Emily's amputation was from cancer and so cancer mets were what I feared and what I expected to be her cause of death.  However, it is hip dysplasia and osteoarthritis that is laying her low and if the adequan shots don't work will be the reason we have to let her go.  Therefore, even for a healthy dogs there are conditions that can be aggravated  by amputation.  So although you are spared the worry of cancer it is still important to keep Sully's weight under control, feed him good quality food and give him a good joint supplement.

Debra & Emily

12/1/09 - Just to clarify: It turned out that although Emily did have ostearthritis and hip dysplasia the cancer had spread to her spine and that was what her main problem was.  I do still stand by my advice, however.

sachabear said:

it seems the concerns are about weight, mobility, exercise, diet etc, the goal being to provide the best life possible while preventing complications like dysplasia, arthritis or further limb damage.

Patrick, Sully and the pack,

From a pure logical point of view, I think that you have this one "nailed".  One would only have to watch them hop around to understand that there has been a change in the "suspension" and the stresses of walking.  My experience has been that dysplasia is more breed and weight dependent than arthritis.  Standard Poodles are nominally slimmer than Rotties, Retrievers, and Shepards and are more like Dobies but that also depends on the individual dogs and owner.  (We pay a different price for these narrower chested dogs, it called torsion and it is really bad!)  Cherry has usually been on the smaller size for her eleven years before her amputation due to cancer.  She was obience trained to compete (which she absolutely loved) to perform three foot high jumps and six foot broad jumps on a frame that is only 22 inches at the shoulder.  Thus, slim to keep the stresses down.  Now twelve and one year post amputation, I try to keep a little more weight on her primarily because I want that weight "in-hand" when she gets sick or the cancer returns.  Otherwise, I would keep her on the slimmer side.  During most of her life that was 45-48 lb and now 42.6 lb on her last visit to the vet.

Did not want to write a novel but did anyway.  Pay attention to the weight, neutrition, and exercise (limit the joint jaring) and I would expect that you will have a "normal" life expectancy.  You might want to consider some of the joint supliments as a preventative.

Thanks for joining and let us know how its going,

Bob & Cherry

I can speak from experience...my 3-legged little girl is 11 years old and still fairly healthy.  She is 39 lbs and has had a congenital deformed front leg that has never functioned (it is very small also).  It was supposed to be removed but she got kennel cough and we decided she could move the shoulder and paddle toys with it - therefore it stayed on.    So, she's been 3 legged for 11 years.

She did have both knees goes out and has TPLO in both. She has a bit of arthritis in her hips, but not too bad.  And she has diskospondylitis (spell?) in her neck (infection to the discs).  She is on antibiotics for that for the rest of her life. 

She still goes up and down the stairs.  She can't jump in the car anymore but periodically she'll jump on the sofa! 

I would say the hardest part of dealing with a 3 legged dog hasn't been the physical part, but the mental part.  When they lose their fight or flight ability, they are spooked so easily. That has been my struggle for 11 years.  Plus, she came from a dog "hoarder" where 22 dogs were fround in a house.  Even though she was just a baby, she still can't trust strangers and it takes a long time for anyone to touch her.

I did a horrible job in raising her.  I have tried to protect her so much that I think I have made her social abilities so much worse.  I just wanted her safe and secure.  She is such a doll with loads of personality but no one ever gets to see it.

Shelby, you princess. Of COURSE you have your people trained to have everything just so for you. I wouldn't be surprised if you get hand fed in that bed of yours either! I dare say, there's someone standing by to brush those golden locks on command! You know, not every tripawd has such devoted servants as you do!