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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi everyone. I am new here and wanted some advice. My 10 year old great dane/lab mix was just diagnosed with bone cancer two weeks ago. We went to a holistic vet and a oncologist to see what the options are. I have also been doing some googling, which is how I came to this website. I am not sure what to do. We have to let the oncologist know by Dec. 1st. I was originally going to do just amputation and feed her home cooked food plus holistic treatments for this cancer but after talking to the oncologist, she said that just doing amputation without any chemo or other 'traditional' treatments, she would only survive 4 months or so. With amputation plus chemo she could last 1.5-2 years or more. I want to do what is best for her. I think she will do good with amputation and the doc agreed even though she is 10. Doing both will cost around $8k. I don't really have the money so I will have to pull it out of my 401K. I want to do every thing possible for her. I love Mattie so much this is killing me. If doing both would be best for her than just doing amputation and if holistic stuff would work than I would do that but now I am not sure. There are so many stories out there.
What has other people done?
Hi! Sorry to hear about Mattie's diagnosis. That's a kick to the gut. I don't have any experience with chemo/no chemo as my Daisy is a tripawd due to arthritis and not cancer. There are many members who have had success with chemo and without. It's really going to be what you think is best for Mattie and your family and it is ok to take the financial costs into account. There is no right answer.
Also, about those survival times -- they are just statistics so try not to dwell on them. Hopefully those with experience on dealing with OSA will chime in.
Marla and Daisy
(P.S. I had a Mattie, too. She was a little white Spitz that I lost to liver cancer.)
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
Welcome Mattie and family-
Sorry to hear about the diagnosis, but know we are here to help and support in whatever way possible. Although Shooter's amp was due to cancer it wasn't OSA. I di think that the chemo did allow us a little more time with Shooter, but not a lot. Like Marla said, there are examples ofdogs that survive with and without. Have they checked her for lung mets yet?
You will have quite a few jumping in here soon that have dealt with your same situation to give you a balanced view for help with your decision. Just remember that there is no right or wrong and whatever you decide will be out of love for Mattie.
Take care-
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
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.
So sorry to hear of Mattie's diagnosis. I know the worry and fear you are feeling right now, our Great Dane Atlas just had his front left leg amputated due to osteosarcoma 7 months ago. Osteosarcoma is very aggressive and brutaly painful.
Amputation is not a cure, the primary reason to do that is to get rid of the pain from the tumor site. Hopefully leading to some more pain-free quality months or even years. With amputation, you are giving your dog a chance at life.
Statistically, when a dog starts to limp becuase of OS, the cancer has already spread, but we don't listen too much to those statistics cause so many dogs around here are breaking them everyday. lungs are the most common place where it would spread to. sometimes they show up on chest x-ray. Chemotherapy is what follows in hoping to kill the remnants. Personally, I chose to amputate and follow with 4 rounds of carboplatin chemo. Atlas did fine with the chemo, it's a much smaller dose than humans get and he handled it with only lethargy side effects. Most dogs around here handle it with minimal side effects. We are fortunate to have a teaching school hospital close, do you maybe? They are all inclusive with all specialist in one place and have better prices and offer care credit.
My suggestion on his diet would be not to make any sudden changes. There is tons of info available here. And you can always work in later with whatever treatment you decide. Many eastern holistic treatments work in conjunction with western treatments. (For us with atlas, once we got the western protocol out of the way, we are now focusing on nutrition and alternative treatments.)
http://nutritio.....om/support
Most dogs do very well recovering, but the first two weeks post-op is always a challenge. Once they get through that, things start getting better. It took Atlas a little longer until about 4 weeks before his old personality came back. The pain meds have a heavy effect on most dogs and seems the bigger ones are especially sensitive.
There are quite a number of large breed tripawd members in this forum. They will share their experience. You came to the right place, loads of nice people here with valuable experience. you're not alone, we're here for you. Keep us posted.
Patricia & Mighty Atlas
Hello, we're so glad you found us (even though this is the club nopawdy wants to join!). It's a tough situation to be in but kudos to you for keeping your cool and doing your research before deciding what's next.
As far as getting rid of the pain, amputation is the only thing that will immediately get rid of it. Newer options like stereotactic radiation therapy are showing some success in shrinking osteo tumors and controlling pain, but it's only available in a couple of places around the US, extremely expensive (in the $10k range) and many dogs will ultimately go through amputation anyways.
I will say that when it comes to survival times, the key word is "could." A Tripawd "could" survive longer with chemo, but we've seen just as many who sadly, did not. Statistically chemotherapy gives osteosarcoma patients a chance at a longer survival time but it's no guarantee that things will go that way. We've seen many dogs here live way past the four month mark, some as long as five years, without doing chemo. It happens.
When it comes down to it, longevity is a roll of the dice. You have to make the decision that you're most comfortable with, one that takes both of your mental, physical and financial well-being into consideration. It's different for everyone and there are no right or wrong choices, because everyone's situation is so different. Whatever you decide, we will support you and be here for you and Mattie.
