Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all-
I am Jenn - mama to Bailey the Boxer. He will be 10 in the next few weeks. Bailey currently has a large softball sized mass on his front right paw. It first appeared about six months ago as a fairly small lump, but the needle aspiration at the time showed nothing of concern so we did not proceed with debulking it as we thought it might disappear - he has had many bumps throughout his life and many have disappeared on their own. About 2 months ago it started growing rapidly, so we scheduled a debulk surgery. When we took him in for that, they let us know that it was no longer an option because there was no healthy skin left to close it up after removing it - the tumor had started to break through the skin. I had them do X-rays and a biopsy while he was under sedation so I could get some answers. The X-rays all came back clear - nothing of concern in chest or abdomen. The biopsy came back three days ago as a nerve sheath tumor/soft tissue sarcoma, which I am told are the same things. Yesterday I took him to an oncologist. Both my regular vet and the oncologist agree that I have 2 options: full leg amputation or humane euthanasia. Both have also expressed some concerns with amputation due to Bailey's arthritis in his back legs. The arthritis is not bad enough that he needs to regularly take daily medication or do anything else to treat it, but I have noticed his back legs shaking some in the past week as he tries to support his body by relying less on that hurt leg.
I went ahead and scheduled the amputation for this coming Tuesday (the 6th), but I am torn on what the right choice is. I know I need to decide either way quickly because the tumor has fully burst through the skin now, causing a lot of bleeding. We are changing the bandage twice a day currently and since the skin is dead/damaged, it has become infected, so he is on antibiotics. Bailey has not been himself the past week - he is very lethargic to the point that he only gets up three or four times a day and he occasionally has the trembles. I'm not sure if this is due to him feeling weak from the infection, if his pain medicine dosage is too high (vet just lowered it yesterday to see), or if he is in a lot of pain. He is not eating much, but is still using the bathroom regularly. Regardless of how weak he is feeling, he still climbs the stairs every night to sleep next to us in our bedroom.
I am torn on what to do because I don't want him to have a bad quality of life due to the arthritis if we amputate the leg, but I can't imagine not having him in my life. My husband and I have agreed that even though it is an expensive surgery ($3500), we do not want the financial impact to play into our decision at all. My logic for this is that I can always earn more money, but I can't un-euthenize my dog. I want to give him a chance, but I don't want him to be miserable afterwards. I have had very little luck finding anything via google on older or arthritic boxers with front leg amputations or even dogs with this type of cancer that have gone through with the amputation. Nobody can really give me a prognosis for afterwards since he is a "senior" dog and does have some arthritis. I don't want to go through with it if he's never going to be able to walk on his own again or if he's going to feel depressed at the loss of his leg. He has never been a super active boxer anyways (his younger sister is the active one), but he does enjoy walking around the backyard in circles and laying next to the pool. If he wasn't able to function as a tripawd at all, I wouldn't be able to lift him because he weighs 80 pounds.
What should I do? I apologize for the rambling in this post, but I can't think straight right now. I just love him so much. He is such a good boy. What would you guys do in this situation? Has anyone been in a similar situation (front leg amp on dog, amp due to STS, senior dog, etc)? I just need to hear others experiences. How do I know what the right choice is?
Hi Jenn and Bailey, welcome. We are so sorry you are dealing with this tough situation but you have come to the best place for help.
First, take a deep breath and know that Bailey is stronger than you think. Yes, he is not himself right now because he has a ruptured tumor and feels terrible. Any human with the same issue would be a total mess, in much worse shape, right? Right! You will very likely see that once his bad leg is gone, his spark will return and you will have your old boy back.
It sounds like your vet thinks he is still a good amputation despite the touch of arthritis. That's awesome! Many Tripawds here have started their three-legged lives with the same condition, and many have had much worse ones than that. Bailey sounds like an overall healthy dog who should do fine once recovery is over. Yes, he will be a bit slower and life will have a "new normal" to it, but that's nothing that will take away his happiness or zest for couch surfing and loving life!
Honestly, it's the people who have a harder time with this. We over think it, we project our fears onto our animals, and we don't give them enough credit for their resilient nature. All of us who have been through amputation understand this, and once we see our pets bounce back, we wonder why we were ever so scared.
There are many things you can do to prepare yourself, your home, and your family for his recovery. Read Jerry's Required Reading List , check out our e-books library and ask us whatever questions you have OK? We are here for you.
Oh, and as for Boxers on three legs, here are just a few Boxer Tripawd search results to inspire you!
https://tripawd.....r-amputee/
https://tripawd.....ged-boxer/
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jenn,
I'm Jena, and I also have a sweet old Boxer named Bailey. She turned 12 in May. 🙂 She had a front leg amputation due to osteosarcoma in December 18. Yes, she also has arthritis in her rear legs. Boxers are such an incredible breed, but they are cancer prone.
Of course, you would always want to consult your veterinarian about pain management , but we have used an "integrative" approach and it seems to be working very well for her. Alendronate has worked wonders for her. It's a biphospohonate, which strengthens the bone. She also takes amantadine, and we have her on turmeric curcumin with bioprerine, which is a great anti-inflammatory. She also has two glycoflex plus 3 chews per day, and that helped alot early on when she started slowing down around age 9.
Of course, Bailey's osteoarthritis is very advanced. She has full blown bone spurs and a hole in her femur we are hoping closes up soon with the alendronate, so your Bailey probably won't need near the pain management .
