Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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After Chipper, our 8 1/2 year old beagle/shepard mix stopped using his rear left leg, we brought him to an orthopedic specialist. We assumed an ACL tear - Chipper is my running/walking partner. The doctor just confirmed that he has a golf ball size tumor right in the middle of his pelvis. Upon more scans, they have already found 2 additional lesions in his pelvis, which shows that it has already mestasicized (they are assuming it is osteosarcoma). His lungs are clear. We are devastated and now face a very tough decision. Amputation plus complete hemipelvetomy (atleast half of his pelvis must be removed) - plus chemotherapy - or let it run its course, keep him as pain free and comfortable as possible, and put him to sleep when the pain gets unbearable. He seems happy and in good spirits right now - we went on a short walk this a.m. - he is doing great hopping on 3 legs. The doctor feels sure the cancer is aggressive, so we would be buying him time (possibly a year?) but I am so torn. I want a sign to come out of heaven and say "do this" or "do that". I wish Chipper could speak. Any advice? My heart is so heavy right now. We do have an appointment on Tuesday with an oncologist, which may clear some things up. But, we need to make a decision right away - because if we are going to go through with the surgery, it will have to be next week. Any words of wisdom would be so appreciated. Thank you....Chipper's Mom
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Hi Naturegirl. We are so sorry about Chipper. You know, I used to be my pawrent's running pawtner too, until I got OS. It was especially devastating news considering that I was so healthy and strong. We can empathize for sure, it such a scary situation to be in.
Chipper's vets sounds like they are doing a good job, and you're doing the smart thing by talking to an oncologist next week. Until you talk to them, you may want to consider the possiblity of amptuation, but not make any decisions until you hear the full diagnosis and prognosis. Gather all your information, then decide.
We have some members here who have gone through hemipelvectomys. A quick search in our forums for "hemipelvectomy" revealed 5 entries. Check em out.
And remember, Chipper can talk to you, just without words. Open your heart, sit quetly, and "ask" him what he wants. You know him better than anyone else. All dogs are different in regards to how they handle amptuation, recovery and any follow up chemotherapy that you choose to do. Most do great, a small percentage do not.
If he doesn't mind going to the vet, maybe going the whole route will be a good choice. Or if going to the vet is traumatic, maybe is isn't an option. Ask yourself; what is the least and the most you are willing to do to help him through this? What is your line that you will draw? And where would Chipper want you to draw the line with medical intervention?
It's so hard, we know. You'll get some great perspectives here, and for more support, be sure to give the good folks at the Colorado State University Argus Institute a call. It's a free service staffed by trained counselors to help pawrents coping with major medical decisions for their animals, and one of the only programs like it in the country. We love those people.
We thank you for joining us here, and are here to help in any way we can. Many hugs going out to you both.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This all started for us 3 1/2 months ago when Tasha was diagnosed with bone cancer, our first reaction to the word amputation was "NO" but after giving it much thought we new we had to give her a chance at life. Our story gets very confusing with the diagnose changing 6 times between valley fever and cancer. The last trip to the dr the x rays showed this time that there was no question it was cancer. Five days later Tasha was a tripawd dog. We are very new to this as this is only day 15 for us, she goes tomorrow morning to get her stiches out. She was on alot of pain meds as valley fever and cancer are both very painful and they were just keeping up with the pain. She is now off all her meds and once in awhile she seems uncomfortable I think alot of that are the stiches pulling. Now I see life in her eyes and a tail that wiggles at me and I feel like crying but it is because I see my wonderful dog there in front of me. It is a hard decision either way, and whatever way you go will be the right one for you. Sorry for rambling. Hope this helps even in a small way.
Tasha 8 years old, First cancer diagnosis 6/26/09, Last cancer diagnosis 9/26/09, Amputation 10/01/09, Loving our girl moment by moment.
Tasha lost her battle and became my Angel on May 4 2011. Forever in my heart….
It is possible that your dog might have a different type of cancer other than OSA since this is not a typical presentation so it is good that you are seeing an oncologist. I would be concerned with hemangiosarcoma, adenocarcinoma, or even multiple myeloma. I would hold off on surgery until your oncology consult. Chest xrays and an abdominal ultrasound would be good tests to pursue (your vet may have done these already).