One last thing; remember that in this journey, it's all about quality of life, not quantity. Mattie only wants her life to be happy and fun with you, she's not checking days off the calendar or paying attention to prognoses. All that matters to her is making the most of each and every day.
Thanks again for joining, keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Mattie! Your avatar picture makes me want to jump through the screen and give you a cuddle!! You are soooooo sweet looking!
You've already gotten terrific advice! EVERY dog is different and every experience with chemo ...or without...is different. We all copletey understand your frustration at not knowing what to do! It seems li,e a ightmare right now! You are in the process of develoing a plan and, once you ove forward with that, you will feel a lot more settled.
All I can offer...othere than B R E A T H E.....DEEP BREATHS...DEEP EXHALES...B R E A T H E,...is just to chunk it down. Make a decision n tne amputation first and focus n the recovery. I don't know why your onco. said you had to decide by the 1st. Most chemos don't start until around the two week mark..some later if recoveryis a little slower.
If the specialist agree your Mattie is a good candidate for surgey, then you probably are already leaning towards the amp. MOST dogs recover well. On rare occasions there are surgery complications. As you've seen while researching the site, recovery.....whic is rough...rakes avout ttwo weeks. My Happay Hannah took a good three weeks.
For us, Happy Hannah and I went ahead with four rounds of carboplatin which she handled beautifully! She and I just celebrated her nine month ampuversary and she's joyfuly moving forward...knocking on wood over here! I can tell you she's pain free and it is the most sacred, treasured , fun and loving time I could ever imag e! And remember, n a dog's life one year equals seven!
Tablet's getting ready to freeze up again...will check back later!
Don't forget the B R E A T H I N G thing! OH yeah, and eat lots of chocolate...and maybe a big ole' bowl of Ben and Jerry's ice cream.....as you B R E A T H E...
Surrounding you with hugs big enough for big dogs!!
Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Hello and welcome to you and Mattie to our little family here. I am so sorry to hear of the diagnosis - it sure is a hard thing to swallow. You've gotten some great advice already here.
As Jerry said, those odds are all "coulds", which kind of stinks, but it is the unfortunate truth. However, amputation will take the pain away, so that is one thing you can be certain of.
My little tripawd is Jill, she is a kitty cat and had her leg amputated 11 months ago, also for osteosarcoma. She then had 4 rounds of chemo. She is doing great today. However, there are some that dont do as well, and there are some that live for YEARS AND YEARS....we say around here it's kind of a crap shoot.
Chemo is a very personal decision that you have to make for your dog. It's hard to say, but I think if it would have been a huge financial burden I probably just would have amputated - but again thats a decision you need to make as a family. Jill and most other animals here do extremely well on chemo - but it's not a guarantee.
Come to the chat room
if you get a chance! Theres usually a bunch of us in there at night and we can answer any questions you have in real time 
All the best,
Erica & Tripawd Kitty Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Jst wanted to add a book suggestion that maybe helpful..You can clicknto the Amazon site from jere and order the Dog Cancer Survival Guide. It's written by a well known oncologist and by a well kown holistic vet expert. Many here do a comb ation of both.
Yo are not alone, okay! We all uderstand .
Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
WElcome to the group... it's too bad that you are here.. but thank goodness you are here! It is a great resource full of information, advice, helpful blogs and posts of possibly the same thing you are going through.. and a whole bunch of crazy fur loving people who know exactly what you are going through!!
I have never experienced a journey that has been so confusnig as the journey with a furkid with cancer… what to do.. when to do.. how should I do.. what if I don't do? There are so many options, so many different choices, so many answers.. both right and wrong… I can only say that my Franklin was 14 when he had his leg amputated. and for the first two months prior to amputation we were just under the focus of being a dawg.. just let him be a dawg and let nature take its course. The option of amputation crossed my mind and I said.. Nah.. no way… But.. I was uneducated.. ignorant and had not found Tripawds yet. and in those 3 weeks prior to amputation..I learned ALOT!! We did the amputation.. and we chose not to do chemo. He is 14 years old! I know that chemo affects them differently than us humans but I didn't want to chance what little time he had left if he was going to be sick or sleep alot from the chemo. Now.. I will never know how he would have reacted… but.. that's ok. I never focused on the "expiry date" with osteosarcoma… I took every day I could.. every snuggle.. every belly rub.. every chance curled up on the couch with him beside me… I had 5 1/2 months. I guess you could say they were right with their "average" life span after amputation with osteosarcoma.. but that was 5 1/2 months that I didn't know I would get.. but the end result is that we took away the pain.. even for a little while.. and the spark came back in his eye.. and lit up my heart…
I never listened to what other people said who were not in this group. Reaon being.. they just didn't get the emotionally roller coaster ridge that dealing with our sweet pups and kits with cancer, puts us on.
l know what I would do… but only you know your doggie.. and if he is still spunky, loving life and being a dawg… then.. I know what I would do… but I have been there.. and done that… good luck.. and keep up posted… Christine….. with Franklin in her heart♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Hi to everyone that responded to my post! Thank you so much for the support and kind words. It really means a lot to me.
