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 There,
I'm Jaden and my best friend is an 8 year old cocker spaniel Named Maggie, So I came home last week to my girl Limping on three legs, It wasn't abnormal as of late because she was on a steroid medication for allergies and she gained a few extra pounds. Those few extra pounds were hard on her and front end, anyway to make a long story short this limp was different then the first few 3 day limps that she did on both sides of her front end. So in checking her out I found her front left elbow was really swollen. After a visit to a vet, then a specialist and another vet for a second opinion. I've been told that maggie has a badly broken elbow (so bad that the first vet thought it maybe bone cancer) the specialist says that can only be fixed with a complicated procedure of a screw and a pin cost of this procedure $4000.00 with possibility of infection and another surgery.... 4Gs is a hard enough pill to swallow if need be I can do it but I'm tapped if need of a second surgery. Option #2 is amputation $1600, my scare is that the past year maggie has been diagnosed with arthritis in all her limbs and clicking and wear in her joints. The doc says if we fix it with screws and pins it will be more so arthritic and only have 80% mobility in her elbow! Even at 8 almost 9 mags is still puppy like, she's a water dog and will spend all day in the lake swimming around and chasing waves. I'm beside myself on this decision I wish she could just tell me what she wants but she can't and I'm afraid of making the wrong decision. I'm afraid that the screws and the pin will just add more long term pain for her and I'm afraid that if I amputate and something happens to her lone front leg that I'd have to put her down. She's a champ right now and moves pretty quick on 3 legs, and goes up and down stairs the last couple of days even stepping slightly on her broken leg. I love my dog and I just want what's best for her, I just don't know exactly what that is........
For what it's worth... too many times we hear from new members who put their dogs through multiple painful expensive surgeries, only to proceed with amputation anyway. We recently spoke with an oncologist who mentioned a 80% chance of infection and failure of plates and pins. And, as you mention, Maggie is already getting around on three legs.
Only you and you vet can determine if Maggie is a good candidate for amputation, but hopefully this may help you with the difficult decisions you face. Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to the family, most of us here found this place because of cancer, and the decision to amputate is usually pretty clear cut. Does your vet say what kind of time frame it will take to see if the first surgery would be successful, if finances are a concern, with the possibility of having to amputate anyhow if the first surgery doesn't work I might be inclined to amputate now. I haven't had to deal with arthritis so I don't know what the cost of arthritis meds could be. Bottom line, I guess my thinking would be if you amputate now you have eliminated the possibility of infection and potential problems in that joint, whether it be now or down the road, and once healed from the surgery you then only have the issue of arthritis, and hopefully you could manage that with meds. Hopefully your comfortable with your vet and trust his advice, I think you and him are the only ones that can make the final decision. As far as life being normal with three legs, don't even think about it, there are alot of dogs here that swim with three legs, and are as normal as before, they just hop instead of walk, gives them character. Good luck, Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
First off, welcome to tripawds. I'm so very sorry to hear about Maggie. It's scary stuff, we know! And to make matters worse, you get to sift through all of these medical options the vets throw at you and you don't have a medical degree!
I'm known for not mincing words, so here's what you need to do. (I get a month's pass for what I write since I lost my Comet unexpectedly 10 days ago - that had deformed leg, not cancer! 
)
Go right to the amputation and forget the rest! Don't even question it. Just do it. She is in pain now. Once she has removed that leg, the pain is gone. Leg gone, pain gone. It's just that simple. There will be surgery recovery pain, but within a few weeks she'll be good as new! If you opt to do any of that other stuff, you are talking about continued pain in that leg. Bones take 6 months to a year to heal! You'll be a basket case from worry if you do the other stuff and she'll be in recovery pain for a lot longer. Plus, there isn't any guarantees the other surgery will work. Plus you also have risk a bone breakage, bone infection, loose screws, etc.
Sometimes, just because it can be done medically on a dog, doesn't mean it should be done.
Arthritis pain can be managed, so don't fret about that either. She's probably a little tubby from the steroids and once off of them and she starts doing "the hop" on 3 legs, a lot of weight will come off anyway.
I had a 3-legged dog for 12 years and as hard as it is to imagine losing that leg, it's really not. It's not like us human losing a limb. Dogs just don't care. They know they have to walk different but that's all. We see it as a cosmetic thing, they don't.
