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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Hi, we are new here...Happy and I. After a year of tests, and trial and error, it has just been discovered that Happy has a nerve sheath tumor, which needs to be removed, and the front left leg amputated.
Happy and I have been together since he was born to my boyfriend's dog, and we bonded instantly. By 8 weeks old he was so ready to come with me. We have a special bond, as many people do with their dogs. He is athletic, funny, and smarter than me and most people. He is my immediate family and primary relationship, so learning he has cancer and is going to lose his beautiful leg, leap and gate is hard to take. He communicates with his paws, lets me know what he needs, and often just places his paw gently on me to let me know he is there, or agrees with me. I hate that he has to lose his leg, but glad the doc gave me good news that the cancer will most likely not spread, and that he will be back to his happy self soon..
My big concern now is, last night I received his written report from the doc in email, and it said the cancer was most likely malignant, highly likely to come back, but that after surgery he could live up to two years. This is more of a shock than the amputation news, because the way it sounded, I thought he would live a full life of three legged activity.
It is Saturday, and I am so worried right now. I want to talk to Happy's orthopedic vet/surgeon(different from the reporting doc), but need to wait two days. I am hoping there may be some room for interpretation there, or maybe that is a mistake.(Or maybe this is the news all nerve sheath tumor patients are given..I just don't know)...
In any case, we are here for the long haul..I have a lot of questions and am in the sad/numb phase right now, but so glad there is this community to reach out to and learn more so I don't have to be fearful of the unknown. We are going to make the best of it!!
Hi Happy and pack,
Welcome to Tripawds. Your future posts will not require moderation.
I am sorry you have found yourself here- but this is a great community of people who know what you are dealing with.
First I would say that you should read through Jerry's Required Reading list, or download the ebook Three Legs and a Spare. Lots of good info there on what to expect with amputation and recovery.
I don't have any experience with nerve sheath tumors- several people here have. My pug lost her left rear leg to a mast cell tumor.
Try not to worry too much about the email report until you are able to talk to your vet (easier said than done I know). My experience was that I got what the vet considered the worse case prognosis.
Remember that stats and prognosis don't always accurately predict outcome. There are many here who have far outlived their prognosis- my Maggie included. She was given 6 to 9 months after amputation (I thought the amp was curative too) because of lymph node involvement. But she lived almost 4 years after her surgery and did not die from mast cell cancer.
The important thing to focus on is that Happy's time is quality time, no matter how much time there is.
Read through the information and resources here on this site. Come and ask lots of questions- lots of people are willing to share their experiences.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Of course you are sad and numb, this is such shocking and heartbreaking news for you. And it certainly does sound like you have an extraordinary bond with Happy. But you can do this and we're here to help.
I'm with Karen - of course there is room for interpretation! No one's dog has an expiration date stamped on their butt. And in the meantime time, I am 100% certain Happy is going to figure out a new way to communicate with you, and you two are going to have a better and better bond every day of this journey together.
Main thing is, don't get ahead of yourself. Focus your energy on the next step and do that step well! Then take the next one, and the next one, and the next one. Worry is too draining and it robs our joy. Go enjoy your boy right now! Nothing like hugs and pets with your furkid to make everything better.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
geesh....take a minute, now roll happy over (we'll wait)...is there a date stamp on his butt, is there a 'good by date' is there any kind of 'due date' there???? gayle was told she had a 60% change of living one year when she had her amputation feb 2010...the nostradamus numbers are just estimates, they are not based on happy, they are not based on gayle, they are not based on maggie, they are not based on tate, etc. (ok, you can roll him back over...)
take it one step at a time. keep breathing, keep loving that little man with all your heart. all any of us has is the 'now'...happy knows that and is grabbing the gusto out of each and every moment - learn from him. we are all here for you, you have a new family of folks who 'get it' - that's something to bank on.
now give happy a treat, get a treat for yourself and think about perhaps sneaking in a medicinal nap.
charon & gayle
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
The thing about prognoses is that they are based on statistics. And everyone knows that statistics are just numbers. They are not living, breathing, loving Happy. My Rio was given a two year prognosis when we found her first mast cell tumor. She is now at 4 and a half years post initial diagnosis. So, don't get locked into a mind set that you only have two years. You have as much time as you have -- whether it's five minutes or five years -- life is funny and there are no guarantees, so make the most of whatever time you have together.
