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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Hi,
Looking for a little advice from you nice people on this forum.
I have a 12 year old (a few months until 12) Sheltie that has a Mass Cell Tumor on her left front leg. It is about the size of a golf ball and it wraps around her leg so vet said they can't remove it. We have done ultra sounds, x rays, and checked other parts of her body, that seems to be the only MCT that was found. We are waiting for the result of a biopsy on the tumor to determine what grade it is. If it comes out to be low grade, vet recommands amputation.
I feel that she is healthy other than the MCT. We are struggling with the idea of amputation, but she is about 26 lbs, so she isn't too heavy, vet said she should adapt fine. She loves playing ball, she won't be able to do that after the amputation. At the same time, regardless of how much longer she will live, I feel that the biggest thing is to relieve her pain, if we don't amputate, the MCT will grow bigger and crush her leg, so amputation is as much pain relief as prolonging her life. I had a foster cat who had a tumor on his leg and it was very painful for him, eventually we had to put him down.
My family is having a harder time with the idea of the amputation, I am undecided myself. Any advice you guys can give me would be greatly appreaciated.
Thanks,
Kelvin
Hi Kelvin, welcome to Tripawds. Your future posts will not require moderation.
I'm sorry you are dealing with MCT in your girl, what's her name?
My pug Maggie lost her left rear leg to a MCT, her tumor was in her knee and could not be removed. She didn't have much pain from it, but her knee was getting stiff. My biggest fear was that the tumor would ulcerate and create a wound that would not heal. This was Mag's second MCT- and it turned out she had a couple more after her amputation. But she lived almost 4 years after her surgery and did not pass from mast cell cancer. You can read Maggie's Story here, and see her amputation and treatment information. After surgery it was found that there were mast cells in her lymph system so I decided to do chemo.
In general terms if your girl is otherwise healthy and the vet thinks she is a good candidate then she should do well as a tripawd. The first couple weeks after amputation can be full of ups and downs- for me I was doubting my decsion to do the surgery. But Maggie was a stubborn pug who didn't like change. It took her longer than most but she came back to the happy pug girl she had always been.
Some good resources as you make you decision are Jerry's Required Reading list, or download the e book Three Legs and a Spare, both of which have lots of good info from this site on what to expect with amputation and recovery. And you should check out some of our videos- and see how well pups do after amputation.
This is a hard decision to make, and it is a big surgery. You are doing the right thing by getting all the information you can so you can make the best decision you can for your girl.
Let me know if I can help you with any of my mast cell cancer experiences.
Karen
I am so glad you found this group. There are wonderful stories here about a tremendous number of courageous dogs and their people. You will find out by checking out the stories, that a Tripawd can do most anything they want to do. Check out the Hopping Around thread for a great video of a Tripawd who is chasing a tennis ball. I had to do a double take to realize that he was actually a Tripawd.
Only you can make the decision for your pet, but she should have a say in the matter. She will tell you what she can and cannot do.
Kathi and Murphy (who is a Tripawd with a total hip replacement)
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Hi Kelvin!
Welcome to our little family - I am sorry you have to find us here!
It is such a difficult decision to make, but you will find lots of resources here and tons of dogs (and kittys in my case) that do AMAZING on three legs! We are here to help you with whatever questions you may have. I struggled so much with my decision because my kitty Jill had a tumor that was not painful at all. I couldn't believe I was doing it to her. But I realize now I did it FOR her. She is now 9 months post amputation for bone cancer and is doing better than I ever would have thought.
If you get a chance, jump on over to the chat room
! Theres usually a few of us in there 
All the best,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Kelvin, thanks for joining us. You'll see that there's lots of folks with some great tips and suggestions here, with Karen (Maggie's Mom, above) being our MCT expert in the house, she can give you a lot of information about the disease and what to expect.
As far as life on three legs, I think the best thing to do is to talk to others and bring your family here so they can see how dogs do. We've had lots of Shelties here and like most members, they've done well as Tripawds. In all our years, I can only think of two people who said they wouldn't do the amputation again, and their dogs had very different stories (and were much, much larger). It IS a scary decision and hard to think about your own dog on 3 legs, but you'll see that dogs are so much more resilient than humans ever give them credit for. That's one of the weird blessings about cancer; it opens your eyes to the preciousness of each moment, and shows you that when life gives you lemons....dogs know how to make lemonade better than their people!
