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large dog needs front leg amputated at almost 13yrs of age. Need advice!
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Member Since:
28 January 2017
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28 January 2017 - 4:16 pm
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Hi,

Jerimiah will be 13 in may, he's a large 77lb redbone coonhound who currently has a large tumor on his front leg.  I first noticed it in June/July,he didn't start limping a little until September.  His doctor had been against amputation because of his size, age, plus it being the front leg.  He believes osteosarcoma will show up somewhere else in his body and still take him down even after amputation.  However, it's now almost February and has no signs of cancer elsewhere.  He is beginning to limp more and now has a pressure sore on the tumor. 

Despite all this he still has a zest for life and enjoys a short walk, plays with his toys and eats his food.  I'm very concerned about the pain and it fracturing.  It feels like it's that time soon to either say goodbye to him or his leg.  It's very hard to know what to do, he is my best friend and means the world.  Yet I don't want to be selfish and put him through something that would be too hard on him. He is still full of life and is a very tough, strong willed old guy so perhaps he can adjust to amputation?  He has had some other issues as well, arthritis, heart murmur, one bout of acute pancreatitis and one stomach twist. 

He really is tough and always pulls through but am I now asking too much with amputation at his age?  Any advice would be much appreciated but especially from an older dog's guardian.  His doctor agreed to amputate, he is scheduled on 02/22.  I'm considering w/c, strollers, prosthesis. 

Virginia







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28 January 2017 - 10:52 pm
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Love the name, JEREMIAH!! Love COONHOU DS!! I've been adopted by a three legged (front leg) Bluetick Coonhound vor over two years now! And as you already jn4iw, they are very tough and sturdy dogs!!

Okay, some deep breaths! B R E A T H E......DEEP BREATHS.......B R E A T H E...
You have come to the right place for support, information and understanding!

YOU ARE. NOT ALONE!!! We know how agonizingly hard it is to try and do what's best for our dogs and cats in circumstances like these! It's such an emotional time, full of uncertainty, fear, stress and, if you're like most of us, you've shed a lot of tears trying to determine what's best for your JEREMIAH.

Yes thirteen is...er..."mature", but arou d here, we say age is just a number! Itsw the attitude, the "zest for life", thst matter the most. That, as well as their overall health. Even older dogs with some arthritis are generally good candidates for amputation.

Is the Vet that you are speaking with an ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON? Has JEREMIAH been to an Oncologist to determine exactly what kind of tumor this is? Is the Vet making this diagnosis off of xrays?

It may be that a second opinion from an Ortho Surgeon and an Onco would be beneficial jn giving you the reassurance you need to proceed...IF that's the route you take. I really doubt that you will jear the same dire "prognosis" from these Specialists. I could be wrong.

BTW, it's great that there is no evidence of any further spread! The fact that JEREMIAH has had osteosarcoma for almost seven months and is just now starting to show real pain (and limping generally means it hurts!!) and has clean xrays is really, really good!!

The main objective of amputation ks to remove the lain and give as much eextended QUALITY time for loving and spoiling and tummy rubs and treats as possible!

Sure, recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks. Sometimes older, larger dogs have a bit of a rough go for the first several days. Many dogs walk out of the Vet after an overnight stay without any assistance at all!

No one, noooo one, knows for certain if that piece of crap disease will continue expanding even after amputation. It pften does eventually spread to the lungs, but not always! And even so, it may be years before that happens...' it may be months..... it may even be never! My Happy Hannah, a "fluffy" 125 lbs Bull Mastiff, got extended vonjs quality time for over one year and two months! In human years, that's over SEVEN YEARS!!

Sometimes it comes down to exactly what you said....You are not ready to say goodbye to JEREMIAH yet. It may be time to say goodbye to that painful leg though!

For me, a part of my thought process to amputate was so I wouldn't second guess myself if I hadn't "tried". Yes, there are risks. Yes, there are no guarantees. Yes, it is major surgery on an older dog. Yes, you are making a decision out of @ove for JEREMIAH and that is ALWAYS the right decision!

Is JEREMIAH in pain meds now? I would hope the Vet has am in Tramadol and/or Gabapentin. If not, request it.

Another suggestuon if you are going ahead with amputation. Is it possible to get it sooner!!!!?? If it's starting to ulcerate, it's going to be more painful very quickly a d may even get infected.

When you can, please post pictures of this delightful Coonhound! Can't wait to see him!

