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 everyone my name is Cindy and on Monday morning my family received the worst news we have ever heard our 8 year old sharpei/lab Tank was diagnosed with bone cancer. My heart broke. We took him there because he was limping and had a very small bump only thinking he sprained it while playing and when they told us bone cancer I went numb. I didn't understand how and why. He was very healthy and visited the vet 2 weeks earlier and was told he's doing great. They told us all our options but it was 3 in the morning and we were in shock. The day we called our vet and he couldn't believe it. He said he would have thought the same thing a spraine. He told us to go right back to the hospital and get the full body X-ray to check Tanks lungs to see what we were dealing with. Thankfully the cancer did not spread anywhere. Tank only has it in his lower left ankle. The radiologist told us that you can hardly see it in the X-ray which is a good sign that it's newly formed. The next day we met with the oncologist and she told us it appears to be no older then a month. A positive sign. She ran a test to check his alkaline phosphate levels and said she will be able to tell us how aggressive the cancer was. We found out today his levels were normal and that the cancer was not yet aggressive. They told us with amputation and chemo he has a very good survival rate and can even beat this. The surgery is Saturday. I'm a wreck of emotions. I can go from being ok to balling my eyes out. I'm praying he will be a survivor. I feel deep down that he will beat this. He is a fighter and has a lot of life left to live. I'm really scared at what to expect after Saturday. Is he going to be able to walk around ok? Is he going to be the same Tank? Does anyone have suggestions or anything they can think I need to know. My family will do anything to save Tank. He's not just a dog, he's family. Thank you
Hi Cindy, thanks for joining us here, I'm so glad you did, because you won't be alone as you cope with Tank's tripawd journey. It's terrific that you caught it so early! Sounds like you have a great medical team on your side too, that's terrific.
The waiting will make you crazy if you keep thinking about all the what if's, so here is some reading to do while you wait. Tripawds Required Reading List and ebook, "Three Legs & a Spare" will give you some terrific tips about how to prepare, what to expect after surgery and how to make the most of life on three legs. And other folks here will chime in with some great tips too.
Hang in there. We've known many Tripawds who have beaten the odds for much longer than anyone could have guessed, some up to 3 years!
My best advice is to stay calm, and strong. Tank needs you to believe that he can do great, and if you believe it, so will he. Being a strong pack leader is the best medicine for any Tripawd during the amputation recovery. And we'll be here to help however we can.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I downloaded three legs and a spare and have read through it. I have been on every web site imaginable doing my research. I think once the surgery is over and I see he is ok I will feel better. Right now he is showing no signs of pain. He's acting like tank, he's eating, drinking and he isn't crying when he jumps on the couch or into bed. I thank God that we caught it early. When I look at Tank I can tell he has a lot of life left!
Welcome to you and Tank. Sorry you had to find us here, but you've come to the right place.
I know how devastating that dx is. We were the same. But try to not think to far in advance. Be like Tank. He doesn't know he has cancer. When that painful leg is gone, he'll just get on with being a happy dog.
There can still be lots of amazing times ahead for you and your dog. You'll see - once he's through the recovery (which can be rough for about 10-14 days) you'll see, he'll be his old self and you'll have an even deeper bond with him. He'll amaze and inspire you with how well he adapts to being a Tripawd.
Rest up before the surgery! The recovery can be tiring.
We're here for you if you have questions during the recovery. Let us know how he does with the surgery.
Jacke, 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!
Welcome to Tripawds.
I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer- but you have come to the right place for information and support. I think all of us here consider our pups part of the family.
The surgery is major and scary (for us two leggers anyway) and as Jackie said the recovery period can be rough. If Tank has some down time when he gets home don't get discouraged. Stay positive and Tank will get back to his old self. And maybe you will be one of the lucky ones that sails through recovery!! My little pug Maggie had mast cell cancer and lost a rear leg. She really was unhappy after surgery and I convinced myself I had done the wrong thing by choosing amputation. But she was just being an obstinate pug and she came around on her own time. She was one of the survivors too- she turned a prognosis of 6 to 9 months into almost 4 years- it does happen!
Good luck with the surgery on Saturday, keep us posted on Tank's progress.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi Cindy,
I am so glad you found our group and welcome to Tripawds. We all know the heart break feeling you had when you first heard that your pup has cancer. So we can offer advise and support as you and Tank go through this journey. Sounds like you've jumped right in and have been reading all you can which is the best thing you can do. I know I was a panic stricken mess too. All this info coming at you and your trying to absorb it all and make decisions and stay calm when inside you feel like a bomb is going to go off!! We have been there. Sounds like your oncologist has a great plan of attack so you need to trust and believe you are doing the right thing for Tank.
