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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Hello! I am new to this site and I feel so blessed to have found it.
I adopted my Golden Henri from the Golden Retriever Rescue, "SEVA GRREAT" when he was 5.
We have had an amazing .."almost 7 years together!" He is my best friend and has been such a sweet boy.Henri started limping back in September and after several visits to the Vet…Arthritis was the diagnosis…so he has been on Rimadly. The limp did not get that much better but started to get worse in late December. After our visit in January, my worst fear was confirmed..…the Vet was 80% positive it was Osteosarcoma in his front right limb. How could this be? Not my best friend??? Of course so many questions went through my mind but the shock set in, and I was depressed and upset beyond belief. Then I read so many things that talked about not showing your sad emotions around your dog because the can feel that negative energy. I have tried being strong despite this grim news. It has been so so difficult. Obviously, so many of us have been faced with this and the options are not favorable…none of them. Im terrified to death over amputation because Henri does have arthritis and is a big guy. He needs to lose about 10 pounds. When went to the specialist….I thought I was confident with my decision. Palliative care/radiation to keep him comfortable….Henri takes Tramadol and we even tried the pain patch Friday night but that ended in disaster! He must have had an allergic reaction because we ended up in the Vet ER! After evaluation, and fluids, and removal of the patch…we went back home and Henri has been resting comfortably all weekend. We have an Oncology appointment on Tuesday…they are located about 2 hours from me…and I pray that they will give me some sort of direction so that I have peace with this. It has helped me so much to read all of your stories and I feel the sadness that all of us have had to endure. I certainly want to do what is best for Henri…no matter what decision I have to make. He is about 11 and a half…..but he is still in good spirits, bright eyes, wagging tail, and still loves his food!!!
His bloodwork came back good last week and the chest Xrays showed no mets,…but we all know how quickly that can change. Im trying to stay positive and of course I am cherishing each and every moment with my sweet boy! I hate this for him and I hate this for me….it really is tough to be in this position…but I know there are so many other people in the same place I am. I have to pray for strength, peace, and acceptance through all of this. I keep going back and forth with the amputation….I wish it were more clear….but it is so tough!!!!
Welcome, and thanks for joining! Henri has a beautiful smile indeed.
Everyone here certainly undertands the difficult decisions you face. Just keep in mind that it's all about quality of life, not quantity, and that amputation is the only way to remove the terrible pain associated with a growing OS tumor, not to mention avoid a traumatic fracture.
Every dog is different, but be sure to review Jerry's top ten questions and answers about canine cancer and amputation to get an idea about what you might expect during recovery.
Many members have also found the book Without Regret to be helpful in facing the decision of amputation for their dogs. It certainly helped us when we wentthrough this with Jerry.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm sorry that your poor baby boy, Henri finds you here. I'm so sorry that he is going through this. Whatever decision you make will be the right one.
Most everyone here that has experienced cancer found amputation to be the right choice for them. I don't ever remember reading that anyone regretted it. (I haven't dealt with OS, mine has a deformed leg)
I can only imagine the gut wrenching feeling you have right now but hopefully the trip to the vet and some of our members can jump in and uplift you a bit.
Hugs and Woofs, Woofs to you!
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.
Hi Wendy,
I'm so glad you decided to go ahead and join Tripawds... You'll get alot of great information... and best of all, incredible support from everyone here! We all just want the best for our babies... that's why we're all here.
I really hope that hearing the feedback from the Tripawds members, and your consult with the vet on Tuesday... will help make your decision for Henri, a little bit easier...
Big kisses for your golden boy!!!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Hi and welcome to tripawds- there is almost never a good reason that someone finds us. But this is the best place to find when you HAVE to.
My recomendation at this point is to write down all of your questions, do some research, and be prepared to ask the oncologist all kinds of questions.
Another way to approach things is to decide what you WON'T do, or WON'T put Henri through. You know him best. That helped me a little when I was making decisions for my pug Maggie. There was one treatment option I decided against because I knew she wouldn't tolerate it well.
Take your ques from Henri- if he is telling you he is still full of life then maybe amputation is right for him to get rid of the constant pain he is in.
Whatever decision you make will be the right one because you will make it with love and with Henri's best interest at heart.