Pam and Tazzie
First of all, let me say how sorry I am to hear about Chipper. It sure is scary when we get the horrible 'c' word diagnosis. I don't know anything about how hard it is to recover from an amputation and having half of your pelvis removed as well. Like others before me, I am glad you are meeting with an oncologist. After talking with him/her you will have a better idea of what kind of cancer and the prognosis. Let us know. I am praying for you and Chipper.
Debra & Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I'm truly sorry you are facing this diagnosis. I can remember the day Trouble was diagnosed like it was yesterday. My advise is to start your journey being well researched. Know everything you can possilby know about what you are facing, then make each and every decision based on what is best for Chipper. Hopefully you will have an awesome vet to get you through the medical piece and the wonderful folks here will get you through the emotional roller coaster. So many of us have been there before you and accept as part of the fate, we will be here to help someone else who needs us.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I am so sorry to hear you are going through this tough time! I totally understand your feelings. When my dog Toto was diagnosed with cancer I didn't think I would ever be able to figure out what the "right" decision was. Eventually, my husband and I decided to amputate. We are not going to be doing chemo because we found out he has hemangiosarcoma (a very aggressive form of cancer). At this point Toto is doing really well and we are at peace with the decisions that we have made so far. I hope and pray that you will come to a decision and be at peace.
Toto and fam
And Toto, Too – fighting the good fight against hemangiosarcoma http://tootswee.....pawds.com/ Amputation - 9/21/09 Earned his wings - 7/09/10
Hi Naturegirl,
I'm sorry that you are going through this with Chipper. All of us here did alot of research before we made our decision to amputate. It's not an easy decision... My heart goes out to you and Chipper...
Read all the posts on the Tripawds forum... read all our blogs... Listen to what the vets have to tell you... then listen to Chipper. Only you can decide what you think is best for him. I'm not sure about the hemipelvectomy, as my Jake just had to have his front leg amputated. Hopefully there are other Tripawds pawrents that have some experience with this.
I know how agonizing this decision is... we had to make it a little over a month ago with Jake. He is now 1 month post his amputation surgery... and seems to be doing well. We are happy with our decision. He is still here with us, is happy and enjoying his life.
Please keep us posted as to what's happening with Chipper... We all support each others decisions here... there is no right or wrong decision...
Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Chipper and Mom,
Like every voice here, we are very sorry to hear of Chipper's diagnosis. I can remember the day that we received Cherry's diagnosis and it truly felt like a steamroller had just rolled our family. We have two amazing local vets: the first is also a friend who made the diagnosis and the second who actually owns the practice. With their knowledge of how I felt about Cherry, they had a hard time understanding why I could not make an immediate decision for amputation and aggressive chemotherapy. That was about noon on Friday, and overnight I knew that I had only one choice for Cherry.
My point here is actually the same you have been reading, you know Chipper better than anyone and should approach this decission with the confidence that you WILL make the best decision for Chipper. By all means gather all the information possible and consult as quickly as you can. In the very short time from the Friday initial diagnosis and the Wednesday amputation, the pain killers were definately not as efffective at controlling Cherry's pain. The amputation removed all pain and the very aggressive chemotherapy gave us the only chance for Cherry to return the quality of life that had previously defined her. That Friday morning was over eleven months ago and Cherry is having a great time.
I understand that you have a much more serious diagnosis than Cherry's and in no way do I suggest a method of treatment. The only right course of treatment will be the one that you choose for Chipper. This community will provide you with support, suggestions, and prayers.
Paws Crossed and Nothing But Pawsitive Thoughts From California,
Bob & Cherry
Thank you all so much for your very kind words - they mean more than I can express. I feel our meeting with the oncologist will help us clarify things. Hopefully, they feel certain of the type of cancer (since the location was so deep in his pelvis - it would be complete ordeal just to get the biopsy, so we opted to only go through the surgery once). So, I think after all of the research and inspirational stories here, we are prepared to go forward with the surgery and chemo --- as long as we find out that he is a good candidate, that the hemipelvectomy won't severely limit his mobility, and that the multiple lesions already found don't significantly reduce his prognosis. (That seems to be a lot of "ifs"!) We would hold our heads high as Pawrents of a Tripawd doggy - and we would make sure that Chipper would do the same! I will let you all know what we find out Tuesday. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts...you all have inspired us greatly! Thank you Thank you Thank you!!
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