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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Let me start by saying I'm thrilled to find this website with the blogs and forums. I'm in the same situation most of you unexpectedly found yourselves in. My beloved lab mix Wiley had been limping along for 6 weeks with what one vet said was a partially torn ACL, another vet said was arthritis/dysplasia in his hip. Wiley's condition kept deteriorating until his left rear leg just hung limp. Took him in last Monday and learned it was cancer, his femur was shattered from the inside out. Vet did a biopsy and I was supposed to bring Wiley home Tuesday while we awaited the biopsy results in 3-5 days, vet said to consider amputation when results came back, depending on type of cancer. Laid awake all night Monday after breaking down sobbing several times throughout the day--I live alone with two dogs, Wiley was my first, my camping and hiking buddy, my shadow. I called vet Tuesday a.m. and asked "Why wait to amputate?" The bone was beyond repair. So Wiley lost his left rear leg on Tuesday, just 5 days ago. And the biopsy results said it was a high-grade osteosarcoma, rapidly metastisizing. "The prognosis is poor," the report read. "Median survival time after amputation is 20 weeks with no further treatment."
I can't picture life without my Wiley. He changed me from a "cat person" to a "dog person". He follows me everywhere. The things he understands amaze me. He greets me with hugs and kisses when I come home from work, standing up with his front paws on my shoulders while he kisses me. He caused me to give up dating, as I realized that "Date Night on the couch with Wiley" was my favorite weekend activity. If I'm on the couch, his head is in my lap or we are laying side-by-side. He loves to get spooned at night and scoots up on top of the comforter so his head is on the pillow next to mine. He loves to go exploring on our long walks in the nature preserves nearby. He welcomed a new lab, May, into our home from the shelter where I volunteer, and they played endlessly. Wiley loves everyone who comes to the house, he seems to make a connection with everyone he meets.
So tomorrow we see an oncology vet 80 miles away. I've read stories on here of dogs with osteosarcoma living longer than forecast, and it gives me hope. Right now Wiley is recuperating from his surgery, having lots of visitors, getting lots of treats and homecooked meals, and loving the attention. But it breaks my heart to see him like this. He keeps trying to shift position to lay on the side that hurts, he starts to then realizes he can't. But he is more active and more animated each day, and tomorrow he will be so excited to hear the magic words: "Wanna go somewhere?!?"
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Hey there Wiley - welcome to our family...we are SO HOPPY that you found us, even though the circumstances behind it really suck (for lack of a better word).
None of the diagnosis' are ever good, and neither was zeus' (they told me the same thing they told you)...but he lived 17 months post amputation and was cancer free when he went to heaven...he had kidney failure in the end. The doctors give you worst case scenario and sometimes they are right, sometimes they are wrong and sometimes it is actually worse than they thought. We, as humans, don't control it - it is out of our hands. What we do control is how we choose to live each day with this second chance we have with our best friend. This is a difficult journey we have chosen to walk (hop) with our furkids, but trust me - it's one worth hopping and your life will never be the same as a result of this journey. The lessons, the love, the moments, the memories and the new people that will come into your life....priceless.
Wiley is very much to you what Zeus was and still is to me and pretty much everyone on here knows exactly how you feel...we are all bonded by the common, devotional love we have for our babies. Whay I'm trying to say (not very well) is that we are all here for you...we will walk this journey with you and Wiley and will be here every hop of the way when you need answers, support and even a shoulder to cry on...
Let us know how the appt with the oncologist goes...Zeus had 4 treatments of carboplatin each 3 weeks apart which has a very low side effect percentage...something like only 2% of the dogs have a side effect with it. Zeus flew through chemo with flying colors. It's an emotional process to go through and some chose it and some don't...there is no right answer - just what is right for you.
Keep us posted and know that you have our prayers~
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
Hi Wiley's Dad. It took Max a long time before he laid on his amputation side - about 5 or 6 weeks actually. His left front leg was amputated 11/23/08, also due to osteosarcoma. And of course, his left side was his favorite side to lay on! Just give it time. Wiley knows he can't lay on that side right now, and eventually he'll know when he can. That's how it happened with Max - he just did it one day. Be with him and love him up, that's the best medicine for him right now. Talk to your oncologist and see what treatment plan he/she comes up with. As you wrote, a lot of the dogs on here have already outlived their respective life expectancy, and are having a great time each and every day. So just stay calm, handle one thing at a time. That's the only way to do it. As some very smart people keep reminding me, our dogs don't know their sick; they only know their here today with the people they love. So be happy, chin up, and give that boy some pets!
Di & Max
Thank you so much for joining us here, Wiley sounds like such a pawesome dog! I was my pawrent's hiking buddy too, and their first furkid. When I got diagnosed, they felt like their world had come to an end. Funny thing is, our life really was just beginning. Like Zeus said, this will change your life. As hard as it is to grasp, cancer has an odd way of brining unexpected gifts into your world; it teaches you how to enjoy every single day together, to the fullest.
