Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello,
So I have a pitbull/ lab mix and she is 10 years old. She just had 2 tumors in the same leg and same area removed 2 months apart, not in the exact same area but near. The area is below the elbow of her front leg on the back side. The vet did say it was a soft tissue sarcoma, they couldn't tell which one but it was either nerve sheath or fibrosarcoma. He said the tumor had a very slim chance to spread and it would grow back in the same area with a slim chance of no regrowth.
We eventually are going to amputate, but we were advised to just keep removing the tumor as long as it stays small and manageable if/when it comes back, would amputation be better since he said that would would help?
The last question I have is why is the prognosis for these dogs only 2 years if the affected limb is amputated? I don't understand why 2 years is the median if the affected limb is amputated? If someone could explain that to me I would appreciate it? Shouldn't the removal of the tumor baring any other health issues allow them to live a normal life?
I'm just really sad since I've had her since my last year in middle school and can't even imagine to think my life without her and this news just saddens me every day, making me want to cry all the time since she is the only dog I've ever had.
Hi there
My nine year old lab, Tucker, had his right front leg amputated three months ago due to a soft tissue sarcoma. He did originally have the "lump" removed in April of this year but it was considered "high grade" and grew back quickly and was very large by the end of August.
I think that if the sarcoma had been smaller or had grown back at a slower pace, the vet would also have recommended removing the tumour again with a plan to possibly remove the leg eventually. However, that was not to be and Tucker had his leg amputated five months after the original surgery.
Neither my regular vet or the surgeon indicated that there was a median time after that amputation that Tucker would survive. As it was localized (though invasive), Tuck did not require chemo. My biggest challenge is watching his weight and making sure he doesn't hurt his remaining three limbs.....he is a big boy - 90 pounds post amp - though we hope to slim him down to 85 or so.
Hope this answers your questions somewhat....give your pup a hug for us!
Linda and Tucker
My dogs situation is locally invasive and was also told chemo is not necessary. I just keep reading online the median survival time, but I don't know if that is for ones that aren't locally invasive or if it that survival time is if amputation is not done.
How is your dog doing as a tripawd?
Hi there
Many of the stats quoted in this forum are for dogs and cats that have osteosarcoma (or bone cancer). However, there are really no guarantees about survival time for any of our pets - which is why all of us encourage each other to enjoy every minute you have with your pet 
Our furbabies really live in the now.....they don't worry about what tomorrow will bring...and that is a great lesson that we all should learn.
That being said, Tucker is doing great! His life is different now.....mostly because he cannot go for the long walks that we used to go on...but he can still go for short ones and he really loves to go for strolls and smell the ground every few feet. He is happy and healthy and enjoys life just as much as he did with four legs. After the first few weeks of recuperation, Tuck was back to being the snuggly, goofy member of the family that he has always been.
Try to relax.....I know it is all really scary.....but enjoy your pup now and follow his lead.....he will let you know what he needs.
Linda
Trying to be positive, just hard at the moment. Also the 2 year prognosis I mention is just listed on vet websites.
Try to do your best to not focus on what the Web timestamp suggests. . That is just a general idea of what to expect and many dogs far exceed expectations for one reason or another. I'm not a vet but my guess for why amp doesn't necessarily cure is maybe because the cancer cells in general are in the body, and can have a tendency to metastasize elsewhere at some point. . But I'm just guessing. .honestly one thing I learned through this whole process is to take each day one step at a time, one hurdle at a time, or you tend to lose the important thing, and that's today. I sometimes feel like I lost out on a lot of today's because I was so worried about tomorrow. ..
With that said, hang in there! I know it's a crazy roller coaster of a ride, and I'm sure your pup will fight his little heart out along side you.
Lori and Angel Chuck
You've gotten some great adivce from Lori and Linda.
You are NOT alone! We are walking right by your side with you, okay?
Yes, statistics, prognosis, researching until your eyes cross...can all make you completely whacky!
First, BREATHE......B R E A T H E .....-Deeeeeep breaths in....-exhale slowly.---B R E A T H E.
NO dog comes with a time frame stamped on his forhead.! EVERY dog is different! As Jerrh likes to say, "Statistically speaking, NINE out of TEN statistics are wrong!
The lesson this journey teaches you s to live in tne moment.....be more like your dog! Live in tne present! Your sweet girl doesn't care about any ole' diagnosis and isn't worried about a thing!! She is comp.etely living in tne moment and living life to the fullest!
