Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Is there anyone in the Maryland/northern VA area who does prosthetics ?
Hrafi had SRT, chemo and Zometa but has a fracture now and Skylos wants to do a total amp.
Despite the fracture, he is still bouncing around like a lunatic, often standing on his hind legs, using the leg to skritch his ear, and doing the "kick thing" when I scratch his shoulder, eating like food will be outlawed tomorrow and otherwise in great shape.
If there is any chance of a prosthetic for him, I need to know before his whole leg is taken.
I worry to death about the "primary tumor" being taken off and the microtumors that may be there "spreading like mad" as some say will happen.
Clear lungs still, after 9 months.
His oncologist keeps saying "the chemo worked", FWIW.
This is so far out beyond my normal dog health issues paradigm it's all a horrible mystery to me.
He is my PTSD service dog and this forced march into Osteosarcoma hell is destroying me.
TIA.
You are so smart to look into setting your dog up for a prosthesis before surgery! I believe most pet prosthetists can work with you remotely, but Bionic Pets is located in Virginia - https://bionicpets.org/
If your dog is not a candidate for a prosthesis, please know that he can live a good life on three legs. You've come to the right place for advice and support.
I'm so sorry to hear that Hrafi has a fracture. This is the hardest part of going the palliative care route because it almost always turns out this way and the pet parent is still facing this big decision. I'm sorry you are there now.
Yes, the chemo definitely worked because if he's still mets-free, that's awesome.
I worry to death about the "primary tumor" being taken off and the microtumors that may be there "spreading like mad" as some say will happen.
Worry doesn't solve anything, or change what is happening. There is considerable debate about whether or not amputation causes mets to spread, and few studies to back that up. But that is secondary to the pain that a fracture causes. I just asked an oncologist about the tumor spread odds after amputation, and his opinion was, what does it matter if the dog is in excruciating pain from osteosarcoma? Treating the pain is more important at this point in time, than worrying about something that may or may not happen.
We see many dogs go through amputation here, and many live much longer than statistics say they will, and others do not. The important thing was that amputation resolved their pain. See our Quality of Life results for reassurance that people are almost unanimously glad they chose it.
Now I know it doesn't seem like Hrafi isn't in pain, and I am not there so I can't see what you are seeing. But the fact is that animals are masters at hiding pain. They hide it much, much better than we do, and there is no way we would tolerate walking around with any kind of fracture without screaming and crying every single day. So anytime someone says their dog has a fracture, or a tumor, and they're getting around and happy, I have to ask their human to put themselves in their dog's paws: how would they cope walking with a broken leg? Not as well, not by a longshot. So you've got to decide quickly OK?
It sounds like the tumor is too far up to enable your surgeon to do a partial leg amputation, which better facilitates a prosthetic. Is this the case? A tumor has to be very low on the leg in order to do a partial, located around the carpus. If they want to do a total amp, it's to get as much of that tumor off the body as they can. Otherwise, it's pointless to even do an amputation.
Hope this makes sense. If you're unsure about your vet's advice, it can really help you feel better to get a second opinion from another oncologist. Let me know if you'd like some referrals to one near you OK?
Despite the vet wanting disarticulation, I would prefer femoral amputation partly for the ability to sit more comfortably and also the issue of "hiding" his naughty bits which are pretty obvious.
I know the muscles will atrophy due to disuse but they're pretty much shrunken already.
I don't think prosthetics are possible now but would a femoral amp be acceptable?
There's a lot less involved as far as veins, vessels and nerves, as well.
I have been researching the amp options like crazy and it's what I would prefer and I've seen lots of photos of dogs who had the femoral amp done.
This would be preferable to all his "junk" showing..and he has a lot of "junk" 😀
Did you happen to see this recent Tripawds News post?
For Hind Limb Amputee Dogs & Cats, is a Full or Partial Leg Amputation Best?
The surgeon mentioned the extra risk for total amp.
Nerves, vessels, etc.
Seromas, etc.
Scared me sick.
The femoral amp seems so much simpler.
I read the issues with that choice and wondered if there's a chance he would not necessarily get all the bad side effects.
I do not want to do anything I cannot undo.
At this point, we're over $40K into this nightmare and I want that money to count, as much as humanly possible.
I want to give him his best chance.
And, I am, above all things, terrified of doing the "wrong thing" for him.
Yeah, honestly we've seen the difference in both kinds of residual limbs. Some people say that they wish their dog had a mid-femoral amp because they looked uncomfortable sitting on bone. Our Wyatt Ray did have issues from his mid-femoral amputation, but it wasn't a big deal. And I do think it was more of a long-term thing for him, a lifetime (12) years banging it around had consequences.
