Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi thanks in advance for any feedback!
My 12 yr old rottie was diagnosed with a bone tumour last week, my first thought was there is no way she would cope on 3 legs (she has had arthritis since she was about 8). After seeing the oncologist she strongly recommended amputation and because I expressed my concerns she got the orthopedic surgeon to look at her. They both said they thought she would cope for the following reasons :
she is small for a rottweiler and she is slim
she still has strong back legs (as she has always had hydrotherapy)
When doing the CT scan she checked all other legs and said the arthritis isn't particuarly marked (all those expensive joint supplements were apparently worth it!)
So I then decided I thought it was the best decision with her (and everyone I spoke to about it agreed with me)
She is a couch potato dog anyway so missing out on long walks won't particularly bother her (she hasn't gone on long walks with the other dogs for a while anyway). Even if she doesn't cope well I decided it was the lesser of two evils than seeing her in agony from the tumour. And obviously if she really didnt cope and was miserable I would not leave her like that.
However I today spoke with the vet that does her physiotherapy and hydro and she said if it was her dog she wouldn't do it. This has now freaked me out as I feel I am making the wrong decision. Her reasoning is she says she has a slightly bulging disc and she is worried if she bunny hops (like a lot of 3 legged dogs do) then she could slip her disc.
My thinking is this: she bounces around a lot anyway and so could at any point in the last few years have slipped this disc. I would rather give her a chance than regret not giving her a chance? I will get her in physio when she is well enough after the operation to help keep her strong. If she doesn't cope and we have to euthanise her at least I have given her a chance and atleast her last few weeks wont be in pain?
In herself she is still happy and perky and herself (she does not behave like an old lady really) but just a very chilled out dog.
Does my reasoning sound fair? I would hate to think that my decision making is being compromised by my own desire to keep her with me as long as possible. I just want to make the right decision for her.
Has anyone else been in a similar situation? what did you decide / what was the outcome?
Thanks Annie
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I hope you don't mind I moved your post here since you are at the diagnosis/decision phase.
What is your pup's name? I can't stay long now, I just wanted to get your post approved so others could see it and help. I'll check back when I can.
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
Hi Annie,
I'm sorry to hear about your sweet rottie's diagnosis. I never regretted amputation for a second with Theo. We made our decision pretty quickly because we did want to give him a fighting chance AND the biggest reason was that EVERYONE we encountered told us what a painful, painful disease bone cancer was and how there were no pain killers in the world that could keep our pup comfortable. My goal from the beginning was to have Theo pain free as long as possible. He had hip dyplasia, actually he didn't even have a hip joint on his left side, but he coped so well on three legs and if he was in pain from the arthritis alone he didn't show it or let it slow him down.
If you do not do amputation, would you consider radiation on the tumor?
We here for you guys on this journey!
Hi Snagglemom,
The oncologist said if we opted not to amputate she would do radiation therapy but not chemo, more focused on pain releif. The oncologist is of my point of view, that I would rather her pain free and risk the chance she doesn't cope. It just freaked me out that the vet today said what she said, I spoke to another vet (the one who will do the op) and he said he understands why I am choosing to do it and at least now I know all the possible outcomes.
The hydro vet did say that if I choose to amputate she would help all she could to keep Betsy fit.
She is booked in for Monday ... its going to be a long weekend :S
I suppose my fear is going ahead and then this vet is right and I've put her through the op and made it worse for her.
Thanks for your story it makes me feel better 
Hi Annie and Betsy, welcome. I'm so sorry about the diagnosis. The confusion about whether or not to do it IS difficult to bear and we often feel like we don't know what to do especially when there is conflicting information. My question to you is, do the other vets know about the bulging disc? I wonder if that information would influence their recommendation?
The reality is that most dogs do fine, some have struggles but all in all with the kind of dedicated care you give her, I'm going to bet that she will be one of the many success stories. We've had LOTS of Rotts here (like Sassy) and most have done great, just do any searches here or in our blog and you'll see. I'm not a vet so take that for what it's worth but to me, as long as you are being as cautious and caring and keep your eye on preventive physio care like you have been, she's likely to do well on 3.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry,
Yes all vets know about the bulging disc, the oncologist had put it in her report of the CT scans.
