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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Hi, I'm new here.
yesterday my 10 year old GSD x Storm was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his shoulder. The vet talked through the options available and my husband immediately discounted amputation as an option due to his size and age.
We have been referred to an oncologist (appointment is Wednesday) and I have researched the treatment options (as you do) and now suspect that the only way to make Storm pain free is to opt for the amputation but I'm worried that he might be too old to go through this at his age which was the reason that my husband said no.
storm is otherwise fit and healthy, the cancer isn't evident in his lungs so he is a candidate for chemotherapy. He isn't overweight and before the diagnosis yesterday was happy to do his 5km walk every day so is relatively fit for his age.
I was just interested in people's views as to whether they think that a dog his age would be able to cope with amputation or if it would be kinder to let him go. The one thing I don't want to do is to choose a treatment based on what is right for us rather than what is right for him.
thanks in anticipation.
Hi Chellie,Storm & hubby, thanks for joining, your future posts won't require approval.
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this diagnosis, we all are. It's a tough spot none of us ever expected to be in and it turns your world upside down. But fear not, because Storm sure is't! All he wants is to feel good again, and yes, the only way to immediately relieve the pain of osteosarcoma is to amputate. Some dogs are candidates for radiation therapy or limb sparing, but your onco will be the best one to tell you if he is. To me, it sounds like he's a great candidate. I'm no vet but take that for what it's worth. We've had many, many dogs here older than 10 who have done great on three legs. Just cruise through our "Size and Age Matters" (http://tripawds.....e-matters/) topic for examples. Our videos also have great examples too.
Of course there are risks with every procedure and not every dog will go through this with smooth sailing. There can be ups and downs. See "Jerry's Required Reading List " for more. But for the most part, most dogs do great, and I'm talking dogs of all sizes and ages. You know Storm best and it sounds like your instinct is telling you what is right for him but hubby is going to need some convincing. Is he going with you to the oncology appointment? I sure hope so.
If he still isn't convinced, otherwise, the only alternative is a life without Storm and nobody wants that.
I hope your visit goes well, please keep us posted and let us know how it goes OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Storm and Family!
Sorry you have to be here. Under the circumstances, I can assure you there is no better place to be!
It's really, really, really hard to hear the "diagnosis", mich less wrap your head around the word "amputation" as an option! And rarely do friends and family understand because they haven't done the research that you have. And they haven't connected with people who have been through it and understand.
We've been through it...we understand from first hand experience like no others can! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! No one can tell you what to do. Every dog is different, every situation is different. You, your vetx, your husband AND Storm will make a decision out of love and that will be the right decision.
I'll share my experience for whatever it's worth. When my beloved Bull Mastiff was first "diagnosed" I felt like I was stuck in a nightmare. All I could do was cry and dry heave a lot! I had not found this community. It was just myself and my dogs.
My vet mentioned "amputation". My first response was " ABSOLUTELY NOT! I WOULD NOT PUT HER THROUGH THAT!" My vet said just to at least talk to a surgeon and a. Onco. before making a decision. I also brought a great book "The Dog Cancer Survival Guide " by Dr. Dressler and Dr. Ettinger.
My Happy Hannah was thoroughly enjoying life for an 8 1/2 yr. old "Plus Sized Model" at 125 lbs.! She clearly had a lot more living to do! St first, a low dose of pain meds kept her from limping...then the limp got more prominent and the pain meds were kncreased...pain I creased, meds increased.
It became apparent I needed to make a decision quickly! Happy Hannah, like your Storm, was still enjoying life and just was not ready for it to be over! I HAD to give her a chance! She would want that chance!!
I scheduled the surgery...and cancelled!!! I rescheduled again and we t through with it! I can tell you it was THE best decision ever!!! We had THE most GLORIOUS bonus days of more loving, more spoiling, more tummy rubs, lots of treats ( and ice cream too) than anyone could ever imagine! For one year and two months everyday was full of so much joy and so many sacred treasures! And in doggy years, thst was over seven years of bliss!
Recovery was no picnic for us. Again, every dog is different...some faster, some slower recoveries. But my main concern was how could this chunky hunk of love be able to walk on three legs!! No problem! It really is amazing how well they get along almost instantly!
It is major surgery and it does have risk. And sometimes the surgery has unforeseen complications. It does happen. We see it here on rare occasion. Obviously, for all of us here, it's a risk we have decided it's worth taking in order to obtain quality, pain free life for our dogs a d cats who would want it no other way.
Stay connected...do your research...talk to the specialists...look at videos here and check out the different stories here. You, yourself, already seemed to be guided towards the option you would like to take. Hopefully your husband, as he gains more information, will feel more comfortable with a decision...whatever that maybe.
Looking forward to helping you in anyway we can.
Sending love and clarity and extra treats for Storm!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Hi Chellie & Family,
I'm sorry this has happened. It isn't ever fair. And I completely understand your first reaction that amputation would be too hard on an older/larger dog. It is exactly what we thought when our Pyr mix Ellie (100 lbs, 10+ yo) was diagnosed w/ OSA. How could she manage? We had stairs, she was older, she was larger. Wasn't it a lot to put her through for just another year or so?