STAY CONNECTED!! We are 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!

Virginia







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28 January 2017 - 11:03 pm
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Didn't mean to ramble so much above!

Anyway, here's a link where you'll fi d a lot of threads from "o@der" dogs and cats, as well as larger ones...And many are a lot larger than JEREMIAH!

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!

Member Since:
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29 January 2017 - 6:30 am
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Ditto EVERYTHING Sally said! Welcome to TriPawd Nation where there are many, many, many older and even larger dogs who ramble about and inspire us all! 

There is no question that this is a tough, tough decision to make but really it is a miracle that your fella has done as well as he has without surgery or treatment so far! Is it possible that you get another opinion or consult with an additional vet? If you have decided to amputate, waiting + weeks is, to be very honest, too long in this circumstance due to the extreme pain associated with OSA. Not that Jeremiah would EVER show that because he is ONE TOUGH FELLA!!! He sounds as if NOTHING gets him down which is a fantastic attitude to have and one which serves him well. 

I think it all comes down to, with all of the information and resources given, what decision would you regret not making? 

Wishing you and Jeremiah the Incredibly Courageous Handsome Tough As Nails Fella!!! best wishes, huge hugs, and PyrPaws all around!!!

(P.S. I have a 14+ PyrACD cross who was never sick a day in her life who was just diagnosed with 2 separate tumors and a mass. Because she is also tough as nails, she will start radiation tomorrow. If she decides that is not her cup of tea, then SHE gets to make the decision for herself about what she wants to do ( if that makes sense). Although I am old, she is my elder, and I was raised to respect my elders:)

Minneapolis, MN
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29 January 2017 - 6:52 am
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Hello:

We were in this boat with a large and older dog back in April of last year.  While Pofi's cancer was a different type, a soft tissue sarcoma, it was his front leg, he weighed the same as your Jeremiah and was a very deep chested dog (a Malamute x Greyhound or Saluki mix).  He did wonderfully with the post amp, had a flawless, easy recovery, was handling stairs entirely too soon per the recommendations and had a pain free or at least far less painful 6 months than he had experienced in months or even a year prior to diagnosis.  He was nearly 11 and a half and still a very active dog when he had the amputation.  

While we still lost him to his cancer and for many of our pets this will be the case, my only regret about amputation remains not doing it sooner when the cancer was less advanced.  And from what I could tell, Pofi never had any regrets about loosing that painful leg.

There are videos posted of him in the weeks after surgery on stairs and running around and demanding a trip to the dog park and I can point them out to you if you like.

Best thoughts for you and Jeremiah whatever your decision.  It really is personal and every dog is different.

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.

Blog: Pofi, Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Amputation

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29 January 2017 - 5:07 pm
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Thank you all so much for the encouragement!!!!!!  I appreciate all of the kinds words and support!  Jerimiah is on Rimadyl and Tramadol currently.  I would actually really love to amputate sooner but I'm not able to take time off work for his recovery until next month.  I live alone so he would be alone while I'm at work.  The vet did make a diagnosis based on the xrays, he is a pretty good vet though, he saved his life in 2014 when Jerimiah needed his spleen removed asap.  Money is tight also, sad to say but I had previously been working 20hrs a week and just started working a full 40.  I'm sure I couldn't afford an orthopedic surgeon right now.  Thank you for the inspiration!  I would love to see the videos of Pofi.  How do I post pictures?

Minneapolis, MN
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23 April 2016
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29 January 2017 - 9:09 pm
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Hello:

Here is the topic thread on how to post photos .  Essentially, you either need to have the photos hosted somewhere else (like Flicker or Photobucket or Snapfish) and enter the link in dialog box brought up with the "picture" icon above or start a blog on the site and upload image to the media library there. The former is the quicker route if you have an account like that.

Here are some videos of dogs (and cats) before and after their surgery and a few Pofi videos are on this page.  You can also look at my blog in my signature below for pictures and some detail about our post surgery life.  Note that I have not update since a few weeks before we lost him - he was still doing really well and I just haven't had the heart yet to do the follow up blog post.

There used to be a big Redbone who had had a limb amputation at our dog park occasionally a few year prior to my boy's amputation.  He got around very well and was a happy lad.

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.