So Saturday is Tank's big day....we will all be thinking about you and wishing the best for you guys. Hopefully all will go as planned and the amputation will be clean and then the healing can begin. Rest up as your first week or so at home can be pretty tiring as you will be Tank's caregiver and he will need help as he will be dopey at first. We'll be praying for a smooth recovery and when ever you have any questions or concerns you can always come on here and ask and someone is usually pretty quick to help out.
Give Tank a snuggle and all our positive thoughts will be coming your way Saturday!
All Our Best,
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
Thanks everyone for the support. I'm glad I joined it does help talking with people who have been through this. I will update with how Tank is this weekend.
Cindy
What kind of questions did you ask the surgeon? We meet with him first. My family is wondering what should we ask. My sister is a nurse and already has a bunch of questions about medications. Thanks
Cindy
I would ask:
-Will they take the entire leg and shoulder (a few members were surprised when part of a stump was left);
-will he have a bandage on or will you be able to see the incision?
-will he have a drain?
-will he have staples or stitches?
-EXACTLY what to look for in terms of infection vs. normal seroma . It is terribly hard to know when or if drainage/redness/bruising is normal or concerning.
-how long will he be in the hospital? Is there 24 hour care?
I'm sure others will chime in, but those are the ones that jump to mind. Hope it helps!
Lisa
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/
This post should help:
Amputation Questions: How to Pick a Vet for Amputation Surgery
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi everyone Tank had his surgery Saturday morning. At 1:00 the surgeon called us and said the surgery went perfect! They looked at his muscles and lymph nods (sp) while they had him open and they looked strong no signs of cancer. They also looked at his shoulder and said they didn't see anything. 24 hours later Tank is home! We got the call at noon to come get him because he was up and walking last night after surgery. He was also going to the bathroom. Once we got him home he ate a whole meal and went outback to the bathroom. He hasn't pooped yet but they said that could take a few days bc of the meds. Right now he's resting as best as he can. We have him in the basement and all he wants to do is go upstairs. We were told no steps until stitches come out. He's walking pretty good. I think my whole family is surprised! Thank you everyone for all the well wishes and prayers. It's means a lot to me, my family and Tank 
Yipee!!!! Three paws up for a successful surgery, that's wonderful news!!!
Your vet is right, pain meds can really slow down the GI system and it might take a day or two to poo. Don't be surprised if he's not hungry, they'll also take away his appetite (usually). Just try to get him to drink water and as long as he's urinating he should be fine. If you have any concerns at all, call your vet. But it really does sound like he'll handle this very well. Glad to hear that you are too!
We're here to help if you need anything. Yay for your pack and Tank!!!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Small Fry
This happened to my dog Elvis over the holidays, and he had the same prognosis of Osteo-Sarcoma in the right leg, and no cancer present in the lymph nodes. Within a week or two, Elvis was going for short walks, and then running up hills. I called him my miracle dog with the way he recovered from the surgery. The advantage of the surgery is that it removes the pain from the cancer, which I would do again if this occurred with another dog. Our Veterinary Oncologist also told us that he had to have Chemotherapy treatment every 3 weeks, to make sure that the cancer does not spread on the molecular level. Unfortunatly Elvis ended up with mets in the lungs 7 months later and passed to doggy heaven.
He will always be my miracle dog, and will be missed for years to come. The worst thing for my wife and myself was when we had to give him self administered Chemo that 7 months later, This I am not sure if I would do this again, especially since the mets were in the lungs in which gave him much difficulty.
Going through this recently, I would remain positive since every being is different, and the results could be totally different in your case. I have heard that some last as long as two years, so don't let my story of Elvis stop you from doing what is best.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for sharing your story. If you want to hang around awhile you should consider registering as a member. Sometimes sharing stories of our Tripawd heros helps ease the pain of loss- we are always willing to listen!
I'm sorry Elvis has passed, but it sounds like you gave him a pain free 7 months, and that is what is important for our pups- quality.
And smallfry- yea for a successful surgery and Tank being home! Maggie didn't poop for about 6 days. Let us know when that happens- always cause for celebration, and we like to celebrate everything here.
Karen and the pugapalooza
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