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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Tucker is an 11 year old mixed breed. In excellent health except for the tumor in his front right leg. He was diagnoised on 4/25/14. He is scheduled for amputation and biopsy 5/1/14. He had a chest x-ray and his chest is currently clear. The vet and radiologist do not think it is not the most aggressive form of bone cancer, but cannot say for sure until the results are back for the biopsy.
All that sounds good but we are worried to death we are going to put him through a lot of pain for not a lot of gain. Any advice or suggestions are welcome.
Hi Tucker and family, welcome! Your future posts won't require approval.
I'm sorry to hear about the tumor. It's hard for humans to wrap their heads around something like the prognosis we're given, but you have to remember, dogs don't mark time, they don't know what six days or six months or six minutes is; they live in the present and just want to be happy NOW. Most of all they want YOU to be happy! It's hard to do that when you're dealing with cancer but it's possible if you take a deep breath and try to see the world as Tucker sees it.
One thing you may want to ask them is, will the results of the bone biopsy change anything? Because if the leg still has to come off, then you can spare Tucker the painful procedure (and ease the cost on your wallet), by forgoing the bone biopsy and having it done after amputation. If there is any doubt at all that this is not cancer and something like an infection, then the bone biopsy is always a good idea in order to see if you can save the leg. But again, if the results will not change the outcome (amputation) then you may want to reconsider that procedure, it's really painful.
If you haven't already, check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books library for lots of insight. I know our members here will chime in soon so hang in there. Hugs to you and Tucker!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there.. so sorry you are dealing with this! I know its so scary. We were worried about the same thing... would it be worth it to take his leg. And I can honestly say that 2 months later YES it totally was. Cody recovered and he has spend the last month and a half running and playing with his brother like nothing is wrong. I cant imagine the pain he was in with that tumor in his leg and now we can live in the moment and allow him to be pain free. We were dealt the osteosarcoma card.. We will pray that your biopsy comes back as a different form!
Good luck and remember that dogs don't think about a leg like humans do!
Cody and Family
Cody is our 7 year old Australian Heeler mix boy. Diagnosed on 2/20/14 and became a tripawd 2/21/14! We chose a homeopathic approach and he is being treated by Dr. Loops our of NC.
Online
Hi Tucker! Sorry you're here but...as you've already seen...there's no better place to be for support and people who REALLY understand the emotional trauma this stinking disease creates.
You are not alone and we are all here for you!
One thing this journey will do...and it WILL do it....is have you make the switch from quantity of time to quality of time!! And one thing you can almost be guaranteed is...after recovery (and recovery is no picnic)...Tucker will have QUALITY and will be pain free!! This is major surgery and it is not without risks. Clearly, everyone here took the risk and almost all have no regrets.
As you ist heard from Cody, they are two months out and have no regrets!
One thing I always remind everyone... in a dog's life, one year is equivalent to SEVEN! Heck, six months is equivalent to over three years!! That's "years" of more loving, more spoiling, more tummy rubs, more treats than you, or Tucker, ever dreamed possible!!
You will find that, this is something you are doing FOR Tucker...not TO him! Again, the first two weeks-ish are no fun..some dogs recover faster, some slower. We're all here to support you through this. When you see Tucker's sparkle come back, when you see how well he does on three legs, when you see how hapy and full of life he is just being by your side...yeah...it's "worth it". He clearly has a zest for life and wants to continue on!
I can think of a couple of seniors...Franklin, Shelby, Shooter (all either tnirteen or fourteen at time of amp.) who all had excellent quality after the amputation and got more time for loving and spoiling and were all pain free and joyfully happy!
Read the links Jerry suggested and load up on choco,ate for yourself!! Get scatter rigs for traction if you have hardwoods.
Oh, and take lots of pictures! We love pictures here!
Sending you lots of hugs and a "knowing" that you are doing this for Tucker's well-being.
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!
Hi Tucker and family,
Just wanted to welcome you here from another Tucker....and his pawrent.
My 10 year old lab, Tucker, had his right front leg amputated seven months ago and he is doing great!
