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 3 yr old Great Dane has a stage 1 mass on his hind leg. Our vet believes it is unlikely that the cancer has metastasized. We have an appointment next week to amputate the leg.
So many questions for those of you who have experience but these are the most pressing...
How well did your large breed dog adapt to losing a hind leg?
Has anyone else dealt with a chondrosarcoma? My understanding is that we have a better shot of getting rid of the cancer for good, but I am trying to read up on it and there just isn't a ton of information like there is with the osteosarcomas.
Thanks!
otto said
So many questions for those of you who have experience...
Welcome! Is Otto your dog's name?
You've come to the right place for feedback and support. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Have you searched the blogs and forums yet? Here are some existing topics specifically discussing the concerns you mention:
Search results for 'great dane chondrosarcoma'
You can use the Advanced Search above to refine your results, or search all blogs here .
You will find many blogs and topics filled with success stories about Great Danes and other giant breed dogs. here are just a couple stories from the blogs...
Tripawd Tuesday: Rio’s Real Life Recovery
Seeing Double (Solomon, Great Dane w/ Chondrosarcoma)
Others will surely chime in soon. In the meantime, start here for helpful tips to get the most from this community.
Best wiahes, please keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So sorry to hear that my situation is not the same as yours but I can give you my thoughts
Onyx is a 100 pound Rott that is 5 days post amputation on her front leg and she is getting around great.
The few things I have read is I believe it was dogs weight is 60% of there front legs so I believe a rear amputation a bigger dog could handle but others should chime in
also being 3 years old she/he has a lot of life left and still young and could adapt well
again so sorry for your pup the news is devastating and we all are here if you have questions
Just a quick welcome! Sorry you have to be here, but under the circumstances there is no better place to be for support and information and understanding. This is a scary time vut, hopefully, we can help reassure you.
I'll be back, but.for.now, check.out ATLAS. He's a Great Dane who had osteosarcoma, Wooblers and I think arthritis too. Because of all these things, pljs his size, two vets did.not feel.loke he was a good candidate. The third vet thoigjht he woukd be fine! He got an additional two years of loving and spoiling and quality life as a tripawd!
Back.in a bit
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!
Otis is a Lab/Dane mix, 106 pounds pre-surgery. We are three months post-amp and he is doing great. We have lots of pictures on our blog. The only thing he cannot do now is walk for the same distance. He can actually only go about 7 houses, with a break at house 5. But a lot of Tripawds go farther. He can go up and down stairs in a controlled manner, jump on the sofa, chase cats and squirrels, get up on the counter and steal food, and play with his sister Tess, all normal dog stuff. You might consider getting a harness - we love the Ruffwear Webmaster Plus. You will find it discussed in the Gear blog .
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Thank you for the warm welcome and information. Otto is our Dane's name. Thank you for the harness recommendation. I've been scouring the web and haven't had luck in choosing one. His surgery is Wed so I'm running out of time to decide.
If you aren't able to get a harness right away, you can use a towel as a sling. My Happyy Hannah, a 125 lb Bull Mastiff just froze up if I tried to help her with the towel though.
My Happy Hannah walked.out of the hospital and had no.mobility issues at all. She did, however, have a rough recovery from the surgery itself.for several weeks.. It wasn't.until week three that I was able.ro say I did this FOR her and not TO her!!
Every dog is different and every recovery is different. Often larger dogs like Danes take a minimum of a few extra days before they can balance properly or walk unassisted. The first two weeks it's all about rest and potty breaks...that's it.
Otto will spend at least the first night in the hospital. He will send you home with Rimadyl, Tramadol, an antibiotic and maybe Gabapentin.
I know all this is so overwhelming. You've probably researched until you are absolutely bonkers with so much information.......much of it conflicting! Otto is not a statistic. He is his own man! To add ro your research, read Jerry's Required Reading List for a lot of info.
If you have hardwood floors, non slip scatter rugs for traction are necessary.
STAY CONNECTED! We are all right here by your side, okay?
Remember ro B R E A T H E....and eat tons.of CHOCOLATE! It helps!!
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!
Oh, and here is a link (hopefully) to Great Dane Atlas. javascript:void(null)
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!
Well....so.much for that. The member name.is Atlasmom.....somebody will come behind.p me and pull it up for you! They're used to coming in and cleaning up my ...er..."mistakes".
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!
Danes are such fabulous dogs. Gotta love them. The blog Sally was trying to find is the Mighty Atlas: http://atlasthe.....eet-atlas/
Not a mistake Sally, it's your tavlet!
Sorry to hear that Otto needs to lose a leg. I'm sure he will amaze you with his determination. Hope all goes well.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Welcome to you and Otto.
Here are all the Posts from Atlas' mom, there might be something helpful there.
Also, you might want to look at these blog posts about harnesses- it might help you decide.
I've used the RuffWear webmaster for all my small dogs- two rear leg Tripawds, one quad pug during recovery from two knee surgeries, and on my old quad pug girl as her mobility declined. I've seen lots of rear leg Tripawds who use the Web Master harness . Otto may need a little more rear end support right after the surgery. For that a cloth shopping bag slit down the sides works well.
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
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