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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hello,
My dog is not a Tri-paw but has just had her front toe amputated (non weight bearing) and the pathology reports have come back as malignant melanoma. I have been trying to do research while we are waiting for our appointment with an oncologist but thought this would be a good place to start. I have read PDF after PDF of studies on the disease and I have not been finding info that is clear or hopeful. Does anyone know of similar cases that they can share advice?
Moo Cow: 8yo female black lab mix, spayed, overall health good (minus the stupid cancer!). Noo weight lose, eating drinking, walking on newly amputated foot'
THANK YOU!
Hi Moo Cow and family, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
Our fairy vet mother Dr. Wiltzius will hopefully chime in soon. I don't have any experience with this type of cancer but others here probably do and can share their experience. I'm glad to hear you are seeing an oncologist though, education is empowering and will help you make an informed decision.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you Jerry! I look forward to some input. After reading so many vet studies and educational materials it leaves me weary. Personal stories or if someone could put what to expect in layman's terms would help.
I'm sorry to hear about the amputation. About 15 years ago I had a cat, Licri, who had malignant melanoma. Unfortunately it was on his forehead and could not be removed. The vet said there was nothing I could do and it would spread. Over time I could feel new tumours coming up throughout his body and then he started coughing because it went into his lungs. This whole time he was happy and comfortable until the original tumour broke open. I knew it was time to let him go because he became uncomfortable and couldn't sleep unless he was in my arms with a cool compress on his forehead.
I think your situation is much better because the toe is gone and I imagine the science and treatment has advanced. I'm sure the oncologist with provide you with more information and will discuss the margins and necessary next steps. Perhaps you can ask if there are other patients in your community who you can contact to ask about their experiences?
I think the outcome for Moo Cow could be more hopeful than Licri's because of the surgery. Although I couldn't do anything for Licri I must say I cherished every single moment nursing him.
Kerren
Hi Kerren,
I'm sorry to hear about your loss. It sounds like your fur-baby had a very loving home and you did everything to help the situation. I appreciate your kind words. The amputation has gone great and we are 1 week out from the surgery, we are shocked by the news of cancer due to the over health of my moo. What I am unaware of is if you can cut (which we did) this cancer off and be cancer free? I will update this post in hopes to help others if they should ever have to go through this journey. We are picking up all the X-rays and referrals and hopefully getting into the specialist this week to get some more answers. Thank you again for the post!
best ,
Lyndsey
Hi Lyndsey and Moo Cow!! MOO COW...LOVE THAT NAME!!!
Not a vet...jist want to say we are all here to support you and look forward ro hearing more about your precious Moo Cow.
When you do speak with the Specialist, perhps bring a notebook with every question on your mind. Heck, I've even a video can be helpful! While I'm on the appointment, I think I'm asking all my questions and understanding the answers really well....until I get home and start confusing myself!!
Great to hear that Moo is doing so well and feeling great! Remember, Moo Cow isn't worrying about a thing and could care less about any ole' diagnosis! Moo feels great and is enjoying all your loving and spoiling!
Hugs to all!
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!
Welcome to you and Moo Cow.
My pug Maggie lost a leg to mast cell cancer and later developed malignant oral melanoma. For many reasons we were unable to treat the melanoma and it was because of that cancer that Maggie crossed the bridge.
I think you are ahead of the game though with the tumor removal, although I think in general malignant melanoma can be aggressive. Surgical removal was the treatment with the most hope for Maggie but it was just not an option. There is something called the Melanoma Vaccine that along with tumor removal has been successful at keeping melanoma at bay. I did not try it with Maggie because without the tumor removal it was not very useful. It was quite expensive at the time I looked into it, about $500 an injection with 4 injections needed. Maybe by now the cost has come down.
Keep us posted on how the vet visit goes.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
If the cancer was in the distal digit (last joint) and the vet was able to remove an entire joint above the tumor then your dog may be cured. Hopefully the regional lymph node was aspirated (even if not enlarged) since that is the easiest way to see if metastasis has occurred. The next step would then be talking to an oncologist about the melanoma vaccine, radiation, or chemo if needed.
Pam
Good morning everyone,
Thank you so much for the advice! Moo's whole digit was removed last Thursday and had a clean margin of 7mm. We are headed to the oncologist tonight for more answers tonight. The notebook and video are a great idea!!!!! I usually do think i know whats going on and then go crazy trying to figure out what was said later that night. That is a really helpful tip! They did not aspirate the lymph nodes when the surgery happened. I'm not sure why because it was discussed and didn't happen, something about it deep in the muscle? (I should of had a notebook then). I'm sure tonight they will tell me all the tests I need to move forward. Thank you all again for your kind words and I will keep this updated for anyone else who has this journey ahead of them! Hope everyone has a great day and I'll post tomorrow about the info from the oncologist.
OK yes, do keep us posted. We hope you get some answers.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good morning everyone!
