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
we are new here! I'm Kristy, I'm the proud owner of Axle a beautiful 8 year old male brindle/black English Staffie who is full of life and love.
Axle was diagnosed 2 weeks ago with a malignant tumor on his front right ankle joint, which has rocked our family to the core.
After a consult with an oncologist last week it was agreed that axles best long term outlook would be amputation, as he had prior surgery with unsuccessful attempt in getting clean margins. I've spent many sleepless nights up considering axles options and decided a few days ago that Axle deserves a chance. Tonight on the eve of his surgery I'm feeling so emotional and questioning if I'm doing the right thing for him.as far as we know the tumor is only invaded his joint( possibly synovial sarcoma) but we won't know the extent or proper diagnosis and grading till they remove his leg,all his X-rays and ultrasounds for mets have come back negative.
Any words of wisdom right now would certainly help! Xx
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer and having to make this decision.
It is an emotional time, but you said it yourself:
... decided a few days ago that Axle deserves a chance.
Amputation does seem extreme when first presented as an option, but from your description it sounds like the best path forward.
You might want to look through the Required Reading List for information from this site on what to expect with amputation. The first couple of weeks after surgery can be hard, I was questioning my decision for amputation. But my stubborn little pug finally got the hang of things and hopped happily though life for almost 4 years.
You are taking away Axle's pain and giving him that chance to have more quality, pain free time with your family.
Let us know how he (and you!) are doing with the surgery.
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
I second what Karen says, you will be so glad to see your boy without pain and getting on with life. He has lots of love to give and now he will be able to do that. It truly is a gift. Yes, it's not easy at first but you can do it. Just remember that so much of our emotions are directly absorbed and reflected right back at us by our pets. Project pawsitivity, and Axle will too.
We'll be cheering you on so let us know how things go OK? And be sure to check out the Tripawds e-books and all our featured blogs for more tips about life on three legs.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
hi Kristy, I'm sorry you are here but also glad for you. You have made your decision so of course you are doing the right thing. There is a lot of information here waiting for you. I know you will hear from a lot of members soon. We are all here for you - be patient and know you did the right thing. Please keep us posted so we can help you!
Wanda
Hi Kristy!
Sorry to hear about Axle but glad you made the brave decision to go for amputation. I struggled with that decision even though my sweet girl had suffered a broken leg AND WAS WALKING AROUND THAT WAY while I decided. I look back now and think "how crazy was that!?"
Of course, I didn't know then what I know now so I can cut myself a break for not instantly knowing what to do. It sounds like you arrived to your decision much sooner, which is great for your baby! You'll be surprised at how quickly Axel returns to "normal" - and I do mean normal. My Izzy was her old self very quickly after amputation. In fact, I struggled with just how active she got so soon! I remember thinking "whoa, girl! Slow it down!"
I find myself saying the same thing a year later as she recovers from a ligament repair but the healing process for this is much slower. It's tough to believe than an amputation recovery went easier than a repair but I'm here to tell you, it did.
Anyway, keep us posted. This is a great community and source of support so stay connected!
Amy & Izzy
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Hi,
Milo's amputation was almost 10 weeks ago. Unfortunately for Milo (and us), after they did the full pathology on the amputated leg, they found out he has a very rare, very aggressive form of cancer. In the only previously documented case, the dog was dead one week after biopsy. So unfortunately, we are already looking at the end game. When we scheduled the amputation, we were looking at the "one year median survival rate with chemo" number. We're not getting that. Cancer sucks!
That said, I am 100% glad we did the amputation! Absolutely zero regrets! We took away the pain of bone cancer. He has hopped all over the place on three legs, bringing joy to strangers who are smitten with his bouncy ears and goofy grin and determination (all tripawds have this!) Even with lungs full of metastasis, Milo ran outside tonight barking at the ghosts as usual, making sure all the wild animals know this is HIS yard! And came in proudly wagging his tail. Milo with bone cancer couldn't run. Tonight's Milo is my Milo. Amputation was the right thing!
Good luck tomorrow. Lean on the this group over the next few weeks. These people are amazing. And know that the choices you have made are out of love, and is the same choice that has worked so we'll for most of us in this group.
