Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all I have a nine year old black lab. You would never know he is nine cuz he has the spirit of a puppy. His name is Congo. Today we were told he has bone cancer. My heart broke. They offered me the possibility of an amputation. If it has not metastized to his lungs. I can\'t seem to think clearly. How did you all make your decisions to go through with amputation?
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Please consider registering to take full advantage of these forums, and your posts will not require moderation (after your first). Every dog is different, and only you and your vet can determine if Congo is a good candidate for amputation.
The vast majority of dogs bounce back quickly and cope much better than their people do. Bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of links to helpful advice or consider downloading Three Legs And A Spare for immediate answers to the most common questions.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I registered last night. I was so overwhelmed and heart broken that I didn't really know what I was doing.
I am looking not so much for advice as I know tht only I can make the decision. I'm looking for other people's experiences with this how long can a do survive after amputation, what kinds o considerations did you make when deciding. My husband feels that an almost 10 year old dog is not a candidate for amputation, while I feel differently and so does my vet. I'm just so confused and overwhelmed
I'm sorry to hear of your dog's diagnosis. We just went through this ourselves recently. It's a tough pill to swallow, for sure.
We held onto the possibility of Norah's limp being caused by something else other than cancer for a little while. We got a second opinion and additional xrays to convince ourselves that we were making the right decision. Tomorrow will be Norah's two week ampuversary, and she is doing well. She adjusted to losing her leg much faster than we did and now that we are weaning her off of her pain meds, her feisty spirit has returned.
Do what you think is good for your pup. I'm glad we made the choice that we did, but I understand it might not be for everyone. The good news is, you found Tripawds! This is a great community with a lot of experience with canine cancer and even more sympathy. I really suggest the e-book, as it answers pretty much any questions you might have!
Norah is an 8 year old Alaskan Husky. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right hind leg on 3/26/12. She had her amputation on 4/1/13. Chemotherapy (Carboplatin) started on 4/16/13 and she has completed three rounds.
For us, it was an was an easy decision...It would take away the pain. It was a relatively inexpensive option, and would allow Sam a few more enjoyable months of life. Our only minor concern was his hips/back legs, which have a decent amount of arthritis, as well as some invasive lipomas.
We didn't have any issues with cosmetic concerns, and weren't concerned about the transition from 4 legs to 3 in general.
Everyone's story is different, though--and I think a lot of the advice on here is great in navigating the transition.
ETA: Our dog was an elderly dog, who had an autoimmune disorder, as well as dysplasia/arthritis. So, if any dog should have hurdles recovering, he would have. But, on the whole, we are doing great. Just to show you that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks, here is a video of Sampson and his sister Sadie on his five-week post-amp anniversary: http://www.face.....5699310524
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Mmrocker that is amazing how quick your pup is out and playing!!
Congo is a beautiful lab and he is my partner in crime. We have spent ten wonderful years together. Up until last week we were walking every morning to the park. Then suddenly he couldn't walk on his leg. So yesterday I took him in and they have me te news. Did the age of our dog play a role in your decision? I mean I'm a little lost. I don't want him to be in pain and I miss walking with my guy. It seems odd to have to consider putting my energetic full o life active dog down. When I think of putting a dog down I envision a sick one not my dog who is running around like crazy. I want to do the amputation and will be back to my vet tomorrow
mmrocker13, thanks for sharing that video. It is nice to see that a dog with hip displaysia and arthritis can get around after a front leg amputation. That is what we are dealing with for Athena's situation, but I decided that if it helps to give her a longer and happier life (free from the painful limping) then I will do the amputation! I am starting glucosamine/condroitin & fish oil supplements as well, to help her joints.
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
Hi Congo and Family, welcome to the club nopawdy wants to join. We're so sorry you're in this situation, it is very stressful and scary, lots of folks here, including my people, can relate to what you're going through.
