Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Last friday our vet called me after looking at our 7 year old english bulldog, telling me he thinks Caesar, has a tumor. They took a sample to be tested to see what type and will find out later this week. He thinks its a soft tissue sarcoma and based on where it is - near the knee of his hind left leg, amputation may be the only treatment.
This news has been devastating for me and my wife. He is our pride and joy, and we are having a tough time coming to grips with what the outcomes may be.
If it is what our vet thinks and amputation is the only treatment, i think i would do it, but it just makes me so sad to think about it and to think about his life after. I should also mention he has luxating patellas. The leg that has the tumor was repaired 2 years ago. The leg that would be left has not been repaired and my fear is it will be too stressed to handle life after an amputation.
Any one out there willing to share their experiance and what to expect? Anyone else out there have a bulldog with 3 legs?
Hello,
I'm sorry to read about your Bulldog. I had all the concerns you do. What about the remaining leg? Will she be able to handle it? Your concerns regarding the luxating patella's are a very valid concern - even though the other leg hasn't been operated on for it. Maybe you should repost in the "Ask A Vet" forum to see if Dr. Pam will answer?
FWIW, my dog, too, has(had?) a soft tissue sarcoma on her knee. Check out her blog - I just posted a new video this a.m. of her yesterday 🙂 Does she lack endurance? Yup she does...but she's doing very well all things considered:
http://maggie.t.....pawds.com/
Good luck with your decision. It's NOT an easy one...
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Hello Ryan, and welcome to Tripawds.
I am sorry you had to find us, but this is a good place to be when facing cancer and amputation.
Please note that the site will be down for a little while today for maintenance- so don't worry if you can't get here for a bit, or you don't hear from too many people right away.
You should check out Jerry's Required Reading List, a good place to start with information on amputation and recovery, you will find answers to some of your questions there.
My tripawd was a pug, also a rear amp and she did fine. She had a luxating patella that did not cause her much problem, it was never repaired, and it was in the leg removed. There are several members here who's tripawds had somewhat compromised remaining legs and they did fine. I think one member had surgery on a remaining leg after becoming a tripawd.
This is a very supportive community, we have all been there in one way or another, dealing with amputation because of birth defects, accidents and mostly cancer in their best friends.
Karen
p.s. I added a little to your topic title to let other members know what you are asking about
Ryan,
I, too, am a new member. My Great Dane, Alexander goes in for amputation tomorrow. He is a front limb amputation, which is apparently more difficult than a rear limb.
I don't know much regarding the type of cancer you are faced with, but I can say that you have found the right place. The past two weeks, my husband and I have been absolutly devastated and distraught. This is the only place I have felt comfortable. Everyone here is very supportive, answering questions to the best of their ability, and sometimes just offering words of comfort.
My thoughts are with you and your wife, this is an awful time. Rest assured that you WILL make the right decision, when you do, a peace comes over the both of you.
As for the knee issues, I would meet with an oncologic or orthopedic surgeon soon and ask them what they think future problems/concerns would be. This may help guide you down the road you are meant to take.
I am so happy to have found this place and I am glad you have found it too. It is a wonderful place to vent, ask question, express your worries, your joys and your sadness. I'm sorry that you had to come here, but welcome to the group.
Keep us posted regarding Caesar, our paws are crossed.
Shannon
Alexander The Great Dane
Suspected Osteosarcoma July 12
Diagnosed Officially 7/16/2010
Amputated 7/27/2010
Became Spirit Xander 2/20/2011
Hi Ryan, hope you all are holding up ok. I can't give any advice about the luxating patellas, but I can help assure you that amputation does not break their spirit or alter their personalities. Also, I saw a new blog pop up for Grace, she's a bulldog. You might check it out and get in touch with her humans. http://gracespl.....pawds.com/
Wishing you the best!
Leslie
Ryan, welcome. We're sorry you needed to be here but we hope we can help.
The good news is, Cesar can still be your pride and joy! And if amputation is required, once you see how heroically he bounces back, you'll be amazed at how your love and pride for him grows even more! Really. Trust us when we say that dogs handle this a lot better than any human can. They don't regret, they don't look back, and they are not ashamed. All of us who have been through it have learned volumes about living life with spirit and moxie. It's funny that you'd never think of cancer as being a blessing, but indeed it can be.
