Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My name is Boz and I'm a 8.5 year old Wolfhound cross Greyhound. I was diagnosed with bone cancer last week, 2nd May, and had my front left leg amputated the next day. I'm going well so far and happy to be out in the sun today, with own of my mum's t-shirts on to protect my wound from the sun. This site has helped my mum a lot this week. I am undecided on chemo and the side effects and looking at different supplement and diet. The main concern we have is arthritis in my rear legs.
Boz, - Wolfhound x Greyhound - 8.5 yr old male - Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 2nd of May 2012 after a limp for 4 weeks - Amputated front left leg the next day – No Chemo at this stage – Early days but going well so far
Hello Boz and pack, welcome to Tripawds.
Your future posts will not require moderation.
Sounds like you are off to a good start with your recovery. You might want to read through Jerry's required Reading list if you haven't already. Lots of good info there on what to expect with recovery. The first two or three weeks are often filled with lots of ups and downs so don't get discouraged.
Have you looked at the Nutrition Blog yet? Lots of good information there on diets and supplements. A good joint supplement is probably a good idea if you aren't already on one. 8.5 is pretty senior for a Wolfhound cross right?
Chemo is a personal decision- it has to be right for you and Boz. Some do it, some don't. I did chemo with my pug Maggie after her amp for mast cell cancer. But I did not do chemo for her second cancer, and I have not done chemo with my quad pug Tani who also has mast cell cancer. You have to factor in everything and make the best decision for your situation. My local friend Cemil is 3 YEARS past his amp for OSA and he did not have chemo. Not everyone is so lucky, but there is always hope. Oh- and Cemil is a front amp, 150 pound, Anatolian Shepard.
We had another Wolfhound here last year- Io. He was also a front amp who enjoyed life on 3 legs for almost a year. Big boys can do this!
I hope his recovery is uneventful!
Karen and the pugapalooza
Welcome Boz!!! You are a handsome boy! I bet you are even more handsome without that nasty leg! Right?!
Water therapy is great for arthritis in 3 legged dogs...along with a NSAID! Actually, swimming is good for all three legged dogs! Hopefully you have a place you can go and swim.
Here's hoping you continue to heal and feel really good! Feeling good is the best part of losing that nasty leg!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
welcome boz!!! you are indeed a handsome dude!!! our monkeydog felony melanie says you are a hottie, and if you didn't live all the way around the world in australia, she'd love to have you come here and swim with her in our pool....she's smitten!!!! hope you continue to heal and can control that arthur-itis!!!!
charon & spirit gayle
(and squirrel boy sam & felony melanie)
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Oh Boz, we love Wolife-dogs! So glad you found us, but we're sorry about the diagnosis. Please tell your Mum not to worry though, I know a big kid like you can kick cancer's butt!
All of a sudden we have a lot of Tripawds from Down Under joining up here, some with cancer, some without. I think there needs to be a pawty in Australia, how about you?
As Karen said, chemo is a very individual decision, it's not right for every dog. Statistically it gives more dogs a chance to live longer lives but we've also seen many dogs here who didn't have chemo beat the statistics and live a long time without it. I went without chemo and lived two years after an osteo diagnosis. It's a tough decision for sure.
One terrific resource we recommend when you're just starting out on this journey and thinking about the chemo question is the Dog Cancer Survival Guide, which is an awesome book about coping with the diagnosis, diet guidelines and how to make the most of your time together.
We're so glad you found us. If you would like to share more, feel free to do so in our "Size and Age Matters" Forum so that other pawrents of big dawgs can find Boz' story right away.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Boz from Oz! You ARE a handsome boy, and it sounds like you are recovering well from your surgery-- crazy week, huh? Good thing you live far away; those monkeydogs are trouble... I know it's a lot to take in, but take it one day at a time, and before you know it, months have passed and your mum won't be worrying about you anymore, because you will be running around and living it up (and getting lots of extra attention and treats). Keep us posted!
Catherine, Spirit Scout and Tom the Terrible
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
Welcome Boz and Boz's pack, you are handsome indeed!
As others have mentioned, some do chemo, some don't. We did, but I've seen dogs do well either way. It honestly seems like such a c**p shoot. I would very much recommend the Dog Cancer Survival Guide that Jerry mentions. I was so overwhelmed when Abby was diagnosed, and the book does a good job of putting all the pertinent supplement/treatment options in one place.
