Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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About 2 months ago, my 8 year old Lab, Sam had a seizure. He fell to the ground while running with my husband. We rushed him to the vet, had x rays and everything looked clear. The next day, Sam started limping. The following weekend I took him to a clinic that was open Sunday and had an x ray done. That vet thought she saw some areas of concern in his front right paw that looked suspicious of OSA, and I took the CD to our regular vet whose radiologist do OSA.
We are parents of 2 young kids, weighed our options against amputation and decided because of cost to control with pain meds. Because Sam had recently had a seizure, also has multiple mast-cell ( we think) tumors that had developed in the last 2 months, and is going blind from progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), I thought it best to not out him through surgery. That was about 6 weeks ago. I have now been experiencing the limp and pain Sam is in and I think I have changed my mind and will have his limb amputated. Hopefully this week. I hate to see him suffer. I don't know if we will be able to do chemo along with it...It will depend on the cost.
I don't know that I have a question, but what would you do?
We lost an 8 year old lab last year and I just had to put a cat (17years) to sleep last week because of heart failure. My heart can't take much more. <3
Katie, human momma to Sam, a 9 year old yellow lab who stole my heart. Diagnosed with OSA 4/17/14. Entered CycloSam study at University of Missouri which did not hinder tumor growth. Sam fractured his leg at tumor site on 7/2/14 and was exited from the study. Amputation surgery 7/8/14. Lost his battle 9/25/14. Forever in my ❤️
Also in the menagerie:
Fur-kids:
Maizie a 1 year old schnauzer
Luna, 15 year old siamese-mix kitty
Human-Kids:
DD- 6 years old and full of questions
DS 4 years and full of energy
Blogging about this here: http://samthela.....ipawds.com
Hey there and welcome. I'm over in the chat right now if you want to talk. I'll be back here in a sec to answer...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts won't require moderation. I'm so sorry to hear about all of the heartache you've been through lately, that's just a ruff time for sure.
You've probably heard this from others, but only you know Sam best, only you can decide what's right for him. How does his vet feel about his candidacy as a Tripawd? Have the mast cells been confirmed with a biopsy? Are the seizures ongoing or just out of the blue? Are they being controlled with medication. He's still such a relatively young dog, and although he has a lot of medical issues, if they are being monitored and controlled, they may not post a problem. We've had blind Tripawds here before and they get around fine as long as certain parameters are followed (i.e., no sudden changes in furniture location, etc)..
How do you feel about his ability to bounce back from surgery? Is he happy go lucky? Recovery is generally about 2 weeks but for dogs who have extra challenges or parents who are having a hard time coping, it could take a little longer. When it comes down to it, dogs follow their people's lead; if you are strong and optimistic, he will reflect that in his recovery.
One thing to remember is that when it comes to cancer, there are no guarantees either way. Some dogs will live longer than the statistics with or without chemo, others will not. It's a gamble and one of those things that you have to follow your heart and hope for the best. And always remember that it's not about quantity of life but quality. If Sam has the surgery and you get a few months of pain-free time with him, then that's a reason to celebrate. Because dogs don't count days on the calendar, they live in the moment and they want every one to be the best it can be, pain-free and with their people. It's the humans who generally have a harder time coping with the number of days in a prognosis, or how much time their dog did or didn't have after surgery. If you feel in your heart that you can cope with whatever the universe throws at you, because you were making the best decision out of love that you could, then that's a reason to proceed, but only you can decide.
Check out Jerry's Required Reading List , and hang in there, others will chime in soon. Whatever you decide, we are here to support you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So sorry to hear you are on the roller coaster ride we all know too well! It's scary but once you've done your research and comeup with a plan...whatever that plan may be...you will move forward with co fidence.
Jerry said everything perfectly and asked the questions you need to amswer for yourself.
Have tey ruled out the seizures being heart related? And, ueah, as Jerry said, check out the mass cell further.
The main thing the amputation is for is to elimi ate the horrible vone pain.
My decion to fianally amputate came down to this....and this was just purely perso al from kowing myself and my dog......
As an overweight young senior (8 1/2 at the time) BUll Mastiff, I didn't want to "put her through this"...and had huge fear avout how well she could walk beng so big.
