Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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we have a small mix breed, almost 8 yr old, just diagnosed w/ a lg mast cell tumor on her back thigh. Considering several options & found this site - not sure if there's anyone still reading/responding...
comments I'd like would be consideration of 2 possibilities: complete amputation of the leg vs an aggressive removal of the tumor & surrounding area (a majority of her thigh muscle) which would require extensive reconstructive surgery (taking muscle/tendons, etc, from other parts of her body, forming flaps, & whatall). My initial thoughts would be the amputation would be possibly an easier recovery, if she adapts to 3 legs. I'm a believer that dogs do make amazing adjustments. She's been an extremely active dog, loves running, jumping (LOTS of jumping!!), digging (it'd be ok w/ us if she decides digging is too much of a hassle 
). The amputation would cost a bit less vs the recovery from the aggressive surgery would take longer. However, since amputation isn't the only possibility is it better for her long term to do the aggressive surgery/reconstructive work????????
Hi Jo,
I hope you don't mind me moving your post to its own thread- I didn't want it to be lost in the old post. Also- consider registering as a member so your posts don't have to wait for moderation.
My pug Maggie had a large MCT in her left rear leg. At the time of her amputation there was not really an option to try and remove the tumor and spare the leg. It was in her knee and deeply entwined in the tissue.
Things to consider:
What is the chance that clean margins can be obtained? If even a tiny amount of the tumor remains there is a good chance it would come back in the same area.
Have you done other tests to try and make sure the cancer has not spread? We did lymph node aspirates and ultrasounds of the abdomen.
How long a rehab are you talking about with the limb sparring? How well does your pup do being crated? If she is really active now she will be able to start back to most activities after about 2 weeks after amputation. She will need some time to build up strength and endurance. It took Maggie several months (but she was also doing chemo) to walk a half mile or so. After about a year she could walk a mile or more on her own.
Maggie was a tri-pug for almost 4 years and got around fine. She was 7.5 years old at the time of her amp. She passed from a second, unrelated cancer.
I don't mean to come across completely pro-amp. But it is what I did, and what I know. And for Maggie I would do it again. Mag was not good with surgeries and recoveries so I probably would not have done an extensive surgery on her.
You know your pup best (what is her name?) and how she would handle either option. For those of us dealing with mast cell cancer pain from the tumor is not really a deciding factor, like for OSA. Do your research and decide what is best for your pup.
No matter what you decide I hope you join and let us know what you do and how your pup does.
Karen and the pugapalooza
p.s. there is a link to Maggie's blog in my signature box below:
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I've joined, thanks for your note!
I'm pretty sure we've decided on amputation. They didn't test lymph nodes but did a full abdominal ultrasound which showed no add'l masses. The description of the radical surgery w/ extensive reconstruction just sounds like an awful ordeal for her. We have similar thoughts as those you've expressed. She/Gracie is probably not the best "patient", so I'm thinking a shorter recovery will be best for her. She's never been crated, & is an attention-lov'n, lap-sitting, following-around-everywhere kind of pet. The sooner she's able to begin adjusting & fitting back into the family the happier she'll be. I've been told adjusting to 3 legs will probably be ok for her since she's a small dog (about 13 lbs) & a back leg removal is easier in general. Was your dog a jumper at all? I'm wondering if Gracie will ever jump as she does now. She leaps & dances, plus jumps up on all furniture, playing w/ the cat thinking she's able to make some of the same leaps he does. Did you use the harness to help Maggie get around initially? What chemo was she on? Gracie is now taking prednisone, benedryl & pepcid. I'm not sure if the prednisone will continue long term, but my understanding for histamine control the benedryl & pepcid will. Monday 4 of the vets at the clinic will discuss & schedule surgery & aftercare, & the possibility of chemo.
ok, now I'm off to read Maggie's story (I had an Irish Setter named Maggie)
spin & poop - got me smiling! And more smiles as I read thru your post. Sweet. And now I'm gonna go see if I can find the tripaw pendant. I have a charm necklace full of charms w/ connections to my life, so Gracie will get a charm added.
