Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
This is my first post. I am mom to fur-baby Phoebe, a 12-1/2 year old Australian Cattle Dog. This past June she started limping and we thought it was just a nail bed infection. When abx didn't clear it up, we took xrays and still nothing could be seen. 2 weeks after that we learned she had squamous cell carcinoma, and in that 2 weeks it completely destroyed the bone of her 2nd toe on her right paw. A day later she underwent a toe amputation. Chest rads were taken prior to surgery and it showed no metastasis. Recovery was uneventful and easy for her, as the source of her pain was taken away. She was totally walking on it the next day.
Fast forward to just a few weeks ago. Phoebe started limping again and I was devastated. No inflammation was noted, and xrays showed no bone lysis. When limping turned into not using the leg at all, I knew something was really wrong and we were referred to a surgical oncologist last week. Xrays still showed no bone lysis, and an aspiration of the firm swelling was done. Cytology report showed bacteria as well as suspicious squamous cells. Hoping it was just infection, she went on an aggressive round of abx (Baytril) but after 5 days there has been no improvement so this is in fact tumor and based on the cytology it is suggestive that it's again squamous cell carcinoma. Tomorrow I take her to work with me (I am a vet tech) and having her chest and abdomen xrays done to make sure there is no metastasis, and also her hips to make sure she doesn't have any issues that could prevent her from being a tripawd. I am scheduling her full leg amputation for next week if everything goes well with her xrays.
So .... this whole process has been very scary. Phoebe is my life. I am mom to 2 human kids, and Phoebe is my 3rd child. She came to me 6 months before my Mom passed away and has been with me every moment since then. I spent many moments feeling very alone and she was always there for me. She is the best dog in the world and the thought of not having her with me is too much to bear. I have cried so much in the past week that tears don't always flow right now, but her situation is constantly on my mind.
My biggest worry is that she will be sad and wonder what happened to her leg. But then, peopel remind me that she isn't using it now anyway, and having the source of pain gone will make her feel so much better. It still scares me. The first night of her surgery she will be staying at the hospital. She might even stay 2 nights depending on what my work schedule is. But 2 nights is as long as I want her to be away from me.
My question to all of you ..... what was the biggest obstacle that your dog met, and what did you experience that was easier than you thought ??? What kind of pain meds did they put your dog on? Right now pre-surgery my Phoebe is on Gabapentin twice a day, Deramaxx once a day, and Amantadine once a day.
Simmy
Hi Simmy,
I am so sorry to hear about Phoebe. Amputation was such a hard choice for us to make regarding Theo, but it really is the best. As I'm sure others will attest (we're only 7 days post-amp), our pups are amazingly strong and truly get back to living right away. Theo was up and running like normal 3 days after his amputation...and WITHOUT PAIN! That was the deciding factor for us, we wanted Theo to do what he loves most which is playing ball, pain free for as long as possible!
As far as obstacles, I was really scared at first when Theo was refusing to even try to get up on his own. He wouldn't get up and turnover on his other side without us flipping him. But like I mentioned earlier, after 3 days he was back to his old self!
I think our next challenge is meeting with the oncologist and deciding what's best for our little man.
As far as meds, Theo was given a fetanyl patch which was amazing because he isn't a big eater and we didn't have to worry about stomach upset! Now that we've removed the patch he's on Tramadol as needed for pain. I typically don't give it to him unless he seems restless/uncomfortable at night.
Hope this helps! Phoebe will amaze you with her strength as a tripawd!
Hi Simmy and Phoebe, welcome. Sorry you are going through this but it does sound like you are getting excellent care.
When it comes to life on 3 legs, cattle dogs are amazingly resilient and strong, even more so than usual. To answer your great questions:
what was the biggest obstacle that your dog met, and what did you experience that was easier than you thought ??? What kind of pain meds did they put your dog on?
The biggest obstacle our Jerry met was US, his silly human pack leaders; our perceptions of how he would feel, our reactions at the first few times he stumbled (it happens more with front leggers than rears), and the nagging worry about cancer metastasis were all things that would at times prevent us from living every day to the fullest, as he wanted us to. Once we saw how well he did, we did our absolute best to follow his lead and things got so much better than we ever dreamed!
