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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I know there is not too much out there as far as why our loved ones get this horrible disease. But is there anything coming out from studies and research about certain breeds, injuries or diet? I heard that Rots are near the top of the list along with other large breeds, but what about mixes and the genes they might carry from certain higher risk breeds.
Just wondering.
Spirit JD's mom
JD
One Tough Girl
(1999-2010)
-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –
-Amputation July 23 2010 –
-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-
-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-
Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya
When I joined the Morris Animal Foundation K9 Walk for Cancer, I noticed on their website this little bit of info about certain breeds at a higher risk for developing certain kinds of cancer:
Chloe is a husky/hound mix and had an extremely rare type of soft tissue cancer (spindle cell sarcoma), so the list above is certainly not all inclusive.
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Dr. Pam would know since I remember my vet telling me. I just remember him saying rotties and retrievers.
But from experience and reading up on it, I know german sheps are prone to hemangiosarcoma. But you can never tell – my Rugby was a shep mix that had bassett looking legs but a shep head and body and he got it. You always think mixes are less likely.
If I'm not being too nosey, are you thinking about adopting and want to avoid a riskier breed? (you dont have to answer, if you don't want)
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
As far as osteosarcoma goes Rotties, Greyhounds, and Great Danes top the list but any large/giant breed is at risk. Some studies indicate that early spay/neuter (before maturity) might put these bigger dogs at increased risk but nothing has been proven definitively yet. German sheps and Golden retrievers top the hemangiosarcoma list as well as other large breeds but I have seen that cancer in Border collies and other medium breeds as well. Scotties get bladder cancer and lymphoma and Goldens and Boxers are predisposed to all sorts of cancer including mast cell tumors, lymphoma, and melanoma.
Certainly genetics plays a part but diet, over-vaccination, and timing of elective surgery seem to also have a hand in some cancers.
Pam
When I was diagnosed and my pawrents researched what the stats were as far as which breeds are prone to cancer, they couldn't believe that I got it because I was a mixed breed (I was a Collie in Shepherd clothing!).
What we've seen here is that Tazziedog's right; there are so many other factors besides genetics. In our own un-scientific Tripawds Survey, here is a listing of the breeds who have showed up with cancer at Tripawds. Sadly, this list grows every day and so does the range of breeds that come up with it.
Also, we've found in this survey that even dogs who were fed a totally healthy, holistic home cooked diet from day one were diagnosed. It seems that you just can't tell who will get it. Ugh.
Anyhow, since you asked, here are our survey results for breed:
Amputation Survey Results: Diagnoses, Breeds and Side Effects
"Breeds Most Affected by Bone Cancer and Amputation"
Most Tripawds members join the club because they’ve been diagnosed with bone cancer. According to the Veterinary Cancer Center of Santa Fe, each year over 8,000 dogs are diagnosed with bone cancer in the U.S., and most are large dogs. Our small survey sample backs this up.
Most Common Tripawd Breeds:
- German Shepherd / German Shepherd Mixes = 10
- Labrador / Labrador Mixes = 10
- Golden Retriever = 8
- Rottweiler = 7
Other Tripawd Breeds:
Alaskan Malamute = 1 (cancer)
All American=9 (4 cancer / 2 accident/injury / 1 birth defect / 1 unknown)
American Bulldog=2 (2 cancer)
Australian Kelpie Mix=1 (cancer)
Australian Shepherd=1 (accident)
Australian Shepherd Mix=1 (bacterial infection)
Belgian Sheepdog=1 (cancer)
Border Collie Cross=1 (cancer)
Boxer=1 (accident)
Boxer Husky Mix=1 (cancer)
Cane Corso=1 (cancer)
Chihuahua=1 (accident)
Deerhound=1 (cancer)
Doberman Mix=3 (3 cancer)
English Mastiff=1 (cancer)
English Shepherd=1 (cancer)
English Springer Spaniel=1 (bacterial infection)
Flat Coated Retriever=2 (2 cancer)
Flat Coated Retriever Mix w/Spaniel=1 (accident)
Great Dane=2 (cancer)
Great Pryenees Mix (Samoyed)=1 (bacterial infection)
Great Pyrenees Mix (Collie)=1 (cancer)
Greyhound=1 (cancer)
Jack Russell=1 (cancer)
Jindo=1 (accident)
Leonberger=1 (cancer)
Pitt Bull=2 (1 cancer / 1 bacterial infection)
Pitt Bull Mix=4 (cancer)
Rat Terrier=1 (accident)
Saint Bernard=1 (cancer)
Schnauzer = 1 (cancer)
Siberian Husky=4 (4 cancer)
Siberian Husky Mix w/Lab=1 (cancer)
Standard Poodle=1 (cancer)
Wheaten Terrier=1 (cancer)
Wolfdog=1 (cancer)
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well thanks so much for all the information. Now I have plenty more to read.
I have seen there are studies and trials being done here and there. I wonder how much research time and money is being spent on this horrific disease.
My sweet angel JD has only been gone for three weeks, and I am soooo not ready to bring another fur-child into my life.
Now having said that, I truly believe that when the time is right the perfect match will be made and I will again be able to open my broken heart to another. It will just happen. JD came into my life because my ex-husband was wanting to get a ferret. Not that there is anything wrong with a ferret...but I got him to agree to go to the shelter and adopt a dog instead. We arrived to find a liter of beautiful (as many of you know) puppys, all huddled up in a big, black ,furry, sleeping, ball of heads, and legs. When we opened the cage I said 'OK who is coming home with me?' and out she came. Meant to be!
Spirit JD's mom
JD
One Tough Girl
(1999-2010)
-Diagnosed with osteosarcoma of her left front leg –
-Amputation July 23 2010 –
-The cancer didn't get her, but she is gone-
-She fought the cancer and loved life till bloat brought her down August 29th, 2010-
Now she watches over her mom and two new sisters, the Quad-Paws Serena and Maya
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