Karen and the pug girls
Hello Henri's mom. We all understand the toughness of the decisions facing you right now. You'll make them with Henri's best interests at heart, and so whatever you decide will be the right thing.
I can tell you about Cemil's amputation a year ago. He limped until I finally figured out that it wasn't going to get better on its own and took him to the vet. There, he was pretty much diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his front left leg that day. I had a hard time trying to decide what to do, but I opted for amputation after a weekend of research. He's a big boy--148#--but he came through the surgery fine. He took a little longer to recover than a smaller dog would, but he can now do just about everything he did before. He's in a few videos here (I just posted one in his blog) so you can see a big dog hop if you want to. And there are lots of videos of other dogs about Henri's size. I have no regrets about amputating. It has given Cemil a year (and counting!) of pain-free life.
Keep asking questions and don't forget, we've all been where you are now and we understand how you feel.
Mary
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
I am so sorry that you and Henri have to join this club. It is the best place though to get information and support to make this tough decision. You are right the toughest thing is being positive for Henri. When I got the diagnosis for my Supai I was devastated and there was no hiding the fact. It took me 3 day's to finally man up and be strong for her, and it was the best thing for her. Her attitude improved immediately! One important thing I learned through this ordeal is our dogs feel no self pitty, they see challenges and overcome them. If their pawrent is scared they do sense that and that fear get's in the way with the dogs natural will to live. Take things day-to-day, be thankful for today and don't focus on what you precieve the future to be.
We are all pulling for you and Henri!
Shaun & Miss Supai
Hey there Henri - you sound like you're in wonderful hands with your pawrent.
I remember very clearly when we were faced with this decision. Zeus had just turned 10. It's soooooo heartbreaking and it's like you're in a dream...It's surreal. I asked myself "How could this happen?" at least 100 times.
Do your research, ask tons of questions, but most importantly (at least for me it was), sit quietly with Henri and listen to your gut, your heart and to Henri. You will know what to do...the answer will come. Only you and Henri can make this decision. Zeus and I made it together...when I had all the information and facts, I still didn't know what to do. Zeus was diagnosed on a Thursday, we aspirated the area on Friday and verified the cancer. My two best friends are Vets and I spent all weekend pounding them with questions - the same ones over and over again. Everyone reassured me that Zeus would do fine and I felt in the back of my mind that if he didn't do well, I could always let him go then. So....it was Sunday and we had a consultation on Monday with the doctor that would do the amputation if we decided to move forward. I was so confused - i didn't know what to do. I lay quietly with Zeus and explained everything to him. He understood - i know he did. I asked him what he wanted to do - I didn't want to put him through this if he didn't want to fight. He responded to me by jumping off the bed, grabbing his favorite toy and whipping it around...spinning around and running to the window barking. Then he looked back and me with this fight in his eyes...I know he was saying, "Mommy - let's fight!"
We amputated that Wednesday and had 17 more wonderful months together. I could go on and on about how amazing he did - I have no regrets. I didn't even lose him to the cancer (kidney failure) - that I like to think that he beat...cancer free until the end.
We are sending you lots of love and tons of prayers for tomorrow. Please keep us posted. You are not alone in this fight.
Love Heather and Spirit Zeus.
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
We're so sorry to hear about Henri. It helped me to write down all of my questions, and to bring a notebook with me to the vet and oncologist visits so I could write down what they said. It's a tough decision you have ahead of you. We struggled with what to do, and have not had regrets about amputation for Holly. Once she was past the recovery period she's been doing great! If she could talk, I am sure she'd say "who needed that old leg, anyway?". She's no longer in pain, and she can do just about everything she did prior to the surgery. She's back to being our "Jolly Holly", so for her it was the right decision. Whatever the right decision is for Henri, we're all here for you and will support you through this journey.
Best wishes and lots of hugs...
Holly and Holly's mom
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Welcome "keepsmilin",
What a sweet smilin' face Henri has.....I am sorry that he has been going through such a ruff time. It is such a scarey time filled with questions and fear and sorrow.
