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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I am in a quandry, I have an 8 yr. old 92lb. Malamute/Lab/Pitt mix who has bone cancer in her left front leg. Her sister same litter was diagnoised a year ago and is an amputee on the right front (my girlfriend has her). My girl popped up with "the bump" 8 1/2 months ago x-rayed confirmed our suspiscion. In the last month she has gone from being asymptomatic to now she is limping and most of the time does not want to weight bear that leg. Some days it is very swollen size of a tennis ball but there are days like today when the swelling goes down a great deal. She acts like nothing really bothers her, still wants to run and play even though we don't allow it. About 2 months ago she tore her left rear cruicit and we did not opt for the surgery because of the cancer. She seems to be healing well is weight bearing but it does pop when she walks and I can tell that leg is weakened. I give her 150mg.Deramaxx and 75 mg. Tramadol 2 times daily.
This is my problem I said right from the beginning I would not put her through a lot of heroics because of me and I did not feel amputation would be the right decision for her because she is a pretty timid personality. Her name is Cheyanne but we all call her Shybee (she lives up to that nickname).
Friday she had a very rough day would not put her paw down at all so we made the decision to euthanise. After speaking to the vet we decided to give her this weekend and spoil her to pieces. Now with today being a better day I am second guessing the decision. We are scheduled to do this tomorrow after the doctor get's off work he is coming to the house.
I am just not sure at this point if I should reconsider amputation or not - I don't want to short change her and needless to say once it's done it's done. She is my life and my soul so this is the hardest decision I have ever had to make, the fact she is only 8yrs. is killing me. I also have another one of her sister's and her father and I know this is going to be hard on them once she's gone.
If anyone could give me any insight on this and tell me what you think I would really appreciate it.
Thnaks for joining, sorry to hear about Shybee but glad you found us. Your future posts will not require moderation.
What does personality have to do with eliminating pain? The problem with osteosarcoma is that the bone will break. Every dog is different, and only you and your vet can determine if Cheyenne is a good candidate for amputation, but removing the tumor (and the leg) is the only way to end the pain. Please see Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of links to the best recovery tips and advice. Hopefull others will reply soon with words of wisdom for you.
Best wishes with whatever decision you make.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Barb,
We are so sorry, it has got to be so tough coping with cancer twice like this. I agree with admin, all dogs are different and amputation is not right for every one, but I'm curious why you proceeded with amputation for her sister? Hope I'm not being too nosy.
It sounds like she is in a lot of pain, and while she may not be showing it 24/7, keep in mind that dogs, as if they were in the wild, will instinctively do what they need to do to hide pain so that they won't be seen as weak. While we have had members recover from amputation after ACL tears and other injuries like that, not every dog is a suitable candidate. What did your vet think about her candidacy from the beginning?
What it comes down to is, you need to go with your gut feeling. Nevermind statistics, if you believe that she does not have the tolerance to recover from amputation (bear in mind that the pain of osteosarcoma is far worse than recover, and that recovery is usually harder on the human than it is for the dog), then you need to follow your instincts. You have been through amputation surgery once before…only you know if she is capable of thriving after recovery.
I'm so sorry you found yourself here, but we're glad you did so that we can support you no matter what you decide. Please let us know how we can help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The pain of bone caner is horrendous, and those silly dogs are way too stubborn to show it most of the time. Our dog walked hundreds of miles on a cancerous leg due to a blown diagnosis. Some days he could walk five miles without a limp, other days, he wouldn't move and we thought he'd suffered a stroke.
All I can advise you is that you cannot let her suffer. Amputation removes the terrible pain of bone cancer IMMEDIATELY. While it does sound drastic, dogs really do well on three legs. She is only 8, and if you feel that she has more life in her (shy or bold), then perhaps you should consider amputation. Our dog lived 9 months post-amp, and I thank God every day for giving him 9 extra (pain free) months-- he thoroughly enjoyed those last months, and when the cancer came back, we could let him go knowing we did everything we could for him. I'd do it again in a heartbeat-- and there are so many stories on this site (Boo's story today) where the pup lives years beyond expectations.
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
I can appreciate the place you find yourself in. Dealing with these decisions for our loved ones is soul crippling.
Our Catie was six years old when she was diagnosed with bone cancer in December 2009. She had suffered with bouts of lameness throughout the fall of that year until diagnosis. I can't imagine the pain she was in, I really can't. Her right front leg had actually atrophied from her not wanting to bear weight on it. After much agonizing, we went ahead with amputation. She was young. She was otherwise healthy. She still had so much love and life in her. We knew at the outset that the amputation wouldn't cure her, but was the only wat to immediately eliminate the pain and give her more time with us. She lived and loved 16 months post surgery until we had to say goodbye on June 2 2011.
Sorry for being long winded but .... Catie, like Cheyenne, was very timid as well ( this often perplexed people because she was, after all, a golden retriever and people assume all goldens are outgoing and friendly). Catie, in fact, found a new confidence post surgery. I don't know why, but she did. And her shyness or suspicion of strangers certainly didn't mean she wasn't strong or adaptable. She was. In spades.
You have such a painful decision to make. There are some great reading materials on this site, I encourage you to check them out. Each decision is individual, there are so many many variables to consider. It's so so hard. Whatever you decide, through listening to your heart, is the right one. Wishing you the best.