There's a great book you can research here through the Amazon link...The Dog Cancer Survival Guide . Even IF your vet put a _statistic" of two years out there...the breakthroughs hat are happening everyday --mich less two years from now---could take care of any possible recurrence.
Take it one day at a time. Your pup may not need any more surgeries for awhile anyway. Cannot speak to treatment to your specific issue, bit CAN tell you that yor girl will amaze you with how quicky she adjusts to three legs....quick...like within 24 hrs. quick! Check out the link to Jerry's Required Reading List , Three Leg's and a Spare
Hangin there! You ARE strong and clearly the two of yu make a great team! Now go give your sweet girl and freat big hug.....ad save one for yourself, okay?
(((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))
Sally and Happy Hannah
Have you figured out ow to post pictures yet? We would LOVE to see some! She sounds adorable!
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 Help, Welcome. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this, it's tough there's no doubt. But as you can see, most dogs do great on three legs. If your dog gets to that point rest assured that there is life after amputation.
You may want to get a second opinion though. Multiple surgeries can be expensive and painful. If your vet isn't a board-certified oncologist, or doesn't at least consult with one, please go get another opinion. Remember information is power.
I answered your question about prognosis times (sorta) in your other post.
Again, welcome. We are here to lean on.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey there I hate stats, lol. Besides, a "median" is just that...could be 1 year, could be 5. My Grady had a locally invasive fibrosarcoma, and we went with amputation right off the bat. It was literally wrapped around his elbow, and putting him through expensive and extensive surgeries that may or may not be successful (but they WOULD be painful, and he would have downtime after each one) seemed less humane than just taking away the tumor AND the location for it to regrow on all at the same time. He was 10 at the time, 3 months ago, and is 11 now. His particular tumor was so slow growing that we all thought he was just getting older, but looking back now...he was hurting for a loooong time 
I will say that my vet told me vets are *very* hesitant to use the word "cured" when talking about cancer. It doesn't mean that amputation isn't curative with certain types of cancers, just that it makes people feel better to think that their dog is beating the odds, rather than "blaming the vet for lying" down the line. Even so, when I looked at the stats on amputation alone for his particular cancer...well, honestly, even 2 more years IS living out his normal life expectancy. Taking that into consideration, 12 or 14 years old is a good, long life for a dog
Recovery is not a walk in the park, but it's probably not as bad as you'd imagine. Grady (like Tucker...I swear they're twins! Same day, same leg, roughly same tumor, lol!) is 3 months out. He spent this past Saturday walking a little over 2 miles around town, and discovered that if he pushes his back toenails into the tree bark, he can lift his leg on EVERY TREE, just like he used to. Also, other dogs don't treat him differently at all. They DID treat him differently when he was limping and had cancer, though.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that "median survival time" isn't like a date stamped on an egg carton, lol. It's barely worth looking at, or thinking about. All you need to think about is what's best for your pup TODAY, how you can get her healthy and feeling good, and just be concerned for your girl...not the ones that those silly statistics are based on.
Hi help415
I honestly think that the doctors are taught to say possibly your beloved animal will live another 2 years, when in reality they have no clue. My Mastiff mixed was diagnosed last Dec 12th with bone cancer after crying for 2 weeks , and trying to come up with the best option for her and not for me. I finally chose to have her right front leg amputated and get chemotherapy for her. Basically I had 2 options let her live with 4 legs and she would pass away in 3 to 6 months in there opinion, or have the leg amputated and receive no chemotherapy or have the leg amputated and receive chemotherapy and hopefully she would live 2 to 3 more years. I love her to death and I wanted her to have quality of life with 3 legs and she does the amputated leg hasn't slowed her at all , she is full of life and loves living everyday. It was the best decision I ever made I hope my story will help you, but honestly they can't tell u how long ur dog will live so they just say 2 years.
Hi Propel 68! Would love to hear more about your pup AND see pcitures! I'm owned by a "chunk of a girl" Bull Mastiff with a rear leg amp. How is she doing?
Okay Stellablu! We MUST have video of Grady's innovative way to pee! This has got to be great!! Waiting..........waiting.......
Nice insightful post too!
Help415.....How are you doing today? Let us know how we can help.
(((((((Hugs)))))))))
Saly 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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