I've felt quite positive about it up until now but I've had quite a bad day with it today!
I have a 15 1/2 year old dal with a tumor on her right front shoulder. She was diagnosed a month ago & my primary vet did not think she would be a good candidate for surgery. I never even went for a consult at the specialist.
Now we are planning to euthanise this week end. I will always wonder how she would have done as a tripawd and still have it in the back of my head, should I try.
Two years ago when she had a splenic tumor, I had to deal with this same type of decision. She was almost 14 and a breed that typically lives 12-14 years. Most splenic tumors are an aggressive cancerous tumor that always metastasizes before diagnosis. Occasionally you find benign splenic tumors, but unremoved, these eventually rupture and end in death from internal bleeding.
I wasn't going to put my old dog though such a major surgery knowing she likely only had a few months left anyway. A week went by and I just could live with knowing that I didn't do everything I possible could, so I made a consult appointment and had surgery the next day, Dec 23rd. With the holidays, we had to wait extra long for the biopsy results. My dog was sent home after only one night (was originally told 2 but she was doing well enough to come home the next day). She was in a lot of pain when I got her home, but in about 3 days time you couldn't tell she had just had major surgery (unless you looked at the 14+ inch incision on her belly).She recovered fully and her tumor was somehow benign. Words cannot express how glad I was that I chose to go against the advice of my vets & do the surgery.
Now we are faced with an equally sinister enemy but one that can be detected without having to have surgery (you can't do a biopsy on a spleen; it's take it out or don't take it out). I know it's OK to let go of my dog, but she still has such a zest for life (but far too much pain). This is a very different experience compared to previous pets who have required euthanasia. With them, it was obvious that it was time. I find myself wishing I had tried to amp. Euthanasia would always be a choice if she didn't cope well with it, but since we have waited a month, I feel like it is too late. Plus I don't really have the support of my family or my vet.
I guess my point of this long reply is that if you have had two specialists, people who have seen many dogs face this issue, say they think she would do OK, I would try. If she's not doing OK after, then you can let her go. I think the surgery is hard on them but not for too long and not as hard having the tumor. And you will have the peace of mind that you did everything you could for her.
Sonya & "Millie"--born Feb 1999, diagnosed with OSA 8/27/14, set free 9/27/14
(RIP baby girl)
Hi Annie, welcome to the forum!
I never regretted the decision to amputate, because my objective was to give my dog quality of life and rid him of pain. True, he is a younger dog (6 years).
If your girl is in good health, except for the tumor, you should not rule out the amputation, but do take your time to make a sound decision. You will find in the Tripawd page a survey made with dog owners/parents, where 96% of the survey takers reaffirmed their decision, because their dogs recovered faster and better than they had expected, and only 4% were not happy with the outcome. This survey was very important here at home to convince my husband about the decision.
You may want to look at videos of dogs that recovered from surgeries to see what to expect, and to see how well they fare on three legs. There are other examples in our tripawd community of older dogs and even heavier dogs that recovered splendidly from the surgery.
regards,
Daniela & Johnnie
Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet. Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues. Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle. October 17: started having seizures. Taking fenobarbital for seizures. April 18: started prednisone.
Hi Annie,
Welcome to the club no one wants to join. Sassy owned me (lol) I do not regret one minute deciding to amputate her leg.. The thing is with Amputation it takes the pain away. Its not a cure but it makes it easier to adjust. You don't have to worry about having a back up plan in place in case the leg breaks and bone cancer is very painful.
When Sassy was amputated she was 138 pounds. She got up the same day hopped out to go potty and was going to continue right on out the parking lot she wanted to go home. She did awesome. Jerry linked our blog you will have to go back to the very beginning to check out her recovery ect as since she has passed I keep her blog up with my quad paw's information too.
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Online
SEVYDOTS....Just wanted to reach out through the com o uter screen and give you a big hug!. When you are dealing with a 15 1/2 year old dog,I think almost everyone here would have made the same decision you have. Even though her Spirit seems strong, in an n older dog the surgery itself can be enough to tip the scales and send a dog on a downward spiral with sooo many different health issues. Holding you in our hearts and please know we are all here for you.
