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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Hello, we visit a specialist Tuesday for osteosarcoma that was diagnosed in my Maine Coon. He has giant cell osteosarcoma. I am trying to learn as much as possible. The general vet seemed to think amputation was not going to be a good option for him based on the aggression of the disease. This is so rare in cats that I do not know if they have a lot of examples to base his situation upon. I fear we will put him through amputation only to have it metasasize. Anyone else with a cat with this issue...please weigh in.
CAMI AND FUR BABY ROCKY
Cami, welcome. I wanted to get your post approved so others can see it, but I'm on my phone so will write more in a bit. Meanwhile here is a blog that will give you hope:
http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com
Now start looking for another vet so you can get another opinion 🙂 (where do you live? We can help you find one).
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jerry said
Cami, welcome. I wanted to get your post approved so others can see it, but I'm on my phone so will write more in a bit. Meanwhile here is a blog that will give you hope:http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com
Now start looking for another vet so you can get another opinion 🙂 (where do you live? We can help you find one).
Thank you so much!! We are north of Atlanta. We have an appt at a specialty clinic that includes an orthopedist and oncologist Tuesday.
Hi Cami, I'm so sorry about the diagnosis. I agree that it would help to get a second opinion.
My cat had a different but aggressive cancer and the vet amputated within days of me discovering the lump. He did xrays first to determine if the cancer had spread and things looked good.
Is your cat on pain meds? If not they will help to keep Rocky comfortable.
Your situation really touches my heart. I also had a cat named Rocky and the vets thought he was part Maine Coon. He had the most wonderful personality and sense of humour. Please cuddle your Rocky for me.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
The other issue is Rocky has a hip issue similiar to Legg Perthes in dogs. The cancer is in paw. I am not sure how much of an issue the hips will be for the amputation of a front leg. I guess these are issues for the specialists Tuesday. Thanks for the replies. Rocky is only 4....anyone know risk factors for this? He was on prednisolone at age 1 for a few months...not sure why he got this.
Ok I'm back! I've been thinking about Rocky all morning and couldn't wait to get here so I can type.
I'm glad to know you're in a fantastic area for care, and you're seeing a specialist. We have quite a few members in the area too. The specialists will be more up on osteosarcoma in cats than your vet. Now, I'm not a vet but through the years we've had a handful of cats with this type of bone cancer join us here, and what we've learned is that
1) in cats osteosarcoma develops much slower than dogs.
2) it rarely metastasizes the way it does in dogs.
3) the prognosis and survival rates are far higher for cats.
I'm almost certain the specialists will verify this information (and if not, please let me know). Yes, it's super rare in the general population but here in the Tripawds community we've seen a fair number.
Jill's mom Erica has blogged the longest about the osteosarcoma in cats journey, so that's why I gave you her URL. I am also happy to put you in touch with her if you'd like. She is a good friend of the community. Jill is an angel now, but she thrived almost four years and passed on from a totally unrelated issue. She had an amazing quality of life, and is a huge inspiration here. And of course we have MANY inspirational Tripawd kitties who joined us for other reasons. I hope they inspire you too!
About Rocky's leg condition. We've had others here with existing conditions like that (even that same one, like Chuy, who's still going strong as a senior dog, as far as I know) and as long as the animal gets a green light from an ortho surgeon, they did fine. Later on arthritis will likely get worse, but when carefully managed (along with strict weight control) it's not much of an issue.
I hope this helps. Please let us know what the specialists say and be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List (the information is dog-centric, but that's 'cause cats are a relatively new part of our community. We're getting more info as we go!). Also, some other helpful links:
Ten Things To Know About Tripawd Cats
Front Leg Tripawd Cat Tips and Tricks
Litterbox Tips for New Tripawd Cats
Sebastian Shares His Best Tips for Tripawd Cats
Tripawd Kitty Bloggers Sharing Their Feline Amputation Tales
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This is SUCH GOOD information and such a relief to know you guys are here!! I will read up on this and provide information Tuesday after the ortho appt...maybe it will help others. Thank you!!!
Cami & Rocky
What a cutie! Can't wait to see more pictures!
You have gotten such good sulport and advice! I just want to add my sulport and reminding you we are all nere for you whatever the future holds!
YOU ARE NOT ALONE! 🙂
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!
Beautiful cat! He looks huge! So sorry you are here, and unfortunately, I cannot offer you more than moral support since my tripawd was a dog. Obviously, you need to get advice with regard to his hips, but many of the kitties on this site seem to really thrive as tripawds. We are all behind you!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hello Cami and Rocky,
We are sorry you are here and dealing with this! Im glad you getting a second opinion and will look forward to hearing how it went.
What paw are you dealing with a front or back paw?
Our 6 year old Purrkins had a soft tissue sarcoma on his front left wrist. Our cancer was a low grade and likely to be curative with amputation. We also had X-ray ,ultra sound and bloodwork done to rule out spread .
We have another kitty Harry he also has osteosarcoma and had his front leg amputated. You might want to read thru that forum too .
http://tripawds.....2/#p175041
Just know your not alone and we are here to help.
Cami is a beauty!
Hugs to you both
Holly and Purrkins
What a splendid cat! Pics please (when you have a chance...). Hope the visit to the specialist was helpful.
All best,
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie) xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Hi Cami and Rocky 💗😺
Just saw your thread, what a beautiful cat you've got there 😻
I always wanted to have a Maine Coon but it didn't happen yet, all my cats were on the small size.
My girl also has osteosarcoma and lost her right front leg but she is a Great Dane so I cannot give you any advice.
Did you see the specialist? What is his opinion?
Please give us an update when you can!
Sending your purry cutie kittie a big ear scratch and a hug to your lovely self 😽😽😘😘😘💞💕
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Thank you everyone!! Sorry it took me so long to respond. The amputation is behind us and went well. Now the question is carboplatin or if we should do chemo at all. Can any cat people share if their cats had it? Thank you!
Great that he is doing so well! We did chemo, but with a dog, but I am sure our cat members will jump in soon. Just glad to hear from you and Rocky!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
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