Paris limped for many months before we got the osteosarcoma diagnosis. Once we knew what was going on, she had her leg amputated and did fabulous for 1 year and 2 days!! I wouldn't trade a moment of that year. We chose amputation and chemo, but many of my fellow Tripawds go different routes. Most important for us was to get her out of pain. As you will learn at Tripawds there are no wrong decisions.....no judgement........just a spirit of caring and hope for each dog that comes along.
Take good care and focus on what is best for Henri and ask questions, you will know what to do, follow your instincts.
Ginny & Angel Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
Keepsmiling1818,
OSA is indeed an heartbreaking news. You have found an amazing community here who will provide a lot of support, compassion, infos etc. I have been here for 6 months and I still can not believe how nice people on this site are. About the decisions you are to make, remember that there is no right or wrong answers. There is so much emotions and factors implied!! We all know that your choice will be made with love and with Henri in your mind. You talked about Henri having arthritis. I do not know how severe it is but some dogs here have overcomed amputation even if they had dysplasis. I know dysplasis and arthritis are not the same but that shows that amputation may still be a good option even when a dog is not in a perfect shape. Some other dogs had extra weight and were able to lose it after amputation. Your vet/onco's advice will be important. Have trust in them and most important, in yourself.
Best thoughts and plenty of hugs and treats to Henri!
Suzanne and Oslo
getting the diagnosis is horrible!! I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. I used to get all caught up in the statistics I would read online when I was just learning about what osteosarcoma is, that the thought of only a couple more months with my dude was overwhelming. After a month or 2 of anticipatory grief, I just came to the mindset that I can't change anything, I may as well make the best of it. Also, our dogs don't know theres anything wrong with them, and like others have said before, dogs don't pay attention to statistics. Some dogs go on for a couple years with only amputation or metronomic therapy, and others only stick around for a couple months even with amputation. I even heard of a Bernese Mt. Dog who was diagnosed with cancer at age 2 and lived 8 more years with only amputation. You will read it over and over that you should do what you believe is right for your dog. You have to be comfortable with the decisions that you make, since the more relaxed and at ease you are, the more your puppy (they're all puppies, really) will be, too. Research your options, and one will probably jump out as the one you are leaning towards. Amputation, Chemo, Palliative Care, Homeopathic/Holistic...there's a lot to think about!! Keep us updated 🙂
<3 Laura and Jackaroni
Let me join the others in welcoming you to Tripawds. The absolute terror of getting the OSA diagnosis is one that will take a long time to forget. Writing down your questions and concerns is a great idea. Like Suzanne and Ginny said though there is no right answer. Hear what your oncologist says and evaluate for yourself what you think is best for Henri. Initially we decided on amputation but no chemo because Emily had to be sedated for a nail trim but then decided to try anyway and she did great. Keep in mind that most dogs do very well on three legs. You know Henri best and I know you will make the right decision for him. You and Henri are in my prayers.
Debra & Angel Emily
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.
Thank you to all for the kind words and thoughts! It certainly is an emotional journey. 
I am really looking forward to the Oncologist appointment tomorrow so that I can have a little more solidity. I still feel torn as to which direction I should go with Henri. I want to do what is best for him and it is so difficult to take the emotion out of it and replace it with logic. Easier said than done.
I am thankful for the tripawds family because my own family is not giving me the support I need.
They say I should put Henri down and I KNOW that is not an option for me at this point. He still seems happy, likes to eat, gives kisses and loves his belly rubs. Although I know today was not really a good day....but I know there will be ups and downs throughout this journey.
I pray for peace for all of our furry friends and kisses to those who have already crossed over the bridge!
Wendy
PS I will be posting a report tomorrow after I find out the news from the Oncologist.
My mom (who I'm very close with) and my Aunt were extremely vocal about how cruel I was being to put Zeus through an amputation...I mean, "how could I do that to him?". I had to kindly tell them that if they could not support OUR decision (yes..zeus' and my decision) to fight this cancer that I would not be able to talk to them until we got through the surgery and the recovery. My mom stopped expressing her concern and opinion and I know in my heart really tried to support me - she didn't have to "try" once she saw how FABULOUS Zeus looked after surgery and how AMAZING he was as a tripawd. She was shocked and even to this day tells me how much he amazed her - she never thought he would do so well and be so happy and live such a great life after losing his leg.
I'm sooooo hoppy that you found our tripawd family too 
Love Heather
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
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