Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi, I'm Brittany. My nine year old lab, Tucker, will be having his left front leg amputated later this week and I'm a nervous wreck. He had a mast cell tumor on his paw and two weeks ago had a digit removed and sent to the lab. It came back as stage three, highly aggressive cancer. Since the surgery the tumor is angry and growing back. I'm feeling very torn about the surgery. Vet says there are no signs right now that it has spread to the chest which is good, but no guarantees. I'm nervous about his recovery and what I can do once he is home to help him recover. He's a big boy at 98 pounds and overweight so that may make it a little more difficult for him. Right now I'm kind of feeling like a horrible person for putting him through this. Any advice would be appreciated.
HI BRITTANY AND TUCKER!!!
Okay....a couple of deep breaths....B R E A T H E......B R E A T H E.........
You are not alone! We understand the fear, the sheer panic...yep,we get it!
And we u derstand your love for Tucker and wanting to do the best for him! You are making decisions out of love and they are always the right decisions!
He's got good preliminary tests back regarding xrays, the vet obviously thinks he's a good candidate for surgery, so all that's reassuring!
Yes, he hurts right now...and recovery from the amputation is no picnic! But you are removing a very painful leg and you will be amazed at how well Tucker does onces recovery is complete!
Others will chime in on the specific kind of diagnosis Tucker has. My Happy Hannah had osteosarcoma and was so ewhat CHUNKY!!!! She did GREAT on three legs!!
Pg Maggie's mom will chime in....but her little stubborn Pug blew statistics out of the water and lived for years after her diagnosis of just a few months!!
Having computer issues right now....will check back later....
Go grab some chocolate, do the deep breaths ...and give Tuckera hug! Remember, he isn't worrying about a thing!!! Only humans do thst!
Sending lots of hugs and love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS ...you are doing this FOR Tucker...not TO Tucker 
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!
ibryar25 said
Hi, I'm Brittany. My nine year old lab, Tucker, will be having his left front leg amputated later this week...
Welcome Brittany, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Have you heard our recent Tripawd Talk Radio Podcast about mast cell cancer tumors and treatment yet?
Most dogs cope much better than we silly humans do. Of course, every dog is different and controlling weight is a must. Be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of helpful links or consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns. Check the Tripawds Nutrition Blog for helpful diet info too!
Best wishes with the decisions you face, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Brittany,
Welcome to Tripawds from my Tucker and I!
Tucker is an almost 11 year old Chocolate lab who lost his right front leg to an invasive sarcoma 18 months ago.
My Tuck sounded like yours.....a big boy...he weighed 103 pounds before his amp....but through a diet (post surgery) and strengthening exercises and physio....he continues to thrive and be the happy, goofy, lovable boy he has always been.
I agree with Sally...you are doing this for Tucker...not to him.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
P.S. That's my Quadpawd grandpug sharing the bed with him
Hi Brittany & Tucker ~
My Murphy is a retriever mix, about 50lbs, and had his right front leg removed just about 2 years ago (next week!) from an aggressive form of bone cancer. I was a wreck too! The first 2 weeks were the hardest, mostly because they are on multiple medications and are in pain. We put a t shirt on him to keep his incision covered and clean, applied ice packs a few times a day and massaged the area to help reabsorb the extra fluid that will accumulate. You will be totally amazed at how well Tucker will do! Murphy had to spend the night, and when we picked him up the next day, I couldn't believe that he walked (hopped) out to the car by himself! He actually pulled on the leash..he was anxious to get home
Some of the things we did to help Murphy -
We used a couple of those tap lights at night for him. We live in a ranch house, but there are a couple areas with 1 step, so we were worried that he would stumble down that 1 step in the dark at night. So I placed a tap light at those spots & turned them on when we went to bed...just enough light to illuminate the step.
We lifted the food & water bowls so he doesn't have to bend down so far.
We have a rug that goes across the kitchen floor for him - he literally will walk out of his way to go to the rug to walk through the kitchen, goofball lol.
He's on a grain-free diet. The oncologist told me that grain turns into sugar and cancer feeds off sugar. We haven't done any other supplements though.
You will get through this!!!
Kisses from Donna & Murphy!
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
Welcome Brittany and Tucker.
My Tripawd was a little pug named Maggie so I can't help you with the size. But Maggie did lose her leg to a mast cell tumor, she had recurring cutaneous tumors also. Her little quad pug Tani also had mast cell tumors- 11 or so in total. Neither of them passed from mast cell cancer.
Maggie had a grade 2 tumor, but after surgery it was discovered that there was cancer in her lymph node. We did a course of chemo and she far outlived her prognosis of 6 to 9 months, she made almost 4 years.
Mast cell is notorious for not allowing healing and for being very reactive. It's not surprising that the tumor is 'angry' and coming back- that probably means they didn't get it all with the first surgery.
It's good that Tucker's chest is clear, has the vet ordered an abdominal ultrasound? When there is spread mast cell tends to go to the liver or spleen, lymph system and sometimes bone marrow.
If you are looking for inspiration you can read Roxy's Blog. Roxy lost her front leg to a grade 3 MCT, did not do chemo, and is around 5 years out from her amp!
Please let me know if I can help you with anything.
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
I replied a couple of days ago, but I guess it didn't go through.
Thank you all for your kind words and wisdom. Tucker's surgery was supposed to be this morning, but when I got to the vet to drop him off they told me it was switched to this Friday and forgot to call me. Ugh. So two more days of worrying and waiting.