Welcome again- I'm glad you joined.
Now that your first post (and second) as a member has been moderated you won't have to wait as long as you log in.
Gracie is a cutie!
Maggie was a bit of a jumper- on the furniture, onto my lap, and she used to jump sort of into my arms on command... she jumped as high as my knees and I did the rest. She was only about 12" as the shoulder so even as a quad pug going up long flights of stairs was an effort. As a tripug she could go up a few stairs, up curbs that sort of things. I built a step to the couch but it was still a pretty big jump. I built stairs up to my bed but she wouldn't use them (obstinate pug!). I ended up helping her up those things- and except when I had shoulder surgery it wasn't a problem. And since we were lucky enough to have her way outlive her prognosis I was glad that her jumping had been limited a bit. She passed at 11 and did not have serious issues with her back and hips. She could go down anything on her own, and would have jumped out of the truck if I let her.
Maggie was walking the day of surgery and never really needed help getting around. I got her a harness about 3 years in and she HATED it! But then she never did like wearing anything. It was useful for getting her in and out of the truck- I could do it one handed. But she was so small that picking her up when needed wasn't a problem.
Mag was on pred the whole time she did chemo, and benadryl and pepcid were standard meds for her- she had several cutaneous MCTs after her amp. You can read about her amputation and chemo in her blog. You might also check out Rio's blog. Rio has been battling mast cell for years and is on her second chemo go around.
You should also check out Jerry's Required Reading list. A compilation of information from this site on amputation, recovery. and treatment (although mostly about OSA chemo). The first two weeks or so after surgery can be tough- full of ups and downs, so you should be prepared.
Let us know how the vet visit goes.
Karen and the pugapalooza
mom2gracie said:
I'm wondering if Gracie will ever jump as she does now...
She will undoubtedly try! But without her spare leg, it will be your job to keep that jumping to minimum.
gonna go see if I can find the tripaw pendant.
Have you seen the selection of Tripawds Charms and Three-Paw Pendants? See the Tripawds Gifts blog Jewelry page for even more! 
Thanks for joining, please keep us posted on Gracie's progress.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Gracie, to the club that no one wants to be in. Mast cell sucks! Really, any knd of cancer does, but I'm waging a personal vendetta against mast cell.
Rio's most recent tumor was behind her knee on her left rear leg. I was devastated with the news that she would lose her leg. To me, I couldn't imagine a worse fate. However we are just now four months into our journey of tripawd-ness, and I have to say her recovery from this surgery has absolutely been the least of our problems. I've also had a dog go through FHO surgery and another one who had ACL repair surgery, and Rio's recovery was quicker than either one of them. Because the leg isn't there, I never had to worry that she would "un-do" the surgery. In fact the most difficult part of all of this has been the mental adjustments that I've had to make -- not babying her, not keeping a positive outlook for her, etc. -- the human portion of the equation.
I can tell you, without question, your pup will do everything she did before. I don't think I could be as confident in this statement if she had a reconstructed leg.
Good luck, as the next few days and weeks will be a bumpy road. But we are here for you.
Rio's mom, Micki, and Rio
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
still trying to find my way around this site --- don't see a way to respond to individual notes.
Karen, thanks for your add'l info about Maggie & her recovery & adjustment.
Thanks "admin"/Jerry's pack - I'll definitely be purchasing one of those great pendants! And in regard to keeping her from jumping it'll be one of the most important things I do as she recovers & adjusts. But I'm just wondering what she'll do instead of her excited jumping, dancing, twirling, leaping state, when fully recovered, w/ only one leg. I guess her tail will just have to wag harder.
Micki, I read your blog about Rio from Karen's link. Thank you so much for such encouragement! The "human" reaction to amputation isn't at all unusual. I know it's going to be an adjustment for everyone, but at this point I don't think I'm too uneasy about it. Gracie has been a Delta Therapy Dog, w/ visits to Hospice & nursing home environments. Perhaps we'll get back into that but try to work w/ kids who are facing 'disfiguring' events...
