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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Ooooooooohhhh OTIS!!!! Just read the update!!!! Thank you for sharing. We worry when we don't hear. Happy to hear that Tufts got its butt in gear and can remain tied with UGA:) Good for you Rhonda, good for you!
Limb sparing was also discussed with my dog, Otis. The surgeon, however, said that due to the size of his bones, a custom insert would be needed and that would take time to make/obtain which we did not have since Otis had already broken the leg. Tufts might have more resources, but a question you might want to ask since I sense that having Otis wait for creation of an insert might not be viable. Limb sparing often leads to infection, so also think about your ability to provide more intense care for a longer time. For me, as a single, working dog mom, I knew that was something I really could not do. On a positive note, those dogs who suffer the most from infections tend to do better on the osteo front - not sure why, but several vets mentioned it to me as a fact. My Otis had mild arthritis in his hips (which is why limb sparing was discussed), and was a big boy at 106 pounds (although smaller than your Otis) with a barrel chest. The surgeon was very experienced with amputations and felt comfortable with his ability to get around on three - my Otis did just great. Our walks were very short, but everything else was the same - he could chase cats and squirrels, steal food off the counter, go up and down stairs and sleep on the sofa. And eat cheeseburgers. What more can a dog want? Not trying to dissuade you from limb sparing or encourage amputation, must wanted to give you the benefit of my thoughts in connection with a similar conversation.
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.
Otis is at TUFTS for pain and anxiety management tonight and may be amputated late torrorrow or Friday. We are in a hotel a few miles away and will go see him in the morning.
He was feeling good when we left. From all the sedation and meds. Big and goofy with no muzzle and a stranger (the 4 year vet student) in the room. He did bark at her twice but she just looked away and he stopped.
we want to thank you all for everything! I know tough days are the come...
Otis - 121 lbs pre amp - 114 lbs post amp and now 118 lb Great Dane - English Mastiff X. Started limping on 12/24/16. Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 12/28/16 - amputation of front left leg on 1/6/17. Stitches out and 1st round of Chemo on 1/19/17. 2nd round of Carboplatin on 2/10/17 - 3rd round on 3/2/2017. 4th round was scheduled for 3/22/17 - however due to low WBC postponed - 4th Chemo completed on 3/28/17. Had breathing difficulties, stayed in Tufts ICU overnight. Due for 2 more rounds of Chemo but we are opting to go with homeopathy with Dr. Loops instead.
You guys are such GREAT advocates for Otis!
Yes, the recovery period can be tough but it is short term. Otis will do so much better without that painful leg.
And we will be with you every hop of the way.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
And Otis didn't have to have a muzzle on? I'd say that's a pretty good sign that he's not too horribly scared...a d maybe just a touch "high"!
Yeah, have to go through the "tough times" to get those really good times!!! And there are, indeed, great QUALITY times ahead!!! 🙂
STAY CONNECTED!! Update us tomorrow after your visit. Hoping they can get him in tomorrow. TRY and have a relaxing night. Otis is quite relaxed with his meds!
Hugs!
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!
I'm just getting back online after the whirlwind of the holidays. So sorry about Otis' troubles BUT he will be feeling so much better soon. As everyone has said, we are here to help and support you and will be cheering both you and Otis on! 
Let us know when you have news!
~Amy & Izzy, too!
Momma to the world's most beautiful American Bulldog, Izzy!! Lost her front leg to OSA 9/18/15. Diagnosed w MCT in June 2016. Celebrated her 1 year ampuversary with knee surgery on 9/18/16! MCT recurrence in Dec 2016. Happy & hungry til nearly 14, earning her wings on 7/31/17.
Really great that you persevered and got him in through Emergency services. Sending best thoughts and moral support.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Pleased to hear Otis is at the vets and is getting the help he needs while your waiting for the next steps.
Love and hugs to you and Otis
Last visit and photos of Otis before his surgery, which will be tonight or tomorrow.
These are the odds I was told by the surgeon.
With Amputation and Chemo
Median 10-12 months meaning 50% of dogs live that long, 30% go on to live up to 2 years and the other 20% won't make it to that 10 months and from what I have researched, that also means many only make it a few weeks or a few months.
