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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Bella is my heart. Â She's a chocolate lab rescue and we've been blessed to have her in our life for 7 years. Â She'll be 10 in May. Â Yesterday we found out she has bone cancer in her upper front left leg. Â We took her in for what we thought would be a routine visit to check on a limp and our hearts are broken to think about how much pain she must be in. Â We consulted with the vet last night and I am feeling amputating the limb will be the best thing we can do for her quality of life. Â Everything I have read on this site is so very helpful. Â My husband is not there yet. Â I've printed off some information hoping he'll read it and come to the same conclusion. Â I don't want to waste any time. Â Bella is otherwise so healthy and beautiful. Â The vet said she would be a good candidate for this procedure. Â Please send good karma our way for Bella and for my husband who needs this more than me right now. Â I know there is some much human fear we have to work through and I'm sure there is also risk, but I can't think of not doing anything we can to take her pain away and I am convinced she is not ready to go over the rainbow bridge...not by a long shot. Â 
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Welcome and best wishes for Bella! Please keep us posted, your future forum posts will not require moderation.
For the vast majority of dogs, amputation is indeed the best option to improve quality of life after a bone cancer diagnosis. Is it osteosarcoma? Our Jerry was diagnosed with OSA at 8 years old, and he loved life on three legs for two years, without IV chemo.
If you have specific questions or concerns, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Check out the FAQs and bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much and, yes - it is osteosarcoma. Â I have been reading as much as I can, as often as I can. Â I have set up a make shift foam bed in the living room on the floor (nice and low) so she doesn't have to jump up on the bed...I don't want to risk fracturing the fragile bone. Â Thankfully my husband can be with her during the day and give her lots of love and attention. Â We have another rescue pup, Maya (very healthy), and two rescue cats, so it's like wild kingdom in our house most days. Â We lost a beloved black lab 3 years ago to stage 4 lymphoma and it was devistating. Â My husband took it very hard and I think this is why its so hard for him to come to terms with what is happening now with Bella. Â Everything I am reading points to doing what is best for Bella right now and I just know she'll be one of those pups who adapts well. Â It's in her nature... she survived a very abusive first 3 years of her life. Â Thank you so much for your response.
Sorry to her about your sweet girl. This website is so helpful and supportive. My baby Marley just got his front leg amputated today and I just had to pick him up and transfer him to over night care (I'm an emotional mess), but everyone on here has been so encouraging and I can't wait to see him when he is feeling better and healing up. I hope you and your husband can find the answers you are looking for and decide on what is best for your pup. I know how stressful and devastating it is to hear this kind of news, so hang in there and give Bella lots of loveÂ
Right off the bat I want to applaud you for delving into the research necessary to forge a path forward thst is best for Bella!! You have done aa. EXCELLENT job during a very stressful and overwhelming time!
You will be a strong and confident pack leader for your sweet Bella and thst kind of energy will help her tremendously!
Yes, this is the only way to eliminate the pain (that will only get worse) and give Bella a chance at a quality pain free kife! A lofe of more spoiling and loving than you could ever imagine possible! Yes, it's impossible not to spoil a trilawd!
Yes, it is major surgery and, like ANY surgery, it does have risks. Obviously, it's a risk everyone here is willing to take. Recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks. Almost all dogs are avle to walk within the first 24 hrs. Some may need help with a sling for several days. Sometimes larger dogs take a bit longer to be mobile in their own.
But once Bella's sparkle starts to come back and you see how happy she is to be out of pain it will all be worth it!!
And remember, Bella doesn't care about days on a calendar and doesn't give a rip about a prognosis schmognosis! She just cares about living in the moment, getting extra treats and tummy rubs, and being loved by you!
STAY CONNECTED a d let us know how we can help.
Hugs to all
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Sorry about the loss of your other dog. I know Bella has aa really good Guardian Angel watching over her now...that's a plus!
A@so, if your husband can pinpoint specifically what his concerns are, maybe we can help.
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!
My Otis lost his front leg to osteosarcoma. Â Although he did not live as long as I would have hoped, we had a great almost 7 months together. Â And that time was so worth it. Â Absolutely no regrets.
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.
Oh my gosh it's so not right that you're dealing with cancer again, I'm really sorry. Has your husband been here to see the videos, photos and blogs our members have created? I think that seeing how well Bella can live will perk up his spirits and help him feel more confident.Â
Bella is so fortunate to have you as her advocate! Sounds like you have a really good attitude even after all you've been through, and that will go very far as she recovers. We'll be here for your pack every hop of the way!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
It was two months ago tomorrow that I was told Rocky likely had OSA. I went home and read everything I could fine on the internet, and I thought "there's no way I can do that to him" regarding amputation. A couple of days later, I went back to talk to my vet and the first thing he said was "you're not taking away his leg, you're taking away his source of pain."Â
Yesterday, I took Rocky over to my parents house for the first time since the amputation (which was five weeks ago). And he ran and played with their two dogs like nothing had happened. As hard as it is to believe when you're first confronted with it, it really is amazing how quickly and well they adapt to life on three legs.Â
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.Â
Just getting a chance to read all of your amazing responses and can't wait to share with my husband. Â I am so happy to hear the wonderful stories. Â I will continue to read and learn as much as I can. Â Bella sends her schnuffy love to you all.
I just saw where you made a comment on a other post about some of your friends and family not really on board with yiur decision.
Remeber, they have NOT done the research you have. They have NOT spoken with the professionals. So, while their comments are well intended, they are completely uniformed on this whole process!
I quickly learned to simply say I was pursuing some very advanced treatment that her Veterinarian suggested as the best way to help her continue to live life to the fullest.
You are doing what you have to do to give Bella the best possible chance.....the best possible chance......for a pain free quality life!
You mentioned they thought she woukd be "disfigured".' NOT AT ALL!! Being able to remove a bum leg riddled with this piece of crap disease is a beautiful gift you can give your sweet Bella.
And believe me, you think you spoil Bella now? Wait til she becomes an adorable beautiful tripawd! She'll get anything she wants anytime she wants! 🙂 Nothing like spoiling a tripawd! 🙂
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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