Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I live alone and I have had my Rottweilier Stein, since he was eight weeks old. In the first part of May , this year, 2010, I noticed he could not get up well. I brought him to my vet and they drew blood and he was Lyme positive and prescribed Doxycycline for him. He improved but I noticed his carpal joint on his right front leg was swollen. I brought him back into the vet and they did an X-Ray on that joint, and on the left one for comparrision, and, also did a chest X-Ray.
His chest X-Ray was fine. His left front leg was fine but the joint that was swollen on his right leg was diagnosed as neoplaisia. This was one May 21,2012. My vet has told me that the only option is amputation and I am so scared. Stein is a larger Rottweilier , his dad was, and weighs 157 pounds. I am just trying to start this to ask anyone for questions to me I do not know what to do but I know time is an issue. His hips are fine as he lays them straight out in the back when we ride in my SUV. He lays on the console where I have many blankets for him to lay on. Stein is 9 and 1/2 years old. He wants to do things, I know this in his eyes, but he knows he hurts. My vet has put him on Metacam 2- 3 tabs along with 20 mgs of Pepcid A/C And Tramadol 1/2 tablet along with Pepcid A/C 20 mg ONCE a day
His right carpal joint is swollen , and it shakes when he sits beside me in the truck.
I know my only option is to have it removed but, I guess I am here to ask for any help.
Thank you so much
Hi Buck, sorry that you are in this tough spot, but we're glad that you found us and will be here to help however we can.
It's not often that we hear of tumors being called neoplasia, so I had to look it up! So basically it's a tumor but do you know what kind yet? Has a biopsy been done? Once you know what kind of tumor you're dealing with, you can make decisions for treatment.
If it's any consolation, we've had lots of large dogs do fine on three legs. Rotts like Max and Nikki did great after amputation, and many other giant breeds have as well.
What does your vet think about Stein as being a candidate for amputation? What do you think Stein wants to do?
Yes, time is of the essence. The pain of having a tumor like osteosarcoma (if that's what it is) is unbearable, and by the time dogs show pain, it's gotten really, really bad. The best way to alleviate the pain is through amputation. What you decide to do after that is completely up to you but for now if Stein is a good candidate, and you want to help him have more quality time with you, removing that bum leg is the best way to do it. Keep in mind that with any surgery there are risks, but for the most part dogs do fine and recover within a couple of weeks.
For now, read our Required Reading List and check out our ebook, "Three Legs & a Spare" if you haven't already. I think they can help you decide what to do. Even if you decide not to amputate, we'll be here to make your journey easier.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello to you and Stein, I'm sorry you had to find us here. As Jerry said, we have had big dogs here do well after amp. I assume your vet thinks he is a good candidate for an amp, since he/she suggested it.
It would be best to know what kind of tumor you are dealing with. Maybe an appointment with an oncologist would be a good idea? If you do decde to amp, you'll need to help him get around at first until he adjusts to life on 3 legs. Most folks use a sling, simply made from a towel (I sewed handles onto a folded towel for our pup) or a reusable shopping bag with the sides cut out. Just wanted to mention that since you said you live alone, and since he is a big boy. He'll mostly need help getting up and down any steps in your house or going out to do his business, etc. You definitely might want to consider getting the 3 Legs & A Spare book as it will let you know what else to expect.
Good luck with your decision. Keep us posted!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Hi Buck,
I'm sorry you find yourself here (just because of what it means - your dog has something wrong, which is always hard for us pet parents to deal with) but you've come to a great place. I've only recently been reaching out here for help and the response has been so wonderful; I don't know if I could have made it through Jack's amputation without the support I found here.
If having this removed is the only option, then you know what to do! I lost seven months of play-time with my dog Jack because I didn't allow myself to seriously consider amputation as a first choice; I'll always regret that. Even now, as we go through recovery, I can see that Jack is a lot happier and makes me really wonder how much pain he has been dealing with prior to this.
I definitely recommend the Three Legs & A Spare book...it helped me so much and I am still constantly referring to it for help with one thing or another.
Good luck with your decision; everyone here knows it isn't an easy one to make, especially when cancer is involved. But listen to Jerry & Angel Abby's Mom...they have great advice.
Jack - adopted with a crooked leg at 4 months old, managed for six years, and now much-happier Tripawd as of 5/24/2012!
no great 'extra knowledge' to give you, but wanted to say 'welcome buck and stein'. knowing your dog is facing amputation is very scary, but you guys can and will get through it. it will a little more challenging for you, as stein is such a big boy (we were only dealing with 65 lbs), but where there is a will, there's a way. looking forward to hearing how stein does, oh...and we'd love some more pictures!!!
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
He is a big boy! My local friend Cemil is a 150 pound Anatolian Shepard, front amp. He has been hopping along for more than three years and is doing fine.
Sounds like you know what you need to do. You will be amazed how Stein reacts once that painful leg is gone. Rotties are one of those really stoic breeds, so if he is showing pain you know it must hurt like hell!
Try looking at it this way: what you are taking away from Stein is crippling pain that will only get worse, what you are giving him is pain free, quality time with you.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Magnum was a much smaller rottie, 40kg when she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her back leg. She adjusted to life on 3 legs really quickly and was so much happier. As Jerry says, time is of the essence because the pain is really hard on them. Magnum was probably 2 or 3 kg too heavy before amputation but that extra weight soon came off afterwards (plus the weight of that bum leg as well!)
Good luck!
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Welcome to our community Stein and Buck. I hate that you have to join us but we'll try to help if we can.
We totally understand how scary this decision is. It's not bad enough to have a cancer diagnosis but then the amputation is overwhelming to think about.
But just remember, it's about removing the pain. And he is probably already three legged now. We just can't express how brutal the pain is when it involves the bone. It is the worst pain known. And dogs don't tell us the severity of the pain because they are stoic. (can't look weak)
I send you courage wishes. And happy thoughts for Stein.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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