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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our ten year old labradoodle Alfie was a perfectly healthy dog no signs of any issues. Then suddenly walking down a path he yelled and couldn't put his rear leg down. A x-ray showed a break on his knee and the vet saw a growth. Must have been small as couldn't see/feel it beforehand.
Following day Alfie went under to have a biopsy but vet rang to say he had had a look and in his view it was osteosarcoma and leg needed to be amputated or Alfie put down. He said X-rays of lungs and blood tests clear. We agreed to amputation.
A week on we are wondering if we have done the right thing as Alfie seems very low, very lethargic and not really interested in anything. The vet has also told us not likely to survive more than 6 months so feeling why are we putting him through this.
Any advice/experience welcome.
Hello Alfie and family, we are so glad you joined so we can help you through the recovery. Your future posts won't need approval so you won't have to wait for responses.
First, please call the Tripawds Helpline when you start to question your decision. That's why it and these Forums exist, to calm your fears.
Second, take that comment from your vet with a grain of salt. If you look around here you'll see that many dogs live much longer than six months, some for years with osteosarcoma (not, all but we've seen it here quite a few times). That six month figure your vet gave you is straight out of a textbook. Your vet also probably doesn't see as many cases as we see here, and we see lots (unfortunately). Many do outlive those odds so try not to focus on it OK?
What you do need to focus on is this: One week out of surgery is not a long time. Try to put yourself in his paws, and picture where you would be right now. Most humans would be much more behind in recovery.
There are many reasons why some dogs are just more tired and subdued than usual during recovery. What kind of pain medication is Alfie on? Too little or too much has an effect on their behavior.
Is he eating, drinking, peeing and pooping?
Does he act painful when he walks?
If you can answer these questions we can try to help you pinpoint the cause, but for now please keep in mind that one week out isn't much so try not to worry. If you suspect there is more going on of course call your vet and let them know OK?
We are here to help!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello and welcome.
Most people here have questioned their decision to amputate at some point during recovery. I know it's hard not to be discouraged but one week in is really early. Most pups seem to really start getting their sparkle back around the two week mark, although each pup is different. The meds will really slow them down, and new Tripawds are exhausted as they learn to navigate with their new bodies.
Remember- you have taken away the terrible pain of bone cancer which would only keep getting worse, the surgery recovery is temporary. You did the best thing FOR Alfie!
My pug Maggie was a SLUG for about six weeks after her rear leg amputation due to mast cell cancer. I was sure for just about every one of those days that I had made a huge mistake. In hindsight it made sense that she took her time adapting since Maggie was a stubborn pug who absolutely hated any changes to her routine. Once she got used to her new normal she hopped happily though life for almost 4 years far outlasting her prognosis of 6 to 9 months. As Jerry said- not everyone outlives the prognosis, but it does happen. You have given Alfie a chance!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
As you can see, you could not be in a better place for understanding, information and support!!
DITTO KAREN!
DITTO JERRY!
Definitely give us feedback on their questions. pain management is so important as is complete rest. Most dogs here come home with Tramadol, Gabapentin, Rimadyl and an antibiotic. They stay on them generally for about teo weeks in some form. It varies dog to dog. My Happy Hannah was on them for approximately three weeks at a reduced dose going into week three.
I joinged this community on Day Six. I was in a complete panic because I thought I had made a terrible decision! Everyone here educated me and through me a lifeline. This IS MAJOR SURGERY and recovery is no picnic!! It took me three weeks before I could say I did this FOR my Happy Hannah and not TO her! 🙂 Without question I did it FOR HER!!
Alfie does not have a timeframe stamped anywhere in his cute Labradoodle butt!! Go ahead, take a look! Nope, nothing there! Alfie is NOT a statistic and could care less about days on a calendar!
Alfie does care about being spoiled and loved and getting treats! He WILL recover and he WILL live life to the fullest just like before...except without that bum leg!!
We look forward to hearing from you. We are all right here right by your side tonp help you navigate through recovery.
Higs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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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