Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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After noticing a limp in the front left leg progress over the course of two weeks we decided it was time to take our 5y10m St. Bernard, "Rori" to our vet.
At the end of the day the xrays results came back and like many before me on this forum the diagnosis did not seem good, it appears she as Osteosarcoma in the wrist area.
Our Vet showed me the xrays of the infected limb, and of her longs, abdominal, and other areas. The results show that at this time it doesn't appear that it has spread anywhere else but it's a fatal disease and I have a tough choice to make.
She weights around 145lbs and the vet said she is a good candidate for amputation, however there would always be the risk of her breaking her other leg. After taking our girl home I spent quite awhile reading on the internet about this cancer and my outlook on it needless to say became pretty bleak.
Then I found this site, while and it gave me some hope. Maybe our girl will be ok and a 3 legged large breed could get along just fine.
I called the vet up this morning and told him we are leaning towards this but we do not want to put her through chemo(which he didn't mention earlier). I asked if he would recommend this surgery over euthanasia.
He reaffirmed what he said the day before that it didn't appear to be in any other area of the body and by removing the leg hopefully it eliminates the cancer all together.
Course I've read all the statistics and know more then likely she has microlesions elsewhere and might only make it 4-5 more months. Our family major concern is if it would be selfish to put her through all of this for a short amount of time, or live with potential regret that we tried nothing.
What a tough decision for any person to have to make, but I'm glad I've found this forum where there is a group of people that have gone or are going through these tough times.
Welcome and best wishes for Rori!
Amputation will not "eliminate the cancer all together" when dealing with osteosarcoma. It will however, remove the tumor pain, which is aggressive and will only get worse resulting in a traumatic pathological fracture.
As far as "short amount of time" is concerned, it's all about quality of life now, not quantity.
As far as chemotherapy goes, that is always totally optional. Again, a quality of life decision. FYI: We chose not to do any IV chemo with Jerry, and he loved life on three legs for 2 years!
We won't lie to you, of all breeds we have seen here over the years, Saints do seem to have the most difficult time, but nearly all the members who have proceeded with amputation for their Saint Bernards have said they made the right decision and would do it again.
Dog's can't tell time. They only want to feel better now. We always suggest getting the second (or third) opinion from a board certified orthopedic surgeon and oncologist.
Our best advice is to Be More Dog , and that's not just some silly saying. Please keep us posted. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We know this is a tough decision and you are the only one who can make it because you know your beautiful girl the best. We did the amp on our 110# GSD Max. I will tell you we looked at our boy and he was just too full of life to not even try. Even in hindsight after getting just shy of 5 months post amp I still know we made the right decision. Had we just sent him to the bridge I know I would always question myself. I know in my heart we did all we could. And there is peace in that. Plus the bonus was we DID get that extra time with him to love on him and spoil him. We took his pain away even if it was a shorter while than most get. There are so many here that get much more extended time. Unfortunately none of us have that crystal ball so sometimes you just have to take that leap of faith. Whatever decision you make you will make out of love for your gentle giant. By doing that you can't go wrong. Hugs!
I'm sorry to hear about Rori's diagnosis. I wanted to steer you to a blog of another Saint Bernard who lived for over a year after the leg amputation: http://patchy.t.....wds.com/
Good luck in your decision making. Please know you'll get a lot of support here no matter what direction you follow.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Welcome to you and Rori.
My pug Maggie lost a rear leg to mast cell cancer, she was given 6 to 9 months with chemo after it appeared the cancer had spread. Maggie lived almost 4 years and did not pass from mast cell cancer.
The first Tripawd Maggie met was a 150 pound Anatolian Shepard named Cemil who lost a front leg to osteosarcoma, he and his mom used to live in my town. Cemil did not do chemo and is still hopping around more than 8 YEARS post amputation! Of course that is extraordinary- but we have seen many pups here beat the 'few months' prognosis.
Cancer is such a crap shoot- you can read all the stats and listen to prognosis' but those are all based on other dogs, not Rori. Some here throw every possible treatment and the cancer and get a few months, some do nothing but a good diet and maybe some supplements and get many months to years. Most with OSA probably fall somewhere in between. If you think Rori still has some living to do, then maybe you should consider amputation.
You might try writing down the pros and cons of surgery (or not doing surgery). I did this when Maggie was diagnosed with her second cancer. For lots of reasons I did not treat it and Maggie passed 3 months later. It's human nature to second guess when things go wrong or you reach the end of the journey. Recording my thought process for not treating the second cancer helped me when those 'maybe I should have...' thought would crop up.
No matter what you decide to do you have a new family here who will support you and help you and Rori.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thank you all for the words of support so far. The blog about patchy was very uplifting to read, it's good to see such a big dog can still have a full life.
Right now we are pretty certain we want to go through with the surgery and allow us and her to enjoy some pain free quality time together.
I'll keep posting progress as time goes on. Thank you all so much.
Jist catching up in your adorable, smoochavle Rori!
Basically I can only "ditto" everyone else as thi gs were so well said.
And yes, the amputation is about removing a painful leg and giving our dogs a QUALITY Zlife full of loving and spoiling and treats and tummy rubs and ice cream and steak! 🙂
A d there are, indeed, dogs here whom low statistics out of the water! @aren mentioned Cemil. Also a Great Dane named Nova beat it for years. A @arge Great Dane named Atlas proved Vets wrong when they said he wasn't even a good candidate for amp. Atlas's Mom fou d a Vet who disagreed. Clearly Atlas disagreed as he enjoyed life thoroughly for another TWO YEARS!! If I recall, it was something else that "took" him and not that piece of crap disease.
