Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My name is Ellen and my littlest sheltie, Adam, has been diagnosed with a fast growing soft tissue sarcoma (grade 3). We pretty much have decided to amputate the leg. I'm more worried about possible metastasis of the tumor. I'll know more details tomorrow when I can get my hands on the complete report. We have an appointment on Wednesday to see a surgeon.
Welcome to Tripawds Ellen and Adam.
I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer but you have found a great place here for information and support.
Is the tumor in Adam's front or back leg?
You might want to look through Jerry's Required Reading list or download one or more of the ebooks from the Tripawds Library. Both have good information on amputation, recovery and treatment.
Good luck with the appointment tomorrow, let us know how it goes.
Be sure and post here if you have any questions, we have been where you are now and we can help.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Welcome Ellen and sweet pup Adam,
Sorry you are starting this new, unwanted journey, but you have found the best pet support group in the world to help you through this very difficult time. I do know this can be a very scary time, full of anxiety and uncertainty, however, there is also hope. There are many success stories here in dealing with many types of canine and feline cancer with and without amputation. Most choose amputation because there have been many here with osteosarcoma which is a very painful cancer. I personally dealt with a very aggressive cancer, hemangiosarcoma with my precious angel Polly. We turned a 5-6 month expectancy into an almost 14 month one with very good quality of life overall.
Did your vet say what kind of tissue sarcoma you are dealing with? I do think with any cancer diagnosis, it is a good idea for x-rays and ultrasound just to make sure there is no metastasis before amputation, but that choice is really entirely up to each individual. In some cases, even pups with mets can still have a good and lengthy quality of life with some diet, supplement, and holistic approaches to dealing with the ugly "c". And I also believe whatever direction you chose to go with Adam is the right one. There are many difficult choices ahead, and only you can make those decisions for his quality of life.
Please keep us all updated on Adam, and I know others will be chiming in to welcome you and give great advice.
Keeping you and Adam in my thoughts,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Hi Ellen and Adam, welcome. I'm sorry you're facing this ruff time, it's an emotional journey that's for sure, but one thing to remember is (and I'm sure your vet has already told you this) but it's worse for people than pets. Truly! You'll see that Adam, should you decide to proceed, is going to cope much better than you ever expected. Shelties are such go-getters and awesome doggies, chances are very good that he handle this so well. How old/young is he? Are there any other things about the idea of life on three legs that have got you worried? We'll try to ease your fears as best we can.
Good luck at your appointment today, let us know what happens.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
krun15 said
Welcome to Tripawds Ellen and Adam.I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer but you have found a great place here for information and support.
Is the tumor in Adam's front or back leg?
You might want to look through Jerry's Required Reading list or download one or more of the ebooks from the Tripawds Library. Both have good information on amputation, recovery and treatment.
Good luck with the appointment tomorrow, let us know how it goes.
Be sure and post here if you have any questions, we have been where you are now and we can help.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Thank you! It's on his left rear leg. He's a 15.5" sheltie so just a little guy, maybe not compared to a pug though 
jerry said
Hi Ellen and Adam, welcome. I'm sorry you're facing this ruff time, it's an emotional journey that's for sure, but one thing to remember is (and I'm sure your vet has already told you this) but it's worse for people than pets. Truly! You'll see that Adam, should you decide to proceed, is going to cope much better than you ever expected. Shelties are such go-getters and awesome doggies, chances are very good that he handle this so well. How old/young is he? Are there any other things about the idea of life on three legs that have got you worried? We'll try to ease your fears as best we can.Good luck at your appointment today, let us know what happens.
Adam is a fearful guy who already feels vulnerable with the larger dogs in the household, mainly the two aussies. I'm more afraid of the dynamic where Adam tells the aussies their moms wear army boots and the aussie try to clean his clock more than anything. Right now the aussies pretty much ignore him.
Okay, I'm in love with Adam AND his mom's great sense of humor!!!! Great attitude is so important!
As others have said, we are all here for you. This is a nightmarish time, much more so for the humans than the pups!!
Recovery is no picnic and it is major surgery with risks! Do your research and ask questions.
That said, you will be amazed at how well and how quickly Adam adapts to three legs! And once recovery takes place (generally "about" two weeks) and you see Adam's sparkle come back bigger and brighter than before...oh ueah...it's worth it!
Remember, Adam could care less about any ole' studpid diagnosis and he's not worried about a thing! Adam is living innthe moment, in the now, and that is the fpgreat lesson that we all try to master on this journey! Just follow Adam's lead...he's enjoying just being dog!
I think you'll find the Aussies will continue to ignore him. But once Adam is free from that painful leg, he just might turn into the Alpha and talk trash about their mommas and dare them to say one single "woof"!!
When you can, we'd love to see more photos of Adam and his pack. His avatar picture is so handsome! Keep us posted!
Welcome to the family...we all understand the connection to our furbabies ffar more than most. You are not alone!
