Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I just found out my close to 11 tear old dog has osteosarcoma. His name is also Zak. I've been crying non-stop. I found out because he broke his leg this weekend jumping off a sand dune about 2 1/2 feet down. He has a pathalogical fracture on his front leg.
For me at this point & after lots of research. Putting him down seems to be the best thing for him. He is my world. I am heart broken. He's been with me 95% for 10 years. (I have a job where he can come along) I feel like I would be keeping him alive for me , not for him.
He has two weak knees from TPLO surgeries along with athrithis in his back end. He's suffering & I can't see having his last maybe 5-12 months be spent in hospitals, which make him panic completely. (maybe from TPLO surg's) & forcing him through chemo. Today at the Surgerons to have his bangadge changed, he had a meltdown. Shaking like crazy. I'm waiting on is the final biosposy to come in. Three doc's & one surgegon told me his xray was cancer but I need to be sure.
My head's a mess but I love him & need to do what is best for him. This site is wonderful with so many positive people. Thanks for sharing your stories. It does help to hear others going through it.
Heartbroken in San Diego..
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You could always consider amputation without chemo. How is he getting along now? Many dogs get along well with 3 legs even if they have had prior surgeries. My dog Tazzie is 180# and had both of her ACL's repaired previously and she does well. It depends on the level of arthritis that he has and if he is overweight. Amputation relieves the pain instantly and many dogs beat the odds and live over 1 year with amputation alone. Even if you only get a few months it would allow you time to say goodbye to your boy.
I understand that amputation is a scary thing and may not be what is best for your dog, but I would discuss it with your vet when the results come back. I am sorry that you have to make this decison.
Pam and Tazzie
dear heart broken, i totally understand. my spazzy was much younger but i cant see any dog to have to endure so much pain and suffering. as much as we want them to live and be happy. being pain free is more important. it hurts soooo much. i believe you are doing the right thing. he is an older dog and with the pain he is enduring now you dont want him to suffer anymore than he is. give him lots of treats and comfort him. some vets will come to your home, which i found out too late.... so that he will be more comfortable and most importantly with you. he wont be as scared and you have to remember that he had a wonderful life because of you. GOD BLESS
While we firmly believe it's all about quality of life, not quantity ... there are no wrong answers here. Every dog is different, and everybody has to cope with the situation the best way they know they can handle it, keeping in mind what is best for them and their dog. Thanks for sharing.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for writing back. I still can't stop crying. The thought of losing him is too much for me.
I have a appt tomorrow w another Vet for a second opinion but I already know the answer. I also found a vet who will come to the house to do it but I don't know if I have the strength to do it. He is everything to me. It's devestating.
I've been reading the site non-stop & it so sad.... but it seems like most of the kids only make it for about 6 months avg until the pup needs to be put down. I don't want him to suffer with pain & procedures for that short of a time.
He's already breaking my heart. Still trying to follow Mom all over the place dragging this big cast around since his leg is snapped in 2 places & obviously not comfortable but only wants to be with me. Breaks my heart even more..
I'm a wreck.. God please help me get through this..
Six months may seem short to us human, but it is all relative. Genie had lived 7.5 months without chemo as a tripawd, at the end, it wasn't lung mets which took her. She suddenly became completely paralyzed within 3 days, possibly bone mets in the spine. In human years, she had hung around for 4-5 years after being dx with the aggressive cancer!
During these 7.5 months, I saw courage, resiliency in her, which I had never discovered that before the dx (she had always been a wuss before). If I had to make the same decision again, I would still go down the same path, without regrets.
When I made the decision to let her go through amputation, I did not know how long she would last afterwards, it could be only a few weeks, two months, a few more months; but I did not want to give up on her behalf, I was prepared to walk this difficult journey alongside with her. Who was I to say she did not want to fight? And a good girl she was, fought bravely till the end.
Look into Zak's sparkling eyes, ask him. Ask him if he would like a ride, a walk, a hamburger, a kiss, a hug. Those are the things he enjoys, he loves with passion. They have the desire to live, and to live in the moment.
Hugs.
We are so sorry that this is happening to you. The diagnosis of osreosarcoma is heartbreaking. Dogs are such loyal friends and depend on us so much. Ember was in great pain and while the amputation made her life worse for about 3 weeks, she is very happy today. All you can do is cherish each moment you do have. Trust that the decision you make will be the right one.
Jane and Ember
Zaks mom said:
... I don't know if I have the strength to do it.
