Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
I have an 11 year old black lab named Tyson. On November 27th 2013, Tyson and I were playing, and he was lying down with his paw tucked under his chest. When I threw his toy and he went to reach for it, he put all of his weight on it and immediately stood up with a limp. Ever since then, he has been limping on and off, sometimes seeming better, sometimes worse. When I took him to the vet the first time, she told me it was just a sprain and did no x-rays.
Yesterday, January 13th, my mom got tired of the fact that his leg wasn't getting better. She took him to the vet, and the x-rays showed that he had shading and it looked like cancer. She isn't a specialist, and referred us to an oncologist. We have the appointment tomorrow morning, and I'm going crazy.
Other than the limping his leg, Tyson has no other symptoms of cancer. He's playful and lively (as much as an 11 year old can be) and he definitely doesn't have loss of appetite (nothing near it).
My fear is that tomorrow, the oncologist is going to tell us that he has osteosarcoma, and not only in his front leg, but elsewhere or everywhere.
I've always expected Tyson to live longer, maybe even make it to 16, but with this news, I've been reading that even if his leg is amputated and he receives chemotherapy, that he might only live a year. My family and I are heartbroken, and I really need some support.
Anyone who has been through a similar situation, I would appreciate any input or support you might have. Also, I feel like going to the oncologist tomorrow is going to be extremely difficult. If anyone can tell me what to expect, I'd really appreciate it.
Deep inside, I wish with all my heart that she will just tell me that it's shading from a sprain, but I know that's not what will happen.
Thank you anyone that can help.
Welcome, we're sorry to hear about Tyson, but gad you found us. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Every dog is different. The most important thing is to focus on quality of life, not quantity. Tyson doesn't know he has cancer, he just needs you to be a strong pack leader and show him that life is going to be fine. Yes, it is difficult but our suggestion is to be more dog.
Be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List and consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to the most common recovery and care concerns.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi and welcome to you and Tyson to our little family here. I know it's so so hard to face this situation. But you've come to the right place for support, since many of us have been in your shoes.
I actually found going to the oncologist very helpful. After taking my kitty Jill to the onco, I felt like I had a plan in place and had the information I needed. Some things to remember - these vets have to give you averages and median survival times. Remember, every animal is different. I know it's frightening to hear things such as "average survival rates", but remember there is no expiration stamp on your dog. Unfortunately, some dogs make it below the average time and some make it WELL beyond the average time. There are dogs we know here that have lived 2, 3, 4 FIVE years post amputation.
Go to the appointment tomorrow with a pad and pen and if you can bring someone. I know, for me, I barely retained any information the onco said, my head was spinning. But once we left the office, I had decisions to make (to amputate, not amputate, chemo, no chemo) and I was well informed and did some research online, came here and made the best decision for my kitty. You are lucky you live somewhere where there are oncologists nearby and lucky you have a vet that was honest with you to send you to a specialist! That is a sign of a really really great vet!!
Let us know whatever questions you may have!
All the best,
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
Hi Jerry. Thank you for the kind words of encouragement. I will try my best to be as strong as possible for him.
Erica and Jill,
Thanks so much for welcoming me. I will definitely bring a pad of paper and a pen. I will be going to the vet with my parents. I know it's going to be very difficult, but I think I will get answers the answers that I've been wondering about.
It's just all happening out of nowhere. I did have a feeling something was wrong. My experiences with vets before haven't been great because they always suggest putting the dog down. I need a vet who is going to be optimistic for Tyson. Hopefully the oncologist will do that for us tomorrow.
It sounds like kitty Jill is doing well, and I hope that she continues to thrive! I love animals very much, and wish only the best for all of them.
I will keep you updated on what happens at the oncologist. It looks like I'm going to need all the support I can get.
Thank you very much!
I went with my mom and dad too 
it's great our pets have great grandparents 😉 Keep us posted!!
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
Welcome to the insane asylum..... oh wait.. that's another forum.. sorry...
no.. hang on.. that is what it seems like when you start this adventure... like you are going nuts.. not knowing, not sure if it's the right thing to do.. or beating yourself up because you didn't do enough!! But... the main thing... and the really good thing is that you found us here!!
Tripawds is a great resource to learn about cancer in our furkids as well as how to cope with that "amnputation" and how to deal with the fact that they become so damn cute when they become a tripawd!
Now.. your Tyson hasn't been diagnosed yet.. so we don't even know if that is what it is.. but... that's okay.. cause we are here for you no matter what!!