If you check out the Tripawds member blogs and read through members' posts here, you'll see how well dogs can get around on three legs, even dogs as old as 11, 12 and even 13! A lot of people are going to tell you it's a selfish thing to proceed with amputation, but unless they've actually been in this situation, don't listen to 'em. This is between you, your husband and Congo; only you guys know him like you do. The thing to remember is that when it comes to a dog's life, it's not about quantity but quality. Humans are stuck on this "time" thing. When a doc says that dog will get maybe one year after an amp and chemo, humans go "that's not a long time!" but to a dog, it might as well be 10 years. You see, we live in the NOW, and all we want at this very moment, all Congo wants, is to feel better.
Ask yourself; does he still have a will to live? Is he spunky? Was he a healthy, happy, upbeat dog before all this? Can he handle recovery? It's not as bad as humans make it out to be; dogs will amaze you with their resiliency once you go through this together. If your husband isn't convinced he can be happy on three legs, have him come here for a visit, show him the videos, have him talk to us. We wont' try to convince him it's the right thing to do, but just show him our own stories of how we adapted.
Good luck to you. Thanks for joining and keep in touch, we want to hear how things are coming along. We'll support you no matter what you decide.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Forgot to mention that if your husband wants to see how older dogs do, check out our Size and Age Matters forum for some examples.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
tkk81 said
Mmrocker that is amazing how quick your pup is out and playing!!Congo is a beautiful lab and he is my partner in crime. We have spent ten wonderful years together. Up until last week we were walking every morning to the park. Then suddenly he couldn't walk on his leg. So yesterday I took him in and they have me te news. Did the age of our dog play a role in your decision? I mean I'm a little lost. I don't want him to be in pain and I miss walking with my guy. It seems odd to have to consider putting my energetic full o life active dog down. When I think of putting a dog down I envision a sick one not my dog who is running around like crazy. I want to do the amputation and will be back to my vet tomorrow
tkk81: Sam is just shy of 13, so he is definitely older. And while he was slowing down a bit in recent months, he certainly had no interest in dying 
Because he has always been a pretty slow moving-dog (we call him the philodendron with fur), and b/c he already had sort of a goofy gait with his arthritis, we didn't notice--or think much of--what turned out to be the osteo. He's always had knobby wrists, too... so (and here is where I kick myself) he probably had a very painful lesion for at least 6 weeks beforehand.
By the time he had the xrays done, the lysis was so mad, even the vet was surprised it hadn't shattered (we have several flights of stairs in our house, and the winter terrain outside has been awful). It was a choice between letting a tragedy happen (likely when we wouldn't be home) at some time in the future, putting him down right then, or taking the leg--and running the risk that it might be too much with his other issues.
But while his SA (sebaceous adenitis--the condition that makes him look a bit like a chupacabra :p) makes him funny looking, and his hips make him bunny hop...neither one of them diminished his life. The only thing that was ruining his day was intense pain from the leg. We weren't ready to say goodbye when he was otherwise healthy.
With chemo, average survival time is 6-12 months. Average survival time, without chemo and amp alone, is 3-6 months. FOr a variety of reasons, we did not elect chemo. But we did do the amp. If he could be happy and enjoying life for another few months, that would be worth it. We may have a month or two more...we may have two years. Who knows...averages are just numbers, and dogs are pretty bad at math. The point, for us, was quality of life over quantity. We could give him quality of life.
If your dog is otherwise hale and hearty and loving life, he's probably a good candidate for the amp--9 is young, for sure. 
Sam has never been one to do things by the book--and overall (knock on wood), his recovery has been remarkably easy. He was doing all the stairs in the house pretty much right away (against our better judgenment...he broke down the barricades and refused to use them), doesn't midn the floors (all hardwood), etc. The biggest change has been his appetitie--we DO struggle to get food into him. He was never a big eater before, and now is even more picky. But other than that? He's the same Sam he was three months ago--if anything, he's happier and has more energy now than he did then, in fact, since his pain is gone.