What was easier than we thought....everything! Seriously. From how quickly he learned to balance, to how he mastered stairs and even how he did what we used to think were just little things, like grasping a bone with his one front paw and sinking his teeth into it in pure ecstasy!
Not every journey is easy, they are all different as are all dogs and humans. But the more you follow her lead and be strong and upbeat, the more things WILL be. So much of this journey is about us getting over our fears. You can do it!
Keep us posted on how things are going and in the meantime do check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books Library if you haven't already, lots of great tips there! Stay tuned, others will chiime in soon.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Simmy and Phoebe!
Sorry you have to be here...but there is no better place to be under the circumstances!!
I was scared out of my mind and sooo conflicted about doing the amputation! Couldn't eat...Couldn't sleep...cried all the darn time! I even scheduled the surgery once and cancelled it......and the day she held her pawnup versus limping...and I had to increase her pain meds....that's when I proceeded with surgery...BEST DECISION EVER!!!
I have to say...once recovery was complete...my Happy Hannah had no obstaclesq!! She spent one night in the hospital and seemingly had no problem adjusting to walking at all.
Being a rear leg amp., she did have trouble going UP staireps, but not down. I had a ramp built for her and she loved using it.
I did not join this site until six days after her surgery. For me, "my" obstacle was not knowing that recovery could be so rough for about two weeks sometimes! Once I joined the site I was completely supported by informed caring souls who guided me through it.
She developed a wicked looking incision site and seroma ...all worked out just fine but, again, wasn't prepared for it.
I had an additional ONE YEAR AND TWO MONTHS of loving and fun and spoiling and kisses and tail wags and just sheer happiness that I am so eternally grateful for!!!
So, the fact that she got around so well so wuickly amazed me! Every dog is different th i ugh...and some take a bit longer to adjust. She was on Tramadol, Gabalentin, Rimadyl and an antibiotic.
Surrounding n y o u with a group hug from the entire tripawd community! You are not alone, okay?
((((((((((((((((((((((((((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!
Hi Simmy and sweet Phoebe,
Welcome to Tripawds the best support group in the world. So sorry for the diagnosis in your girl, and like everyone else has said, the biggest obstacle with amputation for our beloved fur babies, is us. I have to actually say, that this is a decision for myself that I wish I made WAY sooner for my precious Lab girl Polly. We wasted a ton of money on trying to save her leg with a couple surgeries, and ended up having to take it off anyway. Not to say this decision is cut and dry, or an easy one to make, but if I had to do it again, the leg would have come off Polly 8 months sooner. Hindsight is our worst enemy sometimes........
Trust me, Phoebe will not miss her leg......they may take a bit to adjust, but once they do, NO stopping them!! And some pups and kitties do take a bit to heal and get back to being themselves, but for myself and Polly, she NEVER missed a beat from her surgery. She came home from the hospital happy, eating, peeing, pooping and ready to play, seriously!! I remember her stopping in the yard when we first got home so she could pee, and almost toppled over and end up in a face plant....she stopped herself from falling, continued to pee, and started to wag her tail like, "see mom, I'm fine!!" She was a trooper for sure !!
Try not to worry, I know it's easier said than done, but our fur kids really surprise us with being 3-legged......and just getting rid of their pain will give them so much more quality of life. That is the ultimate goal for them, and us. Plus, you have everyone here to help you through this difficult journey, we have all been there so no one better to help you as you start yours. And yes, our beloved Tripawds are special beyond words.....special before they were a Tripawd, and even more special after......
Keeping you and Phoebe in my thoughts.....
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Welcome!!! I don't really have much more to say than what the others have said ... I, like Bonnie, wish that I had taken Shelby's leg earlier. My Shelby broke her leg and since we found no cancer, and she was healthy, we fixed it. She did great for about 3 months until we found cancer in her spleen and started chemo. A few months later, she also stopped using her leg so I put her through a 3rd surgery -she did great and was up and moving that day!
4 months later, sadly, Shelby crossed the bridge. BUT I have no regrets. My girl was a trooper and she exceeded our expectations ... and her vets! We did chemo and all that and Shelby did great.