In the meantime, please know we are thinking of you with this difficult decision and we are here to help.
Sending you lots of strength and pawsitive thoughts,
Comet's mom
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.
If Maggie loves to swim then that will be GREAT physical therapy after amputation (if you decide to go that route) once the stitches or staples are out. I know that I will someday face the difficulties of arthritis when my already 3 legged dog gets it, but I would rather have her alive and well and on arthritic meds and glucosamine and condroitin supplements for the rest of her life than go through multiple expensive surgeries just to spare her leg (if she still had 4 and had arthritis).
It is not an easy decision, but all of us here advocate for the well being of the dog. Sometimes the choices are between things that both seem impossible, but what ever you decide we will support you with advice and encouragement.
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
I'm Sorry about Comet,
Thanks Guys I'm a mess as I am sure you all were when in this position, This has been the hardest decision I've ever had to make (to try and fix or to lose it altogether) the oncologist says Maggie is a very good candidate for either surgery, and he thinks that she'd do very well with either if she lost some weight. The other vet told me that if anyone could fix her that the guy I'm seeing would be her best chance. I think I'm gonna try and fix it and hope for the best... Hopefully there isn't to much pain for her and it won't result in amputation later. But in my mind I feel that I need to try all options before making such a final one, I'm not sure that this is the best decision but either way, I don't feel that either is a better decision than the other. At least if it does lead to amputation I will feel as though I have exhausted all other options. I agree with the comment "I'll be a basket case," but I think do to the displasia in all her joints that I'd be a basket case about her on three legs too, scared that she'll suddenly do the same to her only standing front leg. I don't look at amputation as cosmetic, My biggest concern is the strength of the right leg(the remaining leg), I'd have to do X-rays on the right leg to see were her joint wear is and if it is strong enough to be a long term bearer of her front end. The first vet I saw was concerned that with the nature of her fracture (a fracture more so found in Puppies) that cancer maybe involved with that my decision was easy to amputate. But after sitting on the thought of cancer for the weekend I was assured by the specialist on Monday that it wasn't the case. The specialist seems pretty positive of a good outcome, do I trust him, No but is it worth a chance? I hope so!
I appreciate all your comments I still don't know if its the right decision but one can only hope!
"I still don't know if its the right decision but one can only hope!"
None of know the right decision but we each need to do what we think is best for us. When our dogs have cancer the decision is made for us and we don't have the luxury of worrying about the other joints! You will do what is right for you and your dog. Please keep us informed on Maggie's progress.
Debra
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
jaden said:
I think I'm gonna try and fix it and hope for the best...
Maggie isn't broken, she's in pain. We too hope your decision helps relieve that without causing more.
There are no wrong decisions, just be confident in your choice and never regret. Remain a strong pack leader for Maggie and recovery will be much easier. Best wishes and please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
jayden,
Thank you.
Please never doubt that we know you want what's best for your darling Maggie. If you feel in your heart that trying to save the leg is best because of her mobility, then it is what you need to do.
But please don't hold it against us (okay, me!) for telling you to not go the surgery route. Bone cancer in humans is unbearable, so you can imagine how much pain there is and how well dogs can hide it. The strongest narcotics cannot eliminate the pain in humans.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but we haven't seen a successful surgery to save the leg yet when cancer is involved. If we thought it would work, we'd be cheering you on! We really aren't creepy, "we only like three legged dogs" type people! We all want that extra leg if we could!
We have a vet friend here, maybe she can give you her opinion. She also had a bone cancer dog, so she sees things from a dog mom and a vet. (I'll change the title of your post to give her a clue since she is busy and just checks topics)
Just so you know, my Comet had two back knee surgeries when she was 6 and 8 years old and still did fine on three legs. (she was 12.5 when she died) She even had crooked hips and put most of her weight on just two legs. (the front and back right) Plus, she had to hop around with this deformed gimpy leg!
Whatever you decide, we know it is out of love. And please don't feel alone. We are here to help and support you.
Comet's mom
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.