My Franklin was 13 1/2 when he basically stumbled near the firepit in the back yard in the dark... I thought he had pulled a muscel in his shoulder or his knee so we just iced it and watched him.. he limped for a few days.. but then he was fine. A few months later.. when he was 14... we noticed a swellin in his knee on the leg that he had hurt in Febrauary.... well.. vet said he was beginning to be arthritic.. and gave him some doggie advil. And he was fine.. still running around.. acting like Franklin! By September, it was anoticeably bigger and that is when I said.. hang on here.. we are going back and getting an xray.. cause I thought it might have been one of those fatty growths growing on his joint. Nope.. I wish it had been.. good ol'osteosarcoma. Well.. he's 14 years old now we said.. and we decided to just let him be a dog...
2 months later.. he was still the happiest dog.. and we said.. let's amputate.
We did in December... he did fantastic.. bo0unced back.. the model patient.. and belly rubs we so gosh dawg easy without that leg there...
And yes.. alas.. it did hit his lungs 6 months later.. but you know what? WE might not have had those extra 6 months if we didn't take the steps we did.
I should have taken him to the vet right away like you are!! You are being a good pawrent!!!!
Keep us posted!!! We are here for you to help you through it and offer suggestions and an ear if you ever want to scream!!!
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!
Hi Christine!
Thank you so much for the kind words. I absolutely agree with you... That it's like I'm going crazy...I've already said it myself! I'm really glad I found this forum because of people like you. No one knows what dog owners go through quite like us. I've had Tyson since I was 12 years old. I grew up with him and can't imagine what life is like without him. My parents and I are going to try everything we can do make sure Tyson gets the best care and that he's very loved.
I will update everyone tomorrow. I'm sure I'm going to need all I can get then! Thank you so much!
I'm glad Franklin got to live an amazing life. Seems like he had a great mommy!
Welcome to you and Tyson.
I'm really glad to hear your parents are going with you- not everyone is so lucky to have a strong support system.
I know how scary this all is- my pug had a different kind of cancer called mast cell. She had an earlier tumor removed and I thought we were done. But she developed one in her knee which led to her amp.
Don't expect too much optimism from the oncologist, they are obligated to give you the stats and prognosis. It doesn't mean they aren't rooting for you and Tyson, and it doesn't mean they aren't going to give Tyson the best care. But dealing with cancer is such a crap shoot and they have to let you know the worst case scenarios.
In our case Maggie's prognosis after surgery was 6 to 9 months because of lymph node involvement (very bad for mast cell cancer). Honestly, I spent most of that time waiting for her to dissappear because I put so much stock in the prognosis. Maggie was living her carefree pug life and I was missing part of it because I was busy worrying about and grieving something that had not happened yet. I am so fortunate that Mag beat the odds on the mast cell cancer, and I had time to realize that she didn't care about anything but a full bowl, trips to the park, and a warm lap.
It is a hard skill to master- living in the moment. Around here we call it Being More Dog. Whatever the news you get tomorrow remember that Tyson doesn't know about any of it, he knows that you and your family love him.
We are here to help any way we can.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Online
Gosh! Jist saw your post! Tyson sounds like a real trooper.....one of those "forever a pupy" dogs!
I can already tell you two are a very, very wonderful team with a deep and loving bnd. The power of love and happiness are both important n this joirney.
IF you have to go forward with an amputation you will ba amzed at how quicky Tyson asjusts.
I 'ditto" what everyone else says. I thought I was stuckin a nightmare and would never wake up! Cried hysterically, felt like I couldn't even breathe, much less function like a normal human being! Even jad one appointment set up for amputatin and cancelled! Fialy went ahead with it amd fr the first two weeks plus of receovery, zi thought what in the world have I dne TO my dog!
Happy Hannah and I jist celebrated her ten mnth amuversary and moving forward (knocking on wood)! I now kow it was so ething I did FOR my dog! THE BEST DECISION EVER!! We are living everyday to the fullest! We sve fun, joy, laugh, love and lots and lots of spoiling!
I kow it's hard to believe now, but you will all of the sudden let go of all fear, all worries, all statistics, all diagnosis, etc.and live in the bliss of the moment and jist enjoy the gift of being with Tyson! As Karen said, that's BEING MORE DOG!
Be sure and post as soon as you can. And remember to B R E A T H E.........B R E A T H E! And eat lots of chocolate!!
We are here for you! You are not alone, okay?