Sorry it took so long to respond but it has been hard to deal with this. I am sure you all understand the heartbreak of hearing your furchild has cancer. We did decide to get her leg amputated last week. She had her first round of chemo (carboplatin) the day we picked her up. Her oncologist is on top of resent research in osteosarcoma and said it would be best to attack the cancer right away and she shouldn't have any complications from it. She is doing fine and walking around, albeit a little slow but still getting around. Blood is checked weekly to see when the next round is.
It is really hard to see her go through this. She seems a little depressed (prob the meds) but I feel bad and hope things will get better and she can get back to "normal" what ever that is. They did say she should heal pretty good in two weeks so we will see. All I can do now is take care of her and love her which she is getting a LOT of.
Thanks again for all your support. I will post an update later.
-Steph
Hey Steph thanks for the update, I'm so glad you came back.
Overall she sounds like she's having a typical recovery, as difficult as it is for you to experience. The depression is often a sign of medication side effects, or just getting used to life on three legs but it does get better. As more oncologists start doing chemotherapy immediately after amputation (in the recent past they would usually wait 10 days or so), it's a double whammy for a dog to deal with both the surgery and the chemo, but they do get through it and bounce back. Where is she getting treatment?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know this is so hard to watch Mattie during the recovery period. It IS major surgery and humans would be in the hospital for weeks!
Yeah, that's interesting that they did the chemo so quickly so, as Jerry said, she's getting a double whammy.
How is her appetite? Sounds like she's got the walking mastered pretty good.
Most people seem to have seen the recovery speed up around week two. For Hapoy Hannah it was well i to the third week that I was still second guessing "what have I done TO my sog"! Now, of course, I'm so pleased with what I've done FOR my dog! Once recovery did take place...and it will for Mattie...she already seems a little ahead of the curve...Happy Hannah's sparkle came back even bigger and brighter than before!
Stay connected to us, okay? We all understand this rough recovery and we all understand how great she will soon feel! Just keep on with the loving and spoiling...HA.....that goes without saying!!
Hang in there! And hugs tonyou and to Mattie!
Saly and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Hi jerry and benny55. Thanks for responding. Just have been able to sit down and find my post on my iPad which makes it easier to check. Between my mom and my wife's uncle both having pneumonia in the hospital and my taking care of my big girl., I am dead. Things don't seem to be getting better. She had her second chemo a few days ago and she is doing fine with that. Normal appetite. For the past two weeks she has been really restless and not settling down. She is constantly getting up and standing or just walking around even during the night which makes for a sleepless night for us. I am at my wits end. I am beginning to feel like I shouldn't have done this and that she is really not happy and worse off. At her app this last Tue. they took an X-ray of both rear legs and they are clear so far of any tumors which is really great. They (Animal Medical Center of Seattle) said she has a heart murmur and irregular heart beat which they have never noticed before in her. EKG is next week. They had no clue why she is not relaxing and just had me increase her meds. How am I supposed to feel good about what I did? I am trying my best to treat her with love and understanding but I can't handle it well and get mad which makes me feel even worse. It doesn't seem like anyone else has had this problem. Their dog is up and running around like they didn't even know they have three legs.
I am trying to have hope things will get better for her and she can have fun and enjoy life again but I just don't know. I am crying writing this now. I just want her to feel better and play again. I will update next week.
Thanks for being there.
Steph,
From reading your posts it sounds like Mattie really is doing ok. Eating, walking pooping and clean xrays, sounds good to me. Sounds like she may have a med adjustment problem. Really not every dog or cat jumps up running 3 or 4 weeks after surgery. Be patient, it takes time for all of it to work out. Be positive, smile at her and see the glass half full. Good luck.
Penny
Steph I'm so sorry. I can imagine how exhausted you are with all that you have been through, and your family too. I know I'd be a mess.
First, let me say that you're not the first person to think that all other Tripawds get up and around in days without any problems at all. It's easy to think that when you're going through a rough patch but I promise you, not all Tripawds recover perfectly, many do take longer and many have ups and downs. Please try not to compare your pup's recovery with others, that will only make you feel worse. Remember every dog is different just as every recovery is different. Your pup is special and that means she is making her own way.
It sounds like she has a good team working to help. What meds is she on? I agree that it sounds like if you can find the right balance of pain relief the panting should subside. I would ask for a referral to a pain management specialist if the clinic can't find that balance.
Hang in there. A couple of weeks isn't that long and things DO get better. The fact that she has her appetite and has no chemo side effects is GREAT, you should definitely feel good about that since a lot of people can't say the same when they go through chemo with their dog. This is a VERY good sign that things will be OK.
Also, I know it's hard not to be stressed but remember, dogs absorb people's energy. She may be picking up on all of the stress you have going on in your life. The more you can do to de-stress, whether it's just going for a nightly walk by yourself, exercising, punching a punching bag in the garage, screaming into your pillow when she's not around, whatever, the more you'll relax and she will too. Give her a massage, talk to her, tell her how much she means to you and how much you love her, she will listen.
I'm not sure if this helped. I'm so sorry I know this is tough.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
