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 all, Our beautiful 8 year old lab received his diagnosis last week of osteosarcoma in the upper right front leg. He's been limping on and off for at least 6 months. Rhe cancer specialist we saw gave us the different options for treatment. She made it very clear, that even though there's no evidence of growth in the chest, it's probably there. With amputation and chemo 10-12 months. Without that treatment and managing with painkillers, 6-12 months. While I'm very concerned about fracture, I'm also concerned about the trauma surrounding an amputation. I'm looking for input from those who had the front leg amputated at the shoulder and what the life span of your dog was after the surgery and chemo. I don't know anyone locally who has gone through this. Please help.
Hi Victor's Mom, thanks for posting. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
I'm sorry you're dealing with the diagnosis, but one look through our Forums and members blogs and you'll see you are not alone. And unfortunately the facts your oncologist gave you are precisely right.
One thing to keep in mind is that the pain of a bone tumor is far greater than recovering from amputation. There is more emotional trauma for the humans than there is physical or emotional for the animal. They take it like "Oh, get rid of that bum leg and help me feel better OK?" Then when they're recovered, they're so much happier and lighter on their feet!
Our Jerry's story was exactly like yours, and there are many more to check out. While amputation isn't right for every dog, it sounds like yours is young and healthy enough to do great on three legs. What does your oncologist think about his candidacy for life on three legs?
Check out these posts and stay tuned for more input from our wonderful community:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi ~
Murphy had his right front leg removed also because of cancer - just over 3 years ago! While not all dogs can get as much time as we have, some do. Murphy also had been limping for about 5 months before his surgery, so we were extremely worried about metastasis. And the lymph node they removed near the site was positive, which was not in his favor. But dogs don't know what their prognosis is, and they just keep on living their life. Bone cancer is very painful, so pain medications will only get you so far. The first 2 weeks or so after surgery is the hardest, but after that most dogs usually do really good.
Murphy spent 1 night at the hospital after surgery. I took my son with me to get him because I wasn't sure what to expect. I figured that the hospital had a way to get him out to the car, but Murphy had other plans - he hopped his way all the way out by himself! He came home with a large bandage on, but it only stayed on a day or two - it didn't stick very well. We used some old t-shirts of my son's to help keep his incision clean and so Murphy couldn't bother with it. He came home on 3 different pain medications - Tramadol, Gabapentin & Rimadyl. Make sure you give the medications around the clock to give good coverage. He also didn't really want to eat much, so I cooked up some rice and poured chicken broth over it then added some chunks of chicken to it. That helped to give some fluids, too.
This is not always an easy journey to travel, but you aren't alone. We have traveled it and we will continue to travel it with you! Any questions you have we will be here for you. There's nothing too trivial. And we love pictures 
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Welcome! I am sure you will get lots of great feedback on your post. My girl lost her leg to a different kind of cancer but I can tell you, I've been a part of this community for over 2 years and I have seen many labs here. Many have lost their leg to osteo and done really well. I hope you will download the books that Jerry talks about (they were a lifeline for me). And keep us posted. Also we have a helpline that you can call and talk to someone who has been through this and might be able to offer some insight.
Where are you located? I am sure there are others in your community that have been through this. I will say, the recovery is not a picnic but most often, dogs go on to live happy lives on three legs!!!
Hugs!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Otis lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma after it fractured. We are four months post amp, and have completed four rounds of chemo, and he is doing great. I would absolutely do it again if in the same circumstances.
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.
We are 6 weeks post front leg amputation with a larger dog - older than your sweet lab. Pofi has a different cancer than osteo, but he also had had it for a long time (STS located in the armpit - difficult to detect and often misdiagnosed).
Every dog is different an no one can tell you for sure what post amp life expectancy will be, but it will be, if you choose it, a far less painful life.
Pofi definitely had an easier recovery than some, but even if it had been rougher, I know it was the right choice for us because he feels so good and is so happy now. If you choose to go with amputation, you have a lot of expertise here, along with your vets' expertise, to help you through it.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Hi There!
