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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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Member Since:
21 October 2016
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21 October 2016 - 2:28 pm
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Hi - My black lab, Eve, has what they think is osteosarcoma in her back knee.  She is almost 8 (next month) and a super strong healthy dog 92 lb dog otherwise.  They thought it was a torn ACL and prescribed anti-inflammatory meds for a few weeks to wait and see.  She seemed fine then, but once she stopped taking them she was limping more than before.  Xray was suspicious and my vet sent it out for confirmation and came back saying it was a tumor and we should put her down now!  This was completely a shock!!!  I took her for a second opinion to an oncologist and she is recommending amputation and chemo and says that should give her a year.  They xrayed her lungs and they were fine as of now.  I don't know if this is the right choice?  I scheduled it for Monday but it is soooo expensive and I don't want to put her thru all this if it is really only a few months.  Advice????  Other similar experiences???????

On The Road


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21 October 2016 - 4:51 pm
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Hi and welcome! I wanted to get your post approved so others can see it, but I'm on my phone now so I'll comment when I'm on my laptop. Thanks for your patience!

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

On The Road


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21 October 2016 - 6:20 pm
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cali said
....I don't want to put her thru all this if it is really only a few months.  

It's all about quality of life now, not quantity. OSA is very agressive, and tumor pain will only get works. If Eve is otherwise fit and strong, she should recover quickly and adapt well to life on three legs. Our best advice is to Be More Dog .

Bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of helpful links or consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns.

Others will surely chime in soon. In the meantime, use the Advanced Search above to refine your search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here , and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!

Best wishes, please keep ua posted. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.

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

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21 October 2016 - 6:57 pm
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HI Cali, My doberman (Bentley)had his front leg amputated 1 month before turning 8. It was a decision i do not regret at all!  He is now pain free and doing great. His surgery was  8/1/16, almost 3 months ago. He goes up and down stairs, runs the yard chasing squirrels and is enjoying life like any healthy dog! Yes, we don't know how long he has but we will continue making wonderful memories until the nasty cancer shows up, and who knows, maybe it won't!!  Bentley's recovery went very well and he was running around within a couple weeks. Dogs are not attached to their limbs like we are so don't worry about her "missing" her leg, all that will matter to her is there's no more pain!  Goodluck and please keep us updated!! Karen & Bentley

Bentley is our eight year old Doberman, diagnosed 7/13/16 with osteosarcoma tumor on right front leg, became a tripawd on 8/1/2016. His recovery was amazing, he was rockin it on 3! Bentley lost his fight to this nasty cancer when it metastisized into his spine, we had to let him go 11/13/16 exactly 4 months after first diagnosis. He was the perfect best friend, i'll miss him forever. :(

Schofield, WI
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21 October 2016 - 7:01 pm
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No one can tell you what you should do.  You know your girl the best.  You know yourself the best.  We were one of the unlucky ones that only got 4 1/2 months after amp.  Was it worth it?  YES!!  Max was in so much pain before the amp.  We were able to get that sweet boy out of that pain and living life fully after his amp had healed.  The bond we shared with him grew by leaps and bounds.  When we lost him we were devastated but I knew we had done all we could for him and had tried.  Most importantly to me is Max knew we tried.  Many many here get much more time than we had.   It truly is quality of life over quantity.  Max truly was one loved and spoiled pup for those 4 1/2 months. You will make the best decision for your girl out of love and whichever way you go we will support you.  We all know what a hard decision this is to make.  Sounds like they think your girl is a good candidate for amp and chemo and all you can do is weigh your options and make your decision based on love.  That's all any of us who have faced this decision could do.  Hugs to you and please keep us posted on sweet Eve.  You're not alone this whole community is standing by ready to help.

Los Angeles, CA
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21 October 2016 - 7:04 pm
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It is a super tough decision for sure and one that is very personal. But like others have said - you are doing this FOR her, not to her. I am pretty shocked that a vet said "put her down". Shaking my head ... lots of dogs do really well on 3 legs - regardless of size. My girl was 12 when she lost her leg (to a different kind of cancer) and we got 8 months (4 months on 3 legs). It was 100% worth it! She was pain-free, happy and dogs live in the moment so those months felt like years to her. 

The recovery can be tough ... I won't sugar-coat it BUT many dogs sail through that like it's nothing. Jerry, who responded here, got over 2 years (I think) on 3 legs ... others have stories like that. Of course there are no crystal balls in life but if it gives Eve a few months pain-free and extra time with you ... it seems like a win to me! 

I am glad you got a second opinion ... I hope you ask more questions, download the e-book and stay close to us and keep us posted!!!

XO

Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart 

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

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21 October 2016 - 7:31 pm
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Hi Cali,

My sweet Ted was diagnosed in March with Osteosarcoma in his front left leg.  He was about 8 1/2 years at that time - yellow lab/sharpei rescue.  We eventually ended up having his leg amputated in August (after having his lungs and other legs x-rayed) and he's done great.  It was expensive and I think we were lucky that we could afford it, I could afford to take leave from my job to stay home with him for about a week, my husband and children were supportive, and he had no real complications from the surgery.  He has been bouncing since about week 4 post amp.  Pathology from his lymph node during the surgery came back completely clean....I'm not counting on him being cancer free, and we've not done any chemo - but his is the same sweet joyful boy as before.  I have no regrets and I'm so so thankful to still have him in our family.  He is so full of life I couldn't imagine putting him down and I know I made the right decision.  But, I also understand that others don't have the freedom to make that decision.  I hope things work out with your Eve.

