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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Jagger, our 9 year old energetic american bulldog, was out playing rough with his sister Bella this morning and came in the house limping. His back leg was dangling. I knew it was broken. The orthopedic surgeon at our ER confirmed this and after x-rays confirmed the bone had cancer. He could not confirm what type but that the break was due to the illness in the bone. He has given us three options: amputation, amputation plus chemo, and the inevitable. Our family is devastated. A chest x-ray shows no signs of spreading. However, the surgeon does not sound completely optimistic. I need to make a decision as soon as possible because the poor guy is in pain with a broken leg. Anyone been in this boat?? How long did your dogs live after the amputation? Chemo is not an option for us.
Okay...deep breaths....B R E A T H E....... we are all right by yiur side, okay? We K OW this is scary a d you are fearful and uncertain,to say the least. And to add to the stress, you do need to make a decision sooner than later. I'm sure the Vet has your sweet Jagger on some good pain meds.
Yes, we have seen this happen here. All of the sudden there will be a fracture, and then the underlying piece of crap disease is discovered. And it is shocking a d completely unexpected.
It IS good news that the lungs are clear.
Obviously Jagger, up until this point, is full of energy and enjoying life to the fullest. I'm assuming you are only entertaining two optio s, amputation, or amputation with chemo.
There are no guarantees with either when it comes to this horrid disease.
Keep it chunked down, one thing at a time. Amputation will remove that painful leg. Yes, recovery is rough for a couple of weeks, but we will help you through that. Right. now, yiu need to focus on getting the surgery done, if that's the route you decide to take.
As far as timeframes with this piece of crap disease, again, no guarantees! Some may only get a few mo ths of extended quality time, some, like Cemil, or like Pug Maggie, will get four or five years. I know you'd like more concrete answers right now, but it's really abput giving yiur Jagger more extended quality time with yiu for loving and spoiling a d playing with Bella!
Is the Vet an Oethopedic Surgeon? Does he feel he s a good candidate for surgery?Is the clinic 24/7 so he can spend the night, or mzybe two? I see your in line now. I'll stay on and see what questions yiu may have.
I'm sorry you are dealing with this, especially because it is so sudden.
YOU ARE. NOT ALONE! Now take some more deep breaths.......
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Jagger and family, welcome. This isn't a place anyone really wants to come to like this, but we're glad you found us and hope we can help you decide. I'm so sorry you're in this spot.
It sounds like the vet thinks Jagger has osteosarcoma (thus the not so optimistic attitude). Yes, osteosarcoma has a depressing prognosis. There are studies that say a dog will live a year with amputation and chemo, and less without chemo but with amputation. However, I will tell you that we have seen many dogs beat those odds and blow those survival rates out of the water. The one thing to keep in mind is that those studies and statistics are based on other dogs, not Jagger. So take them into consideration of course, but don't put so much weight on them that the numbers paralyze you from deciding.
Now, about that leg. Yeah, it's a horrible break and it hurts terribly. So something must be done ASAP. If Jagger is otherwise healthy at this point in time, and the vet feels his body is strong enough to live life on three legs, then he could have a great quality of life even with cancer. Bulldogs can have a few challenges because they're so stocky, but MANY do great after amputation.
Another consideration: even with chemo, there are no guarantees how long a dog will survive. Many people choose not to do chemo and that is OKAY. We opted out and our Jerry lived two years! Others have seen similar results. If you can't do chemo, don't worry, Jagger doesn't care. He just wants you to be happy, and live every day to the fullest while he's with his favorite people.
There's no telling how long he'll live after the amputation, but most dogs and cats do recovery nicely and make the most every day afterward.
I encourage you to read Jerry's Required Reading List . You'll find links to educate you about amputation surgery and recovery, and what to expect.. In the meantime, stay tuned and others will chime in soon OK? And feel free to call the Tripawds Helpilne too. We are here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think many of us here were in pretty much that exact situation.
For me it came out of the blue and was a total shock. We did go with amputation (front leg at that) and after initially being completely against chemo I changed my mind after reading up on it.
Usually(and I know there are people on here that had different experiences) dogs on chemo don't have anywhere near the same side-effects that humans have. My vet then said that he gets about one dog every 5 years that experiences side-effects. We really sailed through 5 doses of chemo and had no problems whatsoever, but I know it can turn out differently.
I would do everything again in a heartbeat -amputation and chemo, that is. We are in month 14 after surgery and those are 14 months that were a gift to me. 14 more months of having a happy, very beloved dog.
The surgery and recovery-time were bad, in our case. The first two weeks were a nightmare for me. But it was all worth it.
Whatever you decide it will be ok. Take a look around this awesome site, read a few blogs maybe and look at pictures and videos of our brave tripawds, maybe that will help you decide.
Keep us updated!
All the best from
Tina and Manni
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
My Otis was also seemingly fine until the day he broke his leg. He was a big dog, 106 pounds, with mild arthritis in his hips. We amputated, and he did just great on 3. No regrets at all!
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.
I can't thank you all enough. Your support and knowledge are so helpful and comforting. Jagger's vet is an Orthopedic surgeon and he is a 24 hour emergency hospital. My husband is returning tonight from a business trip and we are going directly there to make our decision. We still have to sit and discuss together. Thank you, thank you, thank you all!
My Shelby started w/a leg fracture but we were able to save the leg only to amputate a few months later. She did amazing on her three legs (she was 25 pounds) and I have no regrets!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
One thing that really played into my decision was the fact that, up until the instant Otis broke his leg, he seemed absolutely fine and healthy. Obviously, I know now that he had cancer and was likely in pain, BUT putting him down was just unthinkable. And unfortunately, that was the alternative without the amputation. As others have noted, there are no guarantees on time, with or without chemo, but the time that we had together was worth it. He was happy and fully able to enjoy his life.
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.
We'll be watching for your update when you can. I know all this is overwhelming. Let us kniw ANY questions at all you may have!
Team Jagger is here for you!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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 there! Just wanted to add in my experience - chemo was not an option for us either. Clyde didn't fracture his leg, but I took him in because of a limp, and well, instead of the pulled muscle I expected, it was cancer. He had his amputation on June 3. He's been doing great; we are almost to 9 months. He runs, plays with his dog buddies, and with the exception of the occasional stumble, is just like he was on four legs.
There are no guarantees, but amputation will take care of his painful leg and hopefully he will be able to hop around happily for months to come. The amputation itself I think is harder on the humans, assuming his pain is managed and there are no weird complications. Another thing that made the decision a little easier for me - my vet told me that when the cancer spreads to the lungs (which is the usual way this disease goes assuming your guy has osteosarcoma) its not painful for them. They cough, slow down, or show other symptoms, but it is not painful like it is in their bones.
Keep us posted and best wishes!
Taking away the pain is paramount. After that other decisions can be made. Why is chemo not an option? If not traditional chemo, metronomic is usually fairly effective and less costly. And ask about trials you may qualify for? With a short, stocky guy, likely there will be more need for greater accommodations but certainly this does not preclude amputation. No matter what your decision is, you are clearly making it in his best interest and with absolute love. Best wishes and keep us updated!
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