Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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10 years ago, my therapist prescribed me to get a dog. And that I did.
Since then, Rocco has been my co-pilot as I traversed the country living in Montana, Colorado, Wisconsin, a short stint in Maryland, and everywhere in between. He has helped pull me from some of my darkest times, and continues to be a source of great joy.
Two weeks ago we were still running and he was doing great. Then one day we work up and he couldn't walk. I saw the lump and thought he broke it in the night. We went immediately to the vet.
He got diagnosed two weeks ago, and I had the consult with the surgeon to remove his leg. As most people have had, I have people telling me it's too much money. As a non-profit worker dedicating myself to service (and not earning much income), the amputation and the chemo is really going to hurt-- but not as much of course as losing my baby boy.
Surgeon says he's a great candidate, but myself (and my family) is worried Rocco and I will be back at this square one in a year or less.
Can anyone speak to their amputee's end-of-life experience?
I don't want to estinguish his light, but I don't want to be selfish either. Two weeks ago, the chest scans were still clear. I have an apt to amputate on 9/8/16, but wanted to hear some from folks too. Thanks in advance...
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in this conversation
Hi Rocco and family 
My girl Eurydice is a Great Dane who lost her right front leg to osteosarcoma 4 months ago.
I was completely taken by surprise as she was extremely healthy and very young too but once I knew what we were facing there was no doubt in my mind about which route to follow.
If Rocco is suffering from bone cancer the choices are pretty slim as it is excruciatingly painful and it will never get better.
I know everything costs a fortune but we are talking about our best friends so I suppose in the end we will all go beyond what is reasonable if need be.
One year will be a very precious amount of time for me and my girl (touching wood here and hoping for longer than that) we have just finished her 6 sessions of chemo and she is doing marvellously well, enjoys life to the full and is deliriously happy.
You have to remember statistics are worth what they are worth and as you will see here lots of dogs kicked statistics in the butt and lived much longer than expected.
And his lungs are clear which is great news!
I lost my previous Dane in tragic circumstances, her prognosis was extremely poor and vets advised me to put her to sleep but she wasn't ready and her eyes told me she wanted to stay with me.
So I pursued every possible option, even the most farfetched, and we were together for one week.
It sounds like nothing at all but it still represents an eternity of love wrapped up in brief days.
I am sure your heart will guide you, just don't listen to anybody who tells you it's too much money if they don't have any fluffy friends and haven't been through something like this before.
We are all here for you so please, please do keep us updated !
Sending you an avalanche of hugs, lots of pawsitive energy and tummy rubs and ear scratches to your boy
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
As a fellow non-profit worker, I can understand the sticker shock of all this! And Shelby was my soul mate, my best friend, the love of my life and I would do whatever it took to keep her happy and pain free for as long as possible. There is a credit card that is called "Care Credit" that helped us greatly. Basically no interest for 6 months allowing more time to pay it off. Just a thought.
But about the amputation, I do find that those not facing these decisions have a harder time. We want our four-legged family members to be comfortable anyway we can. I know this has got to be quite the heartbreak for you and we are here for you - no matter what you decide.
Can you tell us more about Rocco? What kind of dog, how old?
Everyone's decision is personal and know that you will get the best support here. We aren't vets (for the most part) but we are all kind, compassionate pet owners. As a person who now has an emotional service dog since the loss of Shelby was too much for me to take, I empathize where you are today. Shelby was my whole world and I suspect you feel the same about Rocco. In fact, had I know, Shelby would have been my ESA dog but I didn't know such a thing existed!
We are here for you!!!! And while Shelby has crossed the bridge, she still lives on in everything I do. She also had a different kind of cancer - hemangiosarcoma.
Hugs!
Alison with Spirit Shelby in her heart (and little Jasper too)
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
Sorry you and Rocco find yourself here, but as you will see, and the circumstances there is no better place to be for support, understanding, information and invaluable first and knowledge.
As you have seen already, you are not alone here! We understand the depth of the love you have for Rocco.
This decision is not an easy one. It is a very individual decision. You know your dog best. You know your situation the best.
As Teresa basically said, statistics don't mean much around here! Some exceed expectations by YEARS conversely,some don't get much time. It really is a crap shoot!! As she also mentioned, his leg hurts! If he's limping it hurts badly! I hope the Ver has Rocco on some pain meds.
I'm not sure I can adequately address your "end of the life" scenario.
What I CAN address is the spectacular journey in between amputation and the transition. The magical transormation your relationship takes with your dog or cat, is an out of this world bond that is deeper than you could ever have imagined. I can also address the enrichment your Soul will experience as a result of all the life lessons Rocco will teach you as a resilient tripawd!
You will.learn that days on a calendar mean nothing to Rocco. You'll learn Rocco does NOT have a timeframe stamped on his butt! You'll learn to Be More Dog ...BE MORE ROCCO! You will.love in the NOW, in the present, just like Rocco! Rocco doesn't care what any ole prognosis says!
And, you will.learn you are stronger than you think!
You will.learn to savor hearing your dog snore or watching him drool as he waits for a treat, or watching his tail wag just because you said his name, or watching him sunbathe as he sniffs all the scents on a breeze. Yeah, the list is endless!
