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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Tungsten Blue is a 51 lb blue heeler. He started limping in early August...vet thought maybe ACL initially due to his high level of activity. A few weeks later on a follow up visit to the vet we discovered a gray spot on the x-ray. Had a biopsy done but the labs came back inconclusive. The next follow up with the vet came when his leg began to really swell. The vet was almost 100% certain at that point that it was OSA. We are going in tomorrow for amputation. His lung x-ray did show two small (pea sized) nodules so we are hoping to keep those at bay. We are keeping our fingers crossed that getting the painful, oversized limb off will help him to regain the desire to get out and play the way we know he wants to.
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
We will be thinking of you tomorrow. The recovery period is tough, but if he has been limping since August, he will likely adjust to life on three legs fairly quickly. And the amputation will end the pain of bone cancer. Hopefully the nodules are not mets, but even if they are, the amputation should improve his quality of life, and many dogs have lived for a decent period of time with mets, whether they went through chemo or not. Good luck, and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Thanks Otisandtess...will post here to document the journey. I have done some research on metronomic chemo and we might take that approach if we can.
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
Is carboplatin not an option?
Anything you need to know about preparing your home? I know you have been visiting a lot of other threads, so maybe you picked it up there.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Have not investigated carboplatin...I will probably need to contact an oncology vet to find out more about the chemo options, unless our local vet knows about it. I think our home is ready for him...we have a good living space for him to recover in all on one level, and a ramp to get from the deck to the yard. I think it will be all ok.
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
Is there a special test they can do for mets other than x-ray? If not, how do they know the difference from other nodules.
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
I'm so glad you posted here, thanks for starting Tungsten's own topic.
To answer your question, the most accurate testing for locating metastasis is a CT-Scan. See:
X-rays vs. CT Scans for Canine Bone Cancer Staging
Be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List , it will answer many of your questions and help prepare you for his recovery.
I'm in the Tripawds Chat Room right now if you want to talk.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes, talk to an oncologist. Frequently, family vets are not as up to speed on it. Many of us did between 4 and 6 rounds of carbo, although many of us did not for a variety of reasons. And, if there are mets, carbo may or may not be recommended. But, no need to make a decision right now. Generally, the oncology consult and first treatment is about the time the staples are removed, about day 10 or so.
Traction is really important for a Tripawd, so it helps to put yoga mats or industrial floor mats (you can buy then at stores like Home Depot) down on tile or hard wood.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Just got your PM and was getting ready to respond a d BAM! You figured how to ppst on here! Good for you! Now we can follow Tungsten Blue's recovery and celebrate as he gets back to living life pain free!!
And heah, ditto not thinking about a treatment plan at this point. Just keep things chunked down and get through recovery.
Is the Vet doing the surgery yiur regular Vet? Does he have a 24/7 hospital? Tungsten will spend the first night there (assuming it's 24 hr) and most likely come home the next day.
When you pick him up, don't even bother to look at his incision site, he sure isn't! Just look into his druggy eyes and tell him what a good boy he Is! BTW, they shave a lot of fur and thst can be scary looking unless you are prepared!
A Radiologist will be the best person to look at xrays. Sometimes if there is uncertainty, it's a matter of re-doing xrays further down the road to see if there are any changes. "Spots" don't always mean mets!
THE most important thing about this crazy journey ks to make every day count! Live in the moment and Be More Dog ! Tungsten isn't worried about a thing! He doesn't care about xrays or days on a calendar or any ole' statistics! He DOES care about being pain free and being loved and spoiled and getting tummy rubs and extra treats and steak and ice cream!!
STAY CONNECTED! Recovery is no picnic! You may not get much sleep for a few nights! The Vet will.probably send Tungsten Blue home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, an antibiotic and Rimadyl. It's important to work out doses and frequency in athe manner that keeps the pain from breaking through.
He may nkt poop for a few days because of the meds. That's okay. You want to make sure he drinks and pees though. Adjusting to mobility on three legs is usually fairly quick, but not always. But they DO adjust!
Hang in there! We are right by your side, okay? We'll be cheering for Tungsten a d looking forward to an update when you can.
His avatar is so cute! Can't wait to see more photos of the delightful bou!
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!
Thanks for all of the support. Tungsten goes in today and will not be staying overnight, unless there are complications. Not too worried about the looks of the surgery site...we have been through some gruesome medical procedures between our four heelers. Will do what we can to make him comfortable. He will most likely have no problem to adjusting to his 3 legs as he has already been on 3 for a while now, balance might be more of an issue with the "dead weight" gone from one side. I will see about finding an oncologist here in town and make an appt with him for a couple of weeks from now. We will let everybody know how we are doing tomorrow.
Cheers,
Barb and Tungsten
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
Ozifish and Gabber. Good luck today and I know it will go good. It will be a tough day but you both will get through it. Just think of how much better Gabber will feel with the pain not being present anymore. Has the doctor talked to you about pain medication after the surgery? Mr Gibbs was on Tramadol and Truprofen. He still gets his Truprofen twice a day but it mostly just lets him sleep well.
Stay in touch and let us know how it goes. Our thoughts are with you today
All paws crossed for a good outcome and swift and smooth recovery.
As I'm sure you already know, watching your pup the first night oit of surgery coming off the anesthesia can be a bit...hmmm....."unsettling" to ssy the least. Stay connected and let us know how we can help.
((((((((((((((((((((((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!
Thanks all. I know Tungsten will be fine...he is a strong boy. With 4 heelers we have been through a few serious injuries to deal with and have had some experience with nursing them back to feeling better after major surgeries.
Cheers,
Barb and Tungsten
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
We are all thinking of you today, so let us know when he gets through surgery!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
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