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 everyone,
A few weeks ago I got the gut wrenching call from my vet a lot of you seemed to have been through. My babygirl was lame on her R front leg and the x-rays show what is most likely to be osteosarcoma in her humerus 🙁
We are still in the initial stages of investigation but her chest xray looked clear with no mets there. Next week we head down to the vet oncology team for a further work-up (abdo US, fine needle aspiration, and bloodwork). I am waiting to decide on a treatment plan until these investigations are complete because heaven forbid they find a large mass in her belly or that her organs are shutting down with her labs this would guide my decision making for sure. That being said, with the presumed dx of OSA we are looking at amputation and chemo should the full treatment be warranted.
Bella is a boxer x australian shepherd at around 80lbs and she will be 10 next week. She is a true boxer when it comes to play she is constantly using her paws to move toys, play wiht other dogs, etc. One of her favourite games is to put a toy under a blanket so she has to paw to get it out. We used to live with a family and one of the little girls used to ask me "why does Bella play like a cat?"
I'm nervous about amputation as it is her R front leg that she won't be able to play like this anymore and am wondering if anyone has any pups who had similar behaviours and how they are doing now.
TIA!
#bella #bellabean #hanover #ontario #canada
Hello and welcome to you and Bella, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry cancer has brought you here, but glad you found us!
Both of my Tripawds have been rear amps but I know lots of front amps here who can still dig holes- so I don't see why Bella can't play her game. Of course you will want to be sure she can't get tangled up in the blanket and lose her balance. But that is for after recovery.
I can say that my first TriPug Maggie couldn't do a few things after she lost her back leg to mast cell cancer. But as it turns out, I was the only one who missed those things, Mag just figured out how to do what she wanted and went on with her life!
Keep us posted on your visit next week and let us know what other questions and/or concerns you have.
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
Hi Bella and Bella's mom! I'm sorry to hear about your dx and hope treatment is going well for you both. I've been off-line for a couple weeks so just seeing your post. My Chance is a 10 yo (I believe...I found him so not really sure how old he is) black lab who was dx with OSC this past June. Long story short, I agonized over the decision to amputate (left front leg) and chemo, but in hind-sight it was the best decision! it's been six months since his surgery and he's doing great! There were plenty of ups and downs (primarily side effects with chemo) but his most recent check-up was all clear!
I'd be willing to bet that Bella won't miss a beat! About the only thing Chance can't do (or doesn't want to do) is jump onto my bed or in the car. Then again, I think he's got his momma trained to lift him because he'll jump onto the couch just fine! He can't go on long walks so I bought a stroller for our walks. He walks until he's tired then jumps into the stroller and we keep going. He gets in and out on his own and get lots of attention (which he loves!) along the way. Totally agree with Karen, the surgery affects us much more than them. They figure it out quickly and just want to get back to feeling better and playing again!
I hope you're lil' Bella is doing well. Please keep us posted!
Sandra, Chance and Kenya
Sorry you find yourself here. As you can see though, it's the best place to be for support, understanding and knowledge. We know the uncertainty, the fear, the mental and physical exhaustion are quite daunting. You are doing a good job of researching and cover all your bases.
It spunds like your sweet Bella is in great shape and all her work ups at the Vet are all good. Clear xrays...great news! Once you gather all your information and move forward you will actually feel some relief. You will kmow you are doing this FOR your Bella so she can continue to be Bella, but without pain!!
And yes, she will figure out how to play her blanket game! My Frankie is a front legger and digs just fine, holds and chews on his bone just fine. Anything along those lines he wants to do badly enough, he adapts a strategy and procceds forward!
Stay connected and ask any questions that come up. We'be all been where you are. Recovery is no pocnic for a couple of weeks, but it doesn't last furever! We look forward to celebrating all of Bella's victories as she gets on with living life to the fullest.
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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