Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My 10 year old Doberman, Justice, was diagnosed with an osteosarcoma in his right front leg about three weeks ago. We were given the options and with much difficulty decided on amputation and a 3 day course of chemo treatment that is fairly new rather than the 16 week plan. He was in the hospital for four days and then came home. His stitches came out four days ago now and the vet didn't seem concerned by his tough bowel movements, eating grass, blood in his stool, or lack of appetite. He seemed to think it was due to the pain relief. We are a total of 13 days past surgery and he has not had pain relief for 3 days. He is getting around better than I thought he would at this point, although he is still falling almost every time he tries to run and his back legs seem a bit weak. The problem is that he still has the same symptoms and has been turning down chicken even for two days. Before he was eating chicken and veggies mixed with dry food and loved it. Now he will only eat can food and not with his normal gusto. I think he ate better a week ago than he has the last few days. He also just seems sad. He lays around most of the time and takes little interest. When we get him outside he just stands there rather than investigating or asking to play. I have offered him his ball and rope, which normally get him very excited, and nothing. He did try to chase a bird yesterday which panicked me a bit as he fell three times trying to give chase. We have played a couple games of hide and seek which he seemed happy with but not super excited.
I am worried as I want to make sure he is well cared for and happy in the time I have left. I am not sure whether I should be worried about his symptoms and how I can keep him eating, he is a pretty thin dog as it is. I also am not sure what I can do to keep him interested in life, games etc. I don't want to force him to get up so I just sit with him a lot, but most the time he just lies there with his eyes open staring into space.
Any advice would be very much appreciated.Â
Thank you,
Kim
Hi Kim 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
Is Justice still on an anti inflammatory like Rimadyl for pain? Â It almost sounds like he's got a bit of pain yet. Â Being 10 he may need something on a daily basis to help with inflammation. Â Our Max stayed on Rimadyl daily even after the amp. Â He may have some arthritis acting up with his new gait. Â Just a thought. Â Hugs!
Hi Kim and Justice,Â
I am sorry that circumstances have brought you here but also pleased that you've found your way to this site, as there really is no better place for advice and support.
I'm also sorry that Justice seems rather down and has not yet regained his spark, though I am confident he will do so. Thirteen days post op is still early in terms of adjustment and recovery. I wonder whether it might be worth talking to the vet about resuming Justice's pain medication. Ten days post op is still quite early to stop, and whilst some dogs are fine then, I would say typically, judging by what I have read on this site, most dogs continue for at least two weeks, and often for three or more. Remember it's not just pain relief for the surgery site, but also for all the little adjustments his body needs to make to adapt to life on three. He is likely to be feeling somewhat stiff and sore as he gets more active, and it might make sense to keep him at least on an anti-inflammatory (to be clear, I am not a vet, and obviously this would need to be done in conjunction with professional advice).
The other thing I am wondering is whether Justice might be over doing it slightly in terms of activity. As above, his body is adjusting and adapting. It might be wise to cut right back in terms of exercise, short lead walks with no running, no ball etc. to see if that makes a difference. You could keep him occupied with food puzzles etc., stuffed Kongs, various games and so on, or if he's happy to sleep I'd just let him.
I know it's upsetting to see him so down, but Justice will get his wag back, he just needs a bit more time.
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...
Another thought is physical therapy to help build those strong core muscles. Â Hydrotherapy can help increase strength in their legs too.
Kim, I would agree that he's giving off pain signals . Not eating is a big one. This blog post shares pain indicator tips for dogs and cats.
Pain Signs in Cats and Dogs: Learn the Symptoms
Have you talked to your vet about putting him back on pain relief? In addition to that, you may want to consider a visit to a veterinary rehab therapist. It's soo beneficial for all Tripawds, especially older ones. The good news is Tripawds Foundation will pay for your first consult. Here's a post that explains more about our rehab therapy program.
More Free Rehab For Tripawds!
I hope this helps. You are doing all the right things, hang in there. Oh and if you haven't already, check out our Loving Life On Three Legs book for loads of tips about helping him get fit and strong.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hope this is the right forum....we have been battling osteosarcoma for a little while now, about 2 months....rear leg has gotten too enlarged to manage so we are about to amputate....has anybody had good luck with using boxer shorts while the wound heals to ensure no licking?
Tungsten Blue, diagnosed with osteosarcoma August 2016, rear leg removed 28 October 2016, left us on 12/13/16, he will be greatly missed.
