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
I am new to this forum. My beloved Beagle Boomer has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 MCT in her left rear leg and will have it amputated next week. She had her first ought with Cancer 3 years ago and surgery was performed but the cancer came back 2 years ago. Another surgery took place and she was cancer free for 2 years until last week. The good news is that it is localized in the same leg in the same spot and there is no metasteses , so amputation should do the trick. She is 9 years old and she has Ruben my other Beagle as her constant companion. I am a little apprehensive about the amputaution but I feel it is the right thing to do. I hope and pray that she does well, for like all dogs she is very special for ot was Boomer and Ruben that brought my wife and I together.
Boomer & Ruben's Dad
I think regardless of how prepared you think you are, you will be apprehensive. It is your baby, and it is major surgery. Keep us posted and don't hesitate to ask questions. Lots of helpful folks here willing to chat.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Hi Boomer's dad,
Welcome to Tripawds. Sorry you had to find us, but you will find a very supportive community here.
My pug Maggie also lost her left rear leg to a MCT. Although I have not updated it, you can read part of her story on her blog. Mag had a grade II MCT in her knee, but after her amp it appeared that the cancer was in her lymph system, so we did chemo. She had a guarded prognosis of 6 to 9 months at that point.
Mag was 7.5 at the time of her amp. I just let her go earlier this month at the age of 11 because of an unrelated second cancer. She lived with MCT for over 4 years if you go back to her first cutaneous tumor in the winter of 2006.
Boomer will be fine on 3 legs. The first couple of weeks after amputation can be tough, but once through that she should be back to her old self.
When you have a chance you can look at Jerry's Required Reading List. There is good information there on what to expect with amputation and recovery.
There are not a lot of dogs here dealing with MCTs, but there are a few of us. Let me know if I can answer any questions or share any more of my experiences with you.
We would love to see some pictures of Boomer, and Ruben too. If you plan to stay here awhile consider starting a blog for Boomer so you have a place to post lots of pictures and write about Boomer's life as a Tripawd. You can test it here.
Good luck with the surgery next week. We are here to help.
Karen and the pug girls
Boomer, Ruben, and Dad,
We are so very sorry to hear of all the difficulties that Boomer has had to face, but clearly your love has pulled Boomer through. This will be the case now as well. I would like to join the welcome to this site that is filled with wonderful people willing to share their collective experience base, provide excellent guidance, and give support. I also can relate to your "special" family relationship because my wife and I met at a dog show where we both were showing our respective dogs in obedience competition.
Just three hours ago, I posted a series of suggestions that may help you prepare for the surgery. Rather than continue to fill the server, I would like to point you to Miss Cherry's previous posting via this LINK.
Your apprehension is very natual and I admit that I still have some difficulty saying that I chose to amputate Cherry's leg. However, I know that is was the best thing that we could have done to eliminate her pain. She turned eleven that day before that aputation, which is extremely senior for a Standard Poodle. We felt as if we were on "borrowed" time for more than a year before, but had another great 405 days. Please read the posting link given above, for I do feel as if it will help restore Boomer to the quality of life I know you want.
Pawsitive Thoughts and Prayers
Spirit Cherry's Dad
Denali is going in tomorrow to have her leg removed because of a mass in her ankle (suspected Osteosarcoma). She is also having her rear left leg amputated. If you want me to let you know how she's doing before you go in - just let me know... I'll probably be posting all about it too.
~~~~ Denali ~~~~
June 9, 2010 OSA suspected
June 17, 2010, July 14, 2010 Clear X-rays – no mets
July 1, 2010 Amputation
July 9, 2010 OSA Confirmed
November 23, 2010 Cancer took you from me - Never forgotten, Always Loved - Forever
Supporting the Fighters, Admiring the Survivors, Honoring the Taken, And never, ever giving up Hope
My foster golden girl, Shelby, is having her front right leg amputated on Friday......we'll all be in this together along with the support of the fantastic people on this forum.