Blog: Pofi, Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Amputation

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1 February 2017 - 9:49 am
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Thanks for the info.  The videos were very inspiring.  Pofi really didn't seem to want that leg anymore anyhow!  Jerimiah isn't limping that bad.  When he is on pain pills he hardly limps at all on walks, it's mostly when he is just getting up at home.  I should post some pictures of his giant tumor.  The vet is baffled he is still walking at all and neither one of us understand why it isn't more painful than it looks.  https://www.fac.....38;theater This is a pic of Jerimiah hiking the day after his diagnosis.  I thought, lets use it while we still have it! 

Virginia







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1 February 2017 - 11:32 am
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Heck, couldn't see the pics...not a FB person. Ugh!!

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!

Durham, NC
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16 September 2015
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16 February 2017 - 8:35 pm
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Wondering how Jeremiah is doing? My dog was just about 12 when she had her front leg amputated (osteo) and she's still getting around like a champ, even though we had to repair her knee after her cruciate ligament ruptured this past fall. I don't regret the amputation one bit and she didn't either. In fact, she was up and walking the day after surgery - crazy girl!

Let us know how things are going!

Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.

Santa Fe, NM


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17 February 2017 - 11:11 am
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Welcome and hugs to you and Jeremiah! I've not met a hound yet that couldn't take on any and all comers. My guess is he'll do great on three.

Oh FB strikes again - I am on FB and it told me the content "wasn't available".

My girl was 12/13 when she had her amp last July (osteo) - she was about 85 lbs. at the time and was up and moving around really quickly. What we didn't know was her back was in pretty bad shape (spondyliosis (sp?) and arthritis of course). With a cortisone shot she did great although she never did get upstairs again. We got an extra six months before the poopicon_pngpoopicon_pngpoopicon_pngdisease metastasized to another of her legs. I never regretted doing the amp for a minute. Getting rid of the pain makes such a difference for everyone.

Have you looked into CareCredit? It was the only way I could afford to do everything I could for her. and Tripawds has some assistance too, not sure what/where but someone here will undoubtedly point you in the right direction.

Keep us posted and stick around - best people anywhere are on this site!

Hugs!

Teri and Angel Isa

Right rear leg amp 7/12/16 due to OSA. Metastatic lesion on her right front leg, January 2017. Joined the Winter Warriors January 19, 2017. Run free my sweet girl.

Santa Fe, NM


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17 February 2017 - 11:11 am
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Oh and pictures! we need pictures!!!

Right rear leg amp 7/12/16 due to OSA. Metastatic lesion on her right front leg, January 2017. Joined the Winter Warriors January 19, 2017. Run free my sweet girl.

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18 February 2017 - 9:48 am
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Oh you guys are my angels! I almost backed out having doubts ect needed a sign. Talked to his vet again who thinks its best to take it off. Thursday should be the day, Ill keep everyone updated. Im already too extended for care credit. Hes had 2 hospital stays at the ridiculously priced er within the last 6 months. I can afford this surgery barely but not a specialist. His vet has been practicing for like 30 yrs and Im confident in his abilities.  Ill have to get around to starting a shutterfly account to post pics of my handsome old man. One question, would it be feasible to go to work the next day? My vacation starts but I have the day after surgery to work. Im trying to get out of it but if I cant I can leave him at home for that one day ir reschedule for Monday. Vaca is 9 days to look after him.

Virginia







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18 February 2017 - 10:05 am
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I know this is agonizingly difficult getting to this point! I actuw cancelled my Happy Hannah's firs surgery appointment because I was sooooo scared! I hadn't found this site yet and it also was just myself!

I see your on now. Jeremiah will be spending the first night at the Vet's right? Is it a 24 hr clinic where someone will be monitoring him? Is it possible he coukd spend a second night? I know money is an issue and I know you want him home as soon as possible. If that's not an option, is it possible to have a friend come over?

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!

Raleigh, NC
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29 April 2013
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18 February 2017 - 11:21 am
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Just to let you know, the largest dog I am aware of to have a front leg amputation was Deuce at NC State.  He was 215 lbs the day of the surgery.  His leg and scapula weighed in at 12 lbs when it was removed.  There were complications after the surgery due to NC State not being prepared for assisting a dog of his size but Deuce was able to walk on 3 legs and loved going for daily walks in his neighborhood.

My Nixon was 75 lbs before surgery.  He had a previous spinal injury that had us afraid that he wouldn't handle life on 3 legs but he did well.  We kept him very lean after the surgery, at about 60 to 62 lbs, and he needed higher quality beds after this as he had no fat to protect him.  A good firm bed with about 1/2 to 1 inch of memory foam was his favorite.  

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