I hope this helps. Whatever questions you have, just holler OK? Thanks again.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Won't be able to play ball? heck yes she can!!!! My 14 year old Springer had his front left leg amputated and he still chased our other springer around and ran after his squeakies in the yard!!
Once they are pain free.. they can do everything that they like to do!! My guy had a large tumour as well.. it was on his front left knee and about the size of a golf ball. We were a little hesitant at first for the amputation for his age, but we did not want him to be in any pain. So, after some reasearch.. and finding this site.. we decided to go for it. Once helost that leg.. he had no pain to focus his strength on, and he because the happiest dog on three legs!!
Bring your family over to the computer and spend some time going through the blogs.. you will see that many, many furbabies cope with 3 legs no problems!!
Don't be afraid to ask any questions here.. or join the chat to chat with some of us folk... we don't bite!!
Christine..... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
DITTO! DITTO! Ditto tl what everyone else has sad.
We've had many "young seniors" do so very well after amutarion. YOU kw your dog better than anyne! Is she vibrant? Full of life? Still has a sarkke in her eye? Just loves life? Not slowng down in her attitude? Vet/Surgeon think she's a god candidate?
I AGNIZED, and I do mean AGNIZED over my decisin to amutae m Happy Hannah's rear leg due to osteo. She's a chunk of a Bull Mastiff (some call her or "plus size tripawd model") and, at the time of amp, was 8 yrs. 4 months (nt exacty "young" as far as large dogs). I was sleepless fr weeks---researched til I thought I woud go cross-eyed, decided to doit...decided ot to doit...yese...no...and the YES came when realized the pain meds were not being very effective and things were k d of escalating. It was either "let her go" soon or proceed. One look in ner vibran, full of life eyes and waggng of the tail non-stoo and surgery was scheduled! Recovery was HORRIBLE! I swnd guessed mh self for weeks! Could not believe what I had sne TO my dog!
I fou d tnis site and stayed clued to it. It was my lifeline! It was my source of first hand experience It was my source of people who cared and undersrood! The PROMISED me it would get better! A D IT GOT SOOOOOOOO MUCH BETTER!
She and I just celebrated ner SEVEN MONTH AMPUVERSARY! Sne turned ni e i August! She's still a "chunk"-----kind of a tripawd hippo, but we're working n that! I can nl tell you that EACH day with her, EACH sexnd with her is the most glorius gift I could have ever recieved!! She is pain free, spoiled and loved morethan I even k ew was possible and ust thoroughy loving her life!!
She doesn't care if she walks as much, she's replaced that with the joy of rolling in the grass...or rolling in fresh deer poop! She loves just soaking up the sun and having me rub her tummy! She loves the ho e cooked food! She loves ssleeping like a rock! She loves "galloping" up her ramp! She does ot love me taking eight million pictures, vut I can't help myself!
We are here for you whatever you decide! You are ot alone! We understand! You will be AMAZED at how well your dog will adjust to three legs! Absolutey amazed! Remember, Jake doesn't know he's "sick" and doesn't care about any stupid statistics! Jake just wants as much quality time withyou he can get! It'savout qquality areound here.....sure, we all want quantity, but quality is the name of the game! And heck, months in "dog years" is like, what..over a year!
B R E A T H E, do your research, look into Jake's heart and soul, and you will fi d the answer.
Your are a great advocate for Jake and he sounds like a delightful fella'!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
First of all, THANK YOU ALL for being so supportive, it means the world to me and my family! I am surprised so many of you have already responded.
I have tremendous amount of respect for each and everyone of you for fighting such tough battles with your loved ones, and I realized my case isn't even as bad as what many of you have experienced.
I have gone through a number of cases listed above, I definitely feel more relieved. The video helped especially. At the same time I understand the recovery process will be very, very tough.
My dog (Her name is lui lui) has a lot of energy still even for her age. Her fur on her face is starting to get white, and maybe her hearing isn't as sharp, but other than that she seems the same to me as she was 4/5 years old. She is a big chicken though, she gets very nervous when going to places she isn't familiar. She probably isn't as tough as some of your dogs, but I guess we just have to help her fight through this if we do decide on amputation.
We should be getting our results back in 2-3 days, I will definitely keep you guys updated. In the meantime I will continue to dig through this site.
THANKS!
