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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Our Dog Cinnamon was diagnosed with osteosarcoma back in June, 2013. Went to a oncology specialist and she recommended amputation. We went back to our family vet and decided to hold off because Cinnamon's blood panel was 100% healthy, no rise in calcium or liver enzyme. Also, the tumor was on the scapula and everything looked too healthy. Went back 30 days x-rays show same. No growth of tumor and blood panel still excellent. Chest x-ray was clean. Went back in another 30 days and same. Went back 30 days again and now we have some growth. From 4 x 4-1/2 cm to 5 x5-1/2 cm. and now the bone is starting to appear 'moth eaten'. Here is the kicker. . .her blood panel and chest x-ray is still 100% healthy. She is in NO pain. My dilemma is do I amputate on a healthy dog who is running around chasing lizards and happy as can be when everyone is telling me she will be gone around the new year?? do I put her through the pain of amputation/recover for a couple more months?? I am asking this because I know most people on this website have had the same experience. Tell me what your situation was and what you did.
Hello and welcome!
I'm sorry to hear of Cinnamon's diagnosis. I was in a similiar situation, my cat Jill was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma also showing no signs of pain whatsoever, which is somewhat rare for this disease. Everything else looked like she was the healthiest cat in the world. Bloodwork, chest xrays, beautiful.
From what I understand, eventually, it will become painful. Even if it doesnt, removing the tumor, again from my understanding, I am not a vet, gives you the best chance of survival. My cat Jill is now almost 10 months post amputation (and she did 4 rounds of chemo) and is running around like a maniac. She is happy, healthy and acting like she never had four legs to begin with.
I know it is a difficult decision, but most likely removing that tumor gives your dog a greater chance of survival. But, it is a very personal decision. I was devastated that I had to remove Jill's leg given that she was showing no signs of pain, but I decided that that was what gave her the best chance at life.
I hope this helps, come to the chat room if you want to discuss further!!
All the best,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Hi Cinnamon & Family, welcome to the club nopawdy wants to join. Your future posts wont' require approval.
Well I'll tell you my own experience with a scapula in my tumor. I probably had that thing in there from April, when I first started showing occasional limps (but nothing showed up on the x-rays). I ran, swam, hiked and had a ball all the way to November until my osteosarcoma was finally diagnosed and the tumor was quite huge by that point. It took that long for the tumor to cause me such great pain that I just couldn't go on walks of any kind anymore and at that point it was inevitable, my leg had to come off.
We have seen many dogs here go quite a long time with palliative care and no amputation. It's not always right for every dog and that's OK. However if your dog has been diagnosed but is showing no signs of pain, he's probably still hiding it very well as dogs are apt to do. Unfortunately even with clear bloodwork and such, osteosarcoma will progress and eventually you'll have to make the decision. If you feel you are there now, then I would suggest going back to the oncologist who can better prepare you for what lies ahead. A few studies have shown that the longer a pawrent waits to amputate, the greater the chance that metastasis will happen more quickly if you do amputate. Even if you prefer to receive treatment from your vet, at least you'll have all the answers you need to make an informed decision.
I hope this helps. Please let us know how things are going, we're here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The change in Sam post amputation was so marked, it made me realize that he was probably in pain beforehand, even though he showed Nothing unusual for the months leading up to his diagnosis (and in looking at photos, it was clear the tumor was the probably six months before the diagnosis, at least). Or vet was surprised. WE were surprised.
NOT saying this is cinnamon's case... But some dogs are just very very very good at masking pain, even to those who know them best. Just something to consider.
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Welcome-
This is probably one of the most difficult decisions you will make. Most of us here are going to lean towards the amputation due to our experiences. In Shooter's case, I didn't realize just how much the little tumor he had was affecting his energy and overall well being. Although the first two weeks of recovery were a little rough, afterwards he was back to the same dog and had a great exta time with him whereas without the amp he would have suffered more and been goone in weeks.
If the cancer could be contolled with just chemo then I would vote for no amo, but it sounds like that might not be working. In the end, you have to do what is best for you and Cinnamon and that will be the right choice.
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
I understand exactly how you feel. It is a difficult decision. Although my Franklin's cancer was in his front left knee.. he too did not show any signs of pain. He still ran around like a goofball and was a happy go lucky guy. Because that is what dogs do.. they do not show pain because that signifies that they are the weaker of the pack.
But, with osteosarcoma, it destroys the bone.. it eats it away from the inside out and eventually that bone will shatter. There is no cure, no "fixing" the bone, so why put your dogger through the future pain of suddenly them running and their bone goes "SNAPP!!" That was my thought.. lets do it now while he was still the happy go lucky guy and get him painfree for the future!!
I never had any reason to think about amputating a dogs leg before.. never had a dog with cancer of the bone. When my Franklin was diagnosed in September, we just took him home with the thought of "love him to death, and let him be a dawg until that day comes. For 2 months he was a happy guy, not showing any signs of even having cancer except for this darn lump at his knee.. We then shook our heads and said.. this guy is not ready to give up so why are we? We had his leg amputated. He was 14 years old! We should have had his leg amputated in September when he was diagnosed.
