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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Ok i am very confused now...The doctor that will be performing the amputation surgery next week evaluated the xray of ty's leg and he believes that it might not be osteosarcoma. The leg does need to be amputated but the will do a bioopsy of the tumor to determine what it is. What else could it be??
I guess if it is not osteosarcoma we are better off.
derekdanelyn said
What else could it be??
Don't miss our video interview with Dr. Pam discussing possibilities:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you. The vet said he has never seen anything like ty's leg. Its not localized to one of the leg bones or the joints. His whole leg is disintegrated up until the shoulder bone.
Aww poor guy. It really could be any number of different cancers, or even non-cancer, like arthritis -- we've had a couple of dogs here who lost their leg to it, like Daisy. A biopsy is the best next step after the amp.
Good luck with the amp next week, please let us know how things are going.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Daisy lost her left front leg to severe arthritis. The vets originally thought it was osteosarcoma based on the lytic lesion on xray. Her leg was sent to the pathology lab after amputation. The report came back that the bone loss in her elbow and surrounding bone were actually caused by arthritis and not any type of cancer. Regardless, amputation was the best option as she was unable to use that leg anymore and the muscle had already started atrophying. The pathologist said it was the worst case of arthritis she had ever seen.
Prior to amputation the vet had also put her on antibiotics in case it was a bone infection but we had no improvement from that. Bone infections apparently can also cause xrays to look like cancerous tumors.
Best of luck with Ty's surgery!
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
Hi we had one vet discourage us from amputation. But a specialist recommended it, even though our Lab/pinter mix, Tucker, was 10 with minor arthritis in his 'good' front leg. That was 7 months ago. And he is doing well. Yes he is slow, yes he has not bounced back as easy as a younger dog, and yes he is on supplements and pain meds for any problems with the arthritis. But he is not in the horrendous pain the bone cancer was giving him. And he is still with us. I hope that helps.
UPDATE
Ty's blood work was good. And the chest xray taken showed that there are not mets in his lungs!! Everyone at the vet office is great and they let us be with ty the whole time he was being prepared for surgery.
So it is official...Ty's amputation is happening today!!!
That's awesome! Good luck to him. Keep us posted.
Dogs: Friends for life, faithful and true.
Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyways.- John Wayne
bikeintime.wordpress.com (will soon have Hank story)
Good thoughts to you as you wait, and to Ty for a speedy uneventful recovery.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
UPDATE I have been trying to write these words but I have not been able to. Right before the surgery the vet noticed that one of his back legs was stiff so he decided to take an xray and that leg has cancer as well =(
Amputation is no longer an option. we will be saying good bye to ty this weekend =(=(
Oh no! My heart is breaking for you. I am so sorry about this turn of events. You have fought so hard to Ty. You all will be in my thoughts.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit and Spirit Daisy
I cant even begin to tell you how sorry I am for you. My eyes filled up with tears as I read this. Spend the time that you have with Ty loving him and spoiling him rotten. You and Ty will be in my thoughts.
“Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil or jealousy or discontent. To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden, where doing nothing was not boring--it was peace.” ― Milan Kundera
I am so sorry to hear this. I was hoping Ty would have a great result. 
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Oh no! I'm so sad to read this. I can't imagine the heartbreak for all of you, I'm so sorry. As awful as this is, at least your vet was pro-active enough to take an x-ray, saving you both such pain after surgery. Geez though, this is hard, it's just not what anyone expects when they've come this far in the journey.
You have given Ty a wonderful life and done all you could for your amazing pup. I know this is just a sad situation, but hope you can find some comfort in all of the good times you shared during his life. Never forget that his spirit will always be strong within your heart.
{{{{{hugs}}}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My heart just broke for you when I read the update. I am so sorry this has taken such an unexpected turn. For sure spend the time you have left building happy memories. You will be in my thoughts as you begin the final days of the journey.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
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