it would have burst soon, he thought probably within 48h and that would have killed her.

She had surgery immediately and is now back home and recovering well, tumour was sent to the lab to see whether it is cancerous or not. 

Have you got all the tests, X-rays etc?

Also, what do they mean by costs of referral, me and Eurydice got referred and that was that.

Please let me know if I can help in any way or form, I am still baffled by their responses.

Sending you a big hug and cuddles heart

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 



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18 August 2016 - 7:14 am
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Hi Laura,

I called Fitzpatrick this morning reg Eurydice's hydrotherapy appointment and took the opportunity of inquiring reg referrals just to be sure to be sure.

As it turns out, they work differently from their oncology hospital, where you can refer yourself. 

Here, you need your vet to do it ...

There's no cost for a referral but they charge about £200 for the initial consultation which is the same as the oncology hospital.

I am sorry you can't refer yourself ...

Sending you all the pawsitive energy I can master, big hug and cuddles to your sweetie xxx

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

London, UK


Member Since:
15 December 2015
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30 August 2016 - 7:35 am
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Okay, this is slightly tricky. I wrote a post before and then deleted it because I didn't want to bad mouth anyone. But I feel uncomfortable not saying anything when I see Fitzpatrick's recommended to people, and Mona you have been doing so quite a lot. I'm obviously delighted that Eurydice has been getting the treatment she needs and that you are happy with her care. Meg was in FROST (Fitzpatrick Referrals Oncology and Soft Tissue hospital) as well for a time, having repeated soft tissue surgery. She was also in the Orthopaedic hospital, where she was under Noel Fitzpatrick's care for nine months, more than two of which she spent as an inpatient. He undoubtedly does some fantastic work and when things go well then what he achieves can be quite remarkable. When things don't go to plan however, in my experience, it's a very different story. I don't feel I can go into more detail because, apart from anything else, they have a gagging clause as part of the treatment contract. That in itself is pretty concerning in my view. Meg's leg was not removed at Fitzpatrick's but at another hospital (Dick White referrals), where they actually have an ethics committee to discuss and agree on potential treatments. I would never consider taking a dog to anywhere that did not take these sort of precautions in future. I'm sorry to be a downer. I realise, of course, that you are eager to share your positive experience. It's just the thought of anyone else getting caught up in the sort of nightmare we found ourselves in, that makes me feel I have to say something.

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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30 August 2016 - 6:13 pm
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Oh no ....

I am so sorry to hear about your experience ...

Eurydice has started hydrotherapy at Fitzpatrick Orthopeadic Hospital but we never met Noel ourselves nor did we go for any appointments there (apart from rehab pool), our advice concerning this specific hospital is based on what he can do, how innovative he is and his impressive curriculum and not first hand experience.

Our first hand experience is the Oncology Hospital. 

Immediately after Eurydice's X-ray showed osteosarcoma we were referred to Fitzpatrick Referrals Oncology and Soft Tissue hospital and met the oncologist Kelvin Kow.

He said an implant would not really be an option for Eurydice and he didn't recommend it due to her size but if we insisted maybe the team could try.

There were many reasons why we shouldn't consider it, so after hearing those, we decided against it (even if my partner was adamant at that point that she should keep her leg)

Kelvin explained very clearly all the options, with pros and cons, i.e., palliative care, radiation and chemo or amputation and chemo.

After a clear PET CT scan we went ahead with amputation which was brilliantly performed by Nick Bacon.

I honestly think they are amazing and never, ever have hidden anything from me or try and force me to do anything.

It was actually the other way around. I suggested more tests could be done during chemo and I was told they were not needed at that point. 

Since our journey started almost 4 months ago, I met so many pawrents who treat their dogs there and have never come across any negative experiences. 

I am definitely not trying to advocate their Hospital for no reason, cross my heart I feel truly blessed to have Eurydice being treated there and I want the best for my girl, I would have gone to the moon if need be.

I am obviously not commenting on your personal experience, I totally believe what you say and am very, very sorry. 

But if I had any other dogs or cats with cancer there would be nowhere else I would take them to. 

I really appreciate you sharing your experience and think it is crucial all of us share our own.

It is the love of our furry babies that bonds us together and we all want to do the best we can for them.

My name is Teresa, Mona is Kerren's tripawd kitty who is a cutiebig-blink

Sending you a big hug and cuddles to your beautiful girl heart

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

London, UK


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30 August 2016 - 10:23 pm
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So sorry, Teresa! No idea how I'd picked up the wrong end of the Mona stick...

Meg saw Nick Bacon too (who used to be at Dick White Referrals), and Laurent. She was one of the first dogs treated at FROST and was in there for a month, not long after it opened (at times she had pretty much the run of the place) so we got to know everyone quite well. There's a wonderful receptionist called Olivia, whom I'm guessing is still there, and who was a total poppet.

I agree that it's crucial that we each share our own personal experience. That's one of the reasons I think a gagging clause is highly questionable. 

Anyway, as I say, I am delighted that you have found somewhere you are so happy with. It's absolutely essential to be able to work with people you respect and trust to give you the best care and advice possible. It certainly sounds as though you have found that for Eurydice.

All best to you both,

Clare

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

Virginia







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30 August 2016 - 10:58 pm
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Awww Meg! You really k ow how to tug at out heartstrings!

Geez....a TWO MONTH stay? That must have been really tough on you both!

And thanks Clare and Teresa (aka kitty Mona) for sharing your experiences, albeit different! As we say around here, every dog is different, every recovery is different, so it's no surprise that we each can have different experiences sometimes with the same Vets.ugh

As an aside. Clare, just curious...., a gagging order as in you can't discuss things if something goes wrong??

LAURA, how are you holding up kiddo? I know all these decisions are overwhelming. Once you ddecide on a plan though, you'll feel a sense of relief.

@ots of hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too! I

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

London, UK


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30 August 2016 - 11:14 pm
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Aaaaargh! It swallowed my post! I think I must have posted at exactly the same moment as Sally or something... Anyway, I was just apologising, LAURA, for hijacking your thread. Your post really struck a chord with me as I found myself in a very similar situation, one procedure after another, getting more and more distressed and concerned about what I was putting my dog through and just not knowing what to do or where to turn. Meg had nine operations in all and still ended up losing her leg. I would very much second what Sally says. You are absolutely right to be asking these questions. You know yourself and you know your dog. Your instincts are extremely important and you need to have the confidence to trust them. Do you know anything about the state of her other (good) hip? That would certainly be worth finding out, if you haven't already done so. My heart absolutely goes out to you. Please please stay connected and let us know how you are getting on.

All best,

Clare

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

London, UK


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30 August 2016 - 11:25 pm
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In answer to your question, Sally, yes. The gagging clause actually states that you are not allowed to discuss your animal's treatment at all without their express written permission. Though obviously they are not going to take any action against positive comments.

As you say, every dog is different and we all have different experiences. My problems were not with the same vet though. Meg was in two different hospitals. We were perfectly happy with FROST, which is where Eurydice is being treated. It is the Orthopaedic hospital and Noel Fitzpatrick about which I have concerns, though of course there will be a range of experience at this hospital too.

All best,

Clare

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

On The Road


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31 August 2016 - 10:55 am
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It makes my heart happy knowing that we can have discussions like this here with honesty, love, acceptance and most importantly kindness. The amazing people in this community are like nowhere else on the Internet, thank you so much everypawdy.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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