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31 May 2016
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21 October 2016 - 8:58 pm
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Hi there - I'm glad you found this place. Its so helpful. I was in much the same position as you - Clyde was diagnosed, and because I knew I couldn't afford chemo, I really questioned whether I should have him go through the amputation for just a few more months time (being realistic and not counting on him being a miracle dog). I also had to consider the cost. In the end, I decided to go ahead - I used my mom's care credit account because my own reserves had been exhausted by my own health costs (I just had had surgery before Clyde started limping). It was the best decision I've made. He's totally pain free, and once he recovered from the amputation (he was pretty good after the stitches came out and got better and better) and he and I are enjoying each and every day.

I won't lie - I've had a hard time with it at times. Looking at him every day and knowing our time together is short sometimes overwhelms me. But he's happy, and today I was thinking that this journey has really made me slow down and appreciate him. In a way, its been a blessing - I make time to play with him every day, and I didn't always do that before because of work, or whatever. Now, if I'm five minutes late to something because I stopped to play with Clyde in the front yard, so be it.

Everyone's decision is personal, and no one here will try to convince you to go one way or the other. And no one will judge you here for any choice you make. I had well meaning friends and family say things like "wow, that's a lot for just a few more months" and question whether it was the right choice. It was nice to just come here and read everyone's stories and make my own decision, with the support and advice from those who had been through it.

Best wishes to you and lovely Eve.



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23 October 2016 - 6:29 pm
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Hi Cali and Eve 🐶💗

My girl Eurydice lost her right front leg to osteo 5 1/2 months ago and she is deliriously happy and rocking on 3 legs.

The first couple of weeks after surgery weren't easy but as soon as stitches came out I could see my girl becoming her old self day by day. 

She did 6 sessions of chemo but others have not done it at all, there are no guarantees whether you go for chemo or not. 

But what most of us agree here is that we did the right think removing the painful leg and that made a huge difference in our babie's lives. 

I would definitely do it again. 

I am traveling with my girl at the moment, it has been a celebration of love for us, she clearly is enjoying life on 3 to the full.

I hope it will put a smile in yours and Eve's faces and you will feel more reassured about the surgery ... 

We are posting at Anything Goes forum under Eurydice's travels in Europe 5 months after amputation. 

Sending a cloud of pawsitive energy for you and Eve tomorrow, please keep us updated 😘😘😘🐾🐾

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 



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24 October 2016 - 5:54 am
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Hi Cali and Eve 💗🐶

Today is Eve's surgery day (I don't know which part of the world you live in, it's morning here) so I just wanted to send you an avalanche of kisses and waves of pawsitive energy to your girl 💕💕💕💕

Please let us know how it went, we are all waiting for your good news 😘😘😘😘

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

London, UK


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24 October 2016 - 5:58 am
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Ditto Eurydice! We are here for you and Eve, whatever you've decided to do. Do let us know how you're getting on.

Warmest wishes,

Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx

Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.

Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...

The Amazing Adventures of Ruby Tuesday 

My Life as a Megastar

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24 October 2016 - 2:25 pm
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karen said
HI Cali, My doberman (Bentley)had his front leg amputated 1 month before turning 8. It was a decision i do not regret at all!  He is now pain free and doing great. His surgery was  8/1/16, almost 3 months ago. He goes up and down stairs, runs the yard chasing squirrels and is enjoying life like any healthy dog! Yes, we don't know how long he has but we will continue making wonderful memories until the nasty cancer shows up, and who knows, maybe it won't!!  Bentley's recovery went very well and he was running around within a couple weeks. Dogs are not attached to their limbs like we are so don't worry about her "missing" her leg, all that will matter to her is there's no more pain!  Goodluck and please keep us updated!! Karen & Bentley  

thanks so much!  i really don't know anyone that has gone thru this so i am happy i found this site.  she had surgery this morning so hoping she will recover nicely.  they seem confident that she should do well since she is very strong and active.  glad to hear bently is doing well!heart

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24 October 2016 - 2:35 pm
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cali said

thanks so much!  i really don't know anyone that has gone thru this so i am happy i found this site.  she had surgery this morning so hoping she will recover nicely. the doctor called and said everything went smoothly.  she was wagging her tail and was so excited to go someplace new when i dropped her off - i felt terrible!  they seem confident that she should do well since she is very strong and active.  pathology should take about a week so i won't know for a little bit what type of cancer it is, but i guess we'll address that when the time comes.  thanks for all the encouragement and support!



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24 October 2016 - 3:30 pm
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Surgery is done, yay 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Keep us posted !!!

lots of hugs and cuddles flying your way 💕💕💕💕🐾🐾🐾😘

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

Santa Fe, NM


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24 October 2016 - 4:25 pm
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Hi Cali and Eve! I'm glad you found Tripawds - I can't imagine trying to fly solo on this journey. These people and dogs are sanity saving. I'm glad you found a helpful vet and surgery is done. One day at a time for the next little while.

Let us know how things are going. Hugs and hugs and more hugs!

Teri and 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.

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