Well, everyone here knows just what you're going through! We were a rear-amp, but also a larger and older pup. It sounds like your onc gave you the stats that we all hear. Some pups live a long time w/ amp and chemo, some less. Some never have chemo and beat the odds. Some get dealt a really crappy hand and have not much time post-amp. None of us knows in advance of course! (We got 10 months in case you're wondering.) But what we do know is that amputation relieves them of the terrible, terrible pain of OSA. And, as you rightly point out, it also relieves the very real possibility of a bone fracture. So, yes, there is "trauma" from amputation. It is major, major surgery. But the pain is relatively short lived and it can be managed well w/ the right meds. And after a few weeks, your pup will be on the mend and will probably astonish you! Our Ellie had a rough recovery but once she turned the corner, she just got on w/ life! She took walks and chased squirrels and barked at the UPS guy...She didn't let her amp stop her at all!
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
So sorry you have to embark on this journey 🙁 We started ours nearly 3 months ago with our 145 lb St. Bernard. He had his front leg amputated at the shoulder and I can tell you that he has done remarkable well! Even the recovery was not as rough as we were anticipating. He did go through a period though where he kept collapsing on his front leg and that was due to the fact that we didn't isolate him enough in the beginning. Once we did that and made him rest he recovered quite well.
He is a big guy though and doesn't move around much these days, he tends to crawl short distances. He has his happy face on again though and I am so glad we did what we did for him. He was I such pain before the amputation and now he is not.
It is a hard decision that only you can make for your baby, but they really are resilient and just want the pain to be gone.
This site is a lifesaver and you will gain such comfort and support here. You are not alone in this journey. My moto with Patchy and all my dogs is to live in the moment because that is what they do. Never pass up a belly rub or a snuggle because that is what they are living for.
Best wishes in your journey! Summer and Patchy
Sorry to hear about your pup, but you've come to the right place for answers. My Dobe was 8 1/2 years old when he had his right front leg removed due to cancer. I was terrified of this decision at first, but the thought of a pathological fracture terrified me more. Our vet gave us pretty much the same statistics as yours, and at first that's all I focused on.....how much time he had left. Then I joined this amazing family, and learned how to "Be More Dog " - to live in the now, enjoy the now, rejoice in the now. He had a somewhat difficult recovery, the first 2 weeks were hard, but he just celebrated his 2 year ampuversary a couple days ago and is doing great! It was one of the most difficult decisions we've ever had to make, but we'd do it again in a heartbeat. Good luck as you move forward, do your homework, follow your heart....we're here for you.
Paula and Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Hi! I was not convinced to jump into surgery either at first, but Bandit came home a new dog after his amputation. I had no clue how much pain he had been dealing with until I saw the sparkle in his eyes come back a few days after the surgery. Bandit now needs rest when his remaining leg is feeling weak, but as soon as he has his strength back he is bringing me a ball. Victor, Bandit and I hope you feel better really soon!
Hi Victor and family and welcome 
My girl had her front leg amputated two months ago, she is a very big and heavy girl (77kg before amp) and I honestly thought she wouldn't be able to cope on three legs ... know what ? She did !
Check out her video under "Eurydice my beautiful great dane's new life on 3 legs" in the Presentation and Diagnosis forum and you will feel reassured !
She is doing chemo, we are going for round three next week and no signs of side effects so far, I am amazed at how well everything is going (touch wood!)
As for how long they can live ... nobody knows, really ... but you will see many examples here of dogs and cats that have lived (and are still living) much, much longer happy lives than anticipated.
I remember asking that same question here.
I was told my girl's life expectancy was one year and started panicking straight away because I want her to live much, much, much longer than that, especially as she is just five.
Everybody's advice was to stop thinking about dates and enjoy everyday with her instead.
I took all these wonderful people's advice on board and have been cherishing every moment with her rather than suffering by anticipation.
You will be ok, don't be afraid and be pawsitive
Sending you a big hug and cuddles to your furry friend
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Actually the video is under "Eurydice my lovely great dane's new life on 3 legs" ...
I am not advertising (although it looks like it) I honestly think it is reassuring to see how dogs can hop around so well so soon after amputation.
Big hug
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Hi and welcome.
Here is the Video that eurydice wanted to share with you, it is on the second page of the thread post number 26.
My two tripawds are/were both small rear amp tripawds so I can't help you with size questions. But my local friend Cemil is a 150 pound Anatolian Shepard front amp, now more than 7 YEARS post amputation! He was diagnosed with OSA in his front leg and after his amp his mom Mary chose not to do chemo. Pretty exceptional survival, and sadly not the norm, but it does happen.
No matter what the amount of time we get with our pups this rotten cancer journey teaches us to appreciate each and every day, and find joy in the small things.
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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