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 everyone.
My wife and I just moved across the country to Colorado. Charlie, our 9 year old shepherd mix was very excited about the move and looking forward to enjoying long walks in CO and maybe meeting a prarie dog or two. We looked around for the perfect dog-friendly apartment where we could also have a dog park for Charlie to play in. In just his first week here he started limping, we thought he must have pulled a muscle or sprained it while running around the dog park like a nut.
After taking him to the vet and getting some x-rays we received his diagnosis for cancer in his right front shoulder. They gave him 2-4 months to live, and presented us our options. We were told that Charlie is a great candidate for amputation, hes young-ish, active, and by all accounts (save for the cancer) healthy. No sign of cancer in his lungs or anywhere else, his blood test came back with no abnormalities. At first we shot down the amputation option, it seemed to much, but after this weekend we have decided that perhaps it's be best choice for our pup.
One thing we were curious about, prior to making this decision we of course started him on a run of pain meds and got him an infusion. My wife and I have decided that we do not plan to fight the cancer, but instead want to give Charlie the most comfortable and fulfilling life with the time he has left. Has anyone in a similar situation to ours just gone with the amputation option without doing chemo/radiation etc?
I am very happy to have come across this site, and thankful for the opportunity to learn more the tripawd community.
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you received the diagnosis of bone cancer, but you have found a wonderful place for information and support.
We have quite a few GSDs here, including our founder Spirit Jerry who lost a front leg to OSA and lived longer than his prognosis without traditional treatments. I also have a local friend Cemil, a 150 pound Anatolian Shepard front amp, who is still hopping 5 years past his diagnosis for OSA and did not do any chemo. It doesn't happen all the time, but there are those who beat the odds. Chemo is a personal choice, and is not right for every pup.
My little pug Maggie lost a leg to mast cell cancer. I did do chemo with Maggie hopping to get the 6 to 9 months the vets predicted. Maggie lived almost 4 years and did not pass from the mast cell. When she developed a second cancer I chose not to treat it at all. All you can do is choose the best path for you and Charlie, stay optimistic, and make every day Charlie's best day.
This community is here to support you no matter what path you choose. We even have some 4 legged members for whom amputation was not the right choice.
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
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I am so sorry to hear you have had to find your way here and about Charlies diagnosis. My girl, Shelby, had a different kind of cancer but we did do chemo and amputate. But like Karen said, there are many that don't treat with chemo, Jerry for one and there is another, Cody, who is celebrating 18 months today (post-amp) without chemo treatment. Chemo/medical treatment, is of course, very personal and it's a gamble. It's what makes sense for you and your family.
But know that Charlie just lives in the moment and has no time stamp on him. He just knows love and wants to be 'a dog'... so whatever you chose, knowing you have Charlie in your heart and your love will be the "right decision".
Would love photos of Charlie if you want ... hugs and love,
alison with spirit shelby in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Here's the link to CODY's Blog Alison mentioned.
Oh boy, everyone here understands what you are gping through like no others can. Just know you have come to the right place for support and information.
I also said NO WAY when my vet first mentioned amputation for Happy Hannah when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. @ong story short, the limp got worse, I had to up the pain meds, and I knew she would not be with me for mich longer if I didn't give her this chance. And like Charlie, Happy Hannah was full of life and wa ted to continue on for as long as possible...pain free!!
Happy Hannah and I had THE most glorious bonus time of one year and two months! Loving, spoiling, tummy rubs, snuggles, nonstop tail wags, laughing, and a gazillion pictures!
Charlie does NOT have a time frame stamped on his cute butt!! He doesn't give a rip about a "diagnosis" or a "statistic". Charlie is NOT a statistic!
For now,just keep it chunked down. You have enough on your plate getting through the amputation and recovery. Take your time. Do your research knce thi gs settle down a bit.
My Happay Hannah sailed through four rounds of chemo. For me, I felt like I needed to try that route, knowing I could stop anytime. All of our "forced choices" are, in my opinion, pretty much a crap shoot. Some dogs seem to get extended time because of chemo...some do not. Some seem to get extended time without doing anything...some do not. Some seem to get extended time with a well planned holistic approach...some do not.
One thing we all know with certainty,itsw about QUALITY! Sure,we all want longevity and we want to beat this rotten piece of crap disease, but lain free bonus time is the true gift. Dogs could care less about days on a calendar. They do care about hanging out with their humans and being spoiled and loved and given some steak and ice cream every now and then!
