Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone. My name is Nikki and I am new here. My buddy, Jack (12 y.o.), had his left front leg amputated on 12/1/11 due to a large osteosarcoma in his wrist/paw. His incision site looks good, and he is getting around better and better everyday. I read here yesterday that the first 2 weeks post op can be challenging with frequent ups and downs. Last night I saw some concerning behavior that I'm not sure about. Jack was panting for a while for no reason. He had not exerted himself. He had received his pain meds. But he was still panting off and on for an hour or two…lying down…standing up…really until he settled in for the night. I don't know whether this is to be expected during the recovery period or if it may be a new symptom of his cancer.
A little more back story on Jack, despite his age, we decided to go ahead w/ amputation as we (vet included) felt like Jack was in good enough health that he still had some good time left to live. We got x rays of hips/shoulders/wrists/lungs. Aside from the one tumor and some arthritis, everything looked clear…lungs looked clear.
I think I'll always look at him differently now. I will always be looking for some sign or symptom that he is struggling or getting sick from the osteosarcoma. I am worried that the heavy breathing I saw last night might be a first sign of lung mets. I am also aware that I am a worrier and may be getting ahead of myself.
Do lung mets show up readily on x ray? If it is in fact symptomatic of his cancer, would it continue to happen regularly? Should I try not to read too much into these ups and downs until he is fully recovered from his surgery?
He has been eating well since day 1 post op. Should I consider changing his food to the K-9 Immunity now or wait a while?
So many questions…thank you to anyone who can shed a little light for me.
Here's Jack…probably 2006
Here is Jack a few days ago
Welcome Nikki, your future posts will not require moderation. Jack is beautiful and you ask plenty of good questions, many of which have been answered in other topics. You can use the search button at top to find related forum topics and search the blogs here.
The panting and restlessness are both very common side effects of pain medication, especially Tramadol.
When it comes to food, a high-protein grain-free diet is best for dogs with cancer since the cancer feeds on carbs. K-9 Immunity is not a food, but a high quality immunity supplement. We recommend following your oncologist's advice regarding administration since we have received conflicting information. Watch our video interview with board certified oncologist Dr Rosenberg for her opinion about immunity supplements during chemotherapy. On the other hand, Dr. Demian Dressler suggests using it – or others like his Apocaps – concurrently with traditional treatment.
"Micromets" are usually present at the time of diagnosis, and once they do show on x-rays it is not the end by any means. Jerry lived another eight months after we discovered his mets. (He loved life on three legs for a total of two years.) Zeus' people just posted some great advice on this topic in their blog here.
The best advice is to take things one day at a time now, and follow Jack's lead by focusing on quality of life, not quantity. Best wishes for a complete speedy recovery. Please keep us posted.
Hope this helps!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Great suggestions above, and in my experience the panting thing may continue even after the pain meds are done. Ajax panted like that for a good 6 mos, - we're a 1 1/2 years later and no lung involvement. When I had this question it seemed that everybody had the same concerns re: panting, and that just about every dog did it. I never did find a satisfactory answer as to why, on line or from vet, but it seems everyone had the same experience and it didn't necessarily mean anything terrible. Hang in there!
Thank you both very much. I've read some of the info. suggested, and I feel a bit more at ease about the panting. Appreciate the input. 
I forgot to mention that Jack is GORGEOUS
Of course, I am partial to black dogs ...
HI Nikki and Jack,
Welcome to the site you never thought you would join!
Sounds like Jack is doing pretty well. I too am partial to black dogs- its just now they are on the smaller side 
.
You said:
I think I'll always look at him differently now. I will always be looking for some sign or symptom that he is struggling or getting sick from the osteosarcoma.
My tri-pug Maggie lost her left rear leg to mast cell cancer. Because of lymph node involvement her prognosis was 6 to 9 months WITH chemo. I was watching the calendar like those dates were set in stone. I finally realized that while I was anticipating her departure she was living her happy pug life without a care in the world, well, as long as her meals were on time. I was really fortunate to learn to enjoy our time together and stop watching the clock. Maggie beat the odds on her first cancer- it does happen! Yes, you are a little more alert for signs of illness- but take Jack's lead and try not to worry too much- we call it 'being more dog'. And yes- it is an acquired skill.
I would wait until Jack is fully recovered before changing his diet or adding supplements. That way over the next week or two if he is a little off you don't have to worry about the reason being a diet change. Also a consideration if you do chemo.