My Otis was on Tramadol into week 3. Â We started reducing his dosage, but he still needed something, especially before bed. Â I would also suggest looking into his pain levels.
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. Â
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hi ozifish, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer and facing amputation. You should consider starting your own topic in Presentation and Diagnosis so you can introduce your pup and get your questions answered.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Â
        Maggie's Story          Amputation and Chemo
Hi and welcome Justice and pack.
Did he already have the 3 days of chemo? Is that why he was at the vet for 4 days? I'm not familiar with that type of chemo regimen but I would imagine that two weeks out from that its possible that he is having some side effects. The lack of appetite and lethargy could be from the chemo. It seems odd to me that the vet is not concerned about blood in his stool- maybe an expected side effect?
Most all new tripawds are weak at the two week mark since they are learning how to balance and using their muscles differently. And I would assume he has been pretty inactive during the healing process.
If it's not the chemo then I would agree with the others that it could be pain related or he might just be tired. Another thing that slows new tripawds down is how much energy they burn just standing and hopping. He will need some time to re-build his strength and endurance.
My pup Maggie was very stubborn and was a slug for about 6 weeks after her rear amputation. No medical complications but she had always hated any changes to her routine. She had to accept her new normal on her own timeline. She hopped happily through life for almost 4 years.
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
Â
        Maggie's Story          Amputation and Chemo
Hi Kim!  My 8 year old doberman Bentley had his right front leg amputated almost 3 months ago.  We have not done any chemo treatments and his recovery has gone pretty good.  He back to running the yard and He goes up and down stairs (up better than down) pretty well, for only 3 months out. He's also had days where he seems less active but i agree that it's probably from being rather active the day before.  I usually give him a good shoulder massage on those days and it seems to help. FYI - between 2 and 4 weeks post op, Bentley experienced "phantom pain " and would cry out. It worried me at first but after his 4th week no more signs of it. Just remember, they are not attached to their limbs like we humans are so please don't worry that he's sad. I think once his pain is totally under control his appetite will come back full force! Good luck and please keep us updated!! Karen P
t
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. :(
Hi Kim and Justice. I'm so sorry that you both are on this journey. You've gotten a lot of great insight and ideas to look into. Like others mentioned you may want to check into getting Justice started back on some pain management meds. My Leland was on Rimadyl and Gabapentin (he didn't do so well with Tramadol). Also, I think Justice may have over exerted himself with his activity. I know we want our fur babies to get back to their old selves as quickly as possible but it's still a major surgery. I don't think I'd be running after anything 13 days out if I had gone through an amputation. It will just take time and with Justice being 10 years old it may take a little longer than normal.Â
Regarding the eating...yeah my Leland didn't have much of an appetite after his procedure. This is the time to spoil Justice so try cooking various meats and perhaps mixing it with some white rice versus the dry food. Heck, Leland was getting grilled chicken, steak, pork chops, turkey breast from the deli, whatever I could get my boy to eat.Â
Anyway, I'll be keeping Justice in my thoughts. And I'd love to see some pictures when you're able. There are several Dobie parents in this group...so hang in there.
Sahana and her Angel Leland and Lucian too
Â
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!
Hey there - we are two weeks out from surgery and Chance is still being a finicky eater. I find that cottage cheese is something he really likes. Occasional scrambled egg as well. Sardines, too. Â 
I've been whipping Bentley up a 4-5 egg & cheese omelet and i'll also throw in some kind of meat, almost every day. He LOVES it and i think he's come to expect it!! 🙂
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. :(
Hey Kim a d Jistice! Sorry you find yourself here but, under the circumstances, there is no better place to be for support, understanding and information.
Ditto everyone!
Since this form of chemo treatment is pretty much new to us here, it certainly appears it could be a side effect from thsa that. Has the Onco given you any insight into potential side effects after the three day course of chemo?
To piggyback on what Karen said, I would want the cause of a bloody stool checked out pronto! If your regular Vet won't do it, find a second opinion. It may be nothing, but it could also be signs of trouble!
Also, eating grass and not eating could be a sign of nausea and/or a GI upset. Has the Onco offered Cerenia or any. other med for nausea??
As others mentioned, pain meds may need to be added back in for another several days.
Update us when you can. Do hope you can get the cause of blood in the stool sorted out.
You are a very good advocate for yiur sweet pup! Hang in there! Recovery is no picnic! It took me three weeks before I could finally say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her!!
((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((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!
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