Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat. Explore 17+ years of forum archives for stories and answers to questions about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery. Enjoy fresh discussion and connect with members in the new Tripawds Support Circle.
Join The Tripawds Community
Register your free account to join the Tripawds Support Circle. Connecting with members and getting the support you need is now easier than ever with the Circle app!
✅ Easy Photo Upload
✅ Direct Messaging
✅ Subscribe to Topics.
✅ Live Chat and much more!
Forums Locked: Search archives for answers & join Tripawds Support Circle to keep discussion going!
Log In
Members
2:18 pm
Hello, my dog Gibson who is a 7 year old Rhodesian Ridgeback, just has amputation surgery of his left hind leg due to PROBABLE osteosarcoma. There was also a fracture on the bone so surgery became very urgently needed due to his level of pain. So I don't have official confirmation that's what it is, but it is most likely the case. They are going to send off samples to pathology and then I'll know for sure. I was wondering now about the chemo process. Is there an at home chemo option? Gibson is SO traumatized by vet offices now, and it has become traumatic for me as well... I just don't want to put him through more and more traumatic visits. So if chemo is the next step I'm hoping there would be an at home option 🙁
10:56 am
Team Tripawds
Administrators
Helpline Hosts
26 April 2007
Offline
Hi Asia and Gibson! I'm sorry you are in the limbo phase right now, it's tough not knowing for sure what caused the fracture. At least he's now on the mend. Be sure to check out our What to Expect articles when you get a chance.
As for at-home chemo, there used to be metronomics which was a pill given orally, but over time it's been shown to be less effective than once thought. Most oncologists will say don't bother. There are now good immunotherapy options like the Yale Vaccine but they still require more than a handful of vet visits and many oncologists are using chemotherapy alongside it.
The thing about chemo is that it's not right for everyone, for exactly the reason you are describing. And that is perfectly ok! While it can statistically give dogs a better shot at longevity, it still can't guarantee it. Some dogs will outlive the prognosis when they have chemo, some will not even if they do have chemo. And some dogs will defy the odds when they didn't have any chemo at all (our Jerry is one, he lived two years without chemo, but he did have metronomics during his last year).
This is a situation where you really need to focus on quality of life for Gibson. He is a unique dog with unique needs, and treating cancer doesn't have to be an all or nothing approach if you want to respect his emotional needs and ease your concerns too.
