Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Max is a 4 1/2 year old Black Lab. He was originally diagnosed with a spindle cell sarcoma at the age of 1. It was right above his left wrist. It came back in a year, same spot so we had it removed again and it came back in 6 months, had it removed again and the time it came back in 3 months.
Those 3 surgeries were done by his regular veterinarian who also practices holistic medicine. Max has been on various herbs to try to cmbat his cancer and thus far none have worked.
At that point he sent us to a surgeon to have it removed. They did a big surgery taking everything down to the fascia, he also had radiation, done that was Nov. 2014. By Nov 2015 it came back in the same spot. At that point the surgeon, and two oncologists recommended that his leg including shoulder be amputated, he have chemo therapy and physical therapy to learn how to manage going up and down steps. They believe microscopic cells are traveling through his body that's the reason to do chemo. However they only give me a 50% chance that it would not come back within a year to two years. At that time we went back to our holistic vet who said to do nothing and see if it comes back.
A marble sized tumor appeared in the same spot April 2016. We have tried various herbs and still no luck. The tumor is now the size of a tennis ball. Thursday our vet told us we needed to consider amputation and if these last set of herbs did not work in two weeks we needed to make the decision. Today Max must have bumped the tumor on the steps and it began to bleed. we stopped it, but it started again. My vet said to put a sock over it to protect it and help stop the bleeding. He also said I need to decide right away if we are wiling to amputate his leg. He believes the cancer is not spreading, we only need to amputate from above the elbow down.
At this point I believe amputation is our only option other than putting him down. But do I go with the surgeon and take his shoulder also? The holistic vet says he needs the shoulder for balance. I live in a high ranch house full of steps! He can't even go pee without doing 11 steps down to go outside.
I just want to do what is best for Max at this point. Help! Remove shoulder or keep it? Anyone have any experience with this spindle cell sarcoma?
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Thanks for sharing and best wishes for Max!
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Theresa, so glad you posted! Because we made a connection through the Tripawds Helpline ,I just want to add a couple.of things based on our conversation to get her the best feedback.possible.
Clearly she loves her Max and is committed to do everything possible to give him a great quality life! Of course, she's getting conflicting recommendations from the Holistic Vet vs the Orthopedic Surgeon and Onco.
The Ortho Surgeon wants to remove the shoulder blade to help prevent the piece of crap disease from spreading. As Theresa said, the Holistic Vet says it should stay for "balance".
I knkw there has been discussion here about keeping the shoulder blade or not. I wasn't able to search the right links to.pull anything up, but some of you techies can pull up forums where that was discussed.
Also, not familiar with that particular kind of sarcoma, but I know many of you have first hand knowledge and can help vuide her. As her vet sid, she needs to proceed quickly. Oh, also, don't think any preliminary tests were suggested by either vet...what was your experience'
Hang in there Theresa! Others will be chiming in with so e great input!
Remember, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!!
Lots of love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Did you get a chance to see the videos of all our trilawds?
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!
Hi, Theresa:
So tough to figure this out when you have conflicting advice from the experts and this is such a very personal decision. I can only say this - I am sure an argument can be made that balance is a bit easier for a Tripawd to figure out with the shoulder left, but for me, the greater chance of cure or longer cancer free period would outweigh a potential balance advantage.
I think you will fine there are several of us with dogs without the shoulder for one reason or another and my boy's op was extensive, removing leg, shoulder, a lot of nerve and muscle tissue AND a rib. Yet his balance is pretty darn good!
I have posted a few videos of Pofi getting around that may help you feel less concerned:
Yard and Stairs to the Upper Deck
Again, such a personal choice!
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hi Theresa and Max and welcome to our community
I am really sorry to hear what poor Max (and you) have been going through ... you really are the best Mom he could have dreamed of and love your boy to bits
I am also called Teresa and my girl Eurydice is a Great Dane, she has osteosarcoma and her front leg was amputated a little over 2 months ago.
I know how hard it is to make the decision to amputate but you don't have any other option now ...
I can say it is not the end of the world for our babies, they adapt much quicker than we think and get on with their lives on 3 as if they never had 4 legs.
Concerning the matter of removing his shoulder or not, the advice we had from vets, surgeon and oncologist was to remove it.
Their opinion is keeping the shoulder adds dead weight to carry around and is not good for balance.
