Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Is there anyone that can help with advice please? We came back from the vets yesterday with our 6 year old Akita Enzo. The xrays confirmed he has osteosarcoma in his front left leg and now being referred to a specialist.
I feel that time is of the essence and the only positive news is his upper body appears to be clear however im not being told anything positive about adult big breed dogs adjusting to 3 legs if i had to make that decision. What i see in this group changes my mind though but would be good to talk to someone for some honesty.
My boy Enzo is otherwise fit, happy and has life in his eyes
Thank you in advance
Hello Enzo and family, welcome. We are sorry to hear about the diagnosis, but glad you found your way to us.
That is great news there are no lung mets! And it's wonderful that your vet has referred you to a specialist. I think perhaps the reason you weren't told a lot of information yet is because the specialist is the one who will give you the whole scoop on treatment and recovery. You can prepare for the visit with these Questions to Ask Your Veterinary Oncologist.
As you can see here, larger dogs can do great on three legs. Every story is from the heart, and you can see there are ups and downs but overall most people say they are glad they made the decision. I encourage you to browse the Size and Age Matters Forum for examples. You'll see that Enzo is relatively small in size compared to many of the large dogs who have joined us. If you'd like to talk to a live person you can call the Tripawds Helpline 844-TRIPAWD if you are in North America, Hawaii or Puerto Rico.
It sounds like Enzo has every chance of doing well on three. Animals don't let amputation get them down, and if you proceed I have no doubt that he will amaze and inspire you more than ever.
Keep us posted on the consultation. We are here to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Being an Akita, I bet Enzo has a lot of stamina and determination...all food traits that work in his favor!
Nope, this isn't the news anyone wants to hear, but you have just joined the best community possible for support, information and understanding. You will feel more empowered once you have more information after your consult and decide on a plan and move forward.
My Happy Hannah weighed about 125 libs (Bull Mastiff) at time of her rear leg surgery. Sassy, a sweet Rottie was about 135 lbs. Walking on three was not an issue at all for these pups. Eurydice, Tazzie, all vigs dogs weighing over 175 each! Yeah, size is not an issue!
Recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks. And sometimes larger dogs do take a few extra days before they get their mobility figured out. It's hard to be patient, but thos first couple of weeks Enzo needs rest, short potty break and more rest. It is major surgery and he'll be on some good pain meds.
Read Loving Life in Three Legs and the variius e-books on the site. Stay connected and ask any questions at all!
You are not alone, okay?
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Hi Enzo and family 🐾🌸
I know these are shocking and devastating news for you but Enzo’s diagnosis doesn’t mean his life is over, he has lots and lots to enjoy with you once he gets rid of that painful leg!
Dogs do adapt well on three, especially if they are “small” like your pup.
My girl Eurydice was a huge Dane and lost her front leg to osteo but that did not stop her having the most wonderful active life and enjoy each lovely day to the full.
Some vets tell their patients they are worried about their dog’s size and how they will (not) cope with amputation but it is obvious they are not aware of Tripawds otherwise they would think twice before making those sort of statements.
We have thousands of success cases right here and that is a fact.
And even if sometimes our pups have a short(ish) life after surgery nobody can take away the wonderful painfree time they got to live with their human families.
Plus, the vast majority of us will tell you we never regretted amputation as it gave out babies quality of life opposed to pain.
As Sally says, you are not alone!
We are all ears, sweetie, so ask any questions big or small, anytime.
Sending you hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Hello to Enzo and family:
First off, just love the name Enzo.
Second, as others have said and as you have said, Enzo is YOUNG and that is going to help him with this. My boy Pofi was 11.5 years at his amp and he was a 75 lb Malamute x Saluki/Greyhound. Very deep chested and a senior and he sailed through his front limb amputation and recovery.
No two dogs are the same, and not every recovery is straight forward or easy, but you will remove the source of his pain and honor the spirit and light you see in his eyes.
Sending big love to you all as you make your way through this. See my blog (in my signature) for some videos of Pofi getting around on 3.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hello again and thank you all for the warm welcome, valuable information and sharing each of your stories.
Enzo went to visit the specialist vet today who in all honesty was great. Within 5 minutes she casually said she could remove the leg and in a few days he'll be happy and no issues. Think i needed it as matter of factly as i was given it and what will be will be. So Enzo is back tomorrow at 10.00am to have his front leg and the scource of so much misery removed. Will keep everyone updated.
Enzo weigh's 39.7 kilos which im guessing is around 85lb so generally quite a light 'big' dog breed, i wish i could show you as he's a long coat Akita so looks like he weigh's in as a heavy weight.
We have been watching him practice on 3 legs for the past week as he still spins around before breakfast, does his dancing bear routine and polar bear pouncing up and down (all of this because i pick up his food bowl) His zest and passion for life is there and his sister is missing running with him (she's a 3 year old Bedlington/Collie/Greyhound Whippet Lurcher mix and rescued at 6 months old from quite a chaotic enviroment has always looked up to him the day we fetched her back)
Then i have my human worries, my dog is going to have his leg amputated and i have to leave him with strangers. Thats hard.
Thank you all again, each one of you. Ive never joined any forum or support network until now and your replies mean a lot.