Jo
"disfiguring" may not be the best way to refer to those of any age or species with a physical challenge (The Delta Society Pet Partner Training Manual has a nice teaching section on this topic). Everyone benefits from focusing on the "ability" in others rather than on subjective disabilities.
Best of luck with Gracie's surgery & recovery.
my apologies for using the term - I put it in quote marks to try to "distinguish it" in context w/ the discussion of it being natural for a human reaction towards amputation. The whole thinking behind considering working w/ Gracie to get her back into her Therapy Dog role w/ "similar population" would obviously be for the benefit for all to see her having a great time as a tripawd.
mom2gracie said:
... don't see a way to respond to individual notes.
Use the quote button to reply to specific posts. Edit the comment to indicate content you're referring to, like I have done here to avoid full duplicate posts.
... I'm just wondering what she'll do instead of her excited jumping, dancing, twirling, leaping state...
There are lots of low impact, weight bearing exercises you and Gracie can enjoy doing together! Just check the Gear Blog Fitness Page for links to mre information about FitPAWS canine conditioning equipment. Agility exercises like weaves and Cavaletti stepping are also beneficial and fun. Just ask Maggie!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
mom2gracie said:
still trying to find my way around this site — don't see a way to respond to individual notes.
Ah, that's easy.
- If you are just replying to one person's comment in a post, you can click the blue "Quote" button at the top of their post.
- If you want to reply privately you can click the "Send PM (private message)" button where you'll be taken to our messaging system.
- If you want to reply to multiple comments in your one post:
- just copy the first comment you are replying to and paste it into your reponse.
- click the " button in your editing toolbar where you write your post.
- Repeat for additional comments you want to refer to
Try not to worry about the jumping part. It's been our experience with rear legged Tripawds that jumping doesn't come naturally but believe me when I say that dogs have a way of finding lots of other ways to entertain themselves (and their humans!). One of the biggest lessons we learn when a dog loses a leg is to take each day as it comes and to try not to compare it to what used to be. Every day is new and special. The past is the past, all we have is Now.
How neat to hear that Gracie has been a therapy dog! We have many other members here who do this very special kind of work. If Gracie becomes a Tripawd, she will be even more treasured by those lucky enough to meet her as she works.
Good luck this week!
P.S. Thanks for checking out the Tripawds pendants!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
admin said:
Just ask Maggie!
Those videos are great! Fun lov'n dog! Loved her singing. Gracie sings when someone plays the piano. Seeing Maggie dig in the snow, well of course, got my curiosty up so couldn't stop watch'n till "it" was found. And seeing her dig makes me realize we'll probably continue to have holes in our yard. I think the first agility note said something about "sitting is hard". Do you know if sitting just wasn't something she enjoyed doing or was it related to the surgery?
This site is full of very helpful info – I'm still exploring.
Welcome Jo & Gracie,
As others have commented, Gracie will do fine after the amputation - especially since she is small.
Skyler had a MCT on her right rear leg. We opted to amputate, since that would give her a better chance to survive. At that point, after ultrasoundes, etc. it was determined that there was no cancer anywhere else. Skyler was running in the yard just 3 weeks after surgery.
She did do an 8 week course of chemo that was administered weekly. It was vinblastin. She also took cytoxin tablet every other day, as well as prednizone. There were no side effects to the chemo. Unfortunately, the cancer did come back - so Skyler only survived 3 months post surgery.
We have no regrets. Granted, her outcome wasn't the best...BUT each & every pup is different. I don't want to scare you, so I have to be honest & let you know what the results were. Many pups here live for a long time afterwards. For us, it was the quality of life that has always mattered. We would do it all over again...
Please keep us posted. Do lots of reading, ask questions...be informed, be prepared...
Cathy
mom2gracie said:
Do you know if sitting just wasn't something she enjoyed doing or was it related to the surgery?
Hmmm... she is a rear amputee, but that's a good question for Maggie.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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