We went to the oncologist. Turns out Moo's Lymph nodes have not been infected yet. The doctor is very concerned with how aggressive Moo's cancer is. She had told us about the vaccine but she is not pro-oncept. She believes it gives you a very small window of survival time and on most aggressive cancers no extra time at all. My heart is broken that I can't cure my baby. We are still weighing in on the options and also the finical. Strictly for the sake of someone possibly googling this someday and not being able to find information these here are the related cost for what we have gone through (New Jersey)
Doc visit 1: Broken nail removal ( prior to thinking it was cancer) $350 + $150 meds= $500
Doc visit 2: Start plan with banfield (amazing animal hospital connected to petsmart) : $60 membership - $50 first month , $100 Meds = $210
Doc visit 3: 2 xrays $500, blood work $150 = $650 (and more meds not sure how much anymore)
Doc visit 4: Toe amputation $1,800
Doc visit 5,6,7: Rewrap of toe $60 x3 = $180
Doc visit 8: oncologist consultation: $175
Doc visit 9: if we decide to do the vaccine it will cost $600 x4 = $2400
(I'm not sure how many more chest xrays after and what the boosters cost at this time)
I really hope this information helps someone in the same boat. This is honestly is the saddest most frustrating thing I have ever been through. I'll keep everyone posted on my moo. Again thank you for all your kind words and support!
Lyndsey and Moo
Oh Lyndsey, this is all so sad. We always have hope that there will be an answer to cure cancer but many times there is none.
I find it interesting that your vet is not in favour of Oncept. There is also an Oncept vaccine for cats with vaccine associated sarcoma which is not a cure by may delay the appearance of another tumour. It doesn't cure, it delays.
So for Moo, the good news is that the cancer toe is gone! The great news is that the lymph nodes are clear!
Some things I would consider around cost:
- how will chest xrays help Boo live longer? Could this money be better used for treatment?
- what other treatment could be done to give Boo comfort and quality of life? $2400 for a vaccine that the oncologist believes may add no time could go a long way providing quality of life. Maybe a fun family road trip with Boo.
- there are holistic options that can boost Boo's immune system. You can find these out through a holistic or integrative medicine vet.
I took my tripawd kitty Mona in for chiropractic treatment and she talks Power Mushrooms for her immune system. Personally I would only give her something through a trained holistic vet and not just because I read about it on the internet.
Thanks for providing costs. These will help out others.
Love to you and Boo.
Kerren and Tripawd Mona
Lindsey ~
Is there a teaching hospital nearby? They often are less expensive than private vets. Sometimes places like Banfield will charge for the smallest things - $60 to re-wrap his toe? ugh! especially if it was a follow-up, that should just be included. Sounds like x-rays are more, too (at Michigan State I pay $350 for multiple views and that includes medication for Murphy and he's there for most of the day so they charge hospitalization.)
Our oncologist also suggested a grain-free diet since grains turn to sugar and cancer feeds off sugar. Murphy is fed Blue Buffalo and we've even found that they have treats now, which is great!
Don't feel bad that money plays a part in things - we've all been there, it does. Things are so expensive. At the time that Murphy was going through everything, we just happened to have the money in our account from our tax refund...had it happened at another time, who knows what we would have done.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Hi Donna and Kerren,
Thank you for the messages. I am looking into a holistic vet. In regards to the oncept the doctor has seen in personal experience and in studies a lack of positive response to the vaccine. The vaccine when first studied was using mouse DNA to boost the canine systems. Before releasing they switched it to Human DNA, she said due to cost. I think that's crazy because you would think mouse DNA would be much cheaper. Stage 1 and 2 have the best results at prolonged survival time with this vaccine. New studies that I have read with the control group and the group that was given the vaccine it was only a few short months more of living. I'm not sure if I could even stand the prolonged inevitable. I have been busting out into tears every time I look at my sweet girl since our appointment last night. A doggie buck list is in full force and I plan to take off a week of work to make sure we have the best mom and pup week before the summer ends which will include swimming in pools, oceans, going to the park were I first met and adopted her. This is my first dog I have ever owned on my own, she's seen me though extremely hard times, marriage, divorce, many moves and has been my rock through it all. It kills me that I can't do the same for her. I believe you do get that one dog in your life that is your soul mate and shes mine. I wish everyone out there the best of luck. I'll keep you all posted thank you again for all your kind thoughts and support!!!!!
Lyndsey and Moo
Whoa! Hold up! DEEP BREATHS!!! B R E A T H E!
You have some good news here that needs ro be celebrated!! Lymph nodes clear!!! YAAAAAAAAAY! 
Clean marginw! YAAAAAAAAAY!!
You've gotten great insight from Donna and Kerren!
Moo Cow is feeling good and does NOT...repeat, DOES NOT have a time frame stamped anywhere on her precious puppy butt!! NOTHING has really changed in Moo Cow's world! Ive read your latest post over several times. I really don't see where much as changed as far as not having a positive outcome for Moo Cow either. I would DEFINITELY get a second opinion as far as vaccine AND other supportive treatments involving nutrition, supplements, holostic, etc.
It'll be interesting to see what our resident good Dr. Pam says.
Okay...some more deep breaths....B R E A T H E........Step back into that strong empowered emotional state of yours snd know that Moo Cow isn't going anywhere anytime soon! You stay in the moment...in the now...in the present...starting NOW! Do NOT let once seco d of worrying or fear interfere with your time together!!! Everyday is a bonus day from the time our pups jump into our nearts. Dogs don't give a rip about days on a calendar! But boy oh boy...filling up a bucket lost everyday...getting more tummy rubs, ear scratches, treats, loving, snuggling, spoiling, steak, ice cream....oh yeah...bring it on!!
And remember...as an example....six months of non stop spoiling and loving in doggy years equals over THREE YEARS in human terms!
Okay...jump into the lresent right now...that's exactly where Moo Cow is and where she needs you to be! That's a true wi /win for both of you!
Sending lots and lots of love and hugs!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
PS...If you need an ear, call us on our Tripawds Helpline , okay? (844) TRIPAWDS.
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!
1 Guest(s)
