Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello folks, I am really glad I found this forum.
My longtime friend and companion Toby was diagnosed with osteosarcoma today, in his left front leg... he is a 7.5 yr old pit/lab mix that has already gone through 2 TPLO surgeries a few years back.
He just one day started limping out of the blue and had a huge bump in his right leg right above the paw.
Today after an xray the vet informed me that is was osteosarcoma and the only option to relieve his pain is to amputate. This was a real punch in the gut to find out!
I am at a loss of what to do, he is in good spirits and doesn't seem sick at all. Should I have his lungs/body checked to see if the cancer has spread before amputation?
I understand that his days are probably numbered either way, I just need some direction as to what to do from here.
Thanks in advance guys...
natethegr8t said
I am at a loss of what to do...
Everypawdy here understands, welcome to the best club no one ever wants to join! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Stop numbering those days, right now. It is all about quality of life now, not quantity. For starters, amputation may not get rid of the cancer, but it is the best way to get rid of the pain. Jerry's vets told us his days were numbered (at maybe 180) after his amputation due to osteosarcoma. He ended up Loving Life On Three Legs for two years, without IV chemo therapy.
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome.
I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer and amputation but this is the best place to be to find info and support.
Is your vet an oncologist? You should deffinltly see an oncologist to understand all the options available. While amputation is the normal path forward a few people opt for rad treatments and meds.
Since he has had knee surgeries it might be wise to have him evaluated by an ortho vet to make sure his body can handle being on three. Previous ortho issues doesn't rule out amputation, but you want to know now if he will have additional challenges.
With OSA it is standard to have at least a chest xray to check for any spread to the lungs prior to surgery.
Here are some posts on Questions to Ask your Vet Prior to Surgery and to Ask an Oncologist.
Also, The Reading List has lots of links to information on amputation, recovery and treatment.
We understand how overwhelming and devastating it is to receive the diagnosis, we can help!
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
Hi Toby and family 🐾🌸
I am sorry you have to join us but now that you have please know you are not alone, we’re all here for you.
Osteo is always a big shock but please know even if your baby is hiding his pain, he is in pain for sure.
And it will only get worse, Osteo pain is excruciating, this is why the vast majority of us decide to amputate.
With the leg gone so is the pain.
100%.
I opted for a CT scan just before surgery (so we only have her anesthetic once) but a lung X-ray is the norm.
And as for life expectancy, there are guidelines statistically speaking but this site is full of success stories where our babies exceeded the prognosis, in same cases by MANY years.
We are here to guide you on your journey so do not hesitate to ask any questions, big or small.
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
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 :-)
Nice to meet you. Sorry we had to meet here.
When Casey was diagnosed, our vet gave him two weeks to two months. Of course, we were devastated, and I shared my pain on Facebook. Everyone offered their condolences, and then a friend of a friend reached out to say "You might be able to save him." That was nearly nine months ago, and earlier this week, Casey got clear X-rays.
BIG changes are in your and Toby's futures, but all of our days are numbered. I just posted elsewhere how, in the week before his surgery, Casey would hold his sore leg (left front) out to us to show us what hurt. Well, we traded that hurt, that pain that was only going to get worse, for a new pain that would get better. We know we made the right decision for Casey and for us, but Casey doesn't really care. He's a dog who lives in the moment and now those moments are pain free and he loves every one of them.
Whatever you decide is best for you and Toby, we will be here with support and when the time comes, with tears, but we'll be here. Okay?
I am one that decided to do cyberknife radiation.. it is 3 consec days of radiation that is very very close to the efficacy with amputation.. it cost more,,
Thanks everyone so much for all the replies, and support... this has been a real punch in the gut and sucks so bad. But it is the hand I have been dealt so i have no choice but to make the best out of it.
I just have a couple simple questions that I can't quite nail down..
Seems vets in my area are booked out for surgeries, should I get him in the vet ASAP to have this amputated? Or should I have him see an oncologist first?
I do not plan on doing chemo or radiation, he will be on painkillers, anti-inflammatorys and CBD tog treats and tincture for the rest of his life. Would seeing an oncologist be a waste of money if i don't plan on chemo or rad? Or would a vet hospital with oncology be the best route?
I just went ahead and made an appt with an animal hospital here in town that has an oncologist and board certified surgeon, figured what the hell... going in monday morning, I will update after his visit.
He is in good spirits otherwise. 
Good for you! You are doing uour research and you are checking out ALL your options.
Since you asked in the post before this one, I personally think the route you are going is a good one! An orthopedic surgeon can assess Toby and all his legs, etc,
I know uou eill feel more confident after talk with these Specialists and going forward with a plan...whatever that might be!
Will look forward to your update. In the meantime, we would love to see pictures of your handsome Toby. Here's a link adding images .
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!
Here is a short video google photos put together for him 
..it shows his personality, and some of the adventures we have been on over the years, can will continue to go on, for as long as we possibly can!
Oh drats I'm getting an error message when I click on it. Double check the link, we would love to see it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So glad to hear you’ve got a plan, seeing both a surgeon and an oncologist is a very good option.
Will be checking for yoir update on Monday.
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
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 :-)
It shows error 404 here ...
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 :-)
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