... I don't want him to suffer with pain & procedures for that short of a time.
Just remember who you're doing "it" for ... and by all means, please try to focus on quality time – not quantity. You have two choices to end the pain. Only one will buy you extra quality time with your pup. Best wishes with whatever decision you make.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through this decision. Spend some quiet time with Zak and try and quiet your fears and anxiety for a few moment. Take a few deep breaths - ask him what he wants to do and then listen to your heart.
We are here for you.
Much love,
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
This is indeed a horrible decision to have to make, and we have all had to make the one that is best for us in our situation. On the 24th Trouble made it to the 2 month mark. When she was diagnosed on Nov 24, we were told without treatment she would more than likely not make it past 2 months. With the amputation behind us, and only 2 chemo's left to go, each and every day past Jan24 is a free day, a day to celebrate, a day we probably would not have had. I relish each and every moment I spend with her, as sappy as that sounds. She is pain free and happy. I would do it all over again, but in that week when all the decisions had to be made NOW, it was agonizing.
Trust yourself, you'll make the choice that is best for you and Zak.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Thanks so much for the support...
I can't bring myself to put him down even though I got everything in order to do it. He's still there bigtime. He's gotten more lively since the pain of the fracture & biospsy has faded over the last 3 days. Doing the amp is the only thing to stop him from suffering with the pain of the fracture totally.
My heads still such I mess.. I want to do what right for him. I hope this is the right desicion.. He's so important to me.. I'm scared for us both.
Our Marley (choc lab) is 12 1/2 and we are going thru with the amputation of her left hind leg on Monday. We've decided that age shouldn't matter - why not give her a chance? Her parents and grandmother made it to 16, 17, and 18... we know the next two weeks will be tough, but if we don't try.... I said to our oncologist I want to be doing the amputation for HER not for me. and he said YOU ARE! He was so reassuring... I just can't bear to put her through more pain. This has been the worst decision of my life. I know how you feel. there were times when I thought we'd let her go (because of issues with her knee on what will be her remaining back leg) and it was somewhat of a relief - that we wouldn't have to go through the amputation... so I can see both sides, definitely.
marleyflynn said:
I just can't bear to put her through more pain. This has been the worst decision of my life. I know how you feel. there were times when I thought we'd let her go (because of issues with her knee on what will be her remaining back leg) and it was somewhat of a relief - that we wouldn't have to go through the amputation… so I can see both sides, definitely.
I agree with your post on so many levels.. It's been horrible so far.. Even that part that's tough to admit out loud… about it being a relief in some way to let her go –to not amp– it gave me a sense of relief in a way too to consider it. (that sounds horrible but it was to not put him through all this & I guess partly me too) I couldn't do it though. He needs me, loves me, trusts me & I have to give him a chance. I don't think I'd be able to forgive myself if I didn't try. Tomorrow is causing me a lot of stress now though.
Zak's had his surgery today & might come home tomorrow. I”m so tired but here I sit at me laptop trying to find out as much as I can before he gets here.
It's hard to believe last Wed night none of this was going on.. I miss it so much already!
Hi Zak's Mom,
You are doing the right thing. You love your Zak very much and doing your best - that is all that counts! Good wishes and happy thoughts your way.
Lots of love and licks,
Dee (and his Mommy, Ansunette) xxx
Dear Zak's mom,
I know when my dog Sophie was diagnosed in early October, it felt like the world was crumbling around me. This site was very helpful and, like you, I did decide to go forward with the amputation.
I can tell you that it was very disconcerting when she first got out of the hospital, as I imagine you may be experiencing now, but she is doing really really well (knock on wood!). We followed the amputation up with chemo, and, although we had to monitor her blood closely as her platelet counts got low, I saw no difference in her energy level or happiness through the chemo- she was just her happy self.
I made a couple of videos of her that I posted on youtube- as youtube videos were part of what allowed me to visualize that she could have a life post surgery- I sort of wanted to “return the favor.” If you want, see Sophie in action just 10 weeks post surgery (and still in chemo) …
Good luck! In any case, it is obvious taht Zak is very lucky, and has already had a rich and wonderful life! As others have said, anything else is just a bonus- you've obviously done very well by him already.
Christine & Sophie
p.s. to whichever administrator reviews this- I had an account (under “sophie's mom” or “sophiesmom” or similar) but lost my password. I've tried to notify the site a few times that I lost my password, but I never got a response or a new one. Any chance someone could reconnect me to my account? Many thanks!
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