As you can see our community is SO helpful here! My biggest suggestion is to be sure to get an orthopedic analysis of Cesar to make sure he's a good candidate. That's MORE good news that the leg thats staying is his good leg. We have had other dogs here in that situation, like Chuy:
When a Tripawd Needs Another Leg Surgery
and Max
Tripawd Max Does Swimmingly Well, Even After Hip Replacements
I hope these stories bring you some comfort. Any questions, ask away OK?
Keep us posted on how things play out, and remember we are here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks to everyone for the well wishes. This is a lot harder thinking about the what if's than i ever thought imaginable. I didnt realize what an effect my bully has had on me for the last 7 years and the thought of how the future will pan out for him makes me sad (amputation) and devastated (inoperable tumor).
My wife and I are expecting our first baby in September, so not knowing what the care needs of an amputated leg are scary. We want to be excited and happy for our new baby but right now for me that is hard to do.
Its alot of stuff to wade through and just hoping you make the right decision for the right reasons are really hard. Cancer has never affected my family until now, and I can say that I am going to be a person to fight this horrible disease, whether in humans or animals. The lasting effects this will have on me are hard to imagine now and I hope that whatever happens, I can figure out a way to have some peace and that my bully wont have to suffer any more than he is right now.
Hi Ryan and welcome to what I have found are the most wonderful supportive folks on the internet.
I can only tell you my personal experience. My 5 year old golden, Shelby, had her right front leg amputated just over 3 weeks ago. She had a non-specific soft tissue sarcoma that thankfully did not show any evidence of metastasis.
If things were to do a 180 tomorrow, I would not change a thing. Shelby doesn't hurt anymore. Yes, she looks different but who cares? That leg to me representated one thing: Cancer. She may have lost a leg but she gained a second chance at a pain free life. She is happy, she is silly and she inspires me every single day with her *can do* attitude toward everything.
As the folks here will tell you, the first couple of weeks were not easy.....but it's as if it all changed once the stitches were out. She's definitely a Glass Half Full girl 🙂
Hang in there.......lean on us.
I remember all too well the thoughts that went through my mind about amputating my very exhuberant flat-coat retriever Ruthie's rear leg. But I didn't regret it for a single day. Her pain was gone and she was happy again. I'm sorry you are facing this. These dogs are so much more resilient than we think until we witness their strength. The first 2 weeks are the worst but then it seems to get better exponentially. Hopefully your bully will be well on the mend by the time your human baby arrives.
You've come to the right place.
Post a picture of your bully so we can put a face with our prayers.
Spirit Ruthie's Mom
I was able to put a picture of Caesar as an avatar. Thanks for asking.
I couldnt quite figure out how to post in a reply.
Ryan said:
I couldnt quite figure out how to post in a reply.
What a cutie!
I think you're asking how to post a photo in a reply? If so, here's a How To from our Technical Support Forum:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ryan:
Rusty, our Labradoodle, was diagnosed with Fibrosarcoma (soft tissue sarcoma) in mid January and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th (which was 6 mos last Sunday). His results came back as a level 3 Sarcoma, which is very high and aggressive) and he has been on an aggressive Chemo therapy program for the past 6 mos. The Dr. is going to continue with a less aggressive Chemo program in August. I have kept an extensive diary of Rusty's battle with cancer that you can read at rusty.tripawds.com and posted a recent video on YouTube http://www.yout.....ISGRle0fic showing how well he has adjusted to life on three legs.
Rusty enjoys being in our pool so much (who wouldn't with 110 degrees) that we have had to start giving him a day off as we could see that he was overdoing his remaining leg. We take every precaution to try and prevent him from injuring it and watch him closely when he is exercising. Also, with the Chemo his endurance levels are down but he would keep going if we let him.
Good luck with Caesar and your new baby!
Chuck & Rusty
Rusty is a Labradoodle who was diagnosed with level 3 Fibrosarcoma on January 16th, 2010 and had his left hind leg amputated on January 25th, 2010 five days before his 18 month birthday. Please see Rusty's blog @rusty.tripawds.com. He is putting up one heck of a fight against this terrible disease.
Received a call from our surgeons collegue this am (our surgeon is on vacation this week)
The diagnosis is a well differentiated sarcoma - telling me its less aggressive and spreads slowly. He mention the lab had trouble determining between a prolifferation of tissue or a tumor.
They said it is unlikely to spread.
Our surgeon left me a message this am to discuss further this afternoon- guess i am "relieved" it isnt more serious.
Boy that is a relief! Let us know what the surgeon says.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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