Then, in a very short time the limping was getting worse and I had to up the pain meds often. I knew at that point it would be just a matter of weeks. Now, take this for what it's worth......I felt like she let me kow she was ot ready to exit this life and was looking forward topain free time with more loving and spoiling and treats. As Jerry said, it's not about days for them...IT'S ABOUT QUALITY!!! And heck, six months pain free iin dog years equals 3 1/2 YEARS!!
This is ajr sjrgery and it is not without risk!! While the vsst majority of dogs do well once the rough two week recovery period is over, some do not. And I say this just to give you some "balance". We just lost a dog on the site whose heart gave out during the surgery itself. Things can happen.
So, for me, one of my thought processes was what if it would have worked and I didn't try it? What if Ilet the fear of the risk hold me back? Could I live with that decision and not second guess myself? For me, the answer was no...I had to try.
Now, your Sam has additional hurdles...not so much the blind ess, but what's causing the seizures and the other cancer.
I don't envy you o e bit. I kow this feels like a nightmare. Just kow we are all here to support you. You are ot alone, okay? We understand like no others can!
My Happy Hannah shared an dditinal fourteen months with me of more loving and happi ess that I ever knew existed! We co sidered ourselves very fort ate and were two of the happiest beings on the planet every second of every day.
Sam still has a lot going for him! Having you as his partner and advocate...doesn't get any better than that!!
So very sorry about yor two recent losses. I k ow the sadess is still with you and it hurts!! I kow one thing...they sure k ew they were loved!
Holding you in my heart and sendingyouclarity......and chocolate!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Welcome.
Sam does have some challenges.
Before I chose amputation, considering Sam's other challenges, I would want to know if the OSA is in his lungs which would mean a chest X-ray, and a better idea on the mast cell. You don't need to do a biopsy for the mast cell, a needle aspirate is enough. Of course the vet will always follow up when the MCT is removed, but if you aren't going to remove the tumors I would not biopsy them. That is my opinion from the 8 years I have been dealing with MCTs in two pugs. However, mast cell can met to the liver and spleen so an ultrasound is usually done to check before surgery. My Tri-pug Maggie lost her leg to a MCT and had several additional cutaneous tumors. My quad pug Tani has been battling cutaneous MCTs for years. She has had some surgically removed, some punched out, and now we are treating with herbs.
Does the vet know or suspect what is causing the seizures? Has he had any more?
You are at a tough decision point, you need to decide before the pain is too much or the leg breaks. As Jerry said, you know Sam. Chemo is sort of a crap shoot, you don't know what you will get. But most animals tolerate it very well, so don't let fear of chemo make up your mind. If you can't afford it- well that is alright. Most of us don't have unlimited funds, and finances HAVE to be considered when making choices.
No matter what you decide to do, this community will rally around you and help any way we can.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks guys. I went ahead and made an appointment for surgery. I got the recommendation of a lady I know who does rescue for a vet about an hour and 1/2 away who will help...and it's significantly less expensive than our current vet (est. $550-ish instead of $1000 +). I would rather him die trying to fight this thing than live a few more weeks limping and in pain. I've lived with that decision and it was not a good feeling, retrospectively. Hoping it's not too late....
I assume mast cell only because he had one removed about 3 years ago, and he has 3 that feel very MCT-like.
He's had no more seizure activity. In hindsight who knows if it was really a seizure or not? He fell to the ground, Mike said for about 20 seconds and was stiff. My husband was the only human around.
We don't know about what's going on with the blindness. We thought PRA, then with the seizure the vet was thinking brain tumor, but CT is the only was the only way to dx for sure. It's $2500 for a CT around here.
We go Wednesday. Will update as soon as I know something.
Katie, human momma to Sam, a 9 year old yellow lab who stole my heart. Diagnosed with OSA 4/17/14. Entered CycloSam study at University of Missouri which did not hinder tumor growth. Sam fractured his leg at tumor site on 7/2/14 and was exited from the study. Amputation surgery 7/8/14. Lost his battle 9/25/14. Forever in my ❤️
Also in the menagerie:
Fur-kids:
Maizie a 1 year old schnauzer
Luna, 15 year old siamese-mix kitty
Human-Kids:
DD- 6 years old and full of questions
DS 4 years and full of energy
Blogging about this here: http://samthela.....ipawds.com
Don't be too hard on yourself, we all make decisions based on the best information we have at the time. Sam doesn't blame you, he just wants to feel good again. Good luck this week and please keep us posted, we're all sending our best healing wishes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I know how hard this is ... my girl, Shelby, broke her leg almost a year ago and we had the chance to either plate it OR amputate. Since we didn't find cancer, I chose to plate it. IN hindsight, maybe I should have taken the leg then and possibly then they would/could have found the cancer that eventually turned up in her spleen (which was also removed). Then in January, her leg had to come off and she became a tripawd. She never showed me any pain until January so I have to believe she wasn't in pain ... I'll never know.