I know other vets and surgeons who amputated other furry babies here have a totally different opinion.
For me, personally, I could see their point and agreed with them.
I have posted a few videos of my girl hopping around but sadly I don't know how to add the link here.
They are in the Hopping Around forum under "Eurydice sporting her new ruff wear harness "
and Presentation and Diagnosis forum under "Eurydice my lovely great dane's new life on 3 legs" page 2 post 26
I hope it helps ...
Sending you lots of pawsitive energy, a big hug and cuddles to Max
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 :-)
I worried so much about making the right decision as to whether or not to amputate her shoulder along with her leg, though my dog's amputation was due to injury rather than cancer. I spoke to three vets, my own, the orthopedic specialist and the surgeon and they said that there are arguments for keeping it and not, and there's not a strong consensus on what's best. I never heard balance cited as an argument - what we went back and forth on was whether the shoulder would be helpful for protecting her rib cage or whether it would be problematic because it's bony and could lead to discomfort, and add extra dead weight.
From hanging out here in the forums, I think the majority of people end up amputating the scapula along with the leg, and you'll see that they do well afterwards, regardless of whether the scapula is taken or not. I don't think I've seen any examples of dogs that have had trouble specifically due to the removal of the scapula.
We decided not to amputate her scapula in the end simply because Dr. Pasternak said the surgery was less complicated and in the case of injury, we didn't have to be concerned about getting good margins, like you would with cancer. One downside of keeping the scapula that I've noticed is she often keeps her scapula hiked way up her neck and the muscles there get sore and tight. I'm constantly trying to get her to relax her shoulder down.
A couple more video links ro show your human family. Max already knows he'll handle doing three just fine!
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!
My Oris had his scapula removed as well - he is a 100 pound lab/Dane mix. It took him 3 months, but when he was ready, he started going up and down our stairs just fine. The landing is one of his favorite places to sleep. He could handle the two steps outdoors right away.
Maybe someone with more knowledge can chime in, but I think I read posts of stumps and partial amps getting in the way and actually getting injured.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Our Murphy had his right front leg removed just over 3 years ago. His tumor was just above the elbow. I was not given the option of taking his shoulder. Would you be planning on fitting Max with a prosthetic? I could be wrong, but I thought they only left the shoulder if planning on a prosthetic. Most people will tell you that a tripawd automatically adjusts their stance so that their remaining front leg is centered, therefore balancing themselves. Here a picture & a video of Murphy showing how he does just that:
Another thing that I've read is that sometimes when a stump is left, especially on a front leg, the dog still tries to use it. That often leads to sores and injuries.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Mirphu!' I adore yoi! 🙂
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!
Sadie was an injury case as well. The practice where it was done takes the shoulder as a routine thing. My understanding is that it's to avoid the dog try to use it and getting tight, uncomfortable muscles as dcjack has experienced. Sadie has had a smooth and easy recovery over all, though we haven't done stairs yet. That has less to do with her injury and more to do with my paranoia and a frw logistics issues.
Here's a post that discusses the pros and cons of partial amputation on pets that can give you some insight.
Partial vs. Full Leg Amputation for Pets, What’s Better?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello everyone,
I want to thank all of you for taking the time to share your stories and information about your tripawds! We have decided to go ahead with the amputation. The kids and dad are very sure but I am still hesitant. I realize no one can guarantee that the cancer will not return somewhere else or that Max will be able to adjust and be happy, but if we don't try we will never know. All I want is for him to be happy and healthy.
Thank you all so much and especially to Sally who patiently listened and supported while my son and I tried to re-bandage Max's bleeding tumor during our call! Speaking to her made a big difference for me that night!
I will keep in touch during the process. We are looking to try to schedule his surgery next week.
Love,
Theresa
Hi Theresa and Max
I am glad to hear you've decided to move ahead with the amputation, now you have a plan !
You are doing the best you can and nobody can ask for more, nobody knows what is in store for us when we start this journey, all we can do is stay focused and vigilant and give our furry babies as happier a time as we possibly can.
Sending you lots of pawsitive energy, a big hug and cuddles to your fluffy
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 :-)
Howdy and welcome!!!
I have a very large soft spot for black labs. Bless you and your pack.
PICTURES!!!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
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