Keep things chunked down for now. Uou can decide on chemo later. Just focusing on the decision for amputation is emotionally draining, so know need to add more stress tonyiurselves right now as far as having to do more research and make more decisions!
Wpuld looooove to see more pics of Rori!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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,
You are certainly in a tough position, seriously. One that most of us here have been in. There is no wrong decision here. I will say that your thinking is much like mine was in March of last year when My Sweet Ted was diagnosed with this terrible Osteosarcoma nonsense (and I want to swear in my description but I won't....). I went into this knowing that there was an "expiration date" but, my sweet boy was so vibrant and joyful and I just couldn't fathom ending his life at that point. It was expensive to amputate; I took time off to care for him 24/7 for about 5 days; I protected that sweet guy night and day everywhere we went because he was now in a position where I felt that he was "compromised/handicapped/vulnerable"- and maybe I'm an overcompensating freak for that but I really felt like I needed to make sure that nothing happened to that remaining front leg! He recovered really, really well and we/he got and additional 3 1/2 months of joy before the lung mets took him over the rainbow bridge. I chose not to do chemo so I don't know if that would have prolonged his life - It was a personal decision that I made. It sounds like you have a grasp on this dastardly disease and what your limitations are. I just want to reiterate the fact that we all feel terrible for you, we understand what you are going through, there are no wrong decisions here, and we hope that you will continue to update us no matter what the decision/outcome it.
Hugs to you and your family.
wanda
My Otis only lived for almost 7 months after his amputation, but I never regretted it for an instant. It was a great 7 months. And although at 106 pounds he was smaller than your Rori, he did just fine on three, even with mild arthritis in his hips. Very short walks, but everything else was the same - stealing food off the counter, chasing cats and squirrels, going upstairs, sleeping on the sofa and my bed, and playing with his dog sister Tess.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hi, since it's been a few days I wanted to ask what the decision was? And if everything was ok so far?
And just to have you hear one voice of "pro chemo": we did 5 rounds of it after amputation (doxorubicin alternating with carboplatin), had no side effects whatsoever and are now 17 months post amp. I have no idea if the chemo contributed to our throwing statistics out the window, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. I know how personal a decision this is, and any decision you make is fine I just wanted to let you hear our storyfor comparison.
Let us know how you get on!!
all the best
Manni & tina
Guardian of Manni the Wonderdog. -Or was it the other way around?
Osteo and amputation in Dec 2015. Second, inoperable, primary osteosarcoma found in June 2017.
The end of our adventures came Dec 10, 2017. 2 years to the day.
We made the decision to have the surgery, Rori went in yesterday morning and the vet called by noon to say it went well.
Unfortunately I received a call in the middle of the night and the Doc told us our pretty girl passed away while sleeping. He told me that she was awake when they were closing, and whenever she tried to stand about she would fall down. So they had someone stay behind to make sure she would be ok.
His assumption is that the cancer was more spread than the xrays told us and that she just didn't have the strength to survive the surgery.
Now is a time for grieving but we know we tried everything we could to give her more time, and we have no regrets. She went in knowing she was spoiled and deeply loved.
Thank you everyone with your support. The support we received here initially was overwhelming, much needed, and appreciated. My heart goes out to any other here that has experienced or is experiencing this awful disease.
Thank you all so much.
With all my heart, all of us are so deeply sorry about Rori's passing. What an awful thing to happen, and I can't imagine the shock your pack must be feeling right now. This is not something any of us ever expect to happen. It's so rare, but when it does, the entire community feels the grief. You have our sincere condolences.
Yes, you absolutely did everything you could for her. She was cherished and loved right up to her last breath, and she did not suffer. Rori had the life all dogs dream of. There is no greater gift.
If you would like to share more of Rori's story in Coping with Loss when you're feeling stronger, we'd love to share in the joyful life you had together. Feel free to post photos, videos, whatever. It often helps us cope better when we can share our loved one's story and lean on others who understand.
We send many hugs and much love your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My heart breaks for you. I am so sorry for your tremendous and painful loss of Rori. What a shock.
We would love to learn more about Rori and her life and your life together. Sometimes sharing those memories helps with the pain so if you feel up to it, know we are here for you ... and we all send you love!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
So stunned, so stunned. Crying with you. Want to come back when I can get my thoughts togeter, but just wa t ton
Oint out what you said, as it WILL sustain during this heartbreaking time. And to add one more thing.....Rori was high on drugs, felt nothing, and probably thought she was home sleeping in her bed anyway. That's how good the pain meds are.
petersb84 said
Now is a time for grieving but we know we tried everything we could to give her more time, and we have no regrets. She went in knowing she was spoiled and deeply loved.
.
YOU TRIED EVERYTHW!!! To not have tried, and now knowing how bad thi gs really were, would have been an awful path to endure.
Like everyone here, we are all heartbroken and grieving with you. We do k kw Rori did thi gs her way and own her own terms. She is running free like a young pup with all her friends at the Bridge now.
I am just so very, very, very sorry
Surrounding you with Rori's eternal brace and happy smile
Sally and My Chunky Spiritual Being Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie
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!
Just seeing this now, and wanted to say that I am thinking of you and your family and sending you my love and heartfelt condolences. I am just so terribly sorry that you did not get more time with your sweet girl. You did everything you possibly could and her life was filled with joy and love. Please know that we are grieving with you.
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
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