Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We're a week out of surgery and discussing next steps with our vet.
Prior to surgery we were told average prognoses with OSA were as follows: no treatment, 2-3 months; amputation, 6-8 months; amputation plus chemo, 12-14 months. This was from our local vet and some info I found online seemed to back that up (was googling like a madwoman, so I don't remember the sources).
When we had the consult with the surgeon, out of town, he said amputation typically doesn't increase lifespan. Made us second guess our decision, but we moved forward anyway.
Now our local vet has slightly changed his tune and is saying lifespan won't be significantly increased with just the amputation.
We had decided when she was first diagnosed that we wouldn't do chemo. We can't really afford it, and I've seen some really rough experiences with family dogs and chemo (with different cancers). I do understand that many OSA dogs do great on chemo and have wonderful results.
I know it's a crapshoot of a disease, and there's no way of knowing what will happen to Moka either way. I guess I would just love some reassurance that maybe the amputation will help with prognosis, or even that it *could* help. We haven't gotten the pathology back yet, so I'm sure that will give us more information. I just felt so strongly that amputation (without plans for chemo) was the right move, even though she was hardly showing pain. Now I'm in the midst of recovery and am trying to fight back some creeping regret. Are we nuts to have done amputation and not do chemo?
Hey there 🌺
First of all you took the RIGTH decision to amputate and I'm sure everybody here will be of the same opinion.
Even if your girl wasn't showing any real pain yet she would!
And osteo moves fast too.
With the removal of the leg you removed the pain, 100% guaranteed.
As for chemo (and although we very rarely see side effects here and none serious that I can remember) it is a very personal matter.
I went the chemo route all the way but others did not and enjoyed the same or longer lives than my baby girl did.
Dogs can live shorter or longer lives with or without chemo, nobody can know for sure.
So, don't feel bad if you don't pursue chemo just focus on giving your girl lots of cuddles and enjoy your days together to the full.
And do not forget for one moment: she will be very, very happy on 3, no pain at all and that is thanks to her loving Mom, YOU 💗
Sending you both lots of hugs and cuddles 😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
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 :-)
I just felt so strongly that amputation (without plans for chemo) was the right move, even though she was hardly showing pain. Now I'm in the midst of recovery and am trying to fight back some creeping regret. Are we nuts to have done amputation and not do chemo?
Remember that most dogs are very good at hiding their pain- it's a natural instinct. In the wild those that show weakness often become dinner! Even though Moka wasn't showing you she was in pain chances are she was, she was just able to hide it. Pain from bone cancer (or anything that eats away at bone) quickly becomes excruciating, to the point that pain meds will not work. Amputation is done primarily to remove the pain.
By removing the pain you have given Moka quality, pain free time with you. How long? As you said it is a crap shoot. I've seen pups here far outlive the statistical prognosis, some without chemo. The longest survivor I know who did not do chemo is my friend Cemil, he used to live in my town but his pack has moved north. He is an Anatolian Shepard who weighs in at about 150 pounds and lost his front leg to OSA. Cemil is nearing 9 YEARS post amp!
It is not the norm, but it does happen. By choosing to amputate you have given Moka a chance.
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
Everyone has doubts during recovery! It's such a difficult time. But once you are through it, things will be so much better! You will start seeing the old Moka again. Pretty soon she will be pain-free and running around. Murphy used to run the fence just as fast as our other dogs when there was a dog in the park behind us - people didn't know he only had 3 legs!
Many people here choose not to do chemo, so you are not alone. You have to do what you feel is the right thing for your situation. And don't think about time limits or statistics. Murphy's cancer had spread at the time of his surgery - his lymph node was positive. His prognosis was 12-18 months "if we were lucky." Well, he made it over 4 years! And his lungs were still clear! No mets at all! He passed because of another cancer - hemangiosarcoma - talk about not being fair. But we beat those statistics. And he was a happy dog. So you get through these couple of weeks and you enjoy your time with Moka.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Good luck to you and Moka! Our Stella just had her first night at home post-amputation, it's rough and emotional I agree!
We have also made the decision to go with amputation but no chemo. It is a hard decision, but we are hoping for the best. I want the best quality of life possible for while we have her! I think there are many factors which go into a decision, and cost was certainly one for us. I'm sorry I don't remember who said it on this forum, but I'll paraphrase - there are no wrong decisions as long as you are trying your best and doing what you do out of love.