ANNIE! So sorry you have to be here....and there's noobetter place to be underthe circumstances!! Boy oh boy, we sure understand the agony of this decision!
Yes...no....yes....no....yes......I even cancelled my first surgery appointment for my Bull Mastiff Happy Hannah!
You've gotten great adivce....but the best advice can be found in your own posts...your own thought process that you laid out so logically and so precisely. Make no mistake, there are risks...it's maajor surgery and this is a rotten piece of crap disease.
For me, I felt like I needed to try. Happy Hannah 8 1/2 at the time and somewhat "fluffy"...aka..CHUNKY,! Also thoroughly enjoyed being a couch potato. Happy Hannah had a very rough recovery and for about three weeks I thought what in the world have I done TO my dog.....then, once her sparkle came back, I knew I had done it for her!!
We were so lucky...so fortunate...to have one year and two months of THE most GLORIOUS time ever!!!
There is a Great Dane on the site....the first vet strongly advised against amputation as the dog had a disease caused Wobblers", in addition to osteosarcoma, and had a wobbly, unstrady gait...... She got second opinions......Atlas just celebrated his one year ampuversary and is walking veey well!
Another dog, Lexie, a senior with bad arthritis also jad a vet oppose amputation....she got a second opinion....Lexie had some happy pain free months and soaked up lots of loving and spoioing and tummy rubs!
Know this to be true....WHATEVER decision you make out of LOVE is the RIGHT decision....regardless!!!
Please keep us posted and stay connected to us....you are not alone, okay?
Sending love and hugs and extra treats! And chocolate for you...lots of it!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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 Sevydot I am really sorry about your dog! You are so lucky to have had her for such a long happy life! what a great age to get to! If you think the surgery would have been too much for her to cope with at her age then you probably made the right decision. How is she today? Betsy also had a splenectomy 2 years ago and beat the odds to still be here. I did check with the oncologist whether there is any chance the tumour on her leg is a metastisis of that but she said if that tumour had spread there is no way she would be here now.
Daniela and Johnnie, Michelle and Sally thanks for your imput and advice it makes me feel a lot calmer!
I feel like there are lots of things that MIGHT go wrong with this surgery but the outcome could be positive and could give her more time and a good quality of life. If I leave it I KNOW she will remain in pain and it will only get worse, we might only have a few weeks before we have to say goodbye to her even though she is still completely 'herself' and I just can't bare the thought of that!
I had to take her to the vets this morning because where they did the CT scan on her chest and shaved her she has come up in an awful rash! 
I had a worst case scenario with the MRSA infection. The only thing I can say, is he stopped crying in pain while sleeping after his amp. When I heard how painful bone tumors are, I had to make the decision to relieve the pain. It is easy for me to look back and say, we only had 10 weeks after, what if, what if? but, to at least not see him literally shivering in pain once the leg was gone, I still feel that the amp. was the best decision I could have made for him. I now own another 3 legged Lab, he is a rescue and had an injury, he gets along quite well. I think you have to sometimes tune everybody else out sometimes and listen to your gut. You know your dog better than anyone else and if you think she would cope well then you are most likely right. hugs from ,Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
My kitty Mona had her front leg amputated in June. About a month later she saw a vet who gave her a chiropractic treatment for spinal alignment and taught me how to massage her every day to keep in straight (I don't do it too well because it becomes a game for her). I'm sure your physio vet is doing a great job with your rottie, as is evident in the strength she has. Perhaps someone who does animal chiropractic could be added to your rottie health team?
I'm sure you'll make the best decision for your dog and your family. The dog people here are fabulous sharing there insights and experiences.
Kerren and Mona
Good feedback Lori...great insight......HUGS!
Geez....sorry about the rash! Poor Betsy!!
Just want to say again you have done an excellent job of evaluating all the pros and cons...very logical, very well informed....add the love to the equation and you have a RIGHT decision!!
Would love to see more pics of your sweet girl.. Her avatar picture makes us all want to kiss her!!!
Hugs!
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!
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