Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
I'm mum to Barry who is an 8 year old Jack Russell (Parsons lookalike!) who has recently had to have his right hind leg amputated. We had to make the decision a couple of weeks ago as Barry had a mast cell tumor in his ankle, the plan was to remove the tumor via surgery (as best they could due to the location) and then have radiotherapy but the surgery to remove it wasn't successful and his wound wouldn't heal. We were faced with the decision and had to think what would be best for Barry of course so we went ahead, there have been buckets of tears from me 
Luckily due to already having had 2 operations before the amputation he was already getting around on 3 legs for the previous 2 months so he is managing really well, my worry is that he seems really lethargic (and sad?). I wondered if this is due to medication he is on?
He is currently on Gabapentin (100mg) 3 times a day, and Metacam once in the evening. Do you think by day 10 I should lower the amount of medication? He's normally a very very happy and bouncy Jack Russell and I thought he would be back to his old self a little bit by now.
I was told about this site the day before Barry had his op, I can't tell you how helpful it's been, thanks to everyone that contributes, for those of us just starting out it's a god send!
Debbie and Barry 
Hi Debbie and Barry, welcome. We're so glad you found us, and hope we can help alleviate your concerns. Who was it that told you about us? It's an honor!
So it sounds like Barry had his surgery about two weeks ago? If so, you may want to have a conversation with your vet abut the best way to start to reduce the Gabapentin. It's a great drug but it can make some dogs sleepy. Please do not try to reduce it without the vet's guidance, as it's not the kind of drug you can suddenly stop giving without repercussions. I'm going to bet once you get him through the weaning process he will get his sparkle back. He's adorable, by the way!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It was the receptionist at our vets, I think they tell everyone! It's a cancer specialist vets in Surrey so they have a lot of amputees (known as the Supervet)
Thanks so much for the advice, we have an appointment on Friday so I will discuss reducing it.
The vet just called with lab results and more bad news (not sure how much more I can take) there was onset cancer in his lymph node behind his knee....does this mean it will/has spread? He's not even over this 3rd operation and now we have to talk more treatment, poor boy 🙁
On my phone, not sure this will work!
Hello - so sorry for what you and adorable little Barry are facing.
From what I hear of Supervet, you should be in great hands.
I can tell you that in consultation with my vet, we did start to reduce the Gabapentin after 2 full weeks post op and took him from his full dosage 3x daily gradually over two weeks. It definitely should not be just "stopped" cold unless for cause, is my understanding. I think first I reduced the mg per 3 x daily dosage for a few days, then a bit lower still 3 x daily and then 2 x daily and then just a single small dosage 1 x daily at around day 27 and 28.
A lymph node is, unfortunately, considered metastasis - I think they will call it local metastasis at this point rather than remote. It does mean they will grade the cancer higher overall - at a more aggressive phase. But this is where your follow up treatments come in. Metronomic Chemo (including Palladia, possibly, which has great promise in reducing or creating stasis with mast cell cancers), infusion Chemo and post op radiation treatments might all be suggested. You will have to weigh the relative success rates they describe to you for all options and the cost and impact to Barry. It is tough, but only you can decide what is best for him.
My boy did have local metastasis of his Soft Tissue Sarcoma - but we never did detect it again in another lymph node (it can travel via tubes between them) or in lungs. It did come back though in his spine when we paused the Palladia / Metronomic Chemo for an wound to heal and there was nothing left for us to do. But we had nearly 6 wonderful months where our boy was happy and active again in between. He was older and his cancer was very advanced and within 4 cm of the spine when his amputation was done; the timeline is so individual for every dog, cat, human - so many factors. Try to concentrate on quality of life for Barry and for you and you won't go wrong.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hello and welcome.
My pug Maggie lost her left rear leg to a MCT, cancerous mast cells were found in the lymph node removed with her leg as well. At that point her prognosis was downgraded to poor and they gave us 6 to 9 months with chemo. Maggie lived almost 4 years and did not pass from mast cell cancer. You can read her story and about her amp and chemo if you are interested- the links are in my signature below.
Did they tell you the grade of the tumor and the mitotic index (MI)? The MI indicates how aggressive the cancer might be. Are you going to meet with an oncologist now?
Maggie was a slug for weeks after her amp- I thought I had made a big mistake by choosing amputation. But Maggie was as stubborn as a pug could be and she hated any change to her routine. In hindsight it made sense that she took a little longer to get used to her new normal. Once Barry is off the meds and the stitches are out I bet you will see some sparkle!
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
Thank you both for replying so quickly, I have tried coping on my own but there are so many questions!
Maggie's story was amazing, she really did well, Barry seems to have a similar situation so far, I hope we have longer with him than a few months.
We are meeting the oncologist on Friday to find out more details about the results and treatment, we had so many tests before his amputation as we wanted to be sure he didn't have it anywhere else, but this didn't show up before. No news on the level of aggression yet, I'll keep you posted.
Fingers crossed for Friday xx
You have already done a great thing for Barry- you have given him a chance!
When I found out Mag's cancer had already spread (nothing showed up in numerous pre surgery tests) I was pretty devastated. She was already being a slug so I was questioning my decision to amputate. When the path report came back I was sure I had made a huge mistake. We were 'only' going to get 6 months or so.
It took me a while to figure out that 6 months to a dog is a lifetime! They live in the moment and only want a full belly, a ball to chase and in Maggie's case a warm lap. I was so lucky to get extra time with her to figure that out since I spent the first 6 months kicking myself for my decisions.
And I realized (again in hindsight) that I had given Mag a chance. If I had known about the spread I would not have done the amp. Her tumor would have ruptured or the cancer would have spread all over, she never would have had as much time as we got. You don't know how much time Barry will get, but you have given him a chance- and a chance without a painful wound that would never heal.
Let us know what you find out on Friday.
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
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