It's not an easy thing to hear from your vet--no matter how prepared you are for it. Good luck with your decision, and keep us posted. Feel free to check out our threads and our blog if you want more details and photos of Sam's story. It might be helpful, or at least reassuring, for your husband to see that an old dog can get along just fine
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Hi guys. Our Zeus was 11 years old at the time he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. The idea of amputation is scary and for us we had a double-whammy because he had a very small lung met and a 'suspicious' spot on his liver - his prognosis was only six weeks. We struggled with whether it was fair to him to put him through such a major surgery with those odds. What it finally came down to for us is that he was happy and still full of life. He didn't look like he was ready to give up and we decided that if he wanted to live then we would give him the chance. He lived ten months after his diagnosis. We were very grateful for that extra time, and let me tell you it seemed like much longer than ten months. Something about this journey makes you appreciate every day, every minute more than normal. Zeus did great with his recovery and got around just fine on three legs.
This is a personal decision for each family depending on your finances, ability to assist your dog with recovery, etc. You and your husband will make the best decision for your family. Good luck.
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Hi, I am so sorry that you are in this situation, but you are certainly in the right spot. This is an amazing community-so knowledgeable and supportive. My Lily was 8 at the time of her diagnosis and amputation-she just turned 10 and is still going strong-slower, but full of life. It is an individual decision, but I just did not want her in pain, and wanted the cancer gone. Please know that we are all here for you.
Joan and Lily
Our beautiful Lily was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her front leg on 12/14/11 at age 8 and had amp on 12/16/11. She completed 5 rounds of carbo. She was so brave and kicked cancer's butt daily! She lived life fully for 4 years, 3 months, and 15 days after her amp. My angel is a warrior princess. I miss her so much.
Hi Congo and family - sorry you have to deal with this, but no that you are not alone.
Please do not let age be a concern. Shooter is 12-1/2 years old and has adapted just fine to his new normal. His favorite thing in the whole world is taking a walk.
The first days are always the hardest because it is so hard to wrap your mind around the news you have received. We are all here to support you in whatever decision you make for Congo.
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
tkk81 said
It seems odd to have to consider putting my energetic full o life active dog down. When I think of putting a dog down I envision a sick one not my dog who is running around like crazy. I want to do the amputation and will be back to my vet tomorrow
This is what made up our minds. Libby, our chocolate lab, will be 10 in about a week. When we got the diagnosis in January, we were in turmoil as well. Libby is really a puppy in a senior dogs skin. She just gave us no indication she was ready to give up so we did not give up on her.
Every dog recovers differently but Libby pretty much sailed right through. You've come to the right place for information and support no matter what you decide. Good luck and keep us posted.
Liberty (Libby) was diagnosed with OSA on 1-22-13. Right front amputation on 1-31-13. No IV Chemo. Metronomic Therapy started 2-19-13 along with supplements and some home cooking. Lungs clear until 1-06-14. She's still her happy, hoppy, bossy self. Living the dog life to the fullest and a proud Winter Warrior. :) RIP my Libby 4-21-03 to 3-19-14
I hear you! Jackson is an 8.5 year old pup. He's got plenty of energy! I knew b/c of that energy and love of life, that'd he do great as a Tripawd. He has. Amazingly well. Amputating was a non-issue for us - it would end the pain, cut the tumor out, and give him mobility back that he hadn't had for a period of time. Sure, those 2 weeks of recovery were slow going, but for us, it was pretty smooth. His youth and love of life certainly bounded back 1000x. To see him now acting and responding as he always has makes my heart glow. Sure, he doesn't play as long as he did before, but he still moves with the same passion and gusto as ever! (Much to my nerves....he's only got three limbs, so I'm afraid he'll twist something too quickly one day...but until then: FETCH ON!) Here are some videos of our handsome, 8.5 year old right-rear leg amp hoppin' up a storm:
One month, post-amp:
About 5 weeks, post-amp (he was doing stairs 4d post-op, albeit not this quickly):
About 5 weeks, post-amp:
Just a week past his 2-month ampuversary: https://plus.go.....IrtvMeq1AE
And lastly, b/c he was moving so quickly while playing fetch and tug 'o war, this shot is blurry (put the camera down, mom, and let's PLAAAAAAY!):
He's our boy! Nothing has changed!
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
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