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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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Please need to make decision about amputation before Monday AM (March 28) Please help!!!!!!!!!!!
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In your heart, where I belong.
Member Since:
9 February 2011
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16
26 March 2011 - 8:35 pm
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Dakota had a spindle cell cancer. He lost his left front leg 6 weeks ago. Dakota just turned 9, and he has some arthritis in his shoulders. That was something I worried about. How would he get around with one front leg if he has arthritis in his shoulders? We put him on Deramaxx daily to try to deal with that, and he's really doing well in that regard. Does Jingo have any issues like this?

Dakota had chest films before surgery, which were clear. He only had an aspiration and not a biopsy. It was mentioned and kind of encouraged, but I was also told that there was no choice. I figured that if there was no choice, why put him through the biopsy? Cut the sucker off and be done with it! So that's what we did. It may help you make up your mind if you do the chest films. I was told that this cancer rarely metastasizes and that Dakota should not die of anything related to this cancer since his chest is clear. No guarantees, of course, but based on lots of experience.

Several years ago, I had a dog with a soft tissue cancer on her shoulder. She had a biopsy because the aspiraton came back with weird results. That biopsy was way worse than removing the mass. That's one reason I decided not to put Dakota through that.

Others mention very valid things to consider. I think the biggest is whether or not the vet thinks he can get clean margins if he only debulks the mass. Dakota had no choice. His tumor was quite large, between elbow and within 2 inches of his wrist. That leg was fully one inch larger in diameter than the other leg. They could not get clean margins, and they couldn't even close the surgical site if they tried. That's how big it was. It also grew quickly.

This is what I was told would happen if we didn't do any surgery at all and just left the mass, just so you know: The tumor would grow until the skin couldn't stretch anymore, and it would burst the skin. It would ulcerate and ooze and be a huge, nasty, painful mess. It would likely get infected, and it would hurt like hell. But again, they couldn't even attempt to debulk this thing.

I don't really know what the life expectancy is for Aussies. I googled it and came up with 12-15 years. My dog I mentioned with the cancer and biopsy was a big shepherd mix, and she died at 15 1/2. So don't write Jingo off just because she's 12. Tell the 105-year-old grandma that her life expectancy is 80 and see what she says!

Good luck with your decision. If they can debulk that thing and if they think they can get clean margins, I would probably let them do that, if Jingo were mine. But if they can't, you may want to give it a shot with amputation. She may have a few years left and live a good, long life and die of old age. Just like we all want.

Shari

From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.

Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/

Member Since:
20 May 2009
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17
27 March 2011 - 3:37 pm
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I'm sorry I am so late joining this post.  I am a bit confused as to why a decision has to be made Monday.  I would suggest that you not make a decision until you feel informed.  Notice I didn't say comfortable because a lot of people never feel "comfortable" with the decision to amputate.  On the other had Emily had a textbook x-ray showing an osteosarcoma so I couldn't wait to get the leg off to get rid of the cancer.   I don't know anything about spindle cell cancer.  

I know I'm not any help but I just wanted to welcome you to tripawds and make sure you know you are not alone.

Debra

Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.

binky
18
28 March 2011 - 7:01 pm
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Thanks again for all the help and support--I LOVE dogs and I LOVE people who LOVE dogs!

My vet agreed that putting Jingo though a biopsy which would necessitate general anesthesia, is not a good idea--better to just get the damn thing out--which is what we will do tomorrow--he feels he can get it all, but we'll see, it is larger than a golf ball but is not as large as Dakotas--I hope Dakota continues to do well. 

If the vet cannot get good margins and the tumor returns, I will consider amputation but only if it seems like the only way to give Jingo the best quality of life in her remaining years. My vet mentioned her age as a consideration of amputating the front leg, but her back legs are fine--I wasn't so lucky last time with my German Shepherd but she has short, thick, strong legs. 

Like everyone here, I am learning as much as I can and am blessed to have the support of so many wonderful people. 

May you and your dogs live long, happy, healthy lives no matter how many limbs they have!

I'm grateful to have found this site--

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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19
28 March 2011 - 7:41 pm
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Best wishes for a perfect procedure! We'd hate to hear of Jingo going through multiple surgeries.