We send our love and are so sorry that you are both going through the cancer ordeal. But rest assured, you're in great company here. Lots of us have been down that emotional, turbulent cancer road. We've had our ups and downs, but thanks to the support of others here who also care so dearly for their furry family members, we all make it through better than if we went down the road alone.
You sound like you're a very decisive person, and you know Wiley well. Don't change. That will take you a long way as you deal with all of this.
Yes, the prognosis doctor's give is never that hopeful. But don't let that sway you, or let you lose hope. Every dog is different. I personally lived almost two years past my diagnosis, and I didn't have chemo until more than a year later. But that's a long story I'll tell you some other time.
For now, know that we are here for you, and will try to help any way we can.
Where are you going to for your oncology appointment? Are you going to the University of Florida? If so, it's an awesome place to go. Be sure to have your questions ready, and don't walk out of there without getting every single one answered. And remember, only you can decide what's right for you both OK?
xoxo
Spirit Jerry, Rene & Jim & Wyatt Ray Dawg
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My dog, Jack, was diagnosed with high grade osteosarcoma last May. After reading all the things out there on the internet, I was pretty convinced we were only going to have him for a couple more months. I remember being at the oncologist's office talking to the receptionist about amputation and she said "well, in the long run you may have to worry about arthritis..." and we responded, "we don't have to worry about long term". Here we are, 2 days away from Jack's 5 month (5 months already!!! WOW!!!) ampuversary, and he is better than he ever has been. He is 5 1/2 and has started stalking dogs in the park and chasing squirrels, both of which he has never done before. He wakes up in the morning ready to go, runs out to greet the family, and has a healthier appetite than he has had in the past. He's living with cancer, but he's living it UP. I even asked the other day if we could take another leg off just to calm him down a bit. Info you read on the internet can be extremely sobering, but each dog will fight cancer in their own way. Wiley doesn't know there's anything wrong with him (once he gets used to life on 3 legs), so just treat him like you always have and do things he has always liked doing. Good luck to ya guys, and I can't wait to hear more!!!
<3 Laura and Jackers
Hi Wiley's Dad. I am new here too. My Raven just had his front leg removed on Tuesday. He has a blog here. I really understand what you are going through. I, too, am single with two dogs. My other is a *very* senior rescued bulldog named Betty. She's a couch potato and snuggle bug. Raven is my boy though, I had his father before him. He sort of took over where Conner left off and I cannot imagine not having him here. What an empty quiet place. 🙁
I was a cat person until Conner (Raven's dad). Now I have two dogs. And I too find myself just wanting to stay home or go camping with the dogs over dating, for sure!
I don't get Raven's biopsy results until this week. So, there is this glimmer of hope still. But the indicators were so convincing that the oncologist saw the xray and recommended surgery that day, so I suspect it's malignant. And am considering chemo if so...
So, I will be very interested in what you find out. You are not alone. It's so comforting to me to have found this site and the wonderful people in it. Especially for those of us that are single and need to vent. So, please stay in touch!
Prayers for you and Wiley,
Dawn and Raven
Rottie Raven, osteosarcoma at 8-1/2 years old, amputation in October '09 and in February '10 due to liver mets he went back to heaven where he came from. raven.tripawds.com
Now I have Miles, rottie mix amputee from a shelter and traveled 1500 miles to find his way here through the Rescue Railroad thanks to tripawds.com. miles.tripawds.com
Hi Tyler and Wiley,
I'm so glad that John and Greg told you about Jake and the Tripawds family. 
But I'm so sorry that it was because of what's happen to Wiley...
Tripawds has been an excellent support group, filled with wonderful and caring people, all going through the same thing as you. I don't know how Jacques and I could have gotten through everything so far, without their support and information. Jake has been doing so well up until a few days ago. But please don't let that discourage you and Wiley! There are so many other dogs on here that have been doing so well, for so long...
I guess that you're going up to UF at Gainesville to see an oncologist. You know that they also have some great oncologists at FVS in Tampa, in case you need a second opinion. I just couldn't afford any of that with Jake. But I have some wonderful and caring friends that are vets, and they, along with all my Tripawd buddies have been there for me and Jake this whole time.
I hope that Wiley continues to do well, and continues to have a smooth recovery. Please keep us posted on Wiley's progress and good luck at Gainesville!
Jake's Mom (Marguerite)
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!
Wiley and "Dad",
First let me welcome you to this wonderful community filled with great contributors who will share their experiences and provide valuable support. I then have to say that your relationship has hit a special cord with me. Also a Dad, I cannot picture life without Cherry and while not my first Standard Poodle, she was also my hiking buddy and constant companion. While the eight or more mile hikes are a thing of the past, and that beautiful show gait that awed people is only a memory, my little girl is still with me, loving life and continuing to enrich mine. In Jerry and Zeus, who commented above, you have two of our greatest heros who demonstrated beyond all dispute that you can beat the prognosis, return to a quality of life, and continue to experience how they will enrich our lives. Let me begin by throwing out my usual three suggestions for a new TriPawd pawrent.