Hi Kelvin,
I have a 10 year old sheltie, Jag that we just amputated his rear left leg 8 days ago, so I know EXACTLY what you are going through. The guilt, shock and overwhelming feelings of all the doctor visits, and various options and test results and be exhausting. In the end you want to do what is right for your baby, and I think you will come to the same conclusion as I did, that amputation is the way to go. I can tell you first hand that dogs (and Shelties especially) I think we're both going to be a little bias here 
are some of the most resilient and amazing animals in this world! My Jag, was standing on his own the day after surgery and 3 days later was hopping around and walking through the doc office. By the time we got him home, he was actually running even. it took him another day, and he was running down stairs!! I couldn't believe and everyday of his recovery he continues to amaze me. of course, there are moments when he still has to figure things out and he still has a few more weeks of healing to do, but all in all, I don't regret my decision for a moment.
This forum has helped me tons, everyone here is so supportive and gives amazing advice since all have been through the same thing. Stay strong for your baby and he will do the same for you. Best of luck down the road and we'll look forward to hearing more from you!
Kate and Jag
Hi and welcome to this wonderful forum! I can just agree with what has been already written. My bullmastiff Penny did amazingly well after amputation! (She got her right rear leg amputated.) She could do almost everything she did with four legs and for example ran in the snow with such power and continued play with my labrador Wilbur. But I know exactly the feelings you are going through now, because when you are facing this for the first time it is really chocking, but for me it really helped with all the positive information I got from experienced veterinarians and dog owners and also watching videos with happy tripawd dogs! Unfortunately Penny died in april this year, but she got almost one wonderful year as a tripawd. I think your dog will manage just fine and dogs adjust to what they have to and do not feel sorry for themselves. They just live here and now and when the pain is gone they just love life again. I wish you and your dog good luck and look forward to hear from you here at the forum!
Gunilla, Wilbur, Bellis and angel Penny
Oh I'd also like to second what Christiine said: Ball-playing is absolutely something any Tripawd can do!
I'm glad we could help. And thank you Kate and Jag for chiming in, I meant to include a link to your posts but spaced.
One last thing: keep in mind that recovery isn't always difficult. We like to say, prepare for the worst but hope for the best. Recovery often has so much to do with the human's mindset. If you believe Lui Lui will be strong and courageous, she will too. Dogs absorb the emotional state of their pack leader. That's YOU! So be strong, believe it will be OK and it will. And of course, when you feel like you can't keep up a brave front for her anymore, come here and we'll help you get through it.
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just a quick aplogy.....Jake? Where on earth did that name come from? Sorry!
lui ui..a lovely name for a lovely girl!
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!
Kelvin and Lui Lui,
A'Tuin and I are just a week post amputation of his left front leg and it's so worth it! Even with the amputation pain, I can tell he is already feeling so much better.
Our thoughts are with you!
Kat
A'Tuin's story can be found on my personal blog along with a dash of my life and poetry.
I said goodbye to my puppy love on 5/15/14 after more than tears years of the greatest love I've ever known.
Welcome Kelvin and Liu Liu-
MCTs are an unusual cancer. You've heard from the resident expert with Maggie's mom, Karen. Shooter's amputation was also due to a Mast Cell and the vets really gave me no other option as when they are on the leg like that they cannot be removed and can, unfortunately be very aggressive. It might not seem like it, but they cause considerable pain and I could really tell a difference in how Shooter felt shortly after the surgery. I feel that even though we didn't get a lot of time, it would have been much less and involved more pain without the amp. Shooter was 13-1/2 at the time and adapted to tripawdness so quickly. At the beginning we did a lot of massage on his back legs, right shoulder and back, but once they strengthened he never seemed to have any trouble whatsoever. If you have questions that I can help with please feel free to message me at anytime. I can't remeber the link, but Shooter's blog is called Shooter's Journey and hope it can help.
Welcome to the community.
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
I'm glad to see Shooter's mom chimed in. I was walking the pugs tonight and thought of two more links I should have given you. One was Shooter: http://shooter......pawds.com/. The other is Roxy: http://lesliec......pawds.com/ . Roxy is a boxer front amp girl 3.5 years past her amp for a grade III MCT. Roxy's mom Leslie chose not to do chemo, I think Roxy is around 10 now.
Keep us posted on the test results, and feel free to ask lots of questions.
Karen
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