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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My 5 y.o. Leonberger was diagnosed with OS at the end of December '14 in her rf leg. We decided to treat with pamidronate and radiation, and she did awesome for 5 months without pain meds. Then out of the blue it just started growing and getting very painful. We opted for amputation the 2nd week of June. I asked the oncologist for prognosis with amputation and chemo, and he gave me the numbers given to me when we began this. I questioned this, asking if it was still around a year even though we had used up time doing the other treatments, and he said, well, good question. Can't answer this because no one else has done this. So now I wonder if we did "use up" those 5 months of our "year" prognosis doing these treatments. Anyone have any experience doing treatments BEFORE doing the amputation? BTW, lungs are clear, tumour had not spread up the leg, lymphs clear also
Hi and welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
I saw you were in the Chat room the other day, sorry we missed you. Generally our members are in there during the evenings (I'm in there in the daytime usually), so hope to see you there too.
Meanwhile I'm sorry to hear about your Leo, I can only imagine how you feel right now, like going back to the beginning again.
We've had many members do palliative care prior to amputation, only to proceed with amputation. Usually the dog ended up living a great quality of life and although survival times varied, what people treasured most was that the time they had left was quality, and pain free.
Look at it like this; those last few months weren't "used up" right? I mean you had some really good days together I'll bet, and if so, then you definitely had bonus, pain-free time together. I understand why you're asking that question, but there is no real answer to it, which is why your onco didn't seem to answer it either. When it comes down to it, what matters in this journey is that 1) our animals don't keep track of time on calendars -- that's a human thing. Whether they've got one month or one year (and often, longer!), all they care about is that each day is GREAT. Animals live in the moment, and the best way to be during this journey is for us to follow their lead.
Forget prognoses -- they are often wrong. We've seen just as many pets beat the odds as not beat them, you just never know and nobody can predict it. So "Be More Dog " and live each day to the max as best you can, it's all our pets want. Your Leo is so young, chances are she's got a lot of life ahead of her even after amputation.
Who is your onco, by the way? Just curious.
I hope this helps. More folks will chime in, you're in a great place for support so hang in there OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We go to the University of Guelph. We are 2-1/2 weeks post amputation, and I must say the first 2 weeks I was sure I had done the wrong thing. She is still not eating without appetite stimulation, but at least her attitude is back to normal, which means so much to me.
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luvmyleos said
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FYI: Here are detailed instructions for adding photos to forum posts .
If you need help, post in Tech Support forum or drop by the chat...next time you're in the chat be sure to post a comment so we know you're there.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I would guess your onc's answer is the only answer. And I totally agree w/ Jerry that if she's had 5 months w/o pain (and on all 4 legs) then I would not regret your decision or question it. Time to look forward and get the most out of every day you have w/ her!
I also appreciate the difficulty when they aren't eating well. It tends to ramp up the worry-meter! But if her attitude is good then maybe there is an innocent explanation. For Ellie, who was never food-oriented, we've decided that she just isn't as hungry since she's less active than pre-amp. We try not to worry too much unless she's also acting strange.
Leonbergers are gorgeous dogs. We'd all love to see pictures!
Bill, Denise and Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
I guess what bothered me was that if I am only going to get another 5 or 6 months with her, do I want her to be sick for half of that?
Sorry, I don't really have a site to dump my photos so I can then post them on here, but I can post to the facebook page if you would like
Great advice from Denise , Bill and Sweet Ellie...and,as always, our Jerry!
I'm going to try and "copy" so ething that was on the Trilawd Tuesday blog.....here goes.....
If you’re just starting on this path, one of my most important suggestions to you is to do that perfect day immediately. Don’t wait until the end. Enjoy it now while your pup is still feeling good, while there are no side effects from treatment, when you aren’t exhausted, and when you don’t feel like you’re racing the clock. Walk away from Tripawds, from all of your googling, from reading all of the cancer books, and make your first priority having a perfect day with your dog.
Oaku, Leo is just two weeks from major surgery but has his attitude back...no longer has a painful leg...and his xrays, etc. are clear! And his sparkle will continue to come back! We have a whole lot to celebrate! YAAAAAAAAAY FOR LEO!!
As far as food, is he still on meds? Sometimes they can make his tummy a little whacky. Try anything....steak...cheesburgers...even a scoop of ice cream...any yummy stuff ne may like!! IF he likes car rides, a drive thru burger a@ways helps! Sometimes hsving a friend he likes come over with a slecial goodie fixed just for him makes a difference!
Read these previous responses over and over and over! This is such great advice! STAY IN THE NOW! LIVE IN THE MOMENT...IN TNE PRESENT! To grieve for something you haven't even lost yet takes away from all the "wonderfulness" you and Leo have NOW! LET NOTHING ROB YOU OF YOUR TIME TOGETHER! Timeframes mean nothing around here! Leo does NOT have a timeframe stamped on his butt!
Really look forward to hearing from you and telling us how the NOW is going! Pictures! OMD! We love pictures around here....especially of gentle giants!
You are NOT alone, okay? We are all right here cheering for you both!
Hugs and @ove!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
luvmyleos said
I don't really have a site to dump my photos so I can then post them on here...
That's why we offer free Tripawds blogs to all members! Or, feel free to post them to Facebook and follow these instructions for adding photos to forum posts
to embed theme here. Hope that helps! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I think I understand now. You were worried that if you do chemo, she'll be sick for half of whatever time she has left?
Certainly every dog is different, but for many dogs here, chemo doesn't really hit them that hard. And the vets can always adjust dosage if the side effects are too much. For example, at her second chemo Ellie's white blood cell count was low (borderline) so we skipped a week and then gave her a smaller dose. It is very individualized (or at least it should be).
We never saw any bad side-effects from chemo. Ellie had a few down days post-chemo but it was limited to low energy and low appetite. She never got what you'd call sick, certainly never sick enough that we thought she was suffering. We did give her fluids and Cerenia w/ each chemo, just because nausea had been such an issue immediately post-amp. But she never stopped eating because of the chemo and we'd just let her rest more on her "dip" days. We did 6 rounds of carbo and we're 9 months post-amp and she still really enjoys life!
Bill, Denise and Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
well, I opened up a photobucket account and tried that and it still didn't work. I've wasted enough time on this now - need to go spend some time with my dogs
Aww I'm sorry! In photobucket, you need to copy and paste the "Direct Image URL" from the sidebar located to the right of the photo, then paste in here by clicking on the image icon at top. Photo upload instructions are here.
Yes, spending time with the dawgs is #1 in our book too! Enjoy!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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