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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Rocky, my 9 year old shep/rott mix, has bone cancer. Currently, it\'s affecting his right front wrist. It has swelled to about the size of a baseball and if he puts any pressure on it, it will break. Option is to amputate or let it go. I don\'t want to let it go because of a possible break then euthanasia. I\'m torn about amputating because of his age and other medical issues. He also has lymes disease and has had seizures under anesthesia. My heart tells me to amputate but I\'d hate for him not to recover.
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Katie, I'm so sorry to hear about Rocky. Nine years old isn't that old, we've had many pups older than that do fine and live great lives, but we understand that every dog is different. What does your vet think about him being a candidate for amputation?
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry to hear about Rocky. I don't have any experience with the cancer part as Daisy lost her leg to arthritis. Amputation is a tough decision. My first instinct was "I'm not doing that to my dog"! 24 hours later I decided to give her a chance at life pain free. Daisy is not that old either (will be 8 years in March) but I was concerned about mobility because of arthritis in hers hips and spine.
I don't think 9 is very old. There have been dogs much older that were successful as tripawds. I would talk to your vet about Rocky being a good candidate or not with the seizures under anesthesia.
Best of luck to you and Rocky. I know this is a tough decision.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
So sorry you had to find us here. It is a tough decision. For us it was easier as our dog was young and otherwise very healthy.
Amputation takes away the pain of the bone cancer, but I know it's not always a reasonable option for every dog. What does your vet think?
Hang in there. Sending good thoughts for you and your pup.
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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