Best to you and Moka!
mokabean said
I know it's a crapshoot of a disease, and there's no way of knowing what will happen to Moka either way. I guess I would just love some reassurance that maybe the amputation will help with prognosis, or even that it *could* help. We haven't gotten the pathology back yet, so I'm sure that will give us more information. I just felt so strongly that amputation (without plans for chemo) was the right move, even though she was hardly showing pain. Now I'm in the midst of recovery and am trying to fight back some creeping regret. Are we nuts to have done amputation and not do chemo?
My Dane just had her right front leg amputated and I have gone back and forth about chemo too. Yes, no, yes, no. Right now, I'm at a no. I think that you have to separate the two completely. Amputation - pain relief and remove main tumor. Chemo is one of several treatment options to try to stop the metastasis. Don't look at them as going hand in hand. I've done a lot of reading and have found many people have success similar to chemo with homeopathic treatment. I'm sure you seen the name Dr. Loops in your searches and I know there are several people here who have used his treatments. I think once you separate the two, amp and chemo, it's easier to make decisions about both. As soon as my girl gets thru her current infection struggle, I plan to get her on Dr. Loops' protocol. Everything we do, every decision we make, we do it with their best interests at heart. As for the prognosis re: life span, there are some very wise folks here who told me this, now I'll tell you - Moka doesn't know about her prognosis or her life expectancy. Every dog is different, no one knows what will happen with or without chemo. So just keep doing the best you can!
Bobbi & Maddie a/k/a ManiacMads
Front leg amputation 10/17/17 due to Osteosarcoma
She's Madeline, She's Madeline
Hi Mokabean and Mama!
You have some of the best of the best here advising and comforting you. The one big disappointment that I have experienced from what I read here as well as my own experiences with vets (amp wise, not cancer wise) You can ask 20 vets the same question about cancer OR amputations and get 20 different answers. The wonderful thing about being here is you have TONS of tripawds under one roof. Surgery worthwhile? YES! To chemo or NOT to chemo... personal preference. Financial constraints absolutely play a role in the ability even if you were wanting to go that route. It is expensive, and you have to do what is also best for your whole family. For the homeopathic route I believe you are in the best place you could be. I have not had to deal with cancer, chemo, etc BUT I have met so many that did, do, and have! You will find a wealth of homeopathic information here and lots of good solid advise You will see in here many that have gone both routes and done very well. There is no "hard definitive" answer to 
cancer, it has it's own agenda. Same goes for people. Whatever you do, please get comfort in knowing that you are doing the best thing for your furbaby that you are able to. You have already done so much. I think this is where the whole group yells Be More Dog
! Mokabean is not checking days off on a calendar. He is living and loving in the moment with his family. Just love him back and cherish each day you have together 
Jackie
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
I got nere just in time ro say DITTO TO ALL THE WONDERFUL RESPONSES!!! As you can see, YOU ARE. NOT ALONE!!
As everyone one here says, the amputation relieves the pain and restores QUALITY to their lives. And when QUALITY is returned, that does, indeed helps the body fight this pics of crap disease!! When a dog is in pain, they are using all there resources to fight the pain instead of the disease. So amputation DOES help improve chances of fighting the disease!!
YOU MADE A DECISION OUT OF LOVE AND THAT IS ALWAYS THE RIGHT DECISION
We all want guarantees on this journey. If we do "X" then our dogs and cats will get great extended quality time! And as you've already noted, this journey is a crapshoot! Do chemo, don't do chemo, etc....all a crap shoot.
And as Jackie says, twenty different Vets equals twenty different answers! I think we all may take some exception to some of the things you've been told by your Vet or Surgeon, but that's not our place. We can simply tell you statistics don't mean much around here one way or another, but often for the better!
For many of us what it really boils down to is what decision will we second guress the least? I say "the least" because this crazy journey makes you second guess almost everything...at first. Then you settle in and KNOW you've made EVERY decision out of love! You make peace with your decisions and then you move forward and relish in the bliss of having your Moka by your side and living everyday to the fullest!! 🙂
STAY CONNECTED! We are here every step of the way! Now go give thst sweet Moka a big smooch anmd watch his tail wag! All is good in Moka's world! 🙂
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!
Gunner, a 6 year old lab mix, is 6 months post amputation of his right front leg due to osteo and doing AMAZING!! We struggled on what to do and in the end chose amputation and no chemo. There is no right or wrong answer, but going through chemo was not for our family.
Gunner has never been happier, fully adjusted to three legs and hopefully will continue to beat the odds. I worry almost daily that I will see signs of cancer, but we are enjoying running, walking and playing together and truly not thinking about what might happen tomorrow. I am very happy with my decisions.
Good luck and trust in your decisions
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