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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I have an 8 year old lab mix that I am bringing home today from a leg amputation resulting from osteosarcoma. Next is recovery and then chemo. They keep quoting a year or so for estimated life expectancy. Does anyone have experiences to share with this type of situation and what to expect? Thanks.
Depends on a lot of things...type of cancer, the dog, other complications, and...luck. Really. It's a lot about the luck of the draw. You will see a lot of stats and averages, but really, keep in mind, those are just numbers--and dogs are really bad at math.
We were given 3-6 months as a guesstimate--but even with that, came the caveat "you never ever know." And you don't. Humans have a "expected lifespan" of 78 years, but there's nothing saying we won't live to 110 or get hit by a bus tomorrow. Sam is at 3.5 months, and eating like a horse and enjoying his life. I don't know where we'll be in two weeks, in six weeks, in six months. But I know where we are today, and that's the day that matters 
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
I'm sorry to hear about your pup! But you came to the rigth place. It's very hard to say anything about "expectancy". What I've learned through this whole experience is that the vets have to give you statistics, bc we as parents as for them, however, there are so many outliers.
We just conducted a survey of "long term survivors" (at least 1 year post diagnosis) and 50 dogs responded to that survey. However, there are, unfortunately, some that even with amp and chemo that don't make that that long. It really is luck of the draw as Megan stated.
Come on over to the chat room if you get a chance, there's usually some of us in there at some point during the day!
Here's to hoping for a great recovery for your pup!
Erica & Tripawd Kitty Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
I wish we knew exactly how much longer our sweet boys and girls would be with us after amputation, but there is no chart to go by. Otherwise.. I would have opted for the extra time clause in the "fine print"! lol
The only great thing is that they are out of pain, they adapt better than we do, and will enjoy every day, week, month, etc they can get still being by our sides.
I had an extra 5 months, 11 days, or 23 weeks and 1 day (that sounds longer, doesn't it?) My Franklin ended up with lung mets and we noticed the first signs of it in early April, 2013. He was 14 1/2 years old when he ran for the bridge on May 15th, 2013.. he could have even been closer to 15 possibly since we rescued him when he was 6 and really did not know when his birthday was!!. Overall.. he had a pretty dang good life..
I guess the main point here is.. enjoy every day... that is what counts!!
Good luck and keep us posted on how your pup is doing!
Christine.... with Franklin in her heart ♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
Megan is absolutely right: Today is the only day that matters. Will there even be a tomorrow? Is there an asteroid coming? Volcano? Runaway train? Could be. Probably not.
Not everyone is here due to cancer. Even those dogs, tripawds due to accident or accident of birth, are mortal and can be given more or less time. A dog who gets hit by a car and loses a leg at age 3 could still have some other problem that steals her at age 5.
If you try to put any of this into statistical categories or run numbers on it, you will succeed only in making your head spin. If a vet gives a prognosis, it's really just a statistical guess based (usually) on worst cases. Pet owners want a prognosis. Vets don't like to give them. And dogs don't listen to them. Take today as a gift and don't worry about what hasn't happened yet.
For the record, we have many members here who've blown those best guesses out of the water. A prognosis is a guess, not a mandate. If you get a short guess, don't waste your weeks or months expecting your dog to die at any moment. He may have other plans, and you sure don't want to miss the fun.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
Good luck with recovery Tracy. I know it's hard not to focus on the numbers but all you need to do is follow your dog's lead and know that he's not thinking of the future, just about the here and the now. It's the best way to approach this disease to save your sanity.
Poke around here and you'll see a variety of experiences, longevity, etc. Like life, there are no guarantees. All we can do is live each day as if it were our last, and treasure every moment we have. You can do this!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tracy
God luck with your recovery. Take each day as it comes, and focus on that. Numbers are just numbers none of know what will be. Move forward with your dog, and enjoy each day together,as he does.
Having this site has helped all of us for a sounding board, support and a wonderful source of information. Keep us posted on your progress and come to the chat room
.
Good thought,
Esther and Snoop
Hi Tracy,
So sorry to hear about your pup. I echo what everyone is saying that it is all just a guess. However one thing I did read that I believe is that you do pass your positive outlook onto your pet. Everyone is terrified to begin with but once you start to see them start to recover - you will be amazed at what they can do. Our Daisy was a front-leg amputee (3 months before her 12th birthday at the time of her amputation), barrel-chested and had undergone 2 knee surgeries (at 4 & 8). Within 4 weeks she was going up and down the stairs (we live in a split-level and her favourite place was downstairs on the couch). Hang in there, stay positive, and don't pay too much attention to the numbers.
Best wishes,
Alicia
Thanks for the replies. He is back home tonight and doing better then I expected. I can already tell is in less pain then he was leading up to the surgery, and starting to act more like his old self. We will just take it one day at a time and I will cherish every moment I have with him and take non for granted from now on.
So glad to hear this Tracy! Let us know what we can do to make this journey easier for you both OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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