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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About 4 weeks ago, a small marble sized lump showed up on the back leg of our family pup Fresca. We took her to the vet who thought it might be a spider bite and sent us along with some antibiotics. Three weeks later (last Thursday) I came home to find Fresca's leg completely swollen and her refusing to get up. So back to the vet we rushed with my two kids in tow, to see what was going on with our beloved furry baby.
I could see it in our vet's face, she didn't think it looked good but she took a needle aspiration sample and it came back on Monday with spindle cells.
Our vet explained the tumor looked to be very aggressive (given that it went from marble sized to tennis ball sized in less than a month) and we had very little time and options.
1. Give her meds and make her comfortable until it grew too large and we had to say good bye (3-6 week expectancy)
2. Amputate the leg
At first I was terrified and didn't know what to do but our vet said Fresca was the ideal candidate for amputation, She is strong on her other legs and her spunky personality and love for life would carry her through it, our biggest issue would be keeping her from wanting to get up and go too soon after the surgery.
Since she is so dear to us and my kids (and I) can't live without her, I have to give it a try. I know there is no guarantee that the cancer wont come back somewhere else, but I owe it to Fresca to try.
I am looking for any support or advice anyone can give. We have never gone through something like this and the fear of what the first few weeks will be like is looming. She goes Tuesday for the surgery and while our vet is great, I would love to get feedback from those who have lived through it.
Thanks!
Ashley
Hi Ashley & family, welcome and thanks for registering, your future posts will appear automatically, sorry for the delay in approving your first 
Well it sure sounds like Fresca is a great candidate, it's great that your vet agrees. And if you have to deal with cancer this is one of the "easier" ones to deal with (although we totally get that all cancers are difficult when you first get that diagnosis). She also looks like a smaller dog, so she should bounce back pretty easily.
If you haven't already I recommend checking out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books Library, which will answer all of your biggie questions about living on three legs and staying strong. My biggest recommendations are:
- Put down traction in your home if you have slippery floors. It will help her confidence so much.
- Show your kids our Tripawds videos section, where they can see how well dogs get around after losing a leg.
- Be strong and optimistic; your kids and Fresca will follow your lead.
- Keep her leaner than she usually is; thin, lean dogs make better Tripawds, it puts a lot less stress on their bones.
Also, is she spending the night after surgery? If so be sure your vet has overnight 24/7 care. You don't want to leave her alone all night after surgery. And make sure she has adequate pain relief, at a minimum tramadol and Metacam, ideally a Fentanyl patch too. Gabapentin is a plus.
I hope this helps. Other members will chime in so hang tight and don't be shy, whatever questions you have please post them and we'll do our best to answer. Thanks again for joining, we look forward to following along with your tripawd adventures!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Ashley and Fresca,
Sorry you had to find us due to cancer, but this is the best place to be for info and support as you start you tripawd journey.
My pug Maggie lost a rear leg to a mast cell tumor. Being a stubborn pug she really took her time accepting her new normal. Most pups here start to come back to their old selves in a couple weeks. Some lucky pups bounce right back like it was a no-never-mind! The point is all pups heal and deal on their own terms. The first 2 weeks or so are often full of ups and downs. I was to the point with Mag that I was doubting my decision to amputate! So don't get discouraged. You can read lots of stories here and see how the recovey period goes.
After Maggie's surgery lots of cancerous cells were found in the lymph node removed with her leg (really bad for mast cell cancer, not always so bad in other cancers). I thought again then that I had made a mistake because her prognosis then was ONLY 6 to 9 months. But I realized that like you, what I had done was give Mag a chance. As it turned out she lived almost 4 years and did not pass from mast cell cancer! Not everyone is so lucky of course, but if I hadn't given her that chance I'm sure she would have been gone in a matter of months.
Jerry gave you some good links, and good ideas on getting preped. I would add that any changes you are planning to make to help Fresca get around after surgery you might introduce before surgery- things like new rugs, raised food dish, a harness if you are planning on using one (and if you have time). I didn't have time to do that before Mag's surgery, but it was helpful for my quad-pug Obie when he had knee surgery.
Good luck with the surgery.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I can't offer advice on the recovery because Willow had her amputation before I adopted her. I do want to tell you not to be scared...Fresca will amaze you! She will do great as a Tripawd. You will get so much support from this community. Fresca is lucky to have you! Let us know how she, and you, are doing.
Hugs,
Carol
Fesca is a cutie ie!!
Yeah, this is such a scarey time!! Youve do e your research and have come up with a treatment plan to remove that panful leg and give her a chance t a good QUALITY life! A chance for more loving and spoiling and tummy rubs than you ever imagned possible!!
I have to head off to work, but just wanted to let you now...as you've already seen...you are not alone!! We are here with yo every step of the way!
Remember' Fresca doesn't nw about any ole' prognosis or surgery date. She's just living in tne moment being hapy with al, of you guys!!
sending lots of hugs and treats!
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!
Welcome Ashley and Fresca!
I'm sorry you have to join us under these circumstances. I too know the feeling of having to make that horrible decision. Our Cody was diagnosed on Feb 20 and we had his leg amputated the next day. It's the most scary thing in the world. But I hope you find peace in knowing that they do bounce back quickly! and it is easier to contain them in the first two weeks than you would think. We blocked off our stairs and couch when we weren't home to make sure he didn't do anything he wasn't supposed to. And rest assured that she will not be in pain anymore and will be able to run and play!
Good luck and keep us posted! There is a TON of knowledge from the wonderful people here 
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
Hi Ashley, and welcome to the BEST support friends you will ever find, as you enter this new journey in life with your pup.......your Fresca is a cutie!! I don't have much more to add, but just want you to know that you have my support, along with everyone else here. It can get pretty scary, like Sally said, but there is always a ton of support here for you to lean on.
Keep us all posted on things with your sweet girl, and keeping you in my thoughts.....
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Welcome Ashley and Fresca-
Sorry about the diagnosis. That news just takes your breath away and then you have to make decisions before you can even wrap your mind around it. I think everyone has touched on all the important stuff. The first week or two are the most difficult. Expect lack of sleep - it seems we all learned to sleep with one eye open. Every dog is different in their recovery, just remember she just had major surgery and is on some crazy drugs so give it time for Fresca to return to her normal self and adapt to her new normal. Around here we like to celebrate the little things like pees, poops and eating so share it all! We will watch for updates and someone is always here when you
need support or just a shoulder to cry on when the stress gets to you.
Dogs are so amazing and can adapt so well. Fresca will be an inspiration to you.
Take care-
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.
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