Thanks for the great ideas to help make his recovery go more smoothly. One of my other dogs (I have three) had surgery about three weeks ago and we put a t-shirt on her and it worked like a charm! Though I don't think she was very thrilled to be wearing it. She looked really adorable though. We do have two steps down into the backyard that he will have to use. Should I take him to the front yard the first few days until he is more comfortable getting around? I'm definitely going to raise his food bowls to help him out and I'm planning on speaking with his vet about switching him over to a grain-free food. I believe they did do an abdominal ultrasound during his initial surgery to remove his digit. Today was his first day on the Piroxicam, so hopefully that doesn't make him sick.
How many days did you wait/take off work before you were comfortable leaving them home alone? My brother would probably come over around lunch time to check in on him every day, but I work a good distance from home and wouldn't be able to come home during the day. His surgery is Friday and I'm taking off work Monday. Would Tuesday be too soon?
ibryar25 said
I replied a couple of days ago, but I guess it didn't go through.Should I take him to the front yard the first few days until he is more comfortable getting around?
How many days did you wait/take off work before you were comfortable leaving them home alone?
Sorry your reply didn't go through, we've been having server issues so thanks for your patience and repost!
You're on the right track. Only leashed, potty walks for now and they should be as easy as possible. At least until stitches/staples are out.
As far as number of days, it really depends on the patient and the situation. In general most pets will just sleep all day while you're gone, especially while they're still on pain meds. Tuesday sounds fine, just make sure he's kept in a confined area of your home where he can't get hurt. If you can have someone check on him at lunch that would be ideal.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tucker went in this morning and had the surgery. I was able to go see him around six o'clock. He was still very out of it. The vet called me at about nine thirty and let me know that Tucker had passed away. I'm so heartbroken, but thankful I got to see him one last time before he passed. I take comfort in knowing that we tried everything we could to save him and give him a few more years here with us and that he wasn't in pain. It's going to be tough not having him around. I love you Tuck and one day I'll see you again.
Oh no! I don't know what to say...
This is rare, but it does happen. I'm so sorry that Tuck has crossed the Bridge. I'm glad you know that you did your best for him, this is so heartbreaking.
I hope the good memories give you strength tonight and in the days and weeks to come as you deal with his sudden passing. He will live forever in your heart.
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
Shocked, crying and so very, very, very sorry.
Yes, you did EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to help Tucker fight this nasty piece of crap disease. It is so unpredictable and so brutal. Just loke with humans thiugh, anytime surgery is i nvolved, minor or major, there ks a risk of an unforseen complication, blood clot, etc. But we all take the risk because it's what we mist do to try and get quality time. We would regret it if we didn't try.
Please know that Tuck knew you were there by his side. He KNEW you were there! And that is a truth you must hold tightly in your heart.
We all wish we could say something that would help take your pain away, but we can't. I can tell you that we are all just sick about this and would do anything to have given you a different outcome.
The fact that you could even make this post tonight as you grieve so hard is such a testament to your strength and to your devotion to Tucker. I do hope when you can you tell us more about this incredible dog. And we would love to see more photos.
Tucker will always be with you. Just as privileged as you felt to have Tucker in your life, he felt just as privileged to have you in his. He is still nestled in your heart. It's too broken right now to feel him, but he's there...safe and content.
These last few days were jist a blink of an eye compared to the thousands and thousands of glorious days you and Tucker shared. That's all Tucker cared avout...being with you! For whatever reason, it was his time...his earth missiin was complete. He needed to transitions p back to energy and he did so, knowing you woukd be okay. It will be hard and you will grieve deeply for way to long, but you will be okay. Let us help you. We understand as best anyone can.
I could never convey how sorry I am this happened. There are no words for that depth of sadness. Please know Tucker,although he knows you'll be sad, wants you to remember him with smiles on your heart and a knowing that he is with you always.
Sending love and surroundingnyou with Tucker's eternal grace.
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Oh my god, I am so very, very sorry. I am shocked and so saddened for you and Tucker and your family, I can't imagine how awful you feel and I can't convey enough how sorry I am. Does the vet have any idea what happened or why?
You absolutely did all you could and Tucker left this world knowing he was loved and a part of your soul. Every day that you had together are moments that add up to an unforgettable bond that will keep touching your life and your heart every single day even though he's an angel now.
Tucker, you are in good paws with our Tripawd Angels. Watch over those who are here and keep shining your spirit brightly on all of us. You will be missed.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so very sorry for your sudden loss of your sweet Lab Tucker......I am in tears for you. I really don't know what to say, other than the fact you gave him a very loving life, and I am hoping many happy memories to help ease your heartbreak along this new road of grief. Please know you did what you could for him, and what was best for him....it may not seem that way now, because his passing was so unexpected. We absolutely do understand all the ups and downs here in this community.
Keeping you in my thoughts, and hoping time will eventually heal your hurting heart....
Bonnie and Angel Polly
Just letting you know again we are all here for you. We are all stunned, just stunned.
And when we all say we are in tears, yes, so true.
I am going to PM one of our beloved members, Christine (Franklin's mom) and ask her to respond here. She is masterful at telling us what it's like at the Bridge! I find comfort in her descriptive chronicle and I hope you will too.
Surrounding you with Tucker's never ending grace and eternal love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
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