Sendingnyou lots of hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Welcome to you and Tyson; you've found the best support group you could hope for outside your family! You've gotten great advice already, and you're doing all the right things to make the best decisions for Tyson. The limp is often the first clue that something is wrong. In our case, our 11-year old Roxie had an occasional limp for several months and an xray that "ruled out" cancer, but only because it wasn't in the usual spot. When she was diagnosed, we opted for amputation and chemo, hoping for a year's grace. We only got 6 months with her, but she didn't have the terrible bone pain anymore, and we believe she had a great 6 months; Being More Dog meant celebrating every day with her - great lessons to be learned, even if they were hard ones, and I don't regret a thing.
Take notes, ask questions, and do what feels right for your boy; it's always the right thing when done out of love.
Sending you warm thoughts and best wishes for you all. You're not alone.
-Liz and Angel Roxie Lou
Hi!
I just read your post. Chef got amputated the 24th of december 2013 and diagnosed on the 31st. We thought it would be a tumor that they could remove so no cancer. When the vet called us to tell what came out of the tumor it was osteosarcoma. I know exactley how you feel, it was as if the floor just dissapears underneath your feet. I think i've cried for a week. But than fount the tripawds.com trough the internet and started a blog. A lot of kid people dealing with the same issues have helped me so good! The first week i freaked out 24/7! About anything, chef dying (he just turned 3 on the 11th of januari), lumps, hard breathing just about anything. But if the time passes bye you realise you need to live in the present and enjoy every day you have with them. And i know if i can anybody can because i can be the biggest drama queen ever!
Chef is going for his second chemo monday the 20th of januari and than after 3 weeks we get the first lung xray. Let me tell you that i am terrified of that! No clean lungs just mean end of story. So that's why you have to enjoy every single minute before its too late.
I have to laugh now actually, 2,5 weeks ago i was here with the same feelings your having at this moment and now i am already teaching other people what its like to have a dog fighting cancer.
Just be brave for Tyson maybe it's not osteosarcoma and if it is he'll fight it like a boss! He sounds like a forever puppy so i bet he will do just fine!
Keep us posted and goodluck!
So happy to see you here Millie, thanks for joining the Forums!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello everyone! Thank you so much for all of the kind words and warm wishes that everyone has given me. You truly made me cry yesterday with your messages. It is so heartwarming to have people that I don't even know help me through this difficult time.
Here's a little more about my situation: I'm 23 years old and currently a graduate student at a university that is about 40 minutes away from my home. After begging for a dog for my entire childhood, my parents gave me Tyson for Christmas 2002 when I was just 12 years old. I grew up with Tyson, and I am so very attached to him. All of my friends think I'm crazy because I am so in love with him. I don't live at home with Tyson while I'm at school. He's home with both my mom and dad. My mother's a stay-at-home mom, and it's really great for Tyson. I've been struggling with this news a lot because I don't get to be there with him all the time. Obviously, I try to come home as much as possible. This weekend is my birthday (turning 24) and this is the worst possible news I could receive. I will definitely be going home this weekend to bring in my birthday with beautiful pup. Anyway, I'll be creating a blog on this site so that I can't provide more info!
So, today, I went in for the appointment with the oncologist. I was dreading it completely. I cried in the car on the way there, I cried in the parking lot when I got there. Once I got inside, I started to calm down. My parents and I were meeting at the hospital, since it was halfway between my house and where I live at school. Once I saw Tyson, I felt so much better. Yes, my heart is broken because of this terrible thing he's going to have to go through, but at the same time, I kept in mind what you all have said, that he doesn't know what's happening: he's just a happy dog. That made me extremely happy, and I thank every single one of you for giving me that reality check.
Once we got in the conference room with the vet, let me tell you, I WAS PREPARED! After my online research, and reading everyone's kind words and information, I felt like I knew exactly what was going on. Nothing was a shock. They told us that after looking at the xray of his front right leg, where the shadowing was, that it could be one of three things: 1) Cancer, 2) Fungal Infection, 3) Arthritis. They told us that a fungal infection is rare to occur in the bone, so that's probably not it, but it's possible. Personally, I think they told us about the fungal infection and the arthritis so that they wouldn't scare us. Either way, they are not positive that it is cancer.
Then, they decided to take a chest x-ray to see if anything was in his lungs. This was the waiting game for us. I was extremely nervous for this. As it turns out, Tyson's lungs look FANTASTIC! That was such a relief. I was really expecting to go in there today and find out the worst possible news.
