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QuoteI've been reading all of the great news about how dogs handle having three legs, and our vets — plural — have assured us that Ajax will be able to do everything after amputation that he can do now. I'm very curious about whether this is actually true, as we are also considerating stereotactic radiation as an option..
Pup is an 8 year old Lab who does not have OS, and theoretically will be "cured" after an amputation, and is otherwise in great health. He is very active – we live in NYC but he considers Central Park — on and off leash – his backyard. He is there about 3 hours a day. He also swims, plays frisbee, jumps up to kiss on command, hikes, climbs rocks. And being a city dog, he has to walk everywhere since taxi drivers mostly won't pick up the big black dog.
I am wondering in THIS type of situation, and given that he is not in pain now, what people's thoughts may be about quality of life. There is no yard, etc – so if he is not mobile, he will be alone in an apartment, which is not at all his personality.
Given that the amp could cure the cancern and reduce the risk of mets to "almost zero", it is obviously a good option. But based on the prognosis, he could have 5+ years as a 3-legged dog, so I need to be sure he will be able to enjoy them …isolation would not be good for him.
Any input would be appreciated. Also has anyone gotten their 3 legged dog a puppy (down the road, of course). I am of 2 minds about that possibility.
12:56 pm
Moderator
14 August 2009
Offline
Ajax will be able to do everything after amputation that he can do now. I'm very curious about whether this is actually true,
I know you have your furbaby Ajax's interest at heart first and foremost or you wouldn't ask the question. But to answer your question about "is it true that he can do everything still". Yes. Your vets are telling you the truth. I know you just need reassuring.
I can tell you this firsthand as a person who has had a 3-legged dog for 11 1/2 years (front left leg birth defect but it doesn't function even tho it's still attached). Comet has emotional problems from being from dog hoarder, even after all of these years. So, I don't think of her being 3-legged because of her emotional problems. However, when she is in her comfort zone, she is and has been one of happiest dogs ever! Her pictures always reflect a happy dog. I think because of her smile, she is the most photogenic dogs I've ever had! I've included a video of Comet when she is 9 or 10 years old jumping on and off the couch and standing on the arm of it. She still even runs up the stairs in our house – at almost 12 years old! I hope it will answer your question of quality of life.
Personally, if I knew I cure the cancer – there wouldn't be a question in my mind on what to do. But I also know that being 3-legged is no big deal to a dog. Cancer is a big deal. Since being on tripawds, I see this every day. We also see people looking for other options and typically they fail. (based on what I see here)
Whatever you decide, we'll stand by you 100% because it is a decision you made out of love. And that's the most important thing.
P.S.
The puppy question:
Comet is a sassy, spoiled little girl so she has been difficult each time I bring one in. I've done it twice. Once when she was 2 years old but Rugby died from cancer last year. Second – just last year after the death of Rugby. (Rocket, aka monkeybutt) She may hate it at first, but she also can't live without a companion and ends up loving them very hard. When Rugby died, I thought she wouldn't survive the emotional trauma. And although Rocket is mostly a nuisance and irritates her to no end, she still loves him a lot! I know this because one day he didn't feel well and he was in his crate. She sat in front of his crate and kept barking at me to check on him. She wouldn't stop until I came over to see if he was okay.
Comet - 1999 to 2011She 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.
Thanks for the input! I thought of the puppy as I was thinking that Ajax's activity outside might be limited, given that he lives on the hardscrabble cement streets of NYC .. but then I thought maybe the puppy would take away from his spoliled only child existence.
The problem with the decision is that the vets think the SRT may also "cure" the cancer.; But it's too new and they don't have real statistics. They've been using it a lot on OS and the OS hasn't spread, but most of those dogs were a) older and b) already had metastasis. So different analysis. They don't really have any statistics 3 or 4 years out, which is at a minimum where we want to be …
I'm going to watch your video now. This site is great but a whole day of reading is getting me down …
8:24 pm
7 June 2010
OfflineHi Kazzy55,
My pup Kona, 9yr old Aussie cattledog, also has OS.
I believe that the best thing we ever did was to amputate her right rear leg.
As the cancer develops, it replaces the bone and is very very painful.
Granted, my dog is a tough aussie that didn't want to show weakness, but she got to a point where she couldn't stand on it, that was when we got the diagnosis. She's getting around really well and she just had surgery on June 4th and is going through chemo.
Keep in mind that even with the radiation, the bone loss/weakness will still be there, I would think.
Like Comet said, we will support you what ever your choice. I know how hard of a decision it is. Without a doubt.
Now, I don't know why I had doubts only wish we could have done it sooner.
Kona is also fortunate to not have any mets in her lungs.
Certainly no guarentees in this life, but we're taking it.
Hang in there.
Oh, if you check for my blog, you can see some pics that I took yesterday, just one day after Kona's second chemo treatment.