It's an awesome thing to be a Tripawd Pawrent. Welcome to the club,
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Welcome Boz (from another Aussie). I would also recommend getting the Dog Cancer Survival Guide. It is an excellent book with lots of useful information. It gives you some semblance of control. Knowing what to do is really tough and I can understand that arthritis in the back legs would be a concern. Hopefully your vet/specialist can guide you. I don't know if your dog is already on supplements but I found Joint Guard was really good for Magnum's arthritis and a friend was really impressed with Sasha's blend for his dog.
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Hi and welcome. I am very sorry to hear that Boz is fighting this cruddy disease, but would like for you to know that even our "mature" kiddos can do well. Zeus was 11 years old at diagnosis (also Osteosarcoma) and he has done very well. He still got around pretty well prior to surgery but I had definitely noticed a bit more stiffness in the last couple of years so I'm pretty sure that he has a bit of arthritis. Good luck with recovery and keep us updated on how he's doing!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Hi Boz!
Welcome to you and your mom and welcome to the tripawd club! Tripawds rule! I'm a front leg amp too!
I has OS in my left front leg (proximal humerus) and I had my leg and scapula amputated. I did 5 rounds of carboplatin chemo and it didn't affect me at all...I'm a lab so I am always hungry! 🙂
Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers to you for a super speedy recovery! You'll be running and playing soon!
Hugs and chocolate labby kisses,
Charley (and my mommy Ellen)
18 Month OS Survivor...and counting!
Charley's Blog: CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
Thank you for all of your kind posts!
Jerry - Yes, I have noticed some very new Victorian Aussie members, Whiskey and Molly (amylou) and also Princess. Bozie's new diet is boiled chicken, sardines, boiled vegies and a sprinkle of dry food. He is also eating flaxseed with cottage cheese for an entree (I did read that his doesn't work with dogs?) and I plan to add turmeric, ginger and maybe garlic to his meals. I have just downloaded the Dog Cancer Survival ebook, I'll have a read today, it looks like it covers a lot - Thanks.
Princess - Thank you for your advice. There seems to be a lot more information on US supplements so I’m finding it difficult to decide and I'm not sure if we are able to ship some of these to AUS. I haven't heard of Joint guard but I was trying to decide between Sasha’s blend and PAW osteosupport joint care. PAW osteosupport joint care recommended by the vet but pretty expensive.
Cometdog - Thanks, I have been investigating hydrotherapy in my area. I found a place called 'Dogs in Motion' in Doveton Vic. The first session is $140 includes 1hr consultation and exercises to do at home. Then underwater treadmill is $65 and large pool is $15-$30 pending on what's right for the dog (prices for Victorian members information). We are going to try it out once the stiches are out next week.
Bozie is more Greyhound size, so the vet thinks he should live to about 10 -11.
Boz slept well last night for the first time since the op, he must be getting a little more comfortable. We have been concerned about the about his increased panting and lack of drinking over the last few days, he is not interested in water at all. I made some homemade beefstock last night and he has drunk a little this morning, hopefully will have some more today.
Emily, Greg and Bozie
Boz, - Wolfhound x Greyhound - 8.5 yr old male - Diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 2nd of May 2012 after a limp for 4 weeks - Amputated front left leg the next day – No Chemo at this stage – Early days but going well so far
If he is still on pain meds (tramadol) that will explain the "goofy behavior". Usually, it goes away when you stop giving them. Some folks really limit the use of tramadol (okay...me!) because of the side effects. I know first hand, my 3-legged dog, Comet couldn't walk/hop when I gave her one because she was so dopey. But I had a gauge since she was always 3 legged so I knew how they affected her.
Putting ice on the site for about 10 minutes seems to work wonders opposed to pain meds. I don't think dogs cope well with pain meds. Ice will instantly stop the throbbing which is probably making it hurt. (just don't go over 15 minutes and if using a gel pack, go less since they are colder than ice. My human dr. told me this...after I personally got frost bite from a gel pack!) Repeat every few hours.
It sounds like Bozie is getting the royal treatment on food! That's great! The only thing I'd be a little cautious of is, the sardines - it's full of salt if in a can (or it is here in the US). What about a fish oil supplement? My vet recommended only two things for a dog that has any scientific evidence of being effective. Fish Oil and Vit. E. We just had this long conversation about it for our 3 year old healthy dog but he strongly recommended it for any dog (because of the scientific proof - unlike supplements that have none.) Be sure to ask your vet how much Vit E if you decide to add it, because you can overdose on it.
Just a suggestion....
I hope Bozie perks up soon!
Good thoughts are still coming!!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
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