Peace,
Jenifer & Milo
Hi Kristy and Axle! Sorry you find yourself here but, as you can see, you are not alone!! We understand the emotions inolved...and depth of love involved... ..like no others can.
You now have a plan and can move forward...and so can Axle!!
Recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks, but you'll be amazed how happy Axle will be without that painful leg!!
Update us after surgery is over. Usually dogs spend one night at the hospital. The pain meds are usually Tramadol, Rimadyl, an antibiotic and Gabapentin. Sometimes it takes a bit of tweaking to get the doses just right.
We'll be here for you, and with you every step of the way!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Thank you all for the kind words and support,Axles surgery went well,his in the vet till Thursday morning( 2 nights) I'm so anxious about picking him up. 😔
Heres to hoping a nice smooth recovery and good results from his amputation test result.
xx
YAAAAAAAAAY! SURGERY IS DONE!!
When you pick Axle up, don't even bother looking at his incision site...he sure isn't!! Just look into his happy face a d kiss him and hug him and tell him what a good boy he is!
Get some rest now! You may, or may not have a few nights where he is restless. Every dog is different.
Canw wait to hear about his homecoming!!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
BTW...When I finally did look at the incision while my Happy Hannah was sleeping, I was more shocked by the amount of fjr they shaved than the incision itself!
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!
Great news! I am glad he did so well. Use this time to sleep - the medication schedule is tough the first week or so - and to Tripawd proof your home. He will be back in no time!
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.
Agree with the others !!! Rest now!!! It will pay off! And so glad the surgery is over ... 🙂 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
Hi Kristy,
Great news that the surgery went well. I remember I felt nervous about collecting Meg, but the moment I actually saw her, my fears disappeared. As so often, fear of the thing was far worse than the thing itself.
Ditto the others, re getting some rest and before you know it you'll have your boy back home.
Hugs,
Meg and Clare (and Elsie Pie, the Staff) xxx
P.S. I am a BIG time Staff lover. I've always had Staffs and my other (four-legged) girl is a Staffie .
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
Hi Axel and family ❤️
So glad to hear surgery went well and he is surely back home by now 😊
The first couple of weeks might be challenging but he should be his old self when stitches come out and in the meantime we are all here for you.
Sending you a big hug and cuddles to your sweet boy 👍🏼🐾🐶
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 :-)
Thanks everyone for the lovely messages, Axle came home today and I'm not going to lie this is hard. I have 3 children one of them being 2,I feel
like I have 2 babies right now
Axle has refused to rest most of the day. One thing I am having issues with is diarrhea. His been to the toilet quiet a few times but I've had to clean his bottom mulitiole times today as the poop just keeps kinda leaking from his bottom( sorry TMI) anyone had any experience with this? They vet told me he may just have an irritated tummy from different foods while in there or from meds.
His eating and drinking just fine.
thanks again for all th support x
YAY FOR HOME!! YAY FOR EATING AND DRINKING!! Sorry about the poop though!!
My Happy Hannah didn't have this type of poop issue, but maybe others who did can chime in.
For now, definitely just boiled chicken and rice. Several tiny meals scattered throughout the day. Yes, the meds can cause GI upset...anywhere from constipation to the runs.
The vet should give you something to coat his tummy. While Axle needs food ro coat his rummy with the meds, he also needs to give his intestinal trac without food...crazy dilemma, huh?! If it keeps on, defr tell your vet you need some solutions!
Runny diarrhea can dehydrate dogs quickly, so watch for that.
My Happy Hannq was very, cery restless when she first came home. Although she handled walking on tnree legs just fine, she could not get comfortable. Also, while pain meds are absolutely necessary, they can make some dogs a little whacky too.
.ost dogs come home with Tramadol, Rimadyl, an antibiotic and sometimes Gabapentin. Sometimes you have to tweek the doses and frequency to get the pain properly managed.
Recovery IS hard! It's exhausting, it's scary, it's stressful....but it does get better!!!
Hang in tnere and stay connected! We'll help the best we can! You're doing great!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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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