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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Hi all,
I discovered this amazing site about 2 months ago when my beautiful Peda was diagnosed with osteosarcoma (distal radius of her front left leg). It was a very difficult time as I struggled with decisions and what was ultimately in her best interest. She is almost 10 years old and for a shar-pei / akita cross, that is quite remarkable I've been told. Apart from the slight lump on her leg there were no other signs (no limp, no lameness etc).
Anyway - I made the decision to have her undergo an amputation. While I won't go into the full experience here and now in this post, I will write some information up on another post down the track (or on the blog!). It wasn't like they said it would be ... but now 2 months down the track I don't regret it for a minute!
Peda has had two rounds of carboplatin and is heading for round 3 next week. The day after her last chemo I noticed her front right paw was swollen. Her leg was also a bit puffy. She was checked out throughly by the vets who did the chemo (that was the leg for the infusion) but she was given the all clear. The puffiness reduced over the next day and she was fine. Since that day (nearly two weeks ago) she seems to have a puffy paw every 2 or 3 mornings. She has also been licking at the paw at night (she has allergies poor thing).
This morning her paw wasn't swollen. But what I did notice is a lump on her toe on her right front foot (not actually a digit bone, but the next bone back towards her wrist). It doesn't seem to worry her (but nor did she seem to show any worry with the great big dirty tumour in her other leg!).
So I guess my questions to you all are:
1. anyone else had any experience with puffy feet?
2. anyone else seen OSA appear in small bones in feet?
I try so hard not to panic ... but as I am sure you all know too well, there is the awful feeling of not quite knowing if this is 'it' coming back. To be blunt, it would be really crap if this is it.
She has sailed through her chemo really well so far ... and she makes me so proud.
Thank you to you all for sharing your stories. It has been of great comfort to read many of your journeys with your beloved tripawds ...
Kirsty and Peda!
Welcome to Tripawds- your future posts will not require moderation.
I'm glad you decided to post and share Peda's story here.
I dealt with different cancers in my pugs not OSA- others will share their experiences here I'm sure.
You might also consider posting just your questions in the 'Ask A Vet' forum. Dr. Pam is a vet who went through the amputation and cancer journey with her Mastiff Tazzie.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi Kirsty, welcome to you and Peda - sorry you had to find us here.
I have seen pups here with puffy paws, but usually it's soon after the amp. I don't remember seeing one with puffiness this far after the surgery. Have you talked to the vet about the fact that it keeps coming and going?
And I also don't remember seeing anyone have the OSA come back in the feet - other limbs, yes. The spine, yes. But I don't remember it being in the toes/feet.
It sounds like another visit to the vet to check it out might be called for. I know it's hard not to worry about everything (believe me, I was there!) but it's best to know what's going on. Knowledge is a good thing - hopefully the vet can help you figure out what you are dealing with.
All the best and 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 Kirsty and Peda welcome! Looks like our Tripawds contingent Down Under keeps growing, maybe an official Aussie chapter is in order?!
I'm so sorry you're dealing with cancer, especially osteo, but I'm glad to hear Peda is being a champ about everything. Honestly I'm clueless about what to think when it comes to the symptoms you're describing, I wish I could be of more help. But if it's any consolation, Abby is right, we've never had a dog here have osteo come back in the paw or toe. Not saying that isn't possible, but when it comes down to it, all of the worrying that pawrents do when a new bump or lump appears is usually for nothing. Most times it's B9 and nothing to fret about, but definitely call your vet and go in for an exam. By her licking her foot, it does sound like something is bothering her. It could be as simple as a foxtail that got stuck. Have you looked at her paws and inbetween her toes very carefully? Sometimes foxtails can be very sneaky and hard to find.
Go in, and then let us know what happens. It stinks going to the vet's again but it will put your mind at ease.
Thanks again for joining, keep us posted OK? We look forward to hearing more about your Tripawd journey.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks everyone for your kind words and welcome.
I have an update!
I couldn't wait for next week's next chemo treatment visit for them to have a look at her paw. The vets looking after Peda were very lovely and squeezed her in this morning.
Everyone is still a bit puzzled about the puffy paw ... although thoughts are that it may be that she is laying on that leg a bit too much at night and lymph is getting blocked. Even though she spends most of her day asleep, she does get up and down and moves a bit more than she would at night. (Apparently something similar happens with horses overnight in stalls ... anyone with horses?!)
As for the lump, the thought is that it is her joint shifting and displacing slightly rather than a tumour on the bone. The lump is more part of the joint than the actual bone. Peda was very patient as there were lots of pokes and prods ... but after she jumped over my leg (I was sitting on the ground with her), the thought was she wasn't sore! They did ask if she was limping ... which now that I think about it isn't actually as silly a question as it seems - even though she is a tripawd! Nope - no limping.
While they did offer to x-ray, I decided that rather than have her sedated for the x-ray that we just keep an eye on it for now. The joint movement makes sense - and I did wonder if something like that might account for it. (She does spread her toes outwards when she is on slippy floor). It is so hard to work out what is normal when there is only one front paw!
So I've started her on a supplement for her joints to make sure they are getting well looked after!
Lots of liver treats were given prior to departure ... all part of making sure it is a positive experience! (She is well known and loved at the hospital so it can be quite a few liver treats that are gathered on the way out). 
Sounds like a good checkup!
And sounds like you have a good vet's office as well. It's great when they make a fuss over the dogs. Abby loved to go to her appointments because they treated her like such a rock star. (Which, of course, she was!)
Hope her troubles are all sorted out now!
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!
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