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 have a 14 year old corgi mix (with dashund I believe) who has had a mass cell tumor on his right front paw. He's had it for over 2 years. They have been treating it with chemo meds and a combination of other medications to try to keep it manageable. Recently it has developed an infection which doesn't seem to want to go away. The latest discussion with the oncologist is either an agressive chemo regimen or amputation. His appetite has been very difficult. I don't know what he will eat on any day and giving him the medication is challenging on any given day.
My husband and I are very torn about amputation. On one hand, I know that it will help his appetite and hopefully have his hair grow back a little; but on the other hand how do small dogs do once they've had a limb amputated? There is even talk of a partial amputation and I don't know how that will be.
We have a meeting on Tuesday with both the surgery team and oncologist to try to decide which direction we should go in. I'm leaning towards amputation (with reservation) and my husband is totally not on board with it. I'm curious if you have any thoughts about a small, older dog having amputation? His health is great and he is still spunky on any given day but it's turning out to be the most difficult decision I've ever had to make about one of my dogs... Help???
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are facing this decision, hopefully we can help answer your questions.
For me age is just a number, it really matters how much life is left in the pup- what is your boy's name? Does the vet think he will do OK? Does he have any other medical concerns or issues?
My 17 pound Pug Maggie lost a back leg to mast cell cancer way back in 2006. Although her prognosis was poor she lived almost 4 more years and did not pass from mast cell cancer. If you are interested you can read her story and about her amputation and chemo, the links are in my signature below.
Once Mag recovered from the surgery she did very well. She never had any mobility problems although she could no longer go up more than two stairs. I actually think she must have fallen at some point- she was the type that remembered a 'fail' and would never try again. I now have a little Pug Mix rear amp dog who lost her back leg to a car accident 9.5 years ago when she was 7 months old, Elly turned 10 last month. Elly has no problem going up or down stairs. She really had no mobility issues until she injured her remaining hip 2.5 years ago. We have done rehab, adjusted or added meds and supplements, and she has an exercise program. She still gets around fine most of the time but has lost some strength and endurance.
Most people will tell you that small Tripawds have an easier time than big Tripawds (most of them have big Tripawds 
). There are challenges with small Tripawds- it's not as easy to help them since you have to bend over. They may have trouble getting up on things they used to navigate OK. Yes, you can carry them if necessary- but that led to behavior problems with Maggie, and Elly HATES to be picked up and carried. I have stools or steps near all the furniture that Elly is allowed to access. She never leaves the house without her Ruffwear Webmaster harness
- it has a handle which is really useful. I have a stroller I take on our walks or hikes- my quad PugMutt goes 2.5 to 3.5 miles most days which is way to far for Elly, the stroller allows her to come on all our adventures.
Be sure and ask a lot of questions about a partial amputation. With a front leg it's best (from what I've seen here) to take the entire leg unless you are going to try a prosthetic, and if that is the choice it needs to be planned before the surgery. When a dog has a partial front limb it seems to cause ongoing injury problems. Perhaps the 'partial' amputation they mentioned has to do with taking the scapula or not- some front surgeries take it and some leave it.
What else can we help you with?
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
Oh my gosh we totally understand this tough decision. Karen gave you some great input as a small dog parent, and I 100% agree with her feedback! To that I'll add that even older dogs can do great, they might just take longer to recover. Have you see these posts?
Tripawd Tuesday: Short Legs and Long Body Dogs Rock!
Tripawds News posts about senior pets
When Friends and Families Disagree About Amputation Surgery
Also, when you meet with your oncology team, here's a checklist of questions to ask.
Tripawds Pet Amputation Concerns Checklist
Also see our Quality of Life Survey responses.
Dogs and cats handle amputation so much better than we imagine they will. Yes there will be ups and downs but for the most part they do much better than we expect.
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