You are perfectly normal in grieving -- for the loss of "normal," for the loss of the leg, for the fact that your pup has cancer. It's a lot to face, but in time you will see that the "new normal" is okay. Your dog will have a new perfect gait, and he will figure out a new way to communicate with you, and you will be amazed at how he adjusts to life as a Tripawd. And as you make this journey with him, you will discover an even stronger bond with your boy. He will teach you all sorts of lessons about strength and resiliency and courage and how to cherish the moments.
But the most positive thing about becoming a Tripawd is that you are now a part of a very special club (don't worry -- none of us wanted to join it either), and you don't have to make this journey alone!
Micki and Rio
 |
~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
We're sorry to hear about Happy, but glad you found us. Please review the links Karen provided and keep us posted
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all so much! I took Happy out of his 'hobbles' he has been wearing for his torn shoulder, and he stretched out really long, I gave him a good massage and scratchin', and we hopped in the car, went for drive and wound up at a friend's for beers. I even gave him some bacon out of my California Club.regardless of the loose bowels he has been experiencing with the meds-yikes!)
Your insight and experience helps a lot. I'm so glad to hear the stories who are living so much longer than 'the numbers'. It does not help to research what Happy has because the research is pretty grim. But, I do look at things relatively, and I know basically we do only have the now. It's still hard to swallow, look in his eyes and see the energy for life he still has, and not think of the wealth of information I have just learned. The vet had made it seem like after the surgery it will be back to a normal life..I was kind of shocked that there were ANY numbers..Just wasn't thinking in those terms yet.
Thanks for all your responses. I'm glad to have met this group...
I think I know how you feel, someone from another cancer support group made it sound like Tate would be back to normal in 3 days and everything would be peachy. It took awhile for the reality to sink in, and it was a very sad time. But eventually a new, positive reality sunk in - a new appreciation for my boy, for the little things that make him special, for new ways to care for him, and new ways to show him how much I love him.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Welcome Happy & Happy's mom! I know the whole surgery is very scary but you have found the best community to come to for support and encouragement 🙂 You will be surprised how well Happy will adjust to life on 3 legs. Once Chili Dawg was off his pain meds he was running and wrestling with his Boxer brother, table/counter surfing- all the things he used to do before his cancer caused him pain. He did amazing and our family learned a lot from him, especially how to live in the "now". Hang in there!
Jenna & Spirit Chili Dawg
Diagnosed with OSA: 5/2/2011 Ampuversary: 5/11/2011 OSA returned in hip: 8/26/2011
Chili Dawg crossed the Rainbow Bridge on 8/30/2011 & is now pain free. He was my heart dog, and I miss him every day.
i just replied to your other post but i want to add that my dog levi communicated with his front paws ALL THE TIME. He would "whack' at us everytime he wanted attention and he whacks at the door when it's time to come inside etc. I was really worried about the amputation because it is his front left leg that he lost. Well, I was worrying for nothing. He still scratches the heck out of our front door to come in, and whacks us for attention. He will even sit and "shake" like he always has. I was really hoping to be able to buy a new front door, but no such luck.
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
You'll be amazed how well Happy adapts to life on three legs. And you'll be amazed at how well YOU adapt to caring for a tripawd dog with cancer. It's a bumpy road, but well worth the journey.
Thanks so much, everyone! You have really helped start to put my mind at ease. Happy and i had a fun day, as he has started to adjust to his meds and has been playful. I am already feeling better just seeing him happier. I'm going to consult with the vet this week and make a definite plan. I've even been searching orthopedic beds and stuff..The initial shock was rough, but we are going to be ok. I really think Happy will do well. He's a border collie mix and healthy.(8 years old). The main physical concern I have is he has been favoring his "good" leg for a while now, and has hyperextended his wrist on that leg. We will need to work on getting that leg in good health. He already has a physical therapist so we will keep going there...one step and day at a time..
might want to try some acupuncture on the favored wrist...can really help with healing.
charon & gayle
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
Aww that sounds so pawsitive! We would love to hear more about your experience with his P/T person, it's good to hear about how it works for different Tripawds.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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