Maggie did not do well on tramadol, or other narcotics. Agitation and panting were common. On the other hand my boy Obie was on the same dose for a serious eye injury and had no side effects that I ever noticed. Dogs seem to respond differently.
I hope Jack's recovery continues smoothly.
Karen and the pugapalpooza
welcome to you guys!! we're kinda partial to black dogs too, jack is very handsome!! it's hard not to be 'spooked' by all of the new things you are going through, but remember...try not to be spooked and emotional around jack. he doesn't know what cancer is, he doesn't know about all the 'ifs and buts', he just knows that the pain is gone and he loves you more than anything. if you fret, he will fret..don't let that happen. love on that boy, and know that every precious moment with him is better than money in the bank. we've been on k9 immunity since spring of 2010, we started when we had a few chemo sessions left, but our vet did not see it as an issue for gayle. we had a soft tissue sarcoma, and did doxorubicin chemo for that... all pups are different in how they recover. oh, and gayle panted like crazy on tramadol, it really wacked her out terribly.
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Welcome to the family. Your Jack is errily close looking to what Gus was, so you've got a really good lookin' guy there( I always told Gus he was a good lookin' guy). Regarding your questions , I think if you were to poll people here, the majority would tell you everything goes under a microscope after you start this journey, even if they wag their tail a little different, but I think some would tell you as time goes on, you will take a FEW things in stride, but the concern of whats going on inside will most likely always be there, which might be a good thing sometimes, might help you catch something quicker than you might have before you started this crappy journey, but let me say this, try not to lose much sleep over little things, there is only so much you can do, and you have done all you can for now, so don't spend alot of time with what -ifs, watch him, enjoy him and take it a day at a time, and hopefully good fortune will be in your favor and you guys will rack up double digit ampuversarys, Paws Up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Welcome Nikki and Jack! Nothing new to add about the panting (fairly common) and watching your pup like a hawk (we all do it 
) just wanted so say what a handsome boy- he does look like Farmer Dan's Gus. Can't wait to hear more about Jack.
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
Welcome! Jack is one handsome pup. As others have said, the panting is very common. Please keep us posted on his progress!
Sending you lots of golden hugs,
Cathy
Welcome Nikki and Jack. The others have given you a bunch of good info and I concur so I don't need to repeat what the others have said and sound like a parrot so I will just say this...when you do the diet change, it is helpful to add a probiotic during the transition.
And yes you will be looking for every little thing now that she has a cancer diagnosis. It is normal and that takes time to lessen. Wiith Cadence now, every time she hacks, I wonder if she has mets. She just had a clear lung X-ray on November 11th she was not due to have until December and that was due to hacking. I just found a tiny little lump on her and took her to the vet. Thankfully it turned out to be nothing. You will start to relax eventually, although it will always be in the back of your mind, but in the mean time try not to let it run your life where you are so busy looking for "abnormal" things that you forget to enjoy each and every day with your friend.
Cadence's Mom
Cadence Faye: Born 10/30/04, stepped into our hearts 12/23/2004. Rear leg tumor found 7/24/11 by mom and dad, Xray on 7/25/11, Osteosarcoma suspected 7/26/11, amputation 7/29/11, Carboplatin started 8/23. Met free so far!
Welcome to Tripawds Nikki and Jack!!! The panting thing is very common. My Dog Valentina did alot of panting for the first few weeks. After she went off of the meds the panting ceased. So hopefully the same will happen for you. Jack is a handsome boy!! 
Thanks for all the warm welcomes and kind words. I've been working on "being more dog" today. Some moments are easy...some not so much.
Jack is recovering nicely though. He's doing less hopping and more coordinated movement. He's almost got the hang of lifting his leg to pee again! Ha! 
I'm really looking forward to his vet appointment Monday, I've got so many questions, think I've found a new lump on the ribs, and am eager to get the stitches out.
I've never been a part of any recovery group, but the serenity prayer just keeps coming to mind.
So grateful to share this journey with you all. Thank you for being here.
Hi Nikki and Jack – just wanted to add in to say welcome to the site nobody wants to join but everybody is glad they did. You won't find a more supportive group of folks out there.
Be sure to come here whenever you have questions or just need to get some good thoughts coming Jack's way. The Power of Team Tripawd Pawsitive Thinking is a serious weapon in the cancer-butt-kicking arsenal.
Hang in there. Even with this scary diagnosis and the surgery there can (and will!) still be lots of good times ahead with your beautiful boy!
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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