She was playing in the backyard, which is sloped and even digging in her den.
Wow !
Denise
9:10 am
Team Tripawds
25 April 2007
Offline
While we agree that yes, Tripawds can do anything their four legged pals can do, but when it comes to active, mobile tripawds, there are some things that you'll need to be on the lookout for because they carry their bodies so differently and Tripawds who don't have cancer and are otherwise healthy tend to overdo it sometimes. As Tripawds they do have to work harder and if you have a really active dog, keeping them strong with joint support supplements and the right kinds of at-home physical therapy and games will help tremendously.
Our interviews with Dr. Waldman of Cal Animal Rehab talks about things you can do to prevent excessive stress (there are 3 blog posts with videos, scroll down for all of them).
Another option might be a big dog stroller. A Tripawds Rottie friend in NYC has told us how she gets along great with her stroller.
We also discussed Tripawd stroller in the Tripawds Gear Blog:
Strollers Help Dogs Large and Small Get Out
Oh, last bit of tips here for you…the pros and cons of Stereotactic Radiation Therapy has been discussed here in the forums. Here are some links for you, hope they help.
A Look at Colorado State University's Animal Cancer Center
Can my Older Golden 11 1/2 survive amputation and be happy? (this is a story about Rosie and her experience with SRT…long thread, but read her posts to find out her experience with it).
P.S. Hope you don't mind I moved your post to this "Hopping Around" forum but it seemed to fit better here.
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Jerry please move my posts wherever they fit best with no worries – i am remedial at posting.
Thanks for the tripawd mobility info
8:32 pm
Team Tripawds
25 April 2007
Offline
You're not remedial silly! And you're very welcome.
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9:24 pm
Moderator
14 August 2009
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I'm glad you "got" the inside joke about Comet!
Once you've been here a while you'll find Comet knows "everything"! And you know why? Because she got her vet degree from Google University!
I know it can get depressing reading the site. But trust us, for every 1 sad story, we have at least three happy stories!
Comet - 1999 to 2011She 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.
6:47 am
8 December 2009
Offline
While I believe that Tripawds can do MOST anything a four legger can do…their stamina will greatly decrease IMHO and my experience with my dog. I would also direct you to Dr. Waldman's information. In the first chat that I was involved with, she said that Tripawds should get no more than 10-15 minutes walks in, several times a day. Now, I know there are many dogs on here that do everything they ever did with gusto…but not my girl…a half hour walk is really way too much for her in one stint. If I do take her that long, I am sure it is a flat road with no hilly terrain. I would highly suggest finding rehab stuff to do with your dog – that is what will greatly help with getting your future Tripawd strong…check out my dog's blog for some video's of my dog doing rehab exercises :-)
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
maggie.tripawds.com
"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get back up." ~ Vince Lombardi
You know, it's interesting because the surgeon called us last night and I posed to her very specific questions – about how NYC dogs walk everywhere, hours at a time, etc, – she said she would be "very surprised" if he was significantly limited in his endurance or only able to take short walks. That may also be based on their physical examination of my particular pup, as well …
11:21 am
8 December 2009
Offline
I guess I am very surprised by the answers you got from your vet. But what do I know…I only know my ONE dog that is a Tripawd and haven't seen many ;-) But logically speaking..I could only think that having 3 legs vs. 4 would deplete one's stamina in one way or another! ;-) FWIW, my dog was an agility dog for 8 years prior to amputation…very fit all her life…never overweight… Go figure.
Just a forewarning from me that may not pertain to your dog at all in the end…
Is that surgeon also involved with rehabbing the Tripawds? Does it have the background that say Dr. Waldman has?
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
maggie.tripawds.com
"It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get back up." ~ Vince Lombardi
11:54 pm
Moderator
14 August 2009
Offlineshe said she would be "very surprised" if he was significantly limited in his endurance or only able to take short walks.
I can say that when Comet was 8 she still had a lot of endurance, but keep in mind her back leg muscles are that of a body builder and she is only 38lbs. She's knows no better and she was still very puppy-ish until a year ago when she got that infection in her neck disc. She then slowed down and started showing her age and her 3-leggedness.
I wouldn't worry too much about what a vets says on those issues. Keep in mind also, that since a dog has to hop, they stay in shape. It's a workout for them just to get around. I haven't found one vet that has understood what it's like having a 3 legged dog. I even asked once if there was any long term studies on dogs with 3 legs and I was told – no.
Comet - 1999 to 2011She 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.
9:38 am
Team Tripawds
25 April 2007
Offline
I think the best way to alleviate any concerns about your specific Tripawd is to see a qualified veterinary canine rehab expert like Dr. Waldman and have an analysis done. A board certified canine rehab pro is by going to know things about canine/tripawd mobility challenges that others dont.
Being in NYC I know you have access to some of the most briliant docs. You can find them at the Canine Rehabilitation Institute website.
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