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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First, I feel so lucky to have found this site and wonderful community of support. Our dog Mabey has had a persistent limp for a little over a month. As I have seen many people state on the forums we assumed an injury or arthritis. The week before Thanksgiving our vet referred us to a specialist and they did additional x-rays which showed what they confirmed as an "aggressive bone lesion." Our primary vet, who has been with Mabey since she was a puppy, recommended amputation rather then first a bone biopsy to avoid putting her through two surgeries. Although they suspect osteosarcoma the x-ray isn't "presenting" as typical. They are telling it looks "mossy" compared to the other shoulder/leg. Has anyone else had this experience? Furthermore, when we did the x-ray her lungs were clear. Although I understand there could be microscopic tumors that can't be seen yet. We are praying that whatever the biopsy shows the amputation will allow her a good quality of life for many more years. She is otherwise in great spirits and good health. She is a 10 year old Golden Retriever who has never had any prior health issues.
Please send good thoughts for my girl on Wednesday. She is our baby and want the best for her.
Shelly
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry cancer has brought you and Mabey here, but as you have seen, this is the best place to be when faced with cancer and amputation.
My pug had a different kind of cancer, mast cell, so I wasn't faced with the same type of decisions as with bone cancer. But from my time here I know that lots of people bypass the pre-op biopsy. It is very painful, and in many cases the x-ray is definitive enough. And unfortunately, Golden's are one of the breeds that are high risk for cancer.
If you haven't found it already you might look though Jerry's Required Reading list, or download information from the E-Book Library.
There is lots of experience here, and lots of support to offer. Let us know what questions you have.
Good luck to Mabey on Wednesday.
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 Mabey and family,
I'm sorry you had to find your way here 
but you have definitely found the right place!
It sounds like your vet is leading you down the right path and has Mabey's best interests in mind! I was in exactly the same position as you exactly two years ago. Although, my little osteosarcoma patient is a kitty cat and presented a little differently. I know it's a hard decision to make, but, there are TONS of examples here to show you it's a great decision to help your pup and alleviate her pain.
Definitely check out the forums, blogs and pictures, there are tons of examples and stories, pictures and videos of dogs who do great on three legs. And ask ask ask away, any questions you have, we're all here to answer. We all know and remember how scary this time can be, so we're here for you!
Keep us posted!
xoxo,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Welcome Shelly,
I'm sorry that your precious Mabey is dealing with cancer. It's a very scary disease for humans as well as our furkids but so many in this community has been on or is currently on the same journey you're about to start. My Leland's amputation didn't come because of cancer so I don't have any first hand knowledge to answer your current questions. I'm sure others will be chiming in shortly.
I just wanted to let you know that you and Mabey are in my thoughts and I hope that things go well for your sweet girl.
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
HI There,
My story is somewhat similar ... my girl, Shelby, broke her leg in a freak accident and the x-rays didn't look like osteosarcoma but her lesions were "mothy". We chose to fix her leg when three aspirates couldn't find anything that was indicative of cancer. That was in June. Shelby did recovered but would still limp from time to time so of course, I chalked it up to age and arthritis (a small dog, she was a jumper back in the day). She was 12 1/2 at the time.
In September, she became suddenly ill and it was her spleen - we surgically removed that and it tested positive for hemangiosarcoma (a blood cancer). We started our journey w/chemo and PT for the leg.
In January, she refused to use the leg at all and it was painful for her. We amputated between treatments and after testing (twice!!!) they finally found cancer. It was hemangiosarcoma.
In hindsight, I don't regret any decision I made for Shelby as all her vets said they would have done the exact same thing if she was their dog. However, I wanted to add that mossy or mothy lesions can be cancers other than osteosarcoma.
In the three months that Shelby was a tripawd she did great! She thrived on those three legs and lived life to the fullest. When I made the heartbreaking decision to send her over the bridge, I did it knowing I had done ALL I could for her and that she was loved every minute of every day. We are here for you and I know it is scary ... lots of ups and downs to be had but I am sure Mabey will great! We can't wait to hear the updates!
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
Hi Shelly!
First of all, Welcome! Second of all, Breathe! As the mom of a Golden Retriever boy, Eddy, age 7, I know exactly what you are feeling. Eddy had a similar experience that began late last June. Limp began in June, diagnosed via Xray in July, and amputation of back left leg in August. Eddy's biopsy did turn out to be osteosarcoma, sadly, but not all do. There are other cancers that present similar, as well as fungal infections, etc. So, again, take a deep breath! And, if it does turn out to be osteosarcoma, know that you are doing the right thing by removing that leg. Eddy was in so much pain before the amputation, and now he is not. It was a miracle how much better he felt...almost immediate pain relief! Adjusting to life as a tripawd, was not as bad as I envisioned it, not at all! ( And, Eddy had a more difficult time because his remaining hind leg was already compromised due to a knee replacement 2 years prior. ) He was literally up and RUNNING a few days after his amputation!
All I want you to do right now is breathe! If you have any questions, we are all here to help you through this. Please know you and Maybe are in my thoughts and definitely in my prayers. I know how scary it is, but trust me, you are doing the right thing. Please let us know how she is doing! I will say an extra prayer for her surgeon tomorrow night! Take care!!! ~Betsy
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
Hi Shelly,
I was just rereading your original post. As far as "mossy", all I can tell you is that in Eddy's case, the lesion on his ankle bone had a "moth like" appearance on film... It literally looked like the bone was being eaten away. My vet could not make a definitive diagnosis from the X-ray, as Eddy's lungs were clear and he had no other symptoms. My vet was really leaning toward a fungal bone infection, until he aspirated the small lump on Eddy's ankle and found microscopic cancer cells in the fluid. Again, a definitive diagnosis was not made until they actually amputated the leg and sent it in for a biopsy. I think it was like 5 days after his surgery that they called and told us for certain that it was osteosarcoma.