All Rocco cares about is being by your side and being loved and spoiled non-stop AND being pain free!
Almost every sIngle Soul here will tell you the time together was "worth it"....and that's from our furbabies' perspective too!
Stay connected and let us know how we can help.
Love and light!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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 Jess and Rocco, welcome. You are in a good place for a bad situation. The wonderful people here will support you no matter what you decide.
When it comes to bone cancer, the most important thing to consider, first above all else, is how you will eliminate that terrible pain. Decisions about chemo can come later. And when you get there, what we will say is this: it's optional. Chemo is not mandatory, not every dog or cat is cut out for the vet visits, the medication, etc. And if taking on that expense will stress you out, then it may not be right for your pack. All Rocco wants is for you to be happy. That's the best medicine there is. In the end, treating bone cancer with or without chemo is a crapshoot, you just never know the way things will turn out. We've seen it go all sorts of crazy ways here.
Look into your heart and ask Rocco what he wants. You know him best and what he's capable of. If you can get rid of that bad leg and give him more quality time with you without adding any extra stress to either of your lives, then you're on the right path.
I hope this helps. Please visit Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books , we have lots of tips there too.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you everyone for your kind words and wisdom.
Rocco just turned 10 (in August) and is (was until recently) active (and tall!) Lab and German Wired-Hair pointer mix.
Now I'm just wondering about people experiences about end-of-life after amputation and treatment.
I know they say about a year, but what does it look like? Do they develop lameness in another limb? Spine? Sick? Tired?
Thanks everyone in advance-- this group has been great
10 years ago, my therapist prescribed me to get a dog. And that I did.
Wise therapist. And wise you for listening. I was in a similar position once, except that I was advised not to get a dog, along the lines of 'you need someone to take care of you, not something to care for'. Thankfully I didn't listen, and I got my first dog Billie within weeks of coming out of hospital.
It was the best decision of my life. I think that is literally true. I think she saved my life. She gave me the confidence to go back out into the world and she was always at my side. The sweetest, gentlest, most wonderful friend imaginable.
Billie died shortly after her tenth birthday from a brain tumour. At that point there were really no treatment options. The tumour was so large it was pressing on her brain stem.
Years later, I have two dogs Meg and Elsie. Meg lost her leg almost six months ago due to complications following elbow replacement surgery. We are lucky in that we are not facing cancer, as so many others here are. But I guess what I'm thinking is had Billie's cancer been in her leg not her brain and amputation been a possibility, knowing what I do from caring for Meg, would I have wanted to proceed with amputation and treatment? My feeling is absolutely yes. That extra time with Billie, even if it were just a few months, would have been so incredibly precious.
Your situation is of course different, as every situation is individual and different. In the end, with support and information you will make the best decision for you and Rocco. We are absolutely here to support you in this and throughout his amputation and treatment if that is the path you decide to take.
With warmest wishes,
Elsie, Meg, Clare and Angel Billie, always in our hearts.
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, 23 November 2023, adopted 12 January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
I just posted our end of life experience in our blog - the page title is Saying Goodbye. I also had a forum topic going as we went through the last 2 days - Otis - heavy breathing, nausea?
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
And by the way, even though Otis did not get as much time as I hoped, I would not do anything differently. The almost seven months he had after his amputation were precious.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Hi Rocco and family
When my girl was first diagnosed, I seem to recall we were given 2 weeks to 4 months with palliative care, 8 to 10 months with radiation and chemo and (this one I remember for sure) 10 to 12 months for amputation and chemo.
One of the problems with radiation therapy is the risk of a pathological fracture which never heals so we would be postponing the amputation rather than avoiding it.
But the main point here remains as the pain element.
We were told no palliative medicine can suppress that excruciating pain 100%.
Now, as for time ... that is the question nobody can answer.
We simply do not know.
Some dogs live twice the initial prognostic (and more!!) and some don't make it to the average time.
All I can say is every year, month, week, day, minute is worth it!
It is generally more difficult for a dog to hop around on 3 but it depends on the dog.
Some are true experts and you wouldn't even guess they are missing one leg, they run as fast as the wind.
Check Tank and Sadie for example.
Some are slower and take longer to adapt but all get there in the end.
You can do this and so can Rocco, we are all right here to guide you all the way if you decide to proceed with the surgery.
And if you decide against it, we are still here to help you in any way we can.
Sending you a big hug and cuddles to your boy
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Of course you're wondering, we all did. But one of the hardest lessons to learn here is that nobody knows how much time we (or our dogs) have on this planet. Cancer or not, tomorrow isn't a given. Learn to Be More Dog and you can cope with whatever this disease throws at you.
To be more specific, symptoms vary from dog to dog. Some show subtle signs over a long period of time, some don't. It's hard to say what will happen so try not to focus on that now. Whichever route you take, we will be there to help you recognize and deal with the signs.
Finally, remember, dogs don't count calendars and Rocco doesn't know what that biopsy says. He just wants to feel good again and have you by his side each moment that he's alive and happy.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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