I learned alot from this group of people here... and I learned so much from reading and looking at videos, and I saw how well they do on three legs.. I would never, ever hesitate again.
So I guess to answer your question... yup... definitely! Careful though.. they just become so gawddam cute that it should be illegal!! lol
Good luck!
Christine.....with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
sorry.. I forgot to add something..
Franklin's amputation was on Dec 4 2012. By late April 2013, mets had hit his lungs. He ran for the bridge on May 15, 2013. BUT........ those were 5 1/2 glorious months that we got to spend with this happy go lucky guy and he was 14 1/2 when he left us for his next adventure. How great was that!!!!
I would not trade that for the world. To get that extra time with him was worth it!! There is no guarantee how long they will have afterwards.. no "expirty date stamped on their paw", but his quality of life was great except for the last week... he struggled so hard to breathe. Some puppers here have been with their pawents for 3 months.. some have been 3 years... recovery from amputation is easier for them than for us. MInd you.. the first 2 weeks could be a bit rough with pain meds, etc.. and then again, some breeze right through it like my Franklin....
But.. at least we know that we tried, and we were grateful for the extra time.
Christine..... with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
First, get a second opinion.. just to check the 'math' and that the vets so far are not suffering tunnel vision.
Second, the money you spend on care will not cure anything... its a battle for time.. QUALITY TIME. Amputation to humans is really not considered because we don't adapt as well without great effort... so humans will try everything BUT amputation unless a last/best resort.
A dog doesn't care.... they get over the loss of a limb and get on with life. They do not care, and will be fine.
My vote is that if the second opinion confirms the OS diagnosis get the amputation so your dog will have a good quality of life running and playing (they will run, and play) and not be in pain, or at the vet, or wait till a serious event like the bone shattering because the OS has eaten it away.
Its scary, and it seems cruel to lop off your dogs leg... but in the vast majority of dogs it will make the time they have left happier.
Online
Just a whole lot of ditto! It's such a tough tning to have to go tnrough and just kow we understand!
Cinnamon sou ds like a delightful dog and it's clear you love her very much!
Cntinue to do your researchand check out the experiences here. Every dog is different. Most dogs, after recovery, vounce back just fine. And as many have said...even better than before because the changes were so subtle' they didn't realize tneir dog had any discomfort. And, yes, there are a few who only ake it avery, ver snort time for various reasons. It is major surgery.
Almost everyine nere will tell you it is so ething you do FOR your et, not TO your pet! If a dog has that dreaded disease, he is NOT 100% healthy! The fact that all other vitals re perfect and Cinnamn is fit and hapy and loving life are all HUGE pluses and usualky good i dicators towards great recoery.
We've all learned here.....forced to learn.....it's all about qquality and to let go of the focus in longevity (as best ne cany, anyway!) Lots of pain free glorious mnths or more in a dog's life.....heck...that's the equivalent of a year and a half or more in dog years! All that extra time for loing and spoiling is absolute glorius!
Unli,e a lot of others nere, I did NOT go with amp. right away. I was in tne "could ot do that TO my dog"! It wasn't until the limp got worse, I was having to up the pain meds and it FINAL became clear (like being hit n the head with a tn of bricks) that if I didn't amputte, she wold not be with me much longer..and on pain meds all the time.
BEST DECISIN EVER! After a very recovery where I second guessed myself everyday for three weeks, I can dedinitely say I did it FOR her---ot TO her! Happy Hannah is a chuky ni e year old and still cou ting Bull Mastiff and she just celebrated her seven mnth ampuversay...and still counting...and still kmocki g o wood!! I did do four rou ds of carvoplatin ( I think most onco do five...mie did't) and she sailed through each treatment just fine! Some dogs do experience a day of nausea and lethargy, but that's about it. It's much easier n dogs than on humans. Recently had her on an oral chemo pill..Cytoxan.. for two weeks but she had an issue and had to stop it. Have her n supplements, ostly home cooked food, and vitamins, etc.
We are having tht happiest of days o e could ever i agine! It's unbelievable how deep the bo d can become in these situatio s! Unbelievable! Everh seco d s a gift and I won't let anything rob us of living in tne bliss of the oment!
I apologize for my horrible typing skills! And then add in a tablet screen keyboard that elimk ates etters...or adds them.....Hope you can muddle through it though!
Just want to add o e ore crazy thing. Once a dog starts liping, they are already "practici g" wal,i g on tnree legs and kt is a fairlh easy adjustment!
Just k ow Cinnamo doesn't care about any diag osis or statistics! No dogs have ti eframes staped n tneir head! She's just livi g in the mo ent e joying life! And that's the great lesson for all of us! Live more like a dog!
Surrou ding yo with clarity, peace and hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
And how is TJ? How 'bout a picture update on that breat hou d of yours??
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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