Tuck does not have osteosarcoma but he did have a very invasive but localized sarcoma that resulted in the amputation.
Everyone has already given you great advice (which I would echo) but I also recommend elevated feeding dishes. It is really hard to bend down to eat when you only have one front leg.
I see from your post that Tucker's amputation is scheduled for tomorrow....please let us know how it went...and keep coming back for support.
Hugs
Linda and Tucker 
I can not thank you all enough for your kind words. The biopsy will be done after the amputation, as the leg has to come off anyway. After reading all the comments here, I feel less guilty about the pain I am getting ready to put Tucker through. I will let you know how his surgery goes tomorrow.
Hi There - I am the mom to Shelby who was 13 when she had her rear leg amputated. Shelby didn't have bone cancer but rather hemangiosarcoma that was harder to diagnose (so first we fixed her broken leg and then we ultimately had to take it off) but her recovery was pretty quick (she was also dealing with chemo at the same time) but all in all - no regrets. She was pain-free for the almost 4 months post-amp and that was all that mattered to me.
Shelby was a fighter and she fought a great battle but everything I did, I did with her in mind and she was a trooper! She just lost her battle to her cancer (it was in her brain) a little over 3 weeks ago and while i miss her terribly - I do not regret one thing I did in our fight. You will see that your Tucker will recover well and adapt in ways that humans could never. Dogs are amazing that way!
Keep us posted! Sending you healing energy ... we are here for you!
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
My vet told me that the pain from surgery is so much less than from the tumor itself. My Ty had a Histocytic Sarcoma. The pain from surgery can be managed pretty well with meds. I like Alison, made every decision by what I hoped was in his best interest, including stopping Chemo after 1 dose. He did not do well on it so I decided no more. I always felt that the amp as getting rid of the nasty tumor. Keep us posted on his recovery, Lori and Ty Guy
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Welcome Tucker-
You've gotten a great batch of advice. We are always here tohelpyou through each step of this new journey. We will look forward to updates and sending you the most pawsitive thoughts ever to help you through surgery.
Take care-
Luanne and Spirit Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Welcome Tucker and pack.
You have lots of good advice here already, so I'll just wish you luck tomorrow. Let us know how he (and you) are doing.
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
Tucker had his surgery yesterday and came home last evening. Last night was rough but he did better than I expected. He got up by himself this morning and hopped out to pee. Ate and drank some water. All and all doing better than I thought he would. He is one tough cookie. Its hard to see him in pain and not break out in tears, but I know that won't help him at all. Now he heals and we wait for the results from the biopsy to see what kind of bone cancer he has.
YAAAAAAAA!Y! Tucker is home!!
YAAAAAAY! Tucker peed!!!
Tucker is o e tough cookie indeed.....and a mighty cute one at that!
Now, you still jave some rough days and nights ahead and that's "normal"......not fun, but normal!
We are here for you so pop on and let us know how we can help lr wjat else we can celebrate!!
HUGS!
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!
Awww glad to hear everything went well. Congratulations, he's going to continue to surprise you with each new day and with you're great attitude, this will be behind you before you know it.
Holler if you need anything at all.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Glad to hear that all went well for Tucker!
The next few weeks- sleepless nights, adjusting to meds, adjusting to the new gait - can be a bit challenging for everyone but it really does get better quickly.
Keep checking in - we are all here to give support, listen to you vent (if necessary) and celebrate all Tucker's "firsts".
Hugs
Linda and her Tucker
Its only been three days since Tuckers surgery and already he is hopping around like a pro. We have been staying in the basement as it is a walkout with no stairs. I quess he decide he had had enough of that. When he was out to go potty, he hopped right up the steps on the back deck. I about had a stroke thinking he was going to fall before I could get there. He acted like it was no big deal. I try to stay close to him, but he won't go potty if I am too close. And he does not like having me hold on to him. He just amazes me. I ordered a ramp for him to use getting in and out of the car and we are going to tear out the steps in the garage and build a ramp. Trying to stay positive about his biopsy.
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