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 dog Chester is an 11 year old Golden Retriever. He has a soft tissue sarcoma (STS) malignant tumor on his left rear paw. The recommendation from 3 vets is amputation. Our hesitancy is because he isn't in any pain, and he can walk and run and is very active and happy. He was diagnosed in mid-August and we first scheduled the surgery for 9/4 so we could take him to Cape Cod for one last 4-legged romp on the beach. But his tumor got infected and he went to the vet instead and they put him on antibiotics. The inflammation went down and we rescheduled the surgery for 9/11. When it came down to it we just didn't feel right about it and cancelled again. His surgery is scheduled for tomorrow but after reading people's experiences we are most likely going to cancel again. Has anyone had a similar experience wit STS and decided not to amputate?if so how long did you pet live, or how long has it been, and what has their quality of life been like? Thanks in advance for any and all advice! Wendy & Tom
Wendy and Tom, welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not require moderation so post away.
Sorry to hear about Chester, it's a tough spot to be in for sure. While amputation isn't right for every dog, most will do well after surgery. What specifically has you worried about his ability to cope? Is it is age, size, personality? The prognosis?
One thing to keep in mind is that dogs are so good at hiding their pain, it's an instinct that humans just don't have. Most members report that they never knew how much pain their dog was in until after surgery. We saw it ourselves in our Jerry, it wasn't until later when we did side-by-side photo comparisons of before and after surgery that we noticed how bad he looked. Dogs don't want us to know they're hurting, they are so stoic.
Whatever you decide we will be here to support you throughout this journey so don't hesitate to ask questions and post when you want to talk. Thanks again for joining.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to Tripawds.
My little pug Maggie had a mast cell tumor in her knee. She didn't limp, I don't think she was in pain. Maggie was quite a drama queen and ALWAYS let me know when something was bothering her. I know that tumors like Maggie's in the soft tissue tend not to be as painful as bone cancer, depending on where they are. I couldn't believe that 3 vets told me that amputation was the best solution!
Here is why I opted for the surgery: 1. The tumor was growing and would eventually rupture the skin. Once that happens there is a wound that will not heal (in mast cell cancer, not sure about others) and it becomes very painful and prone to all kinds of infections. 2. Removing the tumor without amputation was not possible, not removing the tumor would mean metastasis.
Maggie lived almost 4 years after her surgery, way longer than the 6 to 9 month prognosis. Not all are so lucky of course, but I gave Maggie a chance and it worked out for us.
Amputation is not right for every pup- you have to do what you think is best for Chester. I would ask the vet what the chances for metastasis are if you don't amputate and when will the tumor on the foot become a problem. If it got infected once it will most likely happen again. How fast is it growing would also factor into a decision for me.
We are here to help any way we can with whatever decision you make.
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
I forgot to say that if you are having major doubts about the surgery I wouldn't do it now. If you have a little time still to decide then you should do more research and decide what you are comfortable with.
The recovery phase can be full of ups and downs- if you have doubts now then a bad day or two will make you miserable. You need to be confident you are doing the right thing for Chester because he is going to need you to be strong pack leaders and show him everything will be fine.
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
Thank you Jerry & Karen for sharing your experiences with me. We did cancel the surgery this morning. I made an appointment with a local vet, Dr Bernie, who practices both Eastern &Western medicine for animals. We will ask her some of the questions you posed and look into other options as well. Thanks again, Wendy, Tom & Chester
Anytime, keep us posted and do tell us more about Dr. Bernie's recommendations. We're here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Please keep us posted with what you decide.
Not all our members chose amputation but were honorary Tripawds. Cancer is a tough journey no matter how many legs you have- you are always welcome here.
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
Hello Tom, Wendy, and of course, Chester,
I can certainly empathize with your struggles trying to figure out if amputation is the best decision for Chester being diagnosed with STS.
I can share a little of Tahoe's story which maybe will help you. Tahoe was our 9 yo Golden Retriever having had a severe sprain and limp of his right front leg. After countless vet visits, differing opinions, we finally got the biopsey reuslts we all dread…histiocyctic sarcoma. We were told the best chance for quality and quantity was for an amp. I was devastated and could not even think about such a thing. Being the right brain thinker, I spent almost 2-3 weeks reseraching, talking to people to try and figure this out. Finally, I decided that the amp was Tahoe's best possible option for hopefully some very special time together. Before the amp, i totally changed his diet to a 'cancer diet' - all home cooked, aded all the various supplements which may tripawd parents use, plus we started working with Dr Loops, a homeopathic vet who works predominatly with canine cancer patients. We also did 5 round of CCNU (Lomustine) chemotherapy.
At about Tahoe's 13th month ampuversary, I noticed a large, fast growing bump on his rear hind quarter which was unlike all the other lumps which had been popping up. This one was different, hence the trip to the vet to aspirate and biopsey. Once again, the dreaded "C" word, this time it was STS. We rallied again, Dr Loops changed the remedies to fight the STS, but the mass kept growing.
I am not going to ever say the %(%#@$ "C" won, and it didn't, but Tahoe got so tired and decided it was time to depart us at his 17th month ampuversary.
If you ask me now knowing what I know…would I have done the amputation, plus all the other treatments…hands down YES…We had an amazing 17 months, which for the most part, was a period which Tahoe and I established a bond and committment I never thought possible with an animal. We had so many good times, and yes, we did have our share of down days.
I guess what I m trying to day, is that there is no right or wrong answer, just one that is best for Chester, you and your family. I hope that mnay of the members here have shown tht the amputation does not have to be all bad, and that Chester could have some great years left. My previous Golden to Tahoe left us at 16 yo, which was unbelievable.
If you would like to chat offline or over the phone, please PM me and I would be more than happy to chat. This is not an easy road we travel in caring for our best buddies, but the journey is something I feel so blessed to have been chosen to be right beside my best friend, Tahoe.
All the best in whatever decision you make.
Stirling and Guardian Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
Hi Stirlimg,
thank you for sharing Tahoe's story with us. He sounds like an amazing dog and you a devoted owner. We visited a vet today, Dr Bernie, who does both Eastern and Westernn medicine. She is going change is food to a raw meat & veggies diet and is adding some Chinese herbs. He is going back on antibiotics too. Our next visit is in two weeks so we' ll see how it goes.
pin the mean time we are back to our morning walks with Chester, after stopping them since the initial diagnosis about6 weeks ago. He walks just fine and is very happy about being back to "walkies".
Thanks again for sharing your story with us.
Wendy, Tom & Chester
Wendy, Dr. Bernie sounds like an awesome doc, we'd love to hear more about the diet & nutrition she's prescribing when you have a minute.
Glad you're getting back to the new normal with Chester! It's those little things that become so special when we are faced with something like this. I hope you have lots and lots and lots more walkies together!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
And TAHOE'S life affirming legacy continues on.......nice, Stirling, very nice
Wendy Chester and Tom..Just catching up. You've gotten great advice and insight. Just wanted to welcome you and let you know you are not alone..as you've already seen!
Glad to hear Chester is enjoying his walkies! I can just visualize him prancing and wagging proudly! Take lots and lots of pictures of that sweet boy! We'd love to see them!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle
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!
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