Hugs to all! Oh, and buy yourself a truck load of chocolate...it does wonders during stressful times!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
My pug Maggie was also a left rear amp. She took her time getting used to her new normal, way longer than most here. But she was a stubborn thing that did not like change so in hindsight it made sense that she took her time adapting. But once she did she hopped happily through life for almost 4 years.
Mag was only about 12" at the shoulder so a bit smaller than Adam. Of course her nose was also about 3" shorter 
.
Since Mag was so small she had trouble going up stairs, but she could go down anything. In general rear amps have trouble going up things, front amps have trouble going down things. That is if they have trouble- many if not most tripawds concur stairs once they are healed up.
Again- let us know how the consult goes and what you decide to do. We have had member here who don't have amps but are battling cancer, you are always welcome here. It's helpful to have support no matter how many legs are involved.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Ellen and Adam- Sorry you have to be here. How old is Adam? Is he generally healthy otherwise? Have they done any further tests to rule out metastasis? ie; Chest x-ray, liver biopsy? You will be surprised at the rebound that these guys have. Kkeep us posted so that we can help.
Laurie
I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. My dog had osteo sarcoma. We decided not to amp (she would be 16 in Feb), but out of all the communities I joined to get information, this was the one that helped me most cope with the situation, so I stayed!
I think you will find that you came to the right place, whatever you decide for Adam (who beautiful, BTW!)
We have another dog, a foster, who is nearing the end of her battle with an unspecified STS, probably fibro. Her tumors are numerous, extensive, and growing very fast. Many are where surgery will not help. DeeDee will be 15 in Feb.
Whatever you decide for Adam we will be here for you!
Sonya & "Millie"--born Feb 1999, diagnosed with OSA 8/27/14, set free 9/27/14
(RIP baby girl)
Laurie said
Ellen and Adam- Sorry you have to be here. How old is Adam? Is he generally healthy otherwise? Have they done any further tests to rule out metastasis? ie; Chest x-ray, liver biopsy? You will be surprised at the rebound that these guys have. Kkeep us posted so that we can help.Laurie
I got the full work up today and found this out. Fibrosarcoma, grade three. Mitotic figures average 15 per 10 high power fields. Tomorrow we see the surgeon and will do some more tests then. He's been one of my healthy dogs. He's my 2nd oldest sheltie. My old sheltie, Danny, is 15, Adam is 9.5, and the mosquito on speed, Ribbon, is 2.5 yo. I also have two 6 year old aussies that hopefully will stay healthy and NOT get lymphoma (insert health woes of aussies whine).
sevydots said
I'm sorry you are having to deal with this. My dog had osteo sarcoma. We decided not to amp (she would be 16 in Feb), but out of all the communities I joined to get information, this was the one that helped me most cope with the situation, so I stayed!I think you will find that you came to the right place, whatever you decide for Adam (who beautiful, BTW!)
We have another dog, a foster, who is nearing the end of her battle with an unspecified STS, probably fibro. Her tumors are numerous, extensive, and growing very fast. Many are where surgery will not help. DeeDee will be 15 in Feb.
Whatever you decide for Adam we will be here for you!
Thank you. The location of the tumor makes me hope that like for me "surgery is the cure". See I'm a cancer survivor of endometrial cancer. In fact Adam was only about 14 weeks old when we first suspected something was not "right" with me. Next year I'll celebrate my 10 year of being cancer free 
Had this been on his shoulder, the outcome would be the same as with DeeDee. Since it is his foot that's involved we are hopeful.
Tomorrow it's off to the surgeon. Have cone will travel, everywhere thanks to the fact he made the decision when to change his dressing for him on Saturday.
Hi Ellen
Adam is a gorgeous wee pup My Lab, Tucker, also had a high grade sarcoma on his right front leg and is now 13 months post amp.
Tucker continues to thrive as a tripawd and for that I am eternally grateful - and very thankful for the support of this community.
Looking forward to further updates on the adventures of Adam - the tripawd.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker
Ellen wishing you and Adam a good day. Remember a decision does not have to happen today. Gather the information and give yourself time to absorb. Bounce it off us, that is what we are here for. Adam is fairly young for a Sheltie and I am sure he is full of energy. Keep us posted!
Laurie said
Ellen wishing you and Adam a good day. Remember a decision does not have to happen today. Gather the information and give yourself time to absorb. Bounce it off us, that is what we are here for. Adam is fairly young for a Sheltie and I am sure he is full of energy. Keep us posted!
I know we could have mulled it over more, but we didn't . He is currently in surgery. They are taking the leg off at the hip joint. The surgeon has some concern over possible bone involvement. They will grade the tumor and check the lymph node for metastasis. Heart and lungs looked clear. Bloodwork is clear and since he was sedated I asked them to ultrasound his gall bladder and that looks good.
I'm now waiting on pins and needles for the post surgical phone call.
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