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
Hi Shelly! welcome to Tripawds.
I'm also a Golden Retriever mom, battling osteosarcoma with Johnnie, age 6 1/2. Johnnie's story is just like Eddy's and others in this community: first comes the limp, dogs are treated for arthritis etc until finally exams show there is something else. Johnnie's lesion was totally "lytic", which meant the bone was gone, massive bone destruction but no outer growth. All his other exams were clear, including his lungs. The biopsy of the bone after the amp showed a totally destroyed bone that looked like jello, according to the surgeon. Not a typical case of OSA, but the diagnosis was confirmed.
We are now 6-months post-op and he is doing fine.
From my experience with Johnnie, I would say your primary vet is right when he/she does not recommend a surgical biopsy. We ended up doing a surgical biopsy and the result was a "false-negative", but fortunately the vet was not convinced and we ended up doing a CT scan that confirmed it was osteosarcoma. The needle aspiration with the CT scan is the best way to confirm a diagnosis.
Good luck with your girl and keep us updated on Mabey's progress.
Hugs,
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 Shelly and sweet Mabey,
Welcome to Tripawds.....sorry you are starting with this scary journey, but you have definitely found the best place to be. While I can't give much in the way of advice from experience with this "ugly c" in osteosarcoma, I can absolutely be here for your support through this as well as so many others that are here for you. My precious Lab angel Polly dealt with another awful cancer, hemangiosarcoma, much like Alison's Shelby, so my cancer journey with her was a bit different. But we all share the same "cancer" journey for sure, and adjustment to the loss of a leg in our beloved pups and kitties.
Continue to keep us updated on your girl, and sending positive thoughts and prayers your way for both of you on Wednesday......let us know how she is when you get a chance.
{{{Hugs}}}
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Hi Shelly. You and Mabey are in the same boat I am in with my 11 year old golden Blaze. Blaze was dx'd with osteo based upon X-ray last march. A bone biopsy in April was negative for osteo. The limp was mild last January thru March. Pain meds and monthly pamidronate infusions kept him going on four legs with no limp until October. Then it returned. Also in October there was a tech error during the pamidronate treatment. The catheter fell out of the vein and the medicine infused under his skin causing his entire leg to swell. He could barely walk with two injured legs on the right side. The swelling is gone after two months but there is still pain in that ankle and problems walking. The front leg in in terrible pain despite tons of pain meds. Tomorrow I will call his onc to ask about other pain control options and begin he conversation on surgery.
These options are heartbreaking.
mary
Mary, I could not agree more. It is heart breaking! We are in the club that no one wants to join. But, I am ever so grateful to have found all of you. Together we somehow get through this. I saw Eddy's surgeon last Friday when I was picking him up from his chemo session. He asked how Eddy was doing. I told him he was doing GREAT after the amputation, and if that was all we had to contend with, this would all be a piece of cake! Unfortunately, the cancer aspect of this is what really stinks!
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
Shelly and Mabey, as you can see there's a pawesome community of people and animals here who will be here to lean on during your journey. I'm sorry to hear about the diagnosis. We were also sideswiped by our osteosarcoma diagnosis, and had never had any health issues before. It turns your world upside down but take things one step at a time and you'll be fine. Just watch Maybe for inspawration, you'll be so motivated to make the most of life despite the challenges thrown your way.
As for whether or not to do a biopsy; well, the question to ask your vet is, will the leg have to come off anyways? If the answer is yes, then the preferred way of dealing with this for most folks is to wait to biopsy the leg until after it's removed. You will spare Mabey the additional, painful surgery and your wallet will thank you as well. Most of us here with an OSA diagnosis had a biopsy on the amputated leg.
Keep us posted this week and let us know how we can help. We'll be waiting for updates.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am so glad I found this group. I am sorry that you all have had to go through a similar experience but know your support and all the kind words have been so comforting. Thank you all so much!
Blaze's story sounds SO MUCH like Johnnie's. Limping started October 2013, he was on-and-off medications for a couple of months, and even when the X-ray showed a lesion compatible with OSA the bone biopsy that we did was negative. It wasn't until May that we had the confirmation of the diagnosis, after the CT Scan + needle aspiration. Surgery was on May 20th. Six month have gone by, chemo is finished, and we are now just enjoying one day after the other.
This community is filling up with Golden Retriever families: Eddy, Mabey, Blaze, and my boy Johnnie. Aren't they just wonderful? ( by the way - I love Mabey's coat color - already had a girl with that darker coat, a wonderful, wonderful companion named Saskia. The darker colors are harder and harder to see these days ).
Good luck to Blaze!
Daniela
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- Mabey's surgery was today. We are so blessed to have wonderful vets who have been with her since she was a baby and a great surgeon. Our vets have been with us every step of the way with guidance, support, and the best care possible. We went to visit her as soon as we could and I was very scared at how she would be doing. She looked so great and we could instantly see we made the right decision. She should be coming home tomorrow. I know at first it will be difficult but I'm sure we will soon have her running and playing with her little sister Winnie. Thanks again to this group for all your support. I'm sure I will have lots of questions once we get our girl home.
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