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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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My Dog Has a Mast Tumor Cell and They Want To Remove His Leg
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Member Since:
4 May 2015
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5 May 2015 - 1:56 pm
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Hi Everyone, this is my first time posting on here.

My dog Bones is an 8 year old shar pei/hound mix who has a Mast Cell Tumor on his back left foot. In order for them to get all of the tumor, and, make sure he walks ok, they want to remove the entire leg. I have looked into paw prostetics, and was wondering if anyone else here has tried them? From what I have seen online, their are remixed reviews about this, plus, the vet said they may end up having to remove the entire leg after removing the toes, and this would avoid un needed surgery.

First things first, he is getting all of his tests tomorrow (ultrasound, X-ray, biopsy) so I will know more than. I know that if it has spread to vital organs that the chances of his survival will not be as good. The tumor has been present for almost a year, but we (including my vet) thought it was an allergy, until very recently, when the tumor grew. He is a very sensitive dog, not very tough, and my mom would rather he not have the leg removed, because she does not think he would handle it well. I have tried explaining to her that dogs are different than humans, that they move on, but she is still very worried, and it is hard enough coping with this news as it is, while hearing her opinion on what she thinks a 3 legged dogs life would be.

I am very scared about bringing him in for the tests, I am afraid the tumor has spread, and I feel like it is my fault for not knowing better. I know I am not a vet, but a couple of months ago I sensed it was more than allergies when the zertec was not helping. I feel like at this point, pointing fingers and beating myself up is pointless, but I can not help it, he is all I have. I never had children, and he is my child. Most of my friends do not understand what I am feeling right now, aside from sister, whose doggy had cancer and got radiation, so I really do not have anyone to talk to about this. I have been crying a lot, and constantly walking bones lol. I want to be strong, but sometimes I just break down into tears when I look at him,

He is not in any pain right now, the tumor causes him no issues. Any time he has been injured he cries and does not want to be alone. I worry that he would not be able to handle a surgery like this, but then I think maybe he can. He is a wonderful dog, very sensitive, very loving, very happy, and I just have no idea how this will affect his sweet personality.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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5 May 2015 - 2:00 pm
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Welcome and best wishes for Bones! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.

Regarding prosthetics , don't miss our video interviews with OrthoPets. They do wonderful work, but success depends entirely on your follow-up, rehab, and training.

Regarding the fear, ssssshhhh.... Bones doesn't know he has cancer! He only wants to feel better, and what he needs most is a strong balanced pack leader to show him the way. Our best advice is to Be More Dog .

Please keep us posted!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Livermore, CA




Member Since:
18 October 2009
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5 May 2015 - 5:29 pm
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Welcome to you and Bones.

My little pug Maggie lost her left rear leg to a mast cell tumor, it was in her knee.  You can read her story and about her amputation and chemo if you like, the links are in my signature below.

Maggie did not have pain from her tumor either, like Bones she was quite demonstrative when something was painful.  In fact she was kind of a drama queen!  Maggie was also very stubborn and did not like any changes to her routine.  I was worried about how she would recover from the amp surgery.  All the vets assured me that most dogs do fine on three.  Well, Maggie had no medical complications but she was not happy for about 6 weeks!  I was sure I had made a terrible mistake.  I probably made things worse by being mopey around her- we probably fed off of each others bad moods.  Anyway, after about 6 weeks she started playing with me again and she hopped happily through life for almost 4 years.  I do understand your concerns about how Bones will recover- but most here are back to themselves in 2 or 3 weeks.

I hope all the tests come back clean tomorrow, please keep us posted.

Also, let me know if I can answer any questions.

 

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

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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5 May 2015 - 8:12 pm
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WE UNDERSTAND!! WE SURE DO CARE! YOJ AND BONES ARE NOT ALONE!!! You have the whole Tripawd Universe walking bynyour side. Stay connected...hold onto us...we've got you!

From this point forward, no more beating yourself up for not knowing what was going on with Bones! Almost all of us here spent time doing that initially. We realoz very quickly to do so takes our focus away from being fully present with our puos and cats. It's one more way that brutal piece of crap disease tries to gain control over our time with iur dogs. But we won't let it!! Bones won't allow it!

Just keep things chunked down for now. Get the tests done, review the links you have been given and review vide of tripawds big and small, young and old, and see for n yiurself how well dogs and kitties do on three legs!

Amputation, should you go that route, is something you do FOR your dog, not TO your dog. Sure, it is major surgery and has risks and recovery is no picnic. But once the recovery period is over and yo j see the sparkle come back bigger and brighter than ever and see Bones return to all his normal routine....you will be ecstatic!!

And you are spot on about dogs just accepting whatever is thrown their way and just move on. I know its hard to imagine that they get along so well on three legs and adapt incredibly quickly.

We'll look for your update AND we would love to see pictures of Bones! He sounds delightful! And remember to keep your energy strong and confident in front of Bones! He'll follow your lead! Do some deep BREATHS....B R E A T H E......B R E A T H E.....go hug Bones and know that he isn't worrying about a thing and doesn't give a rip about any ole' stupid diagnosis! He's his own man!!

((((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))

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!

