Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Hi Shea and mom
It is a very, very difficult decision to make and we all had our doubts and fears and have been through hell to come to terms with our choices. But, believe it or not, you will feel calmer and - dare I say, peaceful, in a strange way - once your decision is made, no matter what that decision is in the end. You will do what is best for Shea, we all know that. And Shea's eyes will guide you. Just trust her.
When I went through the decision process, my partner was adamant that we could not do this to our beautiful dog. I was the one pushing for the option that was (to my eyes) better for my girl even if it broke my heart into pieces every time I would imagine her on three legs.
I am so glad I did go ahead with the amputation. The pain that leg was causing is gone forever and every day is better, just seeing her become more and more confident makes me cry wit joy.
Of course, life has changed. She is not able to go for big walks as before but all I care about is she is here with me and is getting on with her life.
I understand you don't want to question yourself in the future whether amp was a wrong decision but you know what? This is all pretty horrible so you have got to choose the best of bad options and the option that will suit Shea. I am sure you will both get there.
Sending you lots of good energy, kisses and cuddles to your baby girl
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 :-)
Ditto, all of the above. Childfree here and Jerry was our #1 priority. We only wanted to do what was best for our athletic, loving dog. We too were instantly opposed but once we sat down and talked it through, we took that leap of faith. It was well worth it, Jerry got two more years of an amazing life he wouldn't have otherwise had. Tripawds would not exist either. And although we no longer went on long hikes or backpacking trips, this major change opened doors that changed our lives completely, for the better.
Not every dog will do great. The majority do, even the ones with challenges. There have been dozens here through the years who weren't the best candidate either, but they got great quality time with their humans afterward. It's a risk you take when you give the go-ahead, but life is a risk. There are no guarantees whether cancer is knocking on your door or not. It's hard for many to wrap their heads around this. We all want answers, to know the future.
Maybe you want to show our "owner satisfaction" survey results to your husband? As you can see, only a couple of people out of more than 200 said they wouldn't do it again. Here are some posts you can both discuss:
Tripawds Quality of Life Survey Tells All
Whatever you decide, know that your mental state will have much to do with your dog's recovery. If you are optimistic and hopeful, your dog will be too. Depressed and sad? Yep, your dog reflects that as well. Should you decide to proceed you both need to be on the same page and know in your hearts that it was the right choice for your pup. Good recoveries depend on it.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I have a 3 and 1/2 year old Tripawd with hip dysplasia. He was already a Tripawd when we rescued him, so the decision was not ours to make. He does exceptionally well. I will have to post a video of him chasing my Grandchildren in their wagon. He rides in the truck, on the tractor and on the gator. He has days occasionally that's he is ouchy. In rare instances, a Tramadol is needed. I can't remember the last time though. His gait is different, but that's ok. I know he is younger, but just wanted to chime in that it can be overcome. My Ty Guy had a lot of complications, which I feel were caused a lot by the entire year it took to get a diagnosis. His time was short, but the bone pain was relieved. I went from, NO WAY when amputation was first mentioned. That was when we thought all the lameness was from bone degeneration around his pins and plates. The other vet disagreed and just removed the hardware, to LET'S DO THIS! When I heard it would take his pain away. I know there are. No easy answers. In the end, you have to search your heart and do what feels right for you and your pup. Lori, Ty and Gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
How is Shea today? Amputation Surgery is the toughest decision my husband and I ever made. I was the one opposed to it at first. I thought it would be cruel since there is no guarantee that Bandit would live more than the original 3-6 month prognosis. But eventually, I saw how much pain he was in and just could not bear it, so wanted to give him the best quality of life for as long as possible. It was the best decision for Bandit. He is like a new dog with the pain gone. We have opted NOT to do chemo. Good luck with your decision making process; your are in our thoughts...Bandit and Deb
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