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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You know, I struggled with the decision to amputate. It was a HUGE financial burden at the time, I felt lost, confused and wondered if it was "worth it" with a survival estimate of roughly 4 months without chemo, 8 with treatment. I hadn't gotten a diagnosis quickly and Izzy had clearly been suffering longer since the "aha moment" came after the leg broke with normal activity. But at the end of the day, I decided 4 more months was better than zero, even though I couldn't afford chemo.
I got nearly two years with my girl. I'll admit that her final year was filled with additional issues - knee surgery, a mast cell tumor and related medication complications - but truly, she was happy, hungry and didn't show any signs of really slowing down until just a couple months before I let her go.
Here she is, just 8 short weeks before she earned her wings, partying it up with other Tripawds in VA. She would have turned 14 this October!
Do what you feel is best for your pup and trust that, whatever you decide, it's right decision as you've made it out of love. 
~Amy & the best, most beautiful bulldog in heaven, Izzy
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
You have expressed yourself beautifully...whether it's a "good day" or "bad day"!
You know Wendel better than anybody!! And you know what Wendel has been through better than anybody! And, perhaps more importantly, you have seen Wendel have a chance ro be Wendel for the first time in a very, very long time!!! 🙂 🙂
I think Wendel is making it plain that he just wants to get on with life without anymore poking and prodding! Just like all dogs, it's about QUALITY and they could care less about QUANTITY.' "Extra time"' without quality means NOTHING!!
And everyone here will tell you tjat chemo is a crap shoot! Some dogs seemingly" get "extra" time with it. Some dogs don't even get to complete the suggested number of rounds of chemo bedore the rotten disease takes over. Some dogs "seemingly" get "extra" time with no chemo, and some don't. And same for the holistic/nutritional approach.
Because of EVERYTHING sweet Wendel has been through during so much of his "puppyhood" and because of that horrid twenty hour (three day) ordeal to get chemo......well......without being intrusive......I'll just say that talking to a Holistic Vet is something I would DEFINITELY consider!!!! It involves no vet trips, no poking, no looooong days stuck in a car! Okay, maybe I did I trude a little bit..OOPS!
What you know with ABSOLUTE CERTAINTY right now is you ARE FINALLY getting some EXCELLENT QUALITY TIME WITH WENDEL 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Sending you lots of 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!
What a beautiful picture of Izzy ❤️ Thank you both for sharing. I am so glad I found this community.
I must say Wendel is one Handsome boy!! I am so sorry this crappy disease has struck your young guy.
Mollie my 8 yr old, Olde English Bulldog was also misdiagnosed. After X-rays, CT scans, bone biopsies and a camera in her elbow we were repeatedly told it was an orthopedic issue and "not cancer". Her Dr recommended amputation because she was in so much pain. After the amputation we learned it was osteosarcoma. We elected to do the 6 rounds of chemo (carboplatin). Mollie finished her last round the end of June and tolerated chemo very well. She was full of energy all through the treatment. We are also doing acupuncture and various herbal supplements.
As others have already said there are no guarantees and every case is different. I am sorry you have the extra stress of a 20 hour trip if you want chemo.
Whatever decision you make it will be the right one❣️
Wishing you peace and happy times with Wendel! 😊
Choices are hard. You said one thing I want to comment on. If the 10 hour drive is the reason for not doing chemo, check to see if a local vet you trust can administer the chemo prescribed by oncologist.
We are at the opposite spectrum with a 9 year old Rottweiler. We are doing chemo (2 treatments now). Th trip for us is only 3 hours and it is a long day for all of us. And she is tired for the next few days. So, I can't imagine 10 hours both ways! I really can't imagine it!
I don't think there is a right or wrong choice, just one you are comfortable with. While you will do what is best for Wendell, you also have to do what is best for your family.
Enjoy everyday with your handsome pup! He obviously loves his life with you!
Wendell is a beautiful boy! Others are so right about the chemo it is a crapshoot. Wish we all had a crystal ball so we could know the right answers. You know your boy the best and whatever decision you make will be right for him after you weigh all your pros and cons. Remember chemo is only one tool to consider, there are other tools available as well that don't require a 10 hour drive. You've gotten much good advice here from the others with alternatives for chemo or even chemo done locally by a vet through an oncono consult. Weigh all your options and then make an informed decision that will be best for your boy and your situation. Hugs!
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