Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It's been a rough month. Eight visits to four vets, x-rays, aspirations, a CAT scan, a biopsy, and two misdiagnosis (arthritis, then osteosarcoma, but really it's synovial cell sarcoma) have led us back to square one: amputation.
That's when I got news far worse than I ever expected. X-rays show what looks like a cancerous tumor on her femur. That led to aspirations and referrals to multiple vets who all told us it was osteosarcoma and that amputation was the recommended treatment. If she had 3 good legs, we would have amputated right away. But her bum bowed legs already limit her mobility. Lucky we live an hour from Colorado State University, which is one of the few places in country with a steretactic radiation machine. SRT with chemo has proven to be as effective to treat oseosarcoma as amputation with chemo.
You sure did have a rough month. But, as bad as the diagnosis is, sometimes it's almost a relief to know and be able to decide on a treatment plan. The truth is, while all cancer is bad, synovial cell sarcoma isn't as aggressive as osteosarcoma and some other types. My Willow lived 2 1/2 wonderful years after her amputation without any other treatment for cancer. Her amputation and diagnosis occurred before I adopted her, so I didn't have to go through the whole process of recovery and all the decisions. I can't even imagine how difficult that is.
When I adopted Willow, 16 months after her amputation, her arthritis was quite severe. She was a front left amputee, and had severe arthritis in her remaining front leg and in both her hips and back legs. In spite of this, with meds and supplements to manage her arthritis pain, she got around great. Of course, she was only 50 lbs. But, there are many people here who's large breed dogs have done so well with amputation. I know they will offer up advice for you. There are some great harnesses out there to help support Roxy, and if it gets to that point maybe even a wheelchair to help her.
Roxy is so lucky to have such a wonderful family to take care of her! Good luck with everything. Post updates, questions and even just frustrations. This is an amazing community full of love and support. We are all here for you!
Carol
Okay! I'm puttyin your hands right now! Roxh ia a BEAUTIFUL Bull Mastiff and what a luck girl to have such wderfully devoted advocates!
OH! Did I mention that I'm "owned" by a 118 lb. chunk of love Bull Mastiff?! Hapo Hannah just celebrated her eight mnth "ampuversary (and continuing forward, knockingon wood!). At tne time of her rear leg amp. for osteo. she weighed 123 lbs. (yeah, their legs weigh a lot) and was a little over eight years "young"! She had her nine year young birthdayin August.
I cannot address Roxy's specific bow-leg situation, but I can tell you that as long as Happh Hannah can sunbathe...or lay in the shade...or rollon her backin the cool grass...or get tons of tummy rubs...or lounge on the sofa...or sit outside sniffing all the scents in the breeze...or get told she's a "good gkrl" a million times a day...or get treats just by looking cute...or going for rides...r laying in front of the woodstove on cold nights...or eat deer poop...or shake ner slobber all over the walls and wag the whole time..........she could care less avout how far se walks!!
Sooooo, there is a point here! Roxy will be pain free. She will be enjoying all the loving and spoiling you can give 24/7. Even if you dohave to nelp her with a harness...at least until full recovery...she will still be a very happy dog living a life of QUALITY!
I KOW you feel like you've been stuck in a nightmare! I KNOW thisis an agoizing decision. It sounds like you're in very competent hands. If, after all the evaluatins, the surgeons, orthopedics, etc., feel sheis a good candidate,.....and tnere are never any sure fire guarantees...then you've gt a better chance at afull recovery with moviity.
Recovery id no picnic. It's a rough two weeks...more..or less....recovery is different for every dog. Once recoverh takes place though...oh my goodness! You are going to see a sparkle in her eyes that you probavy haven't seen for awhile!
Everyday with my Hapy Hannahis a cherished gift...a true treasure. Our sacred time together defines bliss and joy and fun and a love so incrediby deep it just warms my heart thinking avout how hapy sheis. Roxy's walks may be sorter, vut her tummy rubs will be longer. And I don't think sne would mind that at all
You are NOT alone! You are slowly waking up from a nightmare and moving towards a calm knowing that all is well. You, and Roxy, can handle this. You are a team and we are here right byour side.
Please keep us posted AND....THIS IS IMPORTANT.....WE MUST HAVE PICTURES OF YOUR BULL MASTIFF
Sending you lots of love! Now, go do someting that akes Roxy's tail wag...and then give her a big hug forus!
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!
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The button to add pictures doesn't seem to be working, so here are some we uploaded to Photobucket:
Thank you, willowsmom and benny55, for sharing your experiences and encouragement. We will post updates as the process continues.
Roxy and family, welcome. My apologies for the late welcome wagon, we are visiting friends and have been out of sorts. As you can see there is a great bunch of people here. And you aren't alone, especially when it comes to the diagnosis. Have you see this recent discussion?
If you're getting treated at CSU, you can't ask for better care than that! Those folks know their stuff and will not steer you and Roxy wrong. We have lots of members in the area so be sure to put a shout out in Tripawds Parties when she's all better.
Meanwhile be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List and our Tripawds e-book Library, they'll answer so many of your questions while you wait for the big day. And of course we are here to help too!
As for photos, here are instructions for adding images. If that doesn't make sense let me know and I'll walk you through it. I love the pix in your album!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, that face! What a lovely girl. How old is she?
We are not dealing with cancer with Murphy, but he is another one of those terribly bowlegged pups. After his amp, he was able to set his remaining back foot almost in the middle of his body and gets along quite well. When they did his hip replacement, the doctor angled the replacement socket differently than he would have if the bowleggedness wasn't there. He is still young, though, and we haven't had to deal with arthritis yet.
Good luck with the surgery. We will be thinking of you. CSU is where our doc did his training, and he is one of the best.
Kathi and Murphy
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Thanks for the support, everyone. The encouraging words and links to other forums on helpful topics are all wonderful! Roxy is 6 1/2 years old, and we've had her for 5 years.
We've read the two ebooks, and they've been very valuable. Thanks to that info, we got some important purchases taken care of -- a bunch of cheap throw rugs to slip-proof our hardwood floors and a harness to help her in difficult situations.
She's scheduled for surgery on Wednesday. I'm sure I'll have a complete breakdown when I drop her off, but at the moment I'm feeling a bit of a strange rush. After weeks of tests, at least now I finally feel like we're doing something.
Tiffany
GOOD FOR YOU TIFFANY! You are movng forward and giiving your Roxy a chance at a pain free quality life.....a life full of spoiling and lovng beyond what you ever thought possible!
And we are here right by your side nelping n any wah we can. We understand as best anyone can the crazy emoti s you are feeling. And voyoh voy, we are here to celebrate fkrst pee, first poop, with yoj! We celebrate anything around nere!
Speaking of celebrating.....we're celebraring one of the cutest migs in that land! All of those pictures are just adorable...love ow she lays down in two of those photos.....but that MUG! We all want to come over and take turns smooching that face and hugging that snuggle bear!
When you do pick her up, don't look at the incision, just look into her eyes and absorb how hapy she is to see you...and show her now hapy you are to see her!! She will do just fine!
Remember, we are here for youokay?
Look forward to your updates. So enjoying these pictures. Thank you so much for sharing them withus!
Surroundingyou with hugs...and a good night's sleep!
Sally and Hapy 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!
Tiffany, Roxy is beautiful! I just wanted to let you know we have an english mastiff who was 170 pounds right before his amputation and he did just fine. Roxy will figure it out in no time and that leg won't hurt her anymore. Good luck with the surgery! It may be difficult for the first few days, but you all will be great. Keep everyone posted.
Amy and Sambuca
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