Hi guys,
Welcome to our club. We hate it when people have to join because we really wish this stupid cancer stuff would just GO AWAY but since it's here, we're glad we can be of some help here to you and you walk this journey.
I'm glad that Maggie's Mom Karen answered, because Maggie is the first one I thought of when I read your post. If anypawdy can tell you about MCTs it's Karen.
Good luck next week. It's natural to be nervous, but Boomer will do fine. Her size, combined with the type of cancer, gives her a leg up (oooh, bad pun!) on kickin' butt as a Tripawd.
You'll see, the first two weeks can be difficult. Some dogs handle it just fine, others take longer. All dogs are different in how they heal but once the healing is done, most dogs do just great as Tripawds, with or without cancer.
Hang in there and let us know how we can help OK? Good luck!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Boomer and gang!
Like everyone has said, it's an awful diagnoses but we welcome you with open arms through this next journey. Karen and her pug girls will offer a wealth of information! And you are not going to be alone as there are a few having an upcoming amputation.
Here is another bit of info to read. Rene (jerry) wrote this great article on how to care for your dog after amputation surgery. How to Care for your Dog after Amputatation Surgery. (I just discovered it so I keep posting it like a broken record!)
As you said, it's the right thing to do. Being nervous is normal. Even though I've lived with a 3-legged dog (her 4th one doesn't function) for almost 12 years and she seems normal to me, I would still be scared if I had a normal 4-legged one go down to 3.
We are here to help, so feel free to ask questions or just talk.
Wishing you and your girl, Boomer all the best!
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Welcome to the family. sounds like your one of the lucky ones in your dealings with cancer. your first 2 weeks after surgery will be your toughest, not much sleep, restless, Boomer might not be hisself, but once past that you should be in good shape. Hopefully Boomer doesn't have to deal with phantom pain , Gus started it about 5 days after surgery, it lasted about 4 weeks, but in the beginning it will tear you up the way they cry. this is a great place to be, Good luck, Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Thank you to all for your kind comments and suggestions. I feel a lot better about my decision. Boomer is acting very odd these days but I suspect that is the Tramadol speaking as she is on it for pain as a reuslt of the biopsy. Tomorrow she sees the Oncologist again to change her bandaging , onw week to go. Today is Canada's Birthday we are now 143 years old . Happy Birthday to all the US citizens on this site for July 4th.
Boomer & Rubens dad
jjward1 said:
Boomer is acting very odd these days but I suspect that is the Tramadol ...
Pain medication will certainly make many dogs loopy. Tramadol will often cause heavy panting, or pacing, and we have heard of some dogs just staring off into space. Hang in there, once off the meds Boomer will surely be his ol' happy self once again. Thanks for the update, and cheers for the birthday celebrations! Perhaps ice cream is in order.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good Luck! As everyone has said, the first two weeks are the roughest; after that you will be tweaking your house and schedule to accomodate Boomer's needs. It is a tough time for everyone but it is worth every minute of it!
Chuck & Rusty
Rusty is a Labradoodle who was diagnosed with level 3 Fibrosarcoma on January 16th, 2010 and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th, 2010 five days before his 18 month birthday. Please see Rusty's blog @rusty.tripawds.com. He is putting up one heck of a fight against this terrible disease.
boomer, happy canada day!! paws crossed for a speedy and un-eventful recovery. so many of us have been where you are (in one fashion or another), don't hesitate to come to the site with questions/concerns...it's a safe haven when you need it!! welcome, and when can we see some pictures of "mr. cupid"????
gayle & charon
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
HAPPY CANADA DAY!!
Welcome to the club no one wants to join but once here you will find a welcoming and warm place to air concerns and get suggestions and support.
Here are my usual suggestions: A ruffwear harness so that you can help Boomer in and out of vehicles and steps and such and non-skid runners for slippery tile and wood and check your access routes to see if you need ramps or if Boomer will do steps then you don't have to worry….I got ramps and Magic figured a way to circumvent the ramps and use the steps…go figure!!
Good luck and come back often
B&R Dad -
We need a pic! Gives us an avatar profile pic at least!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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