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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Our 8-year-old golden retriever, Sammy, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his left hind leg yesterday. I took him to the vet because he began limping and it seemed like overnight a huge lump formed on the front of his knee, we're a little crazy about his legs because he's had issues with them in the past. When he was just 2-years-old (July 2007), he tore his right ACL and had TPLO surgery to repair it. The next year (Feb 2008), he tore the left one and had TPLO on it as well.
Our vet told us we have a few options -
1. Amputation, followed by chemotherapy
2. Amputation, without chemotherapy
3. Treat him with pain meds and anti-inflammatories
She's concerned though that he may not be an ideal candidate for amputation because he has had TPLO in both hind legs and the right knee is already arthritic. Right now he's getting around alright on it, but she was concerned. Has anyone else encountered this? Did you go ahead with the amputation even without the other hind leg being healthy?
We're overwhelmed, worried, and scared. She told us that even with the amputation, it may only buy him 6 months to a year. I'm not sure if we should put him through it with the recovery time if it's only a few months where he may still be in pain? To add insult to the injury, he's epileptic. Thankfully he is on meds that keep it mostly controlled, but he's had a few seizures in the last few months.
Any words of advice, or experience? Thanks so much.
Here's our sweet boy, just a few days after we rescued him.
Hi Sammy and Family, welcome to the club nobody wants to join. Your future posts won't require approval.
I'm sorry you got the diagnosis, it's a heartbreaker for sure. Many of us here have been though what you're going through now and know what a tough decision amputation is, especially for a dog with any kind of previous/existing condition like Sammy's. It sounds like your vet is very conscientious, which is great. But, many times a second opinion by a board-certified orthopedic doc can shed more light on whether or not he's a candidate for amputation. If your vet is not board-certified in orthopedics that would be my next move. Ask for a referral to a local specialty center, or even better if you're near any veterinary teaching hospitals that's an even better option for lots of folks. Teaching hospitals have excellent, top-notch care and can give you lots of insight that a smaller private practice cannot.
Lots of Tripawds here have had pre-existing conditions and made it through recovery just fine. I can't tell you how many dogs were told they weren't good candidates by their first vets...tons! Search for "TPLO' in the Forums and you'll find lots of inspawrational stories like Tripawd Max who had bi-lateral FHOs before his amp.
In the meantime, remember, take things one step at a time, you don't have to decide everything all at once, it's super overwhelming. Check Jerry's Required Reading List , which can answer a lot of your questions, and if you'dl ike, our ebook, Three Legs and a Spare , is also a great help.
Thanks again for joining, I'm sure you'll get lots of feedback from other Tripawd families.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My dog, Athena, had a TPLO on her right rear leg at 1 1/2 yrs old. She also has hip dysplasia and arthritis in the other legs, also arthritis in her spine. There was also an arthritic bony spur in her right front "wrist" that showed in xrays. My first vet did not recommend amputation for these reasons, but I got a second opinion. We agreed that since she was already limping and barely using the front left leg because of the pain, we would do the amp. She has shown no weakness in any of her legs, and it has been 3 months since surgery. Oh and Athena is about 7 yrs old now.
04/09/13- OSA Diagnosis ~ 04/23/13- Left Forelimb Amputation ~ Carboplatin Chemo (6 total)
July 2006-November 18, 2013
I will always love you, Athena.
Hello Sammy's mom, Jerry is right! If you are at all able to take Sammy to a univeresity vet school that would be great. You mention the options that were given to me:
I have a 6 year old mastiff who was diagnosed with hip dysplasia and arthritis in both hips in April. Like your Sammy, all of a sudden he started limping and holding his right front paw off the floor. Had the x-rays and bone biopsy he was diagnosed with osteocarcoma last tuesday the 16th. I am so furtunate that I live close to Madison WI and have access to the university of WI vet hospital. When initially diagnosed, I was adament: ABSOLUTEYLY NO AMPUTATION!. After hearing more I decided to amputate (which took place this am) basically for pain control. Here are some statistics the vet at the UW gave me. And first of all she directed me to this site which really helped me make my decision.
Like you I had the same basic options:
1. Amputation and chemo (strongly recommended). side effects in appox 20-25% of dogs. Median survival time is 10 to 14 months with 10-20 % of dogs surviving 24 months. This option takes away the tumor and pain is usually 100% controlled (after the surgical pain is gone). Usually there are microscopic cancer cells present that are not detectable and lung cancer most likely will occur.
2. No amputation- radiation is recommended: it can control pain but does not treat the tumor. Median survival time is 4 to 6 months.
3. Pain control only-survival 1-3 months.
I did not want to watch his pain increase and wait for his leg to fracture. One other thing the UW told me which may help you was that dogs tend to do better with rear leg amputation because they put more weight on their front legs.
Is he happy? Does he enjoy life? He's only 8. Someone also told me "Don't put your human emotions into it." Dogs live in the moment, they just deal with what it. Sammy won't wake up from surgery and think "I trusted you!!What did you do to me? Now what??". He will just learn to walk on 3 legs.
If you don't do the surgery, you've only got 1-3 months and you're going to watch him deteriorate and be in increasing pain. I hope this helps you! Keep us posted. I'm doing a daily blog on Oscar-Oscar's journey and you can follow our progress. I'm also going to download those 2 e-books, see what I need to do to get house ready. I'll keep you in my prayers.
Oscar's mom (Lora), Oscar and Gus
Hi!
Our beloved girl Daisy had TPLO on both knees (at 4 & 8) and front left leg amputation last March at almost 12. Our first oncologist wasn't sure she would do well as front leg amputee due to the 2 TPLOs and being a very chest-heavy dog. On the way out of her office we said to ourselves 'SHE IS WRONG' and got a second opinion. Our second oncologist believed in her like we did and within 4 weeks of amputation she was going down the stairs to her favourite spot on the couch in the basement. She lived 14.5 months after amputation and thrived for 13 of those months. Statistics are just numbers - you know your boy and how he did with the TPLOs so you are in the best position to judge how he will do with amputation. We also got Daisy a cart from Eddies Wheels so she could go for long 'walks' so there are options if he can't go long distances. Lastly Daisy also did great with chemo.
Sending good thoughts to you and Sammy!
Alicia
Alicia, thanks so much for sharing Daisy's story. Thank Dog for going with your gut instinct and getting a second opinion, 14.5 months is amazing and wonderful. May her spirit touch others for all-time! xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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