Either way, it's up to you in the end. You have final say, you are paying the bill. If that's what you want, let your vet know and if they don't do amputations that way, find another who will. There are no right or wrong choices, because everything you are doing for Hrafi is done with love and his best interests. We will support your choice either way!
I've had two rear amp small dogs. Maggie had a mid-femoral amp due to cancer, Elly had her entire leg removed after being hit by a car.
Based on my experiences I would prefer a mid-femoral amp assuming only a very small part of the femur is left. I believe Maggie had better balance when hopping and was more comfortable sitting than Elly has been. Maggie's stump was very short and never bothered her in her almost 4 years post amp. Elly lost her leg when she was 7 months old, she just passed 7 years on three. For the first few years I had her she would not sit on hard surfaces, she will now but she is very careful how she sits down and won't sit for long. More importantly to me though is that her gait seems much more 'wonky' than Maggie's ever was. Elly's back end sort of gyrates when she hops along, I don't remember Maggie ever doing that and in my un-scientific opinion the extra weight of bone and muscle on the amp side helped her have a more balanced gait.
I did not have a say in either case- the surgeon preferred mid-femoral amps when Maggie had her surgery (I had no opinion at that time) and Elly's surgery was done before I adopted her although in her case I think the femur was shattered and had to be removed anyway.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
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 sharing your stories and knowledge.
I feel like it would be better for him but I am SO far out of my depth for knowing anything about this horror show, it's tragic.
I see lots of rear amps running and they seem to be twisting the remaining leg under themselves, as if trying to make it function as a center of balance and I worry about his spine.
His insurance doesn't cover chiropractic or physical therapy so I have to worry about that.
They have already paid out nearly $40K for his treatments and I am struggling to pay the remaining 10% plus the other stuff like consults, that they do not cover at all.
I am so far beyond overwhelmed and broken, I don't even have a word for it.
He is all I have and no matter what I do, I know I'm losing the fight.
🙁
You are within your depth of knowledge just by being here. Really!
Yes, Tripawds move their remaining limb to the middle of the body for balance. That is normal. And yes over time spinal impact happens. But don't worry about that right now. Just get through this part, the rest will fall into place.
Tripawds Foundation can help with your first rehab visit , and you can even get virtual consults at home too if you want. It's not a requirement. All that matters is helping Hrafi out of his pain and into a better quality of life.
You are winning the fight just by being here and talking about it. We are here for you! Call the Tripawds Helpline if you'd like, we understand and will listen to your concerns OK?
Hrafi is one strong dog to deal with the fracture the way he has. And the fact that he went this long without a fracture is quite amazing.
We all understanding the uncertain times and fear about finding a path forward, especially if you are so conflicted o. A particular procedure, etc.
You have links and Vet opinions that probavly muddle to water further for you. Each amputation has pluses and minuses. Some of the newer Ortho Surgeons tend to go with full amp. Some of the olfer way of thinking was to go with the mid amp. Karen gave you reasons she prefers the mid amp. You'be already read the concerns that may, or may not, happen that route
I know one Vet mentioned seromas as a concern with a full amp. They may, or may not happen. However, if it does happen it's just a matter of the body absorbing the extra fluid formed when the leg no longer there. It's really no big deal at all.
I have two adopted front leggers and they do tend to sit with the remaining leg more centered. My Happy Hannah was a rear legger and yes, her rear leg did tend to go more to the center for a fluid gait.
It boils down to what resonates with you. It's so hard not to over think such a major decision and worry about every what if thst may, or may not ever happened. It also boils down to which Surgeon you jave the most faith in and trusting the roite they suggest. My Happy Hannah's amputation was 2014 (or 2013) and I was never given an options, nor even new of an option. Thst particular clinic and Surgeon did full.
This IS overwhelming and it does break your heart to jave to deal with all this. As Jerry said, you ARE winning the fight by doing your research, being as k formed as one can possibly do and by ALWAYS being comm7 to what's best for your beloved. Hrafi. Yoj are winning g the fight by remov that bum leg and letting. Hrafi get back all his sparkle without any pain!!
Whatever path you take, even of it's not amputation, we are all here to support you and provide any inormation that can help.
Stay connected and take care of YOU while caring for. Hrafi
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!
Seromas were mentioned many times.
Scared the carp out of me.
He is a bull moose and so strong he can fly me like a kite, even with the fractured leg.
Still insanely happy and full of vinegar.
I hardly know what to say to all of you, for the kindness shown to us, so I just go to my default reaction now and cry.
Bless each and every one of you.
Shari
I forgot to mention something that put even more incredible fear into me.
Someone recently amped their dog and she developed a massive seroma that even spread to the "good leg" and she was put down not long after the amp.
This. Terrifies. Me.
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