You didn't join a "forum", or "group". You joined a family of BFFs❤❤❤
We understand all the emotional turmoil it takes to make this decision. And we also know how happy you will be, and Enzo will be, with that bum leg gone!! Really glad you felt reassured and comfortable with the Specialist.
Now, as optimistic as the Surgeon felt about how happy Enzo will be in just a matter of days right after surgery...well....it may take a little bit longer than a few days😉 Just sayin'. It IS major surgery and it does hurt! Dogs do feel better in some ways fairly quickly when that bum leg is gone, but they might not notice it right away because of the soreness from the surgery itself.
Let us know if you have any questions about recovery and jow to,prepare for it okay? The Vet will,probably send Enzo home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an antibiotic. It can take some tweaking sometimes to get the doses and timing balanced in a way that works best for Enzo, but you'll figure out. Willmje be spending at least one night?
Here's a link for adding images Cannot wait to see pictures of your handsome boy. And after recovery, we look forward to video of his dancing bear routine & video of him running with his sister.😁
Get some rest....okay, we know you'll be up all nigjt worrying instead,, so just eat some chocolate for now. You can sleep well tomorrow night after surgery is done.
Update us tomorrow, okay? All your new BFFs are cheering for Enzo!😎
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Hi Enzo and family 🌸🐾
Just checking on how surgery went and how your baby is doing.
Please update when you can, Enzo's cheerleaders are waiting for his good news to open the champagne and celebrate 🥂🍾
Just one point for when Enzo is back home, if you have hardwood or slippery floors you should get carpet, rubber underlay or yoga mats to create paths where he can hop safely, good traction is crucial for tripawds.
Sending you an avalanche of kisses, sweetie and tons of cuddles to your sweet pup 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Hi Enzo and family! Just getting caught up here, wanted to say hi and wish you well ❤️
Hopefully by now Enzo is post op and resting comfortably. Looking forward to an update!
Hugs,
Jackie and Huckleberry ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
Hello all
Sorry to keep everyone waiting.
Enzo had his surgery Thursday and came back home Friday (today is sunday), he was very exhausted due to kennel guarding quite abit but now resting in my yard in his usual spots. He is fine in himself however a little frustrated due to wearing a pressure bandage which restricts his movement but they want me to take it off in the morning prior to seeing the vet to minimalise stressing him out. I cant wait to free him to be fair so he can mobilise a little easier. Vet sent him home with antibiotics and the painkiller he was on previously.
I wont lie, Friday night was hard listening to the grumpiest most anti social akita cry all night but we sat in the yard with him until morning and he was back to being grumpy and anti social again the day after which was a good sign although the frustration and confusion is there simmering. Normal i guess
Equally i cant wait to see his bear dances again, ive a feeling it wont take him long.
Somebody advised me a ruffwear webmaster harness as i'd like the handle to be able to aid him a little, has anyone used these? How long before i can put a harness on him again and one that wouldnt rub or lean on the wound?
I still struggle to put up photos using links or advice and im not literate when it comes to mobile technology. I did attempt to join TripawdsUK on Facebook but after telling the admin she wasnt very good, she banned me (on the day of Enzo's surgery). So i was hoping to put up photos there, if there is a FB group that isnt TripawdsUK i'd be happy to put up photos...?
So moving forward, Enzo has an appointment tomorrow to check up and either a new bandage or none at all then back in 10 days for another check up.
Again i really appreciate everyones response, i knew it was the correct way forward to agree to have it done but it was hard, from diagnosis to now it was hard, and still is. Its your responses that have made sense of it so thank you.
Im sure i have many more questions as i feel this is just the beginning...
Oh my, you have your hands full, don't you?
http://tripawds.....-photos-1/
Here's how to add photos. If you have problems reply in there and you'll get the help you need.
So Enzo does not like being inside, that makes things more complicated i am sure. I hope your weather and surroundings are slowing you to spend your time comfortably.
I know many here use the Ruffwear harness , but i think there's another better for the recovery stage. You'll get more responses here soon. Huckleberry kitty does not wear a harness 😉
Hang in there, recovery can be a little ruff. Sorry about your other experiences, i hope your experiences here are better.
Hugs,
Jackie and Huck ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
Hi, glad surgery is over and he's home...I love the Ruffwear harness ! We used it from the time we picked up our Dobe, Nitro, who was a front amp. We put a t-shirt on under it, and there was no problem at all with rubbing the incision. It was a lifesaver! Especially now that it comes with a "Brushguard" that is a solid piece of fabric for the belly area. We used it for his recovery, for getting in and out of vehicles, for learning to do stairs on 3 legs...and came full-circle when he was nearing the end of his life 3+ years after his amp surgery when his arthritis made his mobility worse.
Good luck, be patient and positive. The recovery can be a rollercoaster, just keep your eyes on the prize!
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
myboyenz0 said
ruffwear webmaster harness ...has anyone used these? How long before i can put a harness on him again
Find plenty of Ruffwear Web Master harness reviews in the Tripawds Gear blog or by using the advanced search above for more feedback from others here in the forums. You will also find a customer reviews tab on the product page here.
Im sure i have many more questions as i feel this is just the beginning...
Start here for help finding the many helpful Tripawds resources and assistance programs.
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. Bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List and review the Tripawds FAQs for many more helpful tips and answers to most common questions. You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for lots of info and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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