Orrtanna Pa.
Member Since:
25 January 2014
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5 May 2015 - 8:48 pm
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Welcome, no more beating yourself up, ok? We all understand completely here. As far as getting around on 3 legs, well, we do a lot of that around here. Not us,per se, but our pups and cats. Maybe you can show your Mom some of the videos posted on here of how well they get around. The first 2 weeks can be a bit trying, but then they figure it out. Once they begin to heal and get off the pain meds, things start to look up. Do what you think is right for your boy. You will hear so many people trying to give their opinion. Most people just equate it to a human losing a limb. Dogs are born with 3 and a spare. They really do not seem to miss it. My sister had a Sharpei, Lab mix that lived until he was 16. The funny thing was, he looked like a Chocolate Lab with these really loose jowls. She thought when she got him, he would be wrinkly.  I would love to see apicture of Bones. This is the right place to come for support. Keep us posted on his test results. Lori, Ty & Gang

TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed  and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater. 

Martinsburg, WV
Member Since:
3 June 2014
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6 May 2015 - 7:19 am
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Welcome Bones and Mom!!!  Like others have mentioned nothing good comes from beating yourself up for not knowing sooner that Bones was dealing with cancer.  Like you said (and I constantly remind myself) we're not vets, we don't have that sort of training and we can only make decisions based on the information given to us by a vet.  You know what Bones is dealing with now and there are some pretty tough decisions to be made. 

Amputation is a major surgery and the recovery period can be tough (but not always).  Just because Bones' physical appearance may change doesn't mean what makes Bones who he is will.  He will still be your precious fur baby.  Like others have mentioned watch the videos and look at pictures of other Tripawds.  I used to think a 3 legged dog was disabled but that is the farthest thing from the truth...Tripawds continue to live full lives and do pretty much what they did before.  They may tire a little easier and the humans may have to be a little more vigilant that they don't do anything crazy that may injure a remaining leg.

And as others have mentioned you are not alone.  You have tons of support from this community.  Even though many of us haven't met face to face this place is still like a family.  We know it's hard finding support from family and general society because there's still a lot of misconception surrounding dog/cat amputations.  People may think it's cruel to amputate a limb but you have to keep in mind they are speaking from a place of non-understanding.  Until they are faced with cancer or an injury that requires an amputation to save a fur baby's life it's hard for people to comprehend.

Please stay connected and keep us updated as you and Bones start this journey.  I will say that if you choose to go the route of amputation the bond you have with Bones will grow even deeper.  I know it did for my husband and I with our Leland.

And we'd love to see some pictures of Bones.  We love pictures around this place if you couldn't tell...lol!!

Sahana and her Angel Leland

Leland

November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014

May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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6 May 2015 - 9:30 am
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I'm really sorry you're in the middle of this diagnosis that really does turn your world upside down. But you know, I'll bet you that Bones isn't worried is he? Follow his lead and you can't go wrong.

I don't have experience with mast cell but lots of folks here do. We recently hosted a Tripawd Talk Radio show all about this diagnosis, which has tons of great info from one of the best oncos in the country:

Mast Cell Cancer in Dogs and Cats with Dr. Ann Hohenhaus

you might enjoy this one too:

Lucky Dog Author Interview with Dr. Sarah Boston

Keep us posted on how things are going. We all totally understand your emotions and what you're going through.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
27 March 2015
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7 May 2015 - 11:59 pm
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Howdy to you and Bones!

I know how you feel right now, when I found out my pups leg was broken and I didn't have the $5000 to reconstruct it, I was heartbroken. I really wish she had found her way into a wealthy family. There was even "the talk" about what was right for us and for her, and had even considered putting her down.

AND THEN I FOUND TRIPAWDS!

I can not tell you how reassuring the folks on here are, which I guess I'm one of em now?

My pup had hind leg amputation and came home on April fools day and I got a fool home.

Humans are the only animals that feel sorry for themselves or have body complex issues. Now I don't want to sound like a city clinic dentist (coffee stain? pull the tooth) but seriously, just cut that sucker off and let both of you get on with life!

I have yet to hear a story on here (not saying they don't exist somewhere) about a dog that came home short a leg and was upset, or embarrassed or was never able to play fetch again.

That's not to say the road to recovery is a picnic, but this will be harder on you than your dog I can promise that!

I can't find the exact video to link but I saw a video where poacher trappers "bear traps" amputated a monkey's arm, and both legs, and these people were filming it wondering how it gets by and low and behold, this monkey starts pogo-sticking it's way down the road on one arm. Your pup will adapt I assure you.

Please keep us posted and we will be here for you and Bones OK?

Member Since:
4 May 2015
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26 May 2015 - 6:53 pm
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Thank you all so much for the encouraging words, you have no idea how much that means to me. I am sorry I was not on here for a couple weeks, I was running all over trying to get all of his tests done, getting new tests, consults.... not a picnic. I am including some photos on my newest post for you all to see, beware, he is a handsome fella 🙂

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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26 May 2015 - 8:47 pm
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Oh gosh no apologies necessary, it's just so nice to hear from you. Please keep us posted OK? We can't wait to check out the pics! Handsome indeed.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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