The recovery from the amp was the hardest part of our journey but that was in part the drugs in her system. Not the actual amp. But her pain-free months made it all worth while. So like Jerry and everyone said, it was being a human and projecting my views on my dog. Shelby taught me so much in our last 8 - 9 months together .... lessons I still live with today!
So stay close to us... we are here to help you and you can vent, cry, cheer ... whatever! Shelby was my best friend, my soulmate and I miss her every day but she guides me and hopefully her story helps others.
Hugs!
Alison with the Spirit of Shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little Jasper too)
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
Phoebe had her chest and abdomen xrays today and first impression from one of the doctors I work with is they are fine, no metastasis. YAAAAY. Of course these xrays are being emailed down to the specialist to take a look. Once I hear from her, I'm scheduling the surgery. Just don't know what day yet.
Thanks for all the support so far. It really is comforting to know others have gone through the same thing I'm going through. Some friends (and family) have no clue what it's like and so they are not helpful to me and actually make me feel more upset. One friend today said "Just don't remove her leg". I'm like WTF, am I supposed to leave in her pain? No way. I don't know if she'll live 1 more year or 2 or 3 .... but I do know whatever time she has I want her to be pain free.
simmy 
Simmy,
This is VERY good news, so happy to read this......I am guessing and hoping with this type of cancer, you may be able to completely get rid of the cancer completely with an amputation?? That would be really awesome, for sure........
We do understand the thing with family and friends being not too supportive with this difficult situation with your sweet Phoebe......fortunately, most of my friends are veterinarians and all who work with veterinarians, and my family was completely on board with our decisions, but I know many others out there that have had to deal with a lot of opposition. You absolutely have the perfect mindset for these decisions.....what we definitely strive for is a pain-free, quality life for our beloved fur kids, nothing less. If an amputation is a completely necessary choice to help our pups and kitties live a much better, healthier life, it is a decision I would without a doubt, do again.
Continue to keep us posted on your girl, and lean on us......you will have all the support you need here, to help you through this.
Bonnie & Angel Polly
GOOD NEWS ABOUT THE XRAYS!!!! Good job Phoebe!
Now you can formulate a plan and proceed. AND REMEMBER...PHOEBE ISN'T WORRIED ABOUT A THING!!!
I can really relate to your experience rearding people making insensitive and judgemental remarks. After I told o ne or two of m y "dog lover friends" about my decision, I pretty much got..."I wouldn't put my dog through that"...or..."You may only get six months if you're lucky? No way!"
And you know what? When my Vet threw out the "possibility" of doing an amputation...I said NO WAY...ABSOLUTELY NOT!
nd then I did m y research...I got Dr. Dressler's Dog Cancer Survival Guide
...I googled and googled and googled...and then I made an
very informed decision...scary but informed!
I realize there is no way anyone could even begin to support amputation unless they had done the research.! And in a dog's life, six months of pain free joyous life is the equivalent of over three uears in human uears!!.
Sooool, from that point forward I merely said Happy Hannah and I were pursuing a fair l y aggressive treatment and she was doing just brilliantly well!!!
Stay with us!! We understand the depth of your love!! Welcome to your new family!!
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!
Hey Simmy that's fantastic! Yay!
Don't worry about what your friends think. Tripawds are such a learning experience for humans; they don't understand what true courage and resiliency is until they know one in real life. Phoebe will become a legend in her own time, just wait.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Simmy,
I just love the term "fur-baby" used for our pet dogs and cats. And then I wonder what those hairless cats would be called? Bald-baby, perhaps...
My tri-kitty Mona is a front leg amputee. I can relate to what Jerry said about reacting to the first stumbles. For Mona, they were face plants. They are fewer now but somehow, after less than 3 months, it's starting to feel "normal".
In a way I was lucky to have no time to worry about the amputation as it was done within 24 hours to stop the aggressive cancer from spreading. I cried before the surgery and then felt nothing but relief and love when I held her in my arms all bundled up in baby blankets a few hours after surgery (sorry you big dog people don't get to do this).
Obviously there are big differences between dogs and cats. Mona escaped from the house 3 days after surgery for 26 hours (she was nutty from the medication). I don't think most dogs escape. From what I read that many of us had in common was some struggles with the pain medication.
As for your friends and family, I'm sure they want to support you and don't just don't know how. Hey I know! They can make meals for you for the first week of Phoebe's recovery!