Surgeon explained that amputation without chemo would be maybe 3 months, maybe less and also not much longer than with just pain management .
Otis is not ready to give up yet and we are trying to give him a fighting chance.
Thanks to everyone here! Thanks to CharlieBear for the Emergency Department idea and strength for me to say no when they wanted to send him home with us yesterday.
If you look close you can see the tumor near his ankle.
Otis - 121 lbs pre amp - 114 lbs post amp and now 118 lb Great Dane - English Mastiff X. Started limping on 12/24/16. Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 12/28/16 - amputation of front left leg on 1/6/17. Stitches out and 1st round of Chemo on 1/19/17. 2nd round of Carboplatin on 2/10/17 - 3rd round on 3/2/2017. 4th round was scheduled for 3/22/17 - however due to low WBC postponed - 4th Chemo completed on 3/28/17. Had breathing difficulties, stayed in Tufts ICU overnight. Due for 2 more rounds of Chemo but we are opting to go with homeopathy with Dr. Loops instead.
Don't worry about the statistics - Otis isn't. The amputation will end the pain and allow him to have a better quality of life for however much time he has left. Just look at Eurydice the Dane hopping all over Europe. We got almost 7 months with my Otis, but they were a really good 7 months. And like you said in your post, it is not time right now. He needs the best chance you can give him.
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.
OOTTTTTIIISSSSS. My goodness you are just too handsome! And spectacular! And brave!!! You got this Otis!!! Everyone there is just there for you, you big champ! Look how happy he is to have you two there with him:)
And, yep, the statistics are what they are and there are outliers but the BE MORE OTIS will not change no matter what. Every day that is an OTIS DAY is a great one!
And, thank you for your thanks:) It means a lot that we could help in some small way. CharlieBear is to thank for the Emergency Department, and, yours is the first thanks I have ever received for being stubborn!!! ( Buwhahahahaaaaaaa!)
TriPawds Nation has super powers and is wrapping itself around Otis as he is preparing for surgery. And also wrapping themselves around you and your husband and family. It is clear that Otis LOVES LOVES LOVES you guys and you him. Please keep us updated!
Best wishes, huge hugs, and PyrPaws all around!!!
I LOVE that he has no muzzle on:) That is clearly making him happy!!!
Best of luck to Otis and to you! Hang in there! I am so glad you advocated for him. He will feel SO much better after that leg is gone. My veterinarian described osteosarcoma as the bone literally exploding from the inside. Our Eddy was literally smiling the day we after his amputation. He felt SO much better. Don't even look at statistics. I have friends from the Tripawds group whose dogs have survived YEARS after their diagnosis. With Eddy, my mantra was "one day at a time", and that is how we lived, literally. Hoping and praying that Otis has a good night. Let us know how it goes.
Hugs! Betsy
Betsy Golden and Angel, Eddy. Eddy was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-23-14, had a left rear amputation 8-07-14, had 3 rounds of carboplatin chemotherapy, a small lung met was discovered in October, had 2 rounds of doxorubicin, and unfortunately more lung mets were discovered. Eddy fought cancer valiantly and went to the Rainbow Bridge 1-6-15, at the age of 7 years and 359 days, just six days short of his 8th birthday. Best Dog, Ever....you will never be forgotten.
I hope all goes well and will keep you in my thoughts. Today my dentist told me the worst pain is in the bone so we can only imagine how Otis feels. That horrific pain will be gone tomorrow!!
I hope you can relax and get a good rest before Otis comes home.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Surgeon called and said Otis will be in surgery any minute now. Now I'm nervous omg!
Otis - 121 lbs pre amp - 114 lbs post amp and now 118 lb Great Dane - English Mastiff X. Started limping on 12/24/16. Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 12/28/16 - amputation of front left leg on 1/6/17. Stitches out and 1st round of Chemo on 1/19/17. 2nd round of Carboplatin on 2/10/17 - 3rd round on 3/2/2017. 4th round was scheduled for 3/22/17 - however due to low WBC postponed - 4th Chemo completed on 3/28/17. Had breathing difficulties, stayed in Tufts ICU overnight. Due for 2 more rounds of Chemo but we are opting to go with homeopathy with Dr. Loops instead.
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