Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all: Your postings have been a huge help to me. My 10 year old Siberian Husky Luther has an STS, exact type and grade unknown as we only have needle biopsy information so far. I'm seeing an oncologist on November 10, and thanks to all the great information here, I am feeling much better and hoping that we will get good results from the histology with an amputation he could live out however many more years he has left as a happy dog.
I do have a lot of carpeted stairs and I wonder if anyone could tell me whether it's reasonable to think that with a harness or sling I be able to take him down the stairs to potty and back up? (I can carry him but he doesn't like it:-)
Also, any experience with getting a wheelchair to help early on, or with prosthetic limbs? His tumor is about 1 inch above the hock. Orthopets said they have to be able to save 1/2 of the tibia and fibula to have an adequate stump for a prosthesis. Does anyone know if surgery always has to include the whole leg to get clear wide margins?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm going a bit crazy right now because I can't get in to see an oncologist for so long...
Thanks so much again for giving us so much hope!
Luther's Mom
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Ann and Luther, welcome. I'm sorry I'm on my moble so I will give you a proper welcome tomorrow but meanwhile hang in there, we will try t help you stay sane while you wait to see the onco. Meanwhile ifyou haven't check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books if you haven't already, they have a lot of the ansswers you're seeking right no. Again, welcome, I will talk to you tomorrow.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Ann -
Sorry you find yourself in this forum, but I am glad you're doing your homework.
Barret was amputated about 1.5 years ago and I honestly have never looked back. He's a smaller breed, which helps though.
How old is Luther? Will it be a front or rear leg amputation?
I am not speaking on personal knowledge, just what I have read and seen over the years (I worked at a pet store for 7 years and am a tripawrent 
Luther will probably do just fine with a harness or sling to go up and down the stairs. The worst is the first few weeks after amp, but it is all uphill from there. He will likely adapt and be able to use the steps without aid.
As far as a partial amp, I've read and heard stories of pawrents who wished they would have not have left a stump. It can become irritated since it doesn't have the same coating as the bottom of the paw. I haven't seen many people who has opted for prosthetics , but I can tell you from seeing how many tripawds can get along with 3 legs without missing a beat - I think Luther will get along just fine.
Heather & Barret
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Anne Keane said
I do have a lot of carpeted stairs and I wonder if anyone could tell me whether it's reasonable to think that with a harness or sling I be able to take him down the stairs to potty and back up? (I can carry him but he doesn't like it:-)
Also, any experience with getting a wheelchair to help early on, or with prosthetic limbs? His tumor is about 1 inch above the hock. Orthopets said they have to be able to save 1/2 of the tibia and fibula to have an adequate stump for a prosthesis. Does anyone know if surgery always has to include the whole leg to get clear wide margins?
Sorry for all the questions, I'm going a bit crazy right now because I can't get in to see an oncologist for so long...
Thanks so much again for giving us so much hope!
Luther's Mom
Hi Anne and Luther! OK I can type coherently now that I'm on a real computer.
Yes, stairs are doable especially carpeted ones. It may take some time and guidance but you can definitely do it, especially with the help of a harness like the Ruffwear Webmaster. Check out this stairs video of Jerry, here's how we did it:
Regarding wheelchairs and prosthetics , here are two videos that can answer those questions.
Tripawds Interviews with OrthoPets
When and How a Dog Wheelchair Can Help a Tripawd
Oh regarding surgery and how much of the leg to take off, it all depends on the individual tumor. If you're thinking of a prosthetic you'll need to work with an orthopedic surgeon who is collaborating with someone like OrthoPets to make sure the surgery is done correctly to enable a prostheses.:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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