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

Winnipeg
Member Since:
13 July 2009
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20
28 March 2011 - 8:06 pm
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Hi Jingo and family

I can totally understand wanting to make the surgery a one-stop deal. It is not fun for any dog to go through more than one surgery and anesthesia, let alone a senior. Good luck tomorrow. It sounds as though Jingo will do just fine on three legs, if it comes to that.

So you have caused quite a bit of confusion. I assume Binky was your shepherd - is that right? Or is Binky a pet name for Jingo?

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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21
28 March 2011 - 11:11 pm
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Good luck tomorrow Jingo!

I wish we had known you are in Tucson, we're actually driving through there on Wednesday morning. Well, when you're all better we will have to get together for a pawty OK?

We will be thinking of you. Keep us posted OK?

P.S. Silly Tazzy, I think she's confused  over your user name, "Binky" and Jingo's name.

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

binky
22
29 March 2011 - 8:50 am
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Thanks for the good thoughts--we'll be taking Jingo in a few minutes--

Sorry about the confusion--Binky is my user name and my nickname--

Jingo is my Aussie Girl

Arby is my dear departed German Shepherd who had GSM (Myelopathy)

 

krun15
23
29 March 2011 - 9:01 am
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Good luck with the surgery today, I hope all goes as planned.  Let us know how it goes. 

 

Karen and the pugapalooza

 

Winnipeg
Member Since:
13 July 2009
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24
29 March 2011 - 2:32 pm
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admin said:

Best wishes for a perfect procedure! We'd hate to hear of Jingo going through multiple surgeries.

jerry said:

P.S. Silly Tazzy, I think she's confused  over your user name, "Binky" and Jingo's name.

No fair - Jerry and Admin just ganged up on me! I was being polite to not point out exactly WHO was confused about Binky - in fact I had edited that one out of my prior post before posting. And now I see that particular person edited his (hint it is a 'his', hmm and it does not look as though many 'his' are capable of such editing) own post to say Jingo and not Binky! yes I did not know who Binky was, but I knew who Jingo was, even then. Or maybe Jerry edited the post on his behalf.

Well I hope things go well for both of you - Jingo and Binky - today.

binky
25
30 March 2011 - 11:04 am
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Hi, Tripawds!

 

X-rays were clear and surgery went well--it was a very aggressive surgery (which is good!) and the vet got a large margin. He had to cut up past where her leg meets the trunk of her body so he could get extra skin to stretch over the site her excised. She's got a drain plug and a splint to keep her leg in place for ten days--we hope all will heal well or else we'll need a skin graft. Now, we're just waiting on the results of the biopsy.Who knows what the future will bring? Who ever knows?

 

When I did exhaustive research, I found this info on Soft tissue sarcomas including spindle cell  from the North American Veterinary Association. I know A number of you are dealing with other cancers, but I hope a few find this helpful.

 

http://landofpu.....rcomas.pdf

Portage Lake, Maine
Member Since:
8 December 2009
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26
30 March 2011 - 11:15 am
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Thank you for that link...I hadn't seen it before...have printed it for reading tonight...my dog has STS but never figured out which one.

Congratulations on what sounds like a good turnout on your dog's surgery!  Here's to hoping this is all that needs to be done and hoping her recovery goes well! 

Tracy, Maggie's Mom

Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09

Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13

http://maggie.t.....t-24-2013/

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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27
30 March 2011 - 11:16 am
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Ohhh so glad the surgery went well!

Good link, thank you. Land of Pure Gold is a fantastic resource!

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

Member Since:
20 February 2011
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28
30 March 2011 - 6:37 pm
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Great news!

Cocoa

Stray Rescue – Ampuversary 2/15/2011

Pictures

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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29
30 March 2011 - 7:13 pm
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The little "monkeyboys" over here are doing a happy dance because they know that happy news means mommy will give out extra treats!

Her Retired AvatarComet - 1999 to 2011

She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.

She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.

krun15
30
30 March 2011 - 8:35 pm
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Good to hear the surgery went well, and x-rays were clear.

I hope she heals up quickly.

And thanks for posting the link- knowledge is power!

 

Karen and the pugapalooza

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