But we did decide to amputate and we don't regret it at all. We based our decision on on a couple of factors. One, she was otherwise healthy. Two, we knew that for us it was either amputation to get rid of the pain, or it was put her to sleep. And she was not ready to go yet---she was still so full of life! Three, even a year was a long time in a dog's life (like a 70 yr human old getting another 7 years, 10% of their whole life). And finally we knew that it doesn't matter how long you get w/ your pup, it is never long enough. So we were prepared to take what time we could get, pain free.
Sure, there will be pain and discomfort after the amputation. It is major surgery! But it is acute pain and can be managed. It isn't anything like the pain of OSA. And amputation isn't an easy road. There will be ups and downs for sure. But I would not let the idea that he couldn't adjust or would suffer as a tripawd be the deciding factor. If your dog is healthy and fit there is no reason why he can't happily hop on 3 legs for whatever time he has left.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Thanks everyone for your replies. It's reassuring that older, bigger dogs cope with the amputation. We have done a lot of talking today and I think that hubby is now entertaining the idea. If we make the decision then, barring any emergency, the referral vet will perform the surgery the same day if we want him to which is why I wanted to get as much information as possible so we can just go ahead rather than take him home and then back again.
Storm is a trooper who loves life and I think that it is only fair to let him have a chance. We lost his sister to lung cancer 10 months ago which crept up so quickly we didn't even have an option to treat it, this time we do so I think we owe it to him to have a go as long as it is for him and not us.
I'll let you know what we decide.
Chellie and Storm (and the two Romanian rescue puppies who would love big bro to stick around!!)
Yes, please do keep us posted. It wasn't an easy decision for us either, we actually wavered about it for a day or so, we just couldn't picture our Jerry missing a leg. We are so glad we went forward with it, even though there were some very emotional times, otherwise Tripawds would not exist.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Howdy and welcome!!
I think it's everyone's first reaction when amputation is brought up. "HECK NO!"
The hub-a-dub and I sat in the car in the vet's parking lot for 30 minutes and wept after being delivered the news of Harmony's amputation suggestion. But once the shock was over, we started being more observant of her quality of life. We were pawrents who saw nothing but the wagging tail. Never in a million years would we have believed that a dog as sick as our Harmony could still wag her tail.
What I'm trying to say is you're going through all the very same emotions the rest of us have and it's completely normal. It speaks volumes to your loving/caring nature. What a fortunate fur-baby to have you as pawrents.
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Hi All,a
There has been a slight change of plan. The referral for Storm was a palliative care one as my hubby was so adamant that he did not want the surgery.
Now that we have decided to have the surgery the appointment is not appropriate so Storm will go to our own vet on Thursday for the amputation and will be re-referred to the oncologist in a fortnights time for chemotherapy.
The good news is that he doesn't have a clue that he is poorly. Apart from a slight limp you would never know that there was anything wrong with him. He still insists on going for a walk and plays with our two younger dogs - it's heartbreaking to know that he might not have long with us.
I'll update when he has had the surgery.
Okay...you have a plan and you are moving forward! We are here by your side all the way.
And remember, Storm does not have a timeframe stamped on his butt!! Again, there are no guarantees with any kind of surgery (same for humans). You are giving Storm a chance at extended quality time (far more so with just palliative care and the risk of shattering his shoulder bone).
And quality time means more rime for loving...spoiling...tummy rubs...treats...steak...ice cream...snuggles...playing with his brothers! Once recovery takes place and, again, it can be rough for awhile, Storm will be loving life to the fullest with the humans who love him and the humans he loves!
I'm sorry you lpst his sister to this rotten piece of crap disease. But I guarantee tyou she is being a very good Guardian for Storm and she'll watch over him.
STAY CONNECTED! Update when you can, okay?
Love to alll
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Facing this diagnosis is heartbreaking. We have this idea that they're invincible, that they've never shown a hint of problem and now this. It stinks. But our job (as their guardians) is to make sure that whatever time they do have is pain free and full of love. So you're moving forward, doing your job.
There is good advice here about how to prepare the house for their post-amp return. It helps if you can channel all that worry and nervous energy into something positive.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Went for a lovely walk this morning with Storm, just me and my boy, he chased some rabbits and his ball and we had a 10 minute cuddle on the green before I took him into the vets. The vet is happy with the results, says that it is nice and clean and neat. Pre-op bloods etc were good and he is now in recovery. We are hoping that he will be home tomorrow but if not it will be Saturday. Thank you all for your words of support.
Oh that sounds like great news! Rest up and keep us posted on his homecoming.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Storm is home 🙂 He is doing amazingly well and is up and about and actually had a short lead walk (vet approved) around the field. He has got a drain in and a little bit of swelling but is alert and was so excited to see us. If his courage and determination is anything to go by he should be on the mend in no time.
Wonderful news!
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Welcome home Storm! Please keep us posted...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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