Carmen, Spirit Catie, and Riley
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
What a tough decision! Even a shy dog can do well with amputation. My Baby is very shy - no dog park for her, ever! The things she did feel comfortable with - like cuddling on the couch with us, watching Toby play, going for walks - are still things she enjoys as a tripawd.
You know your furbaby and what he might tolerate. If you do decide to amputate - you might want the vet to take a lung xray to make sure it hasn't traveled. If you decide to say good-bye, may it be a peaceful, loving gift of the relief of pain.
Hugs and Wags,
Judy and Baby
Hello, I joined this site and blog yesterday. It has been invaluable for me. I lost my Chocolate Lab about 6 years ago to Osteosarcoma. He was 12 and also very arthritic. He was in a lot of pain. As hard as this decision was, it was the best for Hershey. I could feel him thanking me for allowing him to cross that rainbow bridge.
Now I'm facing this again with my Labradoodle Brillo. He has a soft tissue sarcoma that was discovered around Christmastime. It measured 15cm. Now it's 20cm and growing rapidly. Brillo is 5, very lean and in otherwise very good health. This Thursday he will have is right hind leg amputated. I am frightened for him. I owe it to Brillo to offer a chance at a longer life. He is a good candidate for the surgery.
So I know what you're going through. My thoughts and prayers are with you. You will make the right decision.Just follow your heart and listen.
Chris, Chris and Brillo
Hi Jerry:
Thanks for the input the other dog Cheyanne's sister that had the amputation is not mine, my best friend own's her. At the time MP had just turned 7yrs. and once they x-rayed her the only cancer they found was in the leg so they decided to go for the amputation. She is a very out-going girl where my girl is more timid and shy. I know what you mean about the showing of weakness to the pack but I guess I wasn't looking at it like that. You bring up more valid points to have to consider. My vet is basically not giving an opinion he say's he will do whatever I want.
I know no one can give me the answer I just thought maybe you guys on here would be able to weigh in and help me look at this objectively and not just with my heart - which right now is where I am at and I know it.
Hi Barb, sorry you had to find yourself in this position, but you've come to the right place. We've had lots of folks who were worried about how their dog would deal with the amp (bigger dogs, or older dogs, etc.) but in all the time I've been on this site, I really only remember one person saying they ultimately regretted the decision to amp. Most people are very happy with the decision - maybe not right away for some, but once their pup recovered from the surgery, they would see their happy pain-free pup return and realize quickly that it was the best decision.
having said all that, you know your pup best and if amp is not right for her, there are other things you can try like radiation or artemisinin .
As Judy mentioned, it is a good idea to get a lung xray and see if the cancer has spread. That might help you make your decision.
Feel free to ask lots of questions. You won't find a more supportive and helpful group on the 'net!
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!
Welcome to Tripawds, I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer, and such a dilemma.
What does the vet say about Cheyanne coping with the amp and a bad knee?
My pug Maggie had mast cell cancer, so we were not dealing with so much of a pain issue in making the decision, but we thought the amp would be curative. Anyway- my biggest fear was that Mag would not adjust to the change. She was not really shy, but she was not at all adaptable. She did not like the linoleum floor in the new house and wouldn't walk on it. When I bought a new SUV and made her ride in the back she was unhappy for a month. Anything out of her routine made her mad and uncomfortable. So I hesitated a bit with the idea of amputation. But it became clear that it was our only option, so I proceeded. And you know what- she did have a bit of trouble adapting. Many stories you read here have the pups bouncing back in two or three weeks, some bounce back right after surgery. Not Maggie, she was at least 4 weeks before she even started acting normally. But she did come around, and thrived as a Tri-pug for almost 4 years. She was 7.5 years old at the time of her amp.
I know how hard it is to make the decision not to aggressively treat the cancer. Mag developed a second cancer, an oral melanoma tumor. Because of several health issues I decided that I could not surgically treat the tumor. We had 3 months after that diagnosis before I had to let her go due to pain. That was almost two years ago. Once in awhile I start to wonder 'what if', maybe she would still be here. But I go though my thought process and I am sure I did the right thing to not treat. So my advice to you is that what ever you decide to do, be confident in your decision. Write down the pros and cons, and why you made your decisions. Later on, when you question what you did you will have something to refer to, and some peace of mind.
Karen and the pugapalooza
I know this decision must be tearing you up. I would completely be FOR the amputation however with the bad knee I am not sure. It all depends on how well healed that leg is and if your vet feels that she would be able to bear the extra weight of being a Tripawd on that leg. It is a huge adjustment for the Dog to realign it's balance and build up the muscles to be used in different ways. Having the rear leg problem does bother me a bit. I do not regret my decision to amputate my Dog's leg at all. She had some problems healing and that was really tough but after we got through that she had 7 months after the amputation. I am glad I made the decision that I did instead of putting her to sleep. The time we had was wonderful and I would do it again. For you it's a harder decision because of her injury to her other leg and the shyness you described could be a factor as well although I think she would do ok even being like that. Wish I could give you a straight answer but all I can say is to ask your vet if he thinks she would be able to bear weight on that rear leg. Sorry you have such a tough decision to make. My heart goes out to you. I know it's an awful thing to have to do. I hope you can figure it out. 
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