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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We just found out our 10 year old Lab/golden mix has osteosarcoma, he has not had a bone biopsy as they recommended amputation. I am lost, how do they know it is cancer ase don an x-ray?
We amputate the leg for immediate pain reflief and then do chemo, but the overall results would be only 10 to 12 months...
This process is overwhelming and consusing. We have no idea where to start.
The oncologist and surgeon are both very good, we are just overwhelmed.
thanks
Sorry to hear about your pup, but you came to the right place for support. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
The best advice we have is to focus on quality of life, not quantity. If you have limited time together, try to Be More Dog and enjoy it the best you can. And that means ensuring your dog is pain-free since he can't make these difficult medical decisions for himself. What's his name?
We have no idea where to start.
You'll receive lots of feedback simply by starting this topic, but be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of links to the best advice and information this community has to offer.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry you find yourself here with us. Getting the diagnosis of OSA is so scary and it does raise a lot of emotional and even spiritual questions.
No medical experience here but in layman's terms - to answer your question about bone cancer on an xray: Cancer has a physical appearance due to the appearance of the bone on an xray. Bone biopsies are excruciating and therefore it's better to remove the leg and then do to the biopsy to determine what kind of cancer. But radiologists can pretty much determine it is cancer by the xray itself.
The one thing you have to keep in mind is how utterly painful cancer of the bone is. Removing the leg is removing the pain on bone cancer. That is why amputation is a must and should be done without delay as there is so much suffering from the pain. Dogs can be very stoic.
Oh gosh, the question of whether you are doing it for yourself is only an answer you and your family can answer. Getting rid of the immediate pain, is obviously so your pup won't suffer and in that regards, it's for him.
There are never any guarantees on how much longer you will have with your pup after removing the leg. And a year doesn't sound like much - but in the terms of dog years, it's about 10% more of their lifespan. (equivalent to about 8 years in a human's life span)
We all know it's a lot to digest and just so darned scary. So please feel free to ask all the questions you need to.
Sending good thoughts you way.
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.
Thank you both, Brutus will ahve the surgery on Tuesday and from there will will see if we do chemo or not.
I'm in a very similar spot as my dog Jack was just diagnosed w/OSA this week too. Amputation not an option for us unfortunately due to some complicating medical issue with his back legs.
I too feel like I'm stuck in a whirl wind of increasingly awful decisions that have to be made. If it helps, know someone in Utah is going through exactly the same thing.
No idea I was going to throw my week out the window to cancer. I thought it was going to be old dog arthritis and more rimadyl. Shorter walks, more rests. I want to find something to yell at or blame for what has happened to my family this week. I don't have a medical background, yet it feels like I need one to make the right decisions for Jack. Haven't done anything at work all week but take a crash course on bone cancer in dogs.
Mostly I want to just say, "this isn't fair" and appeal to some life referee to call a foul on cancer, put more time on the clock and let us go back to our regular life.
It just sucks. However it sucks worse for Jack so I'm just going to put my head down, get to work on making things the best for him that I can.
Best wishes on your end. Hang in there.
Elainema and Brutus, we're so sorry. Yes, the diagnosis makes your head spin and it's an awful experience. The best thing you can do are things you've already done: it sounds like he has great care, and you are taking these decisions one day at a time. First get through the amputation and then make your decision about chemo after that.
In the meantime, do check out our ebook, "Three Legs & a Spare" and our Required Reading List, which will help answer a LOT of your questions. And for any others, we are here to help.
I also want to add, try not to focus on those predictions. Remember, Brutus is YOUR dog, not some dog in a study. Many many dogs have beaten the odds, so keep the faith that he will too. While there are no guarantees with cancer, just like in life itself, always remember that every day you are together is guaranteed to be good IF you can stay pawsitive and be a strong pack leader. This is what Brutus wants most and we're here to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes, I have to agree with Jack's mom that cancer is not fair. But we gotta play the cards we get dealt. We had some crap cards, losing our pup to cancer at only 2 1/2, but what an amazing time we had with her. I do try so hard to focus on that! All the good times! And even in "just" 2 years with her, there were TONS of them.
Enough with the pep talk. As for the xray, bone cancer has a "classic star burst" pattern so it is very often (I think the stat is like 80 or 90% of the time but I could be wrong) diagnosed with an xray and later confirmed post-amp. (We did do a biopsy because Abby was so young and we caught it early-ish, so they didn't totally suspect that it could be cancer. I wish we hadn't put her through the biopsy, but I didn't know then what I do now.)
I know it's very overwhelming! We've had many older dogs here do very well post-amp. Hopefully Brutus will too!
Just try to get through the amp, and then start to think about the chemo. It's hard because you want to research like crazy, but like I said - for now, get through the amp and recovery. Rest up before the surgery!! When Brutus comes home (generally a day or two after the surgery) you will likely not sleep that nigth - not necessarily because he will need you, but because you'll be listening for every little sound). The recovery period is not a lot of fun, but you'll get through it. And Brutus will likely get through it easier than you. That's just how dogs roll.
Hang in there! Post any questions, we'er here to help.
Jackie, Angel 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!
Welcome to the site, although I'm sorry you have to be here. Our Zeus is 11.5 years old and he has done so well since his amp. His x-rays seemed to show the classic starburst pattern of OSA, but our vet did a biopsy to confirm. I would NEVER have that done again. Zeus was in so much pain after the biopsy and it returned as cancer, but inconclusive as to the type so it really did us no good. After the amp the entire leg was sent for another biopsy to confirm the type so that we could make an accurate determination regarding chemo. As Jackie said above, vets can usually be pretty certain with x-rays alone. I think that, due to the expense and the emotional toil this takes on a pet parent, not to mention how litigious and quick-to-point-the-finger our society has become, some vets are overly cautious and feel a need to have that extra "proof" that a biopsy might offer.
Given that Zeus had a 'suspicious spot' on his lung at the time of amp, our vet was less than optimistic about his prognosis. We are now approaching 4 months post-amp and I can honestly say that I do not have any regrets - not one. Zeus is totally happy and he is pain free.
Every situation is so very different and you must make your decisions based on what is right, emotionally and financially, for your family. I just want you to know that there is hope...
Lisa and Zeus
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
I think you made the right decision to do the amputation. I was hesitant at first too as I think most people are but I am so glad that I made that decision. My Great Dane Valentina only made it 7 months after her surgery but I wouldn't trade the 7 months for the world. We spent so much valuable time together and had lots of wonderful times. I was not ready for her to go yet when she was diagnosed and I know that she wasn't either. Only you can decide what you think is best for Brutus. Most Dogs do great as Tripawds and can do just about everything they did before they had cancer. After they are healed it seems that they always had 3 legs. They don't seem to miss it and they can run around, chase toys and everything. The first weeks can be hard while they are recovering but once he is healed you will feel satisfied with your decision. Praying for Brutus's surgery to go perfectly and for him to sail through his recovery so you guys can get back to having fun and enjoying each other! Welcome to Tripawds!!
Sorry to hear your diagnosis. No advice but just wanted to say we are here for you both!
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
Sorry to hear about your dog, Brutus....good luck with his amputation tomorrow...it's all a confusing and heartbreaking time but to get him out of pain NOW, is a good thing. You can worry about how to treat him later....either conventionally or holistically.
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
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