Jayden,
I'm sorry to hear about Maggie ( I like that name, I had a Maggie once.) I'm a little confused on your post. Do they think Maggie has cancer, or have they determined that it is not cancer? Usually, they don't consider the screw and pin route if it's cancer. I think Maggie would do fine on 3 legs, however I also understand why you would consider the other surgery. I do know that there are fewer complications with amputation surgery. Also, I would try to get a good handle on what the expected outcome each surgery would be. Although recovery time for the amputation would be less, I'm sure she'd be able to swim no matter which route you went. Good luck to you both, I know it's a really hard decision. As long as you decide with love for Maggie in your heart and her well-being foremost in your mind, you will do what's best.
Sadie is my 9yr old Rott/Shepherd mix. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right scapula 1/28/10. Our brave girl had her amputation 2/13/10 and her last chemotherapy on 6/6/10. Unfortunately, a tumor appeared in her back right leg and on 10/7/2010 Sadie's earthly journey came to an end. On 10/24/2010 we adopted Ranger, a handsome Rott/Lab mix tripawd (got hit by a car) I think Sadie sent him to us.
http://ranger.t.....pawds.com/
I totally agree with Comet's Mom. We were presented with a lot of options for Ginger, amputation, radiation only, etc. We took a week or two and discussed every option til blue in the face. In the end, we did amputate her right rear leg and then she had 6 rounds of chemo. That was April of 2010.
She has arthritis in her remaining back leg and is on Deramaxx for that. But in seeing her, you would never know that she is 10 years old and so far is kicking cancers butt.
We thought we would be doing more harm than good with the amputation but it actually turned out that the amputation was the best thing for her. She does everything she did before the surgery, just now on three legs.
I wish you all the best with your decision and am sending Maggie healing thoughts.
Ginger's Mom
I think Jayden is saying that the vet is telling her it ISN'T cancer. If it were, my advice would definitely be to amputate, no question. As it is .. well, you have to realise that when a joint is involved in a break it is doubtful that it will ever be pain-free. I say this both from my experience (a very, very long time ago) in nursing animals when I worked for a vet, and from talking to people who have broken bones involving joints.
However, you have to weigh everything and take advice from the experts. It's true that there will be extra weight on the remaining three legs if you amputate. It's also true that you may still end up going that route. Only you can make the decision on what to do, based on the vets' advice and what your heart is telling you, and taking into account everyone's experience here.
My tripod, Sid, had a leg amputated a result of a very badly broken hock. Cancer was never in the equation, but his joint was in too many pieces to fix and give him a good result.
Coincidentally, I've just put up a video of his first hydrotherapy session, proving that even greyhounds (not natural water-babies) can swim with only three legs. He needed a flotation vest, but he did it! 😉
Don't forget either that if it comes to it, Maggie can have a cart to get around in.
Yes Thanks, I wrote a really long response but somehow lost it in internet space:
Sorry about the confusion, but Maggie Tested negative for cancer, and if it was cancer I would without a doubt amputate and deal with whatever came next. I have however already booked the fix it surgery I only had a few days to make my decision so I booked it last Friday, So tomorrow morning she will have a screw placed in her humerus. I had to in my mind give her that chance, and for me than if it doesn't go well then the amputation is than a good plan B. The reason why I've chosen this route was only because the surgeron I am seeing has saw good results with this surgery he seemed positive of good result in Maggie's case (and he fed me some hope and that was really what I needed). Mags will be monitored closely and will have periodic xrays to see if there is any progression with her leg. If pain seems to persist than an amputation will take place and a cart will be bought (just incase) and my hard wood floors will then be covered in throw matts.
I guess now we just wait and see and pray my dog is as much of a trooper as she appears to be! She's already on glucosamine and pain meds for her displasia for life.
I found a picture of the exact break that maggie has and will post it here.
Comets mom:
I don't hold anything against anyone here and I don't think your "creepy only like three legged dog type," I understand why everyone has made their decisions, and I am very greatful for everyones replies and support like I said I was a basket case when I found this site. But while it's the right choice or not surgery is in the morning! So thanks to everyone and their replies I guess the only question now is is if I still have four legs can I still be apart of this site?
jaden said:
I guess the only question now is is if I still have four legs can I still be apart of this site?
You betcha! We don't discriminate based on the number of limbs a dog has. Everypawdy's welcome!
We understand how hard of a decision this is, and with or without cancer, it's not always right for everyone. You deserve a big "kudos" for investigating all of your options and wanting to do what's best for your pup!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I hope Maggie's surgery goes well!!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
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