Recently, we've started doing acupressure and tui-na massage while we wait on our first acupuncture appointment. She loves it.
The first few weeks after the amputation will be trying, and sometimes scary. But things even out. Stay in communication with your vet, and make sure that if your vet is a "general practitioner", you find a really good specialty vet practice to help you with pain management and overall wellness as your boy ages. Every good dog deserves to "grow old well".
Good luck to you!
V/r,
Jena
I will add that if you've never seen a goofball boxer bounce down the hall on three legs like Tigger racing to their breakfast on the back porch, you haven't lived. They retain that ridiculous personality, no matter how old they get! 🙂
Jena you are pawesome, thanks for sharing Bailey's story. Please consider submitting something to us for a Tripawd Tuesday feature so we can include her in the list of Superstar Boxer Tripawds next time someone asks 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the replies thus far. I am feeling more comfortable with the decision to proceed with the surgery now. Yesterday my paranoia and anxiety were getting the best of me so I took my other boxer Tele (8 yr old female) into the vet to check a small spot and it turns out she has a mast cell tumor on her belly. So now both of my dogs have cancer and both are getting surgery this week Seems like the bad news is never-ending. 🙁 It's probably going to be a pretty rough time in my house this week.
Oh no. I am so sorry to hear this. Now you have two to worry about two instead of one. Kudos to you for being so proactive. You felt a lump and you jumped on it. Many of us may have dismissed it out of denial. You are incredibly brave and your dogs are lucky to have you.
Oh my, definatly a good thing you were so proactive! I think alot of the time we talk our selves out of things because we feel like we're jumping at shadows. Good for you for going with your gut!
Sending lots of love to you all this week ❤ keep us updated when you have a chance and dont be afraid to give a shout out if you need a little support. We're all here for you.
Big hugs,
Hugs ❤ Bev, nurse Moe cat, Autumn's Angel Roane & Angel dog Gypsy 🐾
My sweet soulmate Roane was diagnosed with osteo in June of 2019. Had a rear leg amp on July 2nd & crossed the rainbow bridge to be with her sister Gypsy on the first day of Autumn Sept 23 2019.
Hello and a late welcome to you and Bailey, and now Tele.
I'm sorry you got so much bad news in the last week or so! I can relate a bit- about a week before Tripug Maggie had her last chemo treatment for her mast cell cancer her little sis Tani was diagnosed with her first MCTs and had surgery a week or so later. Unfortunately Boxers, like Pugs are known for getting MCTs. Hopefully Tele's is removed with good margins and comes back as a low grade, with a low mitotic index. Be sure you get the MI from the path report, it can give a better indication of how aggressive the tumor is than the grade.
As far as age- it is just a number. In addition to her cancer my quad-Pug Tani had terrible arthritis in her legs and back. After about the age of 10 I would never have been able to amputate if one of her MCTs showed up on a leg. On the other hand I now have a 13 year old quad-Pug who has had both knees repaired and has some arthritis as a result. He would do fine if something happened to one of his legs (knocking loudly on wood!).
I'll be thinking about you and the pups this week, keep us posted on how both are doing.
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
2 things I could use some advice on:
1- should I have a histiopath of the amputated leg done? I’m terrified that it would come back showing a second type of cancer and I’m not sure i would want to know that. Did anyone skip this part and if so, do you regret not getting it done?
2- my main level at my house is all hardwood floors. I know that I should put rugs or yoga mats down to help with traction , but will this be necessary forever or just until Bailey learns how to get around steadily on 3 legs? Do I need to cover every spare inch of wood with some type of fabric or non slip material?
Thanks to all all who have responded to this post. It makes me feel a little better, although I have to admit I feel absolutely heart sick inside.
1- should I have a histiopath of the amputated leg done? I’m terrified that it would come back showing a second type of cancer and I’m not sure i would want to know that. Did anyone skip this part and if so, do you regret not getting it done?
It's recommended if you want to pursue cancer treatment. If not, there's really no point. But if knowing exactly what you are dealing with will help you cope better, then do it, even if you aren't treating.
2- my main level at my house is all hardwood floors. I know that I should put rugs or yoga mats down to help with traction , but will this be necessary forever or just until Bailey learns how to get around steadily on 3 legs? Do I need to cover every spare inch of wood with some type of fabric or non slip material?
Some Tripawds can handle slick floors, but honestly, it's not doing any favors to their joints. Even when they are recovered. Tripawds are basically ice skating, all the time, when walking on slippery floors. Traction is a Tripawd's best friend, and whether a dog has three or four legs, eventually if you're lucky enough to have a senior dog in your home, it will come in handy. Laying down a simple carpet runner path down the hallway and putting throw rugs where your dog spends the most time, will be beneficial and decrease the risk of injury too. Plus, it minimizes the chance of painful elbow hygromas, which are common in Tripawds.
I hope this helps! Ask as many questions as you'd like to put your mind at ease.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jist catching up on everything!!!! Geez, and what a journey you are on!
As Bev said, good for you for staying on top of things and being proactive with both pups!
Yoive gotten good input and you are doing a great job of research. You know your dogs and yourself better than anyone. You have always made the best decisions for your dogs based on who they are as individuals, and you will continue to do so.
Just know thst we are here with uou, right by your side, to help support you in anyway we can, okay?
One member who used lots of non slip scatter rubs sll ocer jer floors said it looked like a clown threw up all over the floors! Yeah, "decor" kind of goes out the window when it comes to safety for tripawds!.
(((((((((((((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!
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