Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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hi, I’m brand new here. My cairn Bertie has a cancerous lump on his left front leg. He’s ten years old. He’s still active. He’s a sensitive guy, and he’s already been through two a c l repairs. He was really depressed after the first one, not as bad with the second one. Today I got a call from the vets office to reschedule his surgery to March 9 . This Friday. Originally we decided not to amputate, just to excise as much of the tumour as possible. We worry that he might not have a good quality of life post amputation at his age, and that he may be very depressed. I don’t want to make him suffer just to stay with us. The vet nurse told us on the phone today that the surgeon was advocating amputation and radiation. I don’t know what to think or do. Does anyone know of a small terrier amputee? Can anyone please give us some advice? I’m just so worried, confused, and at my wits end.
robyncairn
robyncairn said
Can anyone please give us some advice?
Yes, plenty!
Welcome and best wishes for Bertie. Veterinarians tend to know best. If you still have concerns, get a second opinion. A good vet will give you a referral. You mention age, but don't say how old Bertie is. Check the Size And Age Matters forum for plenty of examples from others with senior Tripawds.
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for your kind words. I forgot to say that Bertie is 10 years old. I’m heading over to the size/age forum .
Robyncairn
Bertie's avate picture is absow adoravle! And love his name! It just fits!
Yeah, ditto the second opinion from an ORTHOPEDIC Surgeon and, if possible, a consult with an Oncologist. Did amputation become the "optio " because the Bet didn't feel like he coukd get clean margins? It sounds like he's not in a lot lfe pain,so you still jave time to get another opinion so you can move forward with confidence and certainty- Well, as much certainty and confidence as anyone can have on this journey!!
How long ago were his ACL surgeries? Rather than being "depressed, Bertie may hzve been in pain or even bored if he fzced crate rest.
As far as being ten, age is just anumber around here! It sounds like Bertie is a feisty and spunky guy. Certainly you'll want a. Orthopedic Surgeon to chexk him over to make sure he is a good candidate. Many dogs have had arthritis, hip dysplasia, etc and are still good candidates.
What specific type did they say the tumor was?
A d shhhh.....don't tell the big dogs....shhhh....little dogs usually recover faster!
IF amputation is decided ro be the best way to give Bertie a good quality pain free life, we are here the whole way to help you through recovery and onto celee Bertie's victories!
It is ONE surgery. There is about a two weelk recovery that is no picnic. Some say the recovery is easier than the ACL surgery recovery! Managing the pain can be a vrit tricky, but you and your Vet can work that out.
And is a second opinion an option?
Okay, hang onto us. You are not alone! Deep breaths and lots of chocolate alerays 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!
Hello and welcome.
I've had two small Tripawds, although both are/were rear amps. Tripug Maggie lost a rear leg to mast cell cancer. She lived almost 4 years beating the 6 to 9 month prognosis. My current Tripawd is a little pug mix named Elly who lost her right rear leg after being hit by a car at 7 months old. Elly was healed from her surgery when I adopted her but I did go through recovery with Maggie. In addition, my quad pug Obie had two knee surgeries. In his case his luxating patellas were causing the CCLs to tear. He had the tightrope procedure each time in addition to the surgeon making the grooves for his patellas deeper (cutting bone!).
The recovery period for knee surgery is much longer than for amputation. In most cases once the sutures or staples are out around the two week mark then pups can start working toward normal activity level. After each knee surgery Obie was on strict rest for 8 weeks followed by 6 to 8 weeks of limited activity. Obie was also more painful after each of his knee surgeries compared to Maggie's amputation. Obie took pain meds for 5 or 6 weeks compared to Maggie who was off pain meds at the end of two weeks.
That being said... Maggie was a stubborn pug who hated any change to her routine. She was a slug for 6 weeks after her amp surgery and would not play with me all that time. There were no complications and we managed her pain well. She just took her time getting used to her new normal. In hindsight it made sense since she was so stubborn- but at the time I was sure I had made a mistake choosing amputation. In Maggie's case de-bulking the tumor was not an option because it was mast cell, and there was no way to remove the tumor because it was in the tissue around her knee.
It sounds to me like you still have some questions and another opinion might be good. I would want to know: how fast the tumor would come back if it was partially removed. Is there a chemo that would help shrink the tumor? Why is radiation recommended if the leg is removed? This is a big decision and you should be as confident as you can making choices.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girl
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
.."......First we were told that it wouldn’t metastasize, and probably wouldn’t return to the site in his lifetime (3 years). Then we were told that it wouldn’t metastasize, but that it can’t be totally removed, now it’s back again. Surgeon advocates amputation. Vets at the practice, not so much."
The above is part of a comment I picked up on Robyn's post on another thread. Robyn, hope you don't mind me adding itnover here. But as Karen said, I think there are more questions you need answers to.
Why do your regular Vets think amp is not a good idea?
"
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!
Hi Robyn,
I've replied to your post on Meg's hopping around thread http://tripawds.....some-time/
but just wanted to add re the ACL surgery, that by my understanding, this is a much more complicated surgery than amputation and with a much longer recovery time. I haven't experience of ACL repair personally, but my Meg had a total elbow replacement, prior to losing her leg, and also, previously an elbow fracture. In terms of managing recovery and recovery time, the amputation was MUCH more straightforward than either of these. The thing is with an implant or repair, you are constantly worrying that they will do something to jeopardise the repair. Bones take a long time to knit together etc.... With amputation, while it's major surgery for sure, once the leg is gone, it's gone.
Good luck with it all, and as others have said, it sounds as though some more information, and some advice from an orthopaedic specialist, would be helpful in making your decision.
All best,
Meg, Clare and Angel 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...
Hi Robyn
My 15 year old Cairn, Tai, had her rear leg amputated 16 months ago. It was an emergency amp, her leg was broken and cancer was discovered after the amp when her leg was biopsied. We have a blog on this site "Older and TriPawd" if you want to read details.
Like you, I was shocked, worried and confused. I agree with the others that a second opinion and talking with an orthopedic surgeon are good ideas. There is also a ton of good advice and great people here!
Bertie may have been depressed because he was in pain/uncomfortable? It takes a LOT to keep a Cairn down 
Tai's recovery went well - I opted not to do any cancer treatment and we did PT for a while. She is a bit older, a bit slower but is happy; we ride in the car, go to work and the park still.
We are here for you, this is a great place to be.
Tracey & Tai
Tracey! So glad you and Tai posted! Such a good story of hope and inspiration for "seniors"
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!
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