Sending lots of love to you and your wife and spunky Charlie!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Oops...Here's the link......
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!
What the others have already stated is wonderful advice....this whole journey is an individual choice, making the most difficult decisions you never dreamed you'd be making. I was horrified at the thought of amputation surgery for my beautiful, athletic Doberman last summer. I agonized over what to do, realized we weren't ready to say goodbye, and went ahead with the surgery. He had 6 doses of chemo, and now does metronomic therapy which is a low dose, oral chemo pill plus an anti inflammatory daily. He is 14 months post amp, and doing fabulous. I thank God everyday for him and our time together. Do your research, ask questions, and follow your heart. We are all here for you, every step of the way.
paula and nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
I am trying to respond to this thread but I keep getting "Access forbidden" when I write out a full post. '
Hi Max,
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome and howdy!!!
Nearly 99.9% of everyone says "no way" to amputation when it's first suggested by the dogtor. It's something of a shock thing. But once the emotions calm down and the "knee jerk" reaction has faded, one comes to realize what it means to help alleviate pain for our fur-babies. And don't be surprised if you change your mind about further treatments.
The hub-a-dub and I had the same reactions for our Harmony, but when push-came-to-shove, we realized we would have done ANYTHING to help her.
So don't make any decisions until you've digested everything. And give yourself permission to change your mind. It is out of love that you are Charlie's advocate, chosen by the Creator of all animals great and small.
We're here for you.
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Thank you so much for your kind words, we can't tell you how much they mean to us. It has been a tough couple weeks but its comforting that all of you know exactly what we are going through right now. After our cross-country move away from our friends and family, this was such a blind side.
Charlie is such a pup to us, and almost daily a stranger is surprised to learn that he’s 9, and not 1 or 2 as they would have guessed. Hearing the stories about your Heros; Hannah, Shelby, Jerry, Cody, Nitro, Harmony and Maggie,have really inspired us and given us hope.
Given Charlie love of life and high activity level, one of our main concerns his him breaking his weakening bone. This was one of the major factors in us deciding that maybe amputation might be a good option. We still have much to learn about the procedure, and how we will need to support Charlie through this, but we will do everything we can for our pup. Tomorrow we are expecting a call from our specialist, and we are going to get the ball rolling on the procedure.
No matter what the next few weeks bring (Or months, paws-crossed) we are going to try and focus on all the great times we’ve had with Charlie. All the things he’s taught us and times he’s made us laugh and smile. We are so grateful that we got to travel with our pup cross country, he really does love his car rides.
OMG ....I love his happy smile!!!! Charlie is so cute!!!! I love him!!! I just want to snuggle up with him. I am partial to shepard mixes and he definitely won a spot in my heart! Thank you for sharing photos!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Adorable!!!!
Where in Colorado are you? We are near Fort Collins for a while, actually heading there tomorrow, our Wyatt Ray has a wellness check at CSU.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Alison, move over! I'm packing my pajamas right now to come over to snuggle with Charlie too!
That first picture of him with his "Charlie Smile" jaws me grinning right back at him! Yep, sign me up for the Charlie Love Fest Fan Club!!
OMD!! That sleeping position...he looks soooo comfy!!! ADORABLE!!
Don't forget the CUTENESS ALERT next time when you post pictures of Charley! Too much of a sweet sugar rush can make us hyper!
You and your wife clearly love Charlie so very much..and I guarantee he KNOWS it and the feeling is obviously mutual. You are definitely determined to do whatever you can to give Charlie a pain free quality life...and you will!
For now, continue to give him car rides, trips to drive thrus, tummy rubs, ear scratches and some ice cream every now and then! Happy Hannah had me convinced a scoop of ice cream everyday was a necessary nutritional supplement! Take loads of pictures and videos and we'd love ro see every one of them!!
Have you actually spoken with an Oncologist? That's something you can put on your radar after you get the amputation and recovery underway. I say that .merely so you can thoroughly check out all treatment options. And going the non-treatment route is still a treatment!! Let us know if those of us who did go the chemo route can answer any questions....same goes for the holistic route, etc. One doesn't necessarily have ro be completely exclusive of the other either.
Now go snuggle Charlie, give him a treat and watch his tail wag and his eyes dance with happineq!! All is well in Charlie's world!!
Lots of hugs ro all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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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