Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My parents found out this morning that their 10-year-old Australian Shepherd has an osteosarcoma in one of his front legs. Based on the X-ray performed on the leg, the veterinarian is guessing that the cancer has already spread to his lungs (despite the fact that he showed no overt signs of any problems until the middle of last week, when my parents first noticed a limp). Essentially, Finnegan has been given a prognosis of one month without treatment, and six months with treatment (amputation plus chemotherapy).
My parents are now trying to determine the best course of action. On the basis of this very helpful and informative site, it seems that most would advocate for amputation to improve Finny's quality of life. However, an additional concern for us is that he is also blind (following a cataract surgery gone wrong when he was less than two years old). He navigates around the house very well, but I wonder how blindness may affect his ability to navigate with one less leg.
Needless to say, we're all crushed by this news, and any advice or insight anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated.
Best,
Julie
Hi Julie - welcome to the site that nobody wants to join, but everybody is glad they did.
I can't say that I have any experience with a blind dog, quad- or tri-pawd, but wanted to at least offer some support because I know how devastating the OSA diagnosis is.
Honestly, if he can navigate blind with 4 legs, I don't think it would be all that much different with 3 legs. I assume he takes it kind of easy? If so, it would hopefully not be too much problem.
The amp would at least relieve his pain. And there's really no knowing how much time the amp could buy, so don't think that 6 months number the vet gave is written in stone. I've "only" been on this roller coaster for 10+ months with our dog, but I've seen a lot of different stories - some dogs live years post amp, even without chemo; some only live a few months with both chemo and amp. It's just kind of a crap shoot depending on how advanced the cancer is. It is said in general that by the time the dog is showing pain and limping, the cancer is presumed to already have micro-metastized (sp?) to the lungs, but even with lung mets, a dog can live months and months, even years in some cases. Abby has had a lung met since December but is still going VERY strong!
How is Finnegan otherwise? Still full of pep and a happy pup? Still a good appetite? If he still seems full of life, I think I would probably go for the amp, even if he is blind. The recovery can be rough - generally only for about 2 weeks though - and then your pup will be out of pain. (I wouldn't worry about the chemo decision for now - that can wait until after you decide what to do about the leg. That is definitely the immediate issue because of the pain involved with this type of cancer.)
Anyway, hopefully someone who knows more about dealing with a blind dog will chime in (like Queen Nova - a true tripawd hero who is blind and a long-term survivor).
All the best in making your decision. Keep us posted!
Jackie, 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!
Hi Julie,
Welcome to Tripawds. I just read your post in the other thread when you posted as a guest- thanks for registering.
I hope you read what Admin guy posted in the other thread about Queen Nova the Great Dane. She is almost 3 years past her amputation for OSA and is now blind.
My tri-pug Maggie was sight impaired later in her life, but never went completely blind. Mag was rear amp that lost her leg to mast cell cancer. I was at the point where the doc told me not to move anything in the house. Because her major problem was pigment in her eyes she had worse time outside in bright sunlight when her pupils constricted behind the pigment and she was pretty much blind. She was a bit more cautious moving around- but she still did move around. She did much better in my yard where she knew her way around.
Question about the vet guessing the cancer is in the lungs... did they do a chest x-ray? Seems like that would be a good idea. A clear x-ray does not mean that there are not nasty cancer particles in the lungs, but lung mets do show up pretty clearly on x-ray when they get big enough. I would think that is a piece of information your family should have when deciding what to do.
Karen and the pugapalooza
hi and welcome i have no advice to give you as i have never had a blind dog but as for the amputation i am glad we went through it for Dizzy to be pain free that was nearly 4 months ago and things are ok now. her chest xrays were clear we are however not going to have any more xrays done for her and what will be will be for dizzy now. This site is a massive massive source of comfort and knowledge for us the site you never wanted to find but the one you will be so glad you did find.
good luck with whatever decision you all make Gillian and Dizzy and Japer the quad-paw
Dizzy diagnosed with osteosarcoma 24 may 2011 amputated same day doing fine hopping around on three legs giving the neighbourhood cats what for
Thank you all so much for your support and for sharing your stories! We're still in a bit of a shock about the diagnosis - it never even occurred to us that such a "benign" appearing limp could be cancer. As a result, more tests will probably need to be run (e.g., chest X-ray) and more questions answered by the veterinarian. However, I did just take a look at Queen Nova's blog - thank you for the suggestion - which, along with Abby's story, provides a much more hopeful picture than the one we received from the vet. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, I suppose. And Jackie, Finnegan is still very much full of life - good appetite, peppy, sweet and good-natured as always. Thank you for your perspective and for providing an honest picture of what to expect from the surgery if that route is chosen.
Thanks again, and I'm sure I will be a frequent visitor of this site. Best of luck and good health to Abby, Dizzy, Japer, and the pugs.
Julie
Julie,
Welcome. We're so sorry you got the bad news. My biggest recommendation right now is to B R E A T H E. Then, remember that those stats are just the standard figures vets must give. And they're all based on studies, they don't take Finnegan's history into account, or his pep and will to live. Each dog is so different and like Abby says, you never know who will succumb as predicted and who will blow those numbers out of the water. I myself lived 2 years after osteo, to my normal lifespan, without any IV chemo.
While we don't say that amputation is right for every dog, if your vet thinks Finnegan is a good candidate, it is the only way to relieve the excruciating pain of osteosarcoma.
So, begin with our Required Reading List, then if you're so inclined check out our e-book, "Three Legs & a Spare." They should both answer most of your questions but if not, we've all got you covered. Also, you may want to check out Dr. Dressler's Dog Cancer Survival Guide. It's AWESOME. This new edition is so much more comprehensive than the last, we love it!
Along with Nova, we have also met another blind Tripawd named James. He was a small poodle but he was a senior dog with a lot of heart and a great will to live on three legs. I wouldn't be too concerned about the blindness since your pup's already been one for so long. Plus, his size (as long as he isn't overweight) will be a great advantage when living life on three legs. If Nova can do it, so can he! Feel free to Private Message Nova's Mom through the system here (her user name is Dane Mom Sue), I know she'd be glad to talk to you.
Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Finnegan is still very much full of life – good appetite, peppy, sweet and good-natured as always.
You just answered your own question! I woudl bet good money that Finny navigates just fine with 3 legs regardless of the blindness. Dogs overcome handicaps amazingly well…just like he did with his blindness.
Please keep us posted on Finny! In the meantime, I'll be keeping you in my thoughts for a good outcome.
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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