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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My dog is a 10 year old choc lab. He was diagnosed this past saturday and the xrays show it has not spread to the lungs. We were told to amputate the leg. He is currently getting around on 3 legs anyway. Were sad to see him going through this but have decided we want to do whatever we can to make his last few months to years comfortable.
Our family vet (who has done surgery on him twice so we trust) charged max 1471.25. This is expensive but something I would be willing to work to afford. The specialist in our area charges almost 4 grand, which I cannot afford if I tried.
SO we decided to go with the family vet but they cannot get him in until feb 8th. Is that too long to wait? What can we do for pain in the mean time? We have tramadol and rymadil now. He still seems happy even through the pain. Tail wagging, eating okay, and begging for belly rubs. Just a little slower and limping.
Thanks! Any advice/tips/words of wisdom are appreciated.
Hi guys, welcome and so sorry to hear about you pup. What's his name?
Sounds like you've got a great relationship with your vet and as long as his clinic can handle a surgery like this you're in good paws. Please see our post about what to look for in a clinic for amputation surgery to put your mind at ease.
You are right to be concerned about waiting that long to do surgery. If the tumor is advanced there is a huge risk of pathologic fracture which is an awful situation that nobody should ever have to endure. Did your vet give you an idea of how advanced the tumor is?
Dogs can endure a lot of pain but that doesn't make it easy. Odds are that pain will get worse exponentially over the next two weeks as the risk of his leg breaking grows. Tramadol will do almost nothing to control it at that point. It really couldn't hurt to call your vet and have a heart-to-heart to let them know that you really want them to do the surgery but you are very concerned about waiting so long.
In the meantime do check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books library to get familiar with what's ahead. We'll be there to support you every step of the way so keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh to answer your question about controlling the pain now. Your vet is the best bet for this kind of suggestion (but as I mentioned, pain meds are no match for that tumor) but you definitely want to keep his activity as limited as possible, and confine him to a part of the home / yard where he can't get too much exercise and put his leg at risk of breaking.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I've read about the Care Credit card for vet expenses. Here is the site: http://www.care.....eterinary/
I think it's US based and your vet has to accept it. There is no interest if paid back quickly (see the site for more info). If this is a possibility then perhaps you can get the surgery sooner and pay it off in February.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
kazann said
I've read about the Care Credit card for vet expenses. Here is the site: http://www.care.....eterinary/I think it's US based and your vet has to accept it. There is no interest if paid back quickly (see the site for more info). If this is a possibility then perhaps you can get the surgery sooner and pay it off in February.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
I would also second the Care Credit card. I had that for Shelby and it was a lifesaver. Like making payments w/out the interest. They are different options you can select but it did help us w/the big expenses.
As far as how long to wait - I would ask your vet if they think Feb is a good waiting period or too long. We did deal w/a fracture (unrelated at the time) and it was AWFUL. I know that bone cancer is supposed to be very painful (we had a different cancer) so I would check w/your vet. And make sure the pain meds are the best if you are going to wait.
Hugs!
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
I called and inquired about the late date. The vet will squeeze us in this Friday! Happy he will be getting some relief soon but super nervous for my boy.
YEEEESSSSS. That's awesome, glad to hear that bad leg will be behind him and you can all move on. Let us know how we can help OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just catching ul!
Sorry you have to be here. Under the circumstances though, there is no better place to be for knowledge and support! It's a scary time and we all understand that firsthand!
Removing that painful leg will be a relief! It may not being apparent during recovery, as thst can be ki d of a rough time for a week or two. But once recovery is over and his sparkle comes back yiu will be so glad you did this FOR him!
Will you be taking hi the day of the surgery? Usually Specialty Vets keep them overnight but they have 24 hr. service.
Read the links Jerry gave you. They will be invaluable
Stay connected to usand let us know if you have any questions. We are right by yiur side, okay?
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!
Our family vet did Sully's amputation too, for very similar reasons. I was worried that he didn't have as high-tech facilities and equipment that the specialist had. He also was not a 24 hour facility, so we took Sully home same day, but looking back, I wouldn't have done it any other way. Because our vet already knew us, Sully was treated like royalty and we were so well taken care of. Our vet gave us his personal cell phone number which we were encouraged to call any time, day or night. Over the next two weeks post-op, they called to check on us, we were able to send pictures to them via email and when Sully went in to have his bandages changed he was never crated, they made a special bed for him in the triage room and he was surrounded by his favorite nurses.
I guess my point is, even though we paid less for the surgery, we felt the care we got was invaluable because our vet already knew Sully and our family. We were well taken care of, as I am sure you will be too. Hopefully this offers some comfort. Best of Luck. I'll be thinking of you and your sweet pup.
Rachael and Sully
Oh, so glad your vet is able to get you in! Sorry that you're here, but you are joining a wonderful group of people.
The first 2 weeks or so are the hardest. The pain and the medications and learning how to get around differently all rolled into one. Make sure you keep up on his medications. Murphy came home on Tramadol, Rimadyl, and Gabapentin, which he took for 2 weeks, weaning down during the 2nd week. He didn't really want to eat much, so I cooked some rice and poured chicken broth over it, then I added chunks of chicken to it.
We will be here for you, so please don't hesitate with any questions or updates!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Well that is good news that he is going in earlier! Like the others have said ... stay close to us. The first couple of weeks are kind of hard but we've seen it all (I think) so we are here to help!!!
Hugs and warm healing wishes ....
alison with spirit shelby
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
Our vet did the amputation, it was not something they normally did but had done on occasion and felt confident about what they were doing, they kept Jack in overnight and by the time we got him the next day he looked sad but otherwise was a happy boy to be out of the pain. We went with our own vet because we know them and trust them to do the best for our dogs. We have to go to a specialist for the chemo but it is not the same kind of trauma as the amputation, and Jack has forgiven them all for everything they have done to him!
Good luck on Friday
Just getting caught up. I hope your pup is doing well. Please keep us posted!
xoxo
Julie and Buddy
So sorry for your pup. I just received the devastating news of osteosarc and I'm afraid to much time has passed as well. Rocky has had a slight limp since around the end of November. We went to the Vet when he first started limping and they sent him home with Deramax, which helped at first so we thought he was fine. My wife and I then had our first baby Dec 18th. When we got home from the hospital, Rocky's limp was back. With the new baby our life was hectic and sadly, I didn't think Rocky's limp was a priority. I haven't stopped beating myself up about that. Our vet finally did x-rays last Friday and gave us the terrible news of osteosarc in his front right leg (I call it his wrist, but not sure what that joint is called). The vet also did chest x-rays and thought there was a suspicious spot in his lungs. The oncologist also did chest xrays yesterday but said the suspicious spot has just a airway. We decided yesterday that we're going to have the amputation done which I must say did give me a feeling of temp relief. I'm waiting for the callback from the Vet to schedule the procedure. However, I'm scared to death that we've allowed too much time and that the cancer has spread and its hiding somewhere else. Has anyone had this much time pass before having the amputation done?
rocky16 said
I'm scared to death that we've allowed too much time and that the cancer has spread and its hiding somewhere else.
Welcome and thanks for joining! Please consider starting a new topic so others can provide more direct feedback for you, without the discussing getting buried and mixed up in this topic Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
In our video interview with oncologist Dr Johnny Chretin, he discusses how removal of the primary tumor may actually expedite metastasis in dogs with osteosarcoma...
Bone Cancer Tumors and Treatment Options for Dogs
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Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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