You sound knowledgeable and well prepared so you and Phoebe will do great. By the way, the dog amputee families have lots of great ideas on how to set up the nursery and house for recovery time: floor runners, raised food bowls, belly slings, etc. Check out the forums for ideas or just ask.
Kerren and Mona
Welcome Simmy and Pheobe,
1st things 1st- with friends like yours who needs enemies lol.
You have a huge advantage over us being that you are a vet tech and have the Vets at your disposal.
Your girl is healthy otherwise? She will not miss her leg, she will be happy to be rid of the pain. Of course it takes some getting used to, but she will be up and around in no time. The 1st two weeks are the worst. Obviously it is a personal decision, so DO NOT listen to "YOUR FRIENDS", listen to your gut 1st then your heart. Keep us posted.
Laurie
I agree, don't let what other people say discourage you. I wish I would have known months earlier what I found out last January. Wasted so much time trying to figure out what was wrong that by the time we did the amp, he was not using the leg anyway. Once we finally found out, the decision was made so fast that I really did not have time to ponder it. It was almost a year to diagnose and less than 2 weeks until we did the surgery. I like the expression used on here I did not do this to him/ her, I did this for him/ her. When I was questioned by an insensitive somebody on occasion, I just told them that I did it to save his life. Dogs don't look at their bodies quite the same as humans do. They don't really seem to see that they are different. They just know that the source of pain is gone. Keep us posted, 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.
Dear Simmy,
welcome to Tripawds. You couldn't have come to a better place for advice and support.
Regarding your questions:
- what was the biggest obstacle that your dog met ? well, since he is a boy and a front-leg amputee, his biggest problem was learning to go potty - especially #1 without lifting his left leg. We also banned stairs, one week before the amputation, which meant changing his sleeping quarters, from our bedroom to our home-office. We have another dog, so he isn't alone.
- what did you experience that was easier than you thought? I was worried that he would experience some behavioural changes or personality changes, and also was worried of permanently feeling sorry for him, but this didn't happen. He is such a brave dog, and has taken up his "new normal" with such gait that he makes me very proud.
- what kind of pain meds did they put your dog on? Johnnie was on Tramadol and sodium metamizol, a non-steroid analgesic (I live in Brazil). The Tramadol did interfere a lot with his sleep and attitude.
Even though most tripawds recover splendidly, the first two weeks are very hard, and the first days especially.
I also changed Johnnie's diet: opted for home cooking, low-carb no-grain high animal protein.
Keep posting, so we can pitch in and help in what we can.
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 Simmy, welcome to you and Pheobe.
You have lots of great input already. My Tripawd was a little pug named Maggie. She lost her left rear leg to a mast cell tumor. My biggest challenge was dealing with a new Tripawd before there was a Tripawds! Maggie had her amp about 2 months before our founding pup Jerry so we went it alone. I guess my next challenge was dealing with a stubborn pug who HATED ANY CHANGE in her routine. It took 6 weeks after her surgery before she would play with me again. When I thought afterwards about how stubborn she had always been her reaction made sense. She had no medical complications and was hopping on her own the day of surgery. I spent several weeks thinking I had made a horrible mistake! Mag's reaction is not the norm, but there are some pups who just take a little longer to get the hang of things.
Maggie's biggest challenge was stairs- going up stairs. She was only about 12" at the shoulder and that one back leg had trouble hoisting her whole body weight up more than two or three stairs at a time. Most bigger tripawds handle stairs just fine once they are healed after surgery. I didn't push it with Maggie, I didn't want to risk her getting hurt. She could go down almost anything on her own. It was really only an issue at my parent's house- my house only has a couple stairs in the front door and off the back deck.
What was easier? Maggie didn't make anything easy 
. I was surprised that she was hopping on her own the day of surgery. I never needed to help her keep her balance. She couldn't get far at first, but she never really wiped out until years after her amp. I think it is a bit easier for rear amps because when the fall they can just sit down, and getting up from laying down is easier.
As far as meds- she came home with a fentnyl patch, tramadol and an anti-biotic. She also took benadryl and pepcid for a couple weeks but those are specific to mast cell cancer.
Do you have a surgery day yet? Keep us posted.
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
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