Shelby lost her battle in April but I believe I made every decision for her that was the best and with her best interest in mind. So my point is, cut yourself some slack .... try not to play the "shoulda, woulda, coulda" game that our mind does. You are a great pet mom!!!
Loss is hard .. I am sorry you have dealt with so much in such a short time. Shelby way my soul mate - the pain is still indescribable ... I know how it hurts.
Sending positive energy
Alison & her Shelby fur-ever in her heart
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
It's OK to scream in here, right?
AH!
There. Done.
Now that I've decided to do this, the waiting is *so* hard. I have called Sam's usual vet Saturday, this morning and again this afternoon, trying to get an idea on time. I'd rather do it there, but have 2 vet schools within about an hour and 1/2 and they could see him as early as tomorrow at 9:30am. Surgery Wednesday and back Thursday. I don't want to wait. Give me some patience vibes, please. 
Katie, human momma to Sam, a 9 year old yellow lab who stole my heart. Diagnosed with OSA 4/17/14. Entered CycloSam study at University of Missouri which did not hinder tumor growth. Sam fractured his leg at tumor site on 7/2/14 and was exited from the study. Amputation surgery 7/8/14. Lost his battle 9/25/14. Forever in my ❤️
Also in the menagerie:
Fur-kids:
Maizie a 1 year old schnauzer
Luna, 15 year old siamese-mix kitty
Human-Kids:
DD- 6 years old and full of questions
DS 4 years and full of energy
Blogging about this here: http://samthela.....ipawds.com
Yeah, waiting is hard but you can use this time to prepare your home (and your mind) for his homecoming. Have you put down carpet runners, raised his food bowls and created a recovery area for him? These things can keep your mind off the waiting.
What vet schools are you near?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We are near K-State and the University of Missouri (each about 1.5 hrs away).
I've got the recovery area figured out. He's going to be in my son's room (mattress blanket covered on the floor, his favorite place to be at the moment. The "little dog" is going to visit my mom for a couple weeks. He's going to be going to the bathroom out "front". Our house is all one level. We already use a raised dish system (food bowls on a plastic storage box, LOL).
Carpet Runners? For hard surfaces?
Katie, human momma to Sam, a 9 year old yellow lab who stole my heart. Diagnosed with OSA 4/17/14. Entered CycloSam study at University of Missouri which did not hinder tumor growth. Sam fractured his leg at tumor site on 7/2/14 and was exited from the study. Amputation surgery 7/8/14. Lost his battle 9/25/14. Forever in my ❤️
Also in the menagerie:
Fur-kids:
Maizie a 1 year old schnauzer
Luna, 15 year old siamese-mix kitty
Human-Kids:
DD- 6 years old and full of questions
DS 4 years and full of energy
Blogging about this here: http://samthela.....ipawds.com
We are about 4 hours away from K-state. No oncologists near me but my vet regularly consulted with K-state. In fact since Sassy has passed she also consulted them with our new babies & when to spay. K-state great school. Also Colorado State is a good one they do consults over the phone too. Many people here have used that service.
Yes, carpet runners/rugs if you have a hard wood floor.
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
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."
Katie, human momma to Sam, a 9 year old yellow lab who stole my heart. Diagnosed with OSA 4/17/14. Entered CycloSam study at University of Missouri which did not hinder tumor growth. Sam fractured his leg at tumor site on 7/2/14 and was exited from the study. Amputation surgery 7/8/14. Lost his battle 9/25/14. Forever in my ❤️
Also in the menagerie:
Fur-kids:
Maizie a 1 year old schnauzer
Luna, 15 year old siamese-mix kitty
Human-Kids:
DD- 6 years old and full of questions
DS 4 years and full of energy
Blogging about this here: http://samthela.....ipawds.com
Ah, Both are such great schools. We've been to Mizzou and toured their facility before, great docs!
Yep, carpet runners add traction (click on the link for info) to help Tripawds avoid slipping and falling on slick surfaces in the home. They will go a long way toward giving your pup confidence when he is learning to get around on three.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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