These are the options they gave us (which I'm sure you are all familiar with):
1. Just radiation, chemo, or amputation or replacing his radius with a metal rod
2. Amputation and chemo
3. Replacing his radius with a metal rod and chemo
Option 1 is said to give him 6 months. There's no way I'm doing this option.
Option 2 and three's prognosis is 1-2 years (or more from what I read from all of your wonderful stories)
Personally, I am all for the limb salvaging surgery or the amputation. My mother, on the other hand, is completely against the amputation. She thinks it's going to hurt him and put him through a lot. I've been trying to explain to her that it is the opposite. This weekend when I go home, I will be showing her this website and try and change her mind.
It looks like we will probably be doing the limb salvaging surgery plus the chemo, so long as I can convince my mother that the radiation would not be in his best interest. I want my dog to live as comfortably as possible for as long as possible. To me, that means option 2 or 3.
All in all, after the day is done, they still cannot diagnose Tyson. They said that they could do a biopsy, but that there's'a possibility of fracturing his bone by doing so, and they wouldn't recommend get it done. All I know, is that this probably is cancer, and even if it isn't, his leg is in pain and something needs to be done to help him.
I do feel a lot better after having had this appointment. Tyson has always been an exceptional dog, and I feel as though he will beat the odds.
For those of you who have said that he sounds like a forever puppy, that's absolutely correct. He is the sweetest, most loyal, beautiful dog. I would love you for all to meet him someday.
I know this was a very long entry, and I thank anyone and everyone who took the time to actually read it.
What do you guys think? Has anyone on here done the limp-sparing surgery? Why have any of you decided against it? What is Tyson up against?
Again, I really appreciate each and everyone of you and your lovely companions in life.
Thank you so much everyone!
Okay...quick disclaimer out of the way...I'm no vet! Done!
YAAAAAAAY! You can now move forward with a planAND Tyson has clear xrays!! Now that's a reason to celebrate!!
Research this site and yo will find info. on bone biopsy and limb sparing/radiation Now, this is just my opinion and in the "for whatever it's worth" column. Many here do NOT do bne biopsy for the reason you stated, as well as they can be very, very painful. ost specialist are co fortable with the nowlege tey get from an xray and al ost all say those same three things you heard, pretty much kowing the whole time that it's osteosarcoma. Others can point yo to the right thread, but we have a member who did try the radiation/limb sparing ordeal and ended up amputating anyway! I "think" that's been the end result in most of those scenarios.
Now, this is for your mom, because I think yoj already have a pretty good handlr n the path yo want FOR Tyson's pain free life of QUALITY! Quantity meansNOTHING without QQUALITY!!
When my Bull Mastiff got the "diagnosis", after going the arthritis treatment route for several months, nd my regular vet sorta' off-handedly through out "amputatiin", I gasped for air (a normal occurrence on this jourey) and said absolutely not!! He sent the xrays to a specialist for cofir ation and, after cnsulting with them, he said set up an appoi tment and see what theh have to say. He said he was not co fortable doing the surgery hi self, especially on such a big dog, but that it was an option I should consider. K think in tne same conversation he mentioned "checm"...again...gasped for akr...and said absolutley not!
After researching, sobbing, scheduling a surgery appt. only to cancel...here we are CELEBRATING HAPPY HANNAH'S tenth ampuversarh and moving forward (knocking on wood)
I went from the first weeks in recovery from what have I done TO my dog...to delighted for what I've done FOR my dog!!
Remember, in dog years six months of living life to the fullest, pain free and being loved and spoiled every seco d of everyday s ONE year! 24 months is FOURTEEN years!
Recovery is no picnic, that's for sure. This is major surgery and there are risks. For me, as Happy Hannah's pain increased and I had to start upping her pain pills...I HAD to give her this chance! I owed it to her! She was so full of life and vibrant and just enjoyed "being" For me' would have lways second guessed!
Gosh, I almost forgot to mention what worried me so much in the beginning also.....how on earth could a "plus size model"...okay...fat...dog walk on three legs! As the vets said and as you've seen from this site...it will amaze you how wel they adapt!! Tyson is a.ready li ping...his leg hurts and he's not using it much anyway!
Happy Hannah and I are living each day to the fullest! Loving, laughing' spoling, tummy rubs, just enjoying the bliss of beng together every sacred second!
Okay, my computer's starting to freeze up again! Have to go.
And yes, Tyson is your forever dog that is hear to teach you life lessons like you wouldn't believe! Pay attenton! He's yojr Zen Master and you are his student!
Se ding you lots and lots of hugs and, of course, chocolate!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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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