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 to you all,
I have just joined as a member here and wanted to share my story. I found a lump on my dog's lower front right leg two weeks ago, his name is Gizz and he is an 8 year old Siberian Husky. We were told to have the lump removed straight away which we did and the test results came back as cancer (sarcoma.) He went in for a lung X-ray and lymph biopsy all of which were negative for signs of cancer. He had his leg amputated yesterday and is doing ok today although he did seem to be in quite a lot of pain the first night (the vet has since increased his pain relief medication). He is able to walk (hop) outside to go to the toilet and is eating and responding well to me. The last two weeks have honestly been the two of the hardest I have ever endured and at times it felt as if my heart were breaking in two. The bond that I have with my dog(s) and the love I feel for them is very strong, as I think all of you here on this forum can understand and relate to. In having told my story, I also want to let anyone else know that I am able to offer support or answer any questions for those that may have a dog who is facing amputation.
Vikki
Vicki, thank you so much for joining. We're so sorry about Gizz but glad to hear that he's doing so well. What kind of sarcoma was removed? I"m hoping it was one that has a very good prognosis!
You're so kind for offering to share your experience, that is definitely the spirit of this community. Just remember, you can also ask for help anytime, that's what we're all here for.
We'd love to see some pictures of your boy. Keep us posted on how he's doing!
P.S. Congratulations on making past the first two weeks of hell. You did it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello Vikki and Gizz! I'm sorry you have to be here, but stories and shared experience are the best therapy for scared people and you'll have a lot to contribute. I look forward to your stories and pictures--even videos if you can. Keep on healing!
Mary and Cemil
Cemil and mom Mary, Mujde and Radzi….appreciating and enjoying Today
Welcome Vikki & Gizz. We are sorry you had to join, especially with a sarcoma, but glad you found this incredible place where folks can share and really be understood. Hope Gizz has an uneventfull recovery and a happy life on three legs.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Hello all,
Thank you for your kind words, they are really appreciated. Jerry – he was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma Grade 2. I'm trying to get as much info on it as possible at the moment. Are you aware generally what sort of prognosis this has?
I will endeavour to get some pictures up of Gizz soon 🙂
Vikki
gayle had a soft tissue sarcoma, grade three, right front wrist. amputation feb 2010, five rounds of doxorubicin chemo. 'they' told us there was a 60% chance of gayle not making it a year…which we saw as a 40% she would. the nostrodamus numbers don't mean squat to her, and they don't at all reflect in any of our decisions. there's a chance of getting hit by a bus or asteroid as well…or of being attached by a yeti… gayle continues to have wonderful days, excellent naps and serious needs for additional treats!! all is good.
do what you have to do to relieve pain and protect gizz. if you do it out of love, it's the right thing. paws crossed for successful recovery.
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
Chloe had a soft tissue sarcoma known as spindle cell. They didn't "grade" the aggressiveness of her tumor, but maybe it just had to do with the type of cancer she had. Anyway, the vet told us that after amputation they did a biopsy of her lymphnodes in her knee (above her tumor) and they came back negative for cancer. In our case, amputation "cured" her of it and she didn't have to undergo chemo.
It might be best to talk to your vet or oncologist about his prognosis since one of them would have a better understanding of Gizz's cancer and the chances of it having metastisized pre amputation. Chloe's vet said that her type of sarcoma is slow to metastisize and gave me the impression that most soft tissue sarcomas are that way, not necessarily all though. So like I said, you might talk to his vet or an oncologist or post this topic in ask a vet to see what Dr. Pam says about this.
-Chloe's mom
P.S. Chloe is a Siberian Husky/hound mix! She looks more hound than husky, but she loves to howl and has that widows peak on her face!
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
As you can see, we've got members here who have more experience with this type of tumor than we do. And I do agree with Chloe, talking to an oncologist to get more specifics would be very helpful at this point.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome Gizz and Mom!
So, so sorry to hear about Gizz. I can only imagine the heartache you have been going through. And the next couple of weeks may be a little ruff because of the recovery. But it is surgery healing pain and will get better!
I haven't been through any cancer (I'm on the entertainment committee) but I just wanted to welcome you and to tell you there is hope! Gayle and Chloe are going great.
Here are some helpful tips you may want to read through to help you during the recovery:
New to Tripawds? Bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of recovery advice, care tips, and answers to commonly asked canine cancer and dog leg amputation questions and concerns
Feel free to ask all the questions you need to!
Comet's mom
Yeti attacks!!! Thanks Charon & Gayle, now I have the heebie jeebies and it's dark outside!
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.
glad you found the site. There are a lot of great people here. Kess is about 20 days post-op on a rear leg amputation. Cancer as well, but synovial cell sarcoma. I found that Kess was back to her old self once the pain meds were over with. There are several folks on here with similar experiences and great advice.
Whatever her outlook, don't let the future tarnish the present!
Hi Gizz and Vikki,
Just another dog loving member here sending lots of positive thoughts your way. Welcome guys. 
Fortis and Dad
Welcome to the family. Sounds like everything is going normal so far. I always inject Gus' experience with phantom pain , started about 5 days post op, the first few times he would yelp at the top of his lungs, scares the heck out of you, but the drug gabapentin helped with that. It lasted about 4 weeks and got milder as time went on. The one nice thing about being here is everyone here knows what fears and anxieties the newcomers are having, and once you realize that these guys adapt extremely well, they dont know what cancer is, anything about prognosis, and after the first 2 weeks they will usually start looking like their old self again, your stress level will drop considerably.I always say, experience gives the best answers, so don't be afraid to ask anything. On your offer to share experience and support, hang around, it doesn't take long for someone new to find us here, the more the merrier!!!!! 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
Welcome Vikki & Gizz,
As we all say, we really don't want to be here, but if you must, this is THE best place for information and support for your Tripawd's journey. My dog had a soft tissue sarcoma on her left knee, amputated last October. We never found out which type even after special stains done numerous times. Did rule out some of them but no 'name' to Maggie's STS.
I, like you, found the two weeks from HELL, well, totally HELLISH! But life is darn good now! Keep on looking up! Things will get better and you'll be glad you amputated Gizz!
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Hi there,
I'm so sorry to hear about Gizz having cancer. Hopefully, the amputation will keep the cancer away and you won't have to worry about chemo. If you have to make a decision about that later, be sure to search these forums for insight into that. My dog Sadie did really well the first couple of days after amputation, but then she went through a difficult 2 weeks (that we refer to as "the 2 weeks of hell".) Not all dogs go through this, and hopefully Gizz won't either. During that time, it's common to question the decision to amputate. I remember thinking I made a terrible mistake. But after those terrible 2 weeks, she really improved and showed me many times that I made the right decision!
Wishing you and Gizz the very best,
Spirit Sadie's pack
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/
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