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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My Vizsla was diagnosed with spindle cell cancer tonight. He is having the small mass removed on Thursday but from what gather i need to start preparing myself to amputate his rear leg. He is going to be 8 next month. Other than this stupid cancer he is in excellent health and is a happy boy. Is 8 too old?? If 8 is not too old will he become depressed if I remove the leg? I am so lost. Anything at this point will help. Thanks in advance.
Hi there, thanks for joining us. Your future posts won't need approval.
I'm sorry you're dealing with this diagnosis. It's not easy and all of us here who have dealt with it questioned the decision to amputate a million times beforehand. If you check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books you'll find tons of answers to your questions, and our great community will chime in shortly too.
Is 8 too old? Well, everything is so individual, it really depends on a dog's overall health and pre-existing conditions. How does your vet feel about his candidacy as a Tripawd? How do YOU feel? Do you think he has the oomph to handle a recovery and life on 3? To me, an 8 year old Vizsla isn't old, but again, every dog is different. You might want to check out Bart's blog, the second most extraordinary, amazing Tripawd Vizsla you've ever known (after yours of course! 
I have to run but will be back in the chat room in an hour or so. Stop by, you'll usually find people there to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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This is such a nightmare a d it turns your world upside down. But boy oh boy, you have come to the right place for support and information!! We've all had to deal with this agonizing decision and each ofnus have "issues"....age...overweight...arthritis..etc.
It really does depend more on the individual dog than some of these "issues". My Bull Mastiff, Happyy Hannah, was 8 1/2 and "chunky". She was up and walking within twelve hours of surgery! Recovery was rough on her for about three weeks, but walking was never an issue.
Other than this stupid piece of crap disease, she was happy, loving life, great attitude and certainly not ready to "throw in the towel" Her sparkle came back.brighter than ever and it soon became clear it was a great decision. The first three weeks I worried about what I had done TO my dog....once recovery took place, I realized I did this FOR my dog!!
You will be ABSOLUTELY amazed at how well he does on three legs! He will realize something is "different"...figure out how to adjust and get on with life! No...he will not be depressed at all! But it is important that you remain upbeat and positive and keep your energy strong and confident! He'll follow your lead.
A d as anxious as you are right now about this whole ordeal...and rightfully so.....remember that your pup is not worried about a thing! He doesn't give a rip about any ole stupid diagnosis or statistic, he's just waiting for his next tummy rub and treat!!
You are not alone okay? Stay connected to us. We'll help anyway we can!
When you can, share more about your sweet boy and lost lictures when you can! We love pictures!!!
(((((((((((((((((((((((//hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
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!
Hi and welcome to Tripawds, glad you found us.....this is without a doubt, the best pet cancer support group there is, especially regarding amputation. So sorry you are dealing with the "ugly c" in your boy. Is that his name in your avatar name, Mason? Great name!
Since you have already been given great advice from both Jerry and Sally, I will just add my experience with my precious angel girl, Polly.....she was also 8 when she was diagnosed with a soft tissue cancer, hemangiosarcoma, in her front right leg. Unfortunately after 2 lengthy surgeries to try to remove the cancer, she needed amputation and had turned 9 years old by then. She was also in excellent health aside from the cancer, and was a great candidate for amp. Although I have to be honest, it is always a difficult decision, we felt her best chance to slow this cancer was to amputate. She did absolutely fantastic immediately after her surgery.....never missed a beat and that made me very happy. Now, all pups and kitties are different, some may take a bit longer, and some may be like my Polly was, but either way, this a personal decision, and amputation for most pets is the BEST way to give them a chance to beat the "ugly c". Not to mention, getting rid of a painful leg which is in the case of osteosarcoma and some soft tissue cancers.
I hope this helped you out a bit, but remember that any decision you make will be the right one.....when you have your pups best interest at heart, you can never make a wrong decision.
Keep us posted on your sweet Vizsla boy, there is a ton of support here to help you through this difficult time
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Bonnie.... I read a lot about the Spindle Cell Caners and it seems as though they have a low chance of metastisis in the body. That is the silver lining here. I have learnt that if it is the aggressive type of cancer then i can remove the leg thus removing the cancer. I was SO worried that 8 was too old, but it seems as though it is not even close to being too old. The tumor hasnt been there long, I just did his nails 2 weeks ago and there was nothing there. I am PRAYING that we caught it early enough to get clean margins tomorrow and move on with our lives. But it is comforting to know that now I have a new family in all of you if not!
Thank you both for your words and stories. They have gone a LONG way this morning!!!!!! I have also been in touch with Bart the Vizslas mom! She's amazing!
Any other experiences and advise are so welcome. Thank you in advance!!!!
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