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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Hey. I'm not so great at the whole into thing. Long story short, I noticed our dog (8 year old America Staffordshire Terrier) didn't want to do her normal walk and was struggling on stairs. Noticed her leg was swollen pretty bad, about a golf ball next to her other leg. Went to an emergency vet. And she said based on the xray it looks like osteosarcoma. That was Tuesday. Today, Thursday, Lady had a surgical biopsy. Prior to the biopsy the surgeon was optimistic it could be some other infection. After the biopsy, he said it's most definitely cancer , but not sure on if it's osteosarcoma or a joint sarcoma (I forgot the name) and my soul hurts. I have lost 2 pets and my mom in the last few years. And my daughter is only 5, she's lost everything, too. And now she may lose her companion.
We are being referred to the veterinary cancer group in Los Angeles/Torrance California but I am terrified.
I've thought about flying back to our home state to find more affordable care since the cost of living is lower. But I'm not sure she could handle the travel right now.
The most ironic thing though, a week before the diagnosis my daughter tried to draw a picture of Lady. She messed up and only had room for three legs and distraught. I told her plenty of animals have a missing limb and still thrive. She didn't believe me, and I showed her photos and videos and she thought they were amazing but so amazing it couldn't be real. I am so hopeful that perhaps she will have her very own Tripawd and get to see how amazing they are in real life.
I hate this waiting game. 🙁
Heyyy there, welcome. I'm sorry you are dealing with this heartache, especially after all your family has been through. That's kind of a crazy story about your daughter's drawing. Woah. Can we see it? Just curious. I'll bet it's darling.
I just answered your other post about going to Mizzou. But now that I see you are in L.A. and might be working with VCG, let me just say that if they were in my backyard, I would go there in a heartbeat. They are PAWESOME and totally worth the cost. Yes, they are not inexpensive. But what you get there is the very best care, top of the line, most forward-thinking vets. We are big fans of theirs and years ago interviewed VCG's founder Dr. Rosenberg. She was one of the first vet oncologists in the country and what she has grown VCG into is so impressive. What vet did you talk to there?
Yes, it's scary. Oh gosh no wonder you posted this so late at night, you probably couldn't sleep! I remember feeling like that, like it was yesterday. But remember, Lady needs you to be strong and pawsitive right now. Dogs pick up on our emotions and will reflect back what we put out. Project optimism and hope, and she will give it back 110%.
Meanwhile don't forget to check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books library for more tips.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know that feeling so well... It's been just over a month now that my partner and I took our Bogart to the vet because of a lump on his leg. It seemed like it just sprung up out of nowhere - so we were expecting to hear back that it was some sort of bite, infection, or injury causing inflammation. Then the "C word" came up and I immediately lost it... a 210 lb man in the middle of the vet. I cried like I haven't before in my life. Bogart is half staffy - which makes me feel your words even more.
The waiting was awful... We had a cytology that took 5 days to get results - and the vet wanted to do a biopsy to make sure the results from the cytology were accurate. Another 5 day wait for results after waiting 3 days for the biopsy surgery to be scheduled. We just wanted it all done so we could hurry up and treat rather than hurry up and wait.
Like I said, it's been just over a month, and we have acted on everything as fast as we possibly could... We opted to amputate. Bogart is laying next to me right now, one leg lighter, very tired, healing and full of resilience. He had his back left leg removed 4 days ago. It's definitely a challenge in this early stage of recovery, but just watching him get up, walk outside and pee lifts my heart. He's strong and getting stronger by the day. I can only imagine that Lady will be the same way. These staffys are too stubborn and hard-headed to let us down.
Whatever happens... however you choose to treat Lady, you will receive loads of support and compassion from these forums. I know I have.
Please keep us updated.
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