1) Remain as positive as possible around Wiley. They will pick up on your feelings and if you are down, it will only make it harder. I have often left Cherry, left the house, and then totally lost it before regaining composure and returning with a smile. It will make a difference.
2) Remember to treat the spirit as well as the body. Find something that they love and can still do during recovery. Then exploit that love to give them purpose. For Cherry, it was/is her trips in the truck/car. It was the first and for a long time, the only place that she would willingly take food when offered. To this day, as the time when she thinks that she is going for a ride approaches, you can see the excitement grow. Jake's mom would probably tell you that for Jake it was the swimming pool. Once Jake saw the pool and was allowed back in, the improvement appears to have been remarkable. View the Fun! Doug and Heidi will tell you that for Molly it continues to be canoe trips. Watch her celebrate her one year anpuversary! Help them find a purpose to fight.
3) Consider keeping a journal. I kept a journal and posted it on-line. It allowed me to go back days/weeks/months and make a good comparison. This really helped to make honest assessments of Cherry's progress during the ups and downs of recovery. Our oncologist actually used these journal postings to keep up to speed on Cherry's condition. I have a page of thumbnail photos (with links to larger versions) covering from just after the diagnosis, first days home, chemotherapy treatment, through recent days. View Cherry’s TriPawd photos.
Cherry started her very aggressive chemotherapy treatments just hours after the surgery - just as soon as her body returned to room temperature. Cherry did not experience any of the nausea, vomiting or drop in blood count that can go along with chemotherapy, but she did have a total loss of appetite. I had to stuff nearly every morsal of food for the duration of the treatments. However, once the chemicals left the body, Cherry experienced a slow but steady improvement. She is now eleven and a half months post amputation and very frankly, she has never been better since the diagnosis. DO NOT LET THE "POOR" PROGNOSIS GET YOU DOWN!! For us, it has always been about returning Cherry's quality of life and much less the quantity of life. She turned eleven the day before her amputation, so I felt that I was already on "borrowed" time but we will continue to draw upon the account as long as possible.
I hope that I have not worn you patience with this posting, but I do hope that I have helped encourage you. We all have Jerry, Zeus and Tazzie as our inspirations of how you can beat these time estimates.
Paws Crossed and Sending Pawsitive Thoughts,
Bob & Cherry
Wow, thank you all so much for the support and the kind words. It's encouraging to hear how many of our "kids" have beat the prognosis. But all the drugs they've been on! I guess there is no one regimen. My Wiley is taking cephalexin and codeine as a result of the amputation. Today we went to an oncology vet in Sarasota, Dr. Heidi Ward, who started him on Carboplatin 150 mg. He will have 3 more visits, 3 weeks apart. I had considered UF at Gainesville but it is even further from my home. Unfortunately none of these places have Saturday visits and taking time off work is the most difficult part, I took the entire day off today, my first day off in 6 months at a new job.
Wiley is recuperating well and was bouncing off the walls with excitement that he got to "go somewhere" (his favorite words). He is walking well only 6 days post-amputation, he has peed and pooped regularly, has been sleeping better (tho he still wakes me up at night trying to push me aside so he can put his head on the pillow next to me so I can cuddle with him...then he realizes he can't lay on that side.) The vet today was concerned about all his bruising (you can see it under the hair on his good leg, as well as under his armpits of his front legs) and recommended Arnica gel for it. I can tell he will have no problems adjusting to three legs. It will be a bigger adjustment for me, and I appreciate Bob's words to "remain as positive as possible" around him.
Thanks for the update! Sounds like things are going about as well as can be expected for the first week. Keep those spirits up, and keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You sounds like you are doing great for 6 days post-amp Wiley, already hopping around, back to sleeping on the bed, and going on trips and even beginning chemo! Woosh, many of us lie around like lumps for another week or so after that. I don't have anything to add to what everyone else has said, but I sure know what you mean about the favorite activity being to hang out with your favorite pup! Especially these days. Most OSA is high grade with a really crappy prognosis. Some of us do get mets early (but I am still happily hopping around despite them!) Others get much longer. Probably what matters the most is not how long we get, but to stay happy NOW.
Tazzie 2
It does sound like Wiley is doing well. The moment when we receive the awful prognosis burns the soul. Hearing the life expectancy is really scarey but I have been known to say (again and again actually) that our dogs don't have calendars. They don't know 20 weeks or two months or a year. They know the now. Are they happy now? We worry about the future. Some of our dogs have lived way past their life expectancy. Some have not been as lucky, but all of them have been surrounded with love until their time comes to cross the Rainbow Bridge.
You will not find a more supportive group of people than the people here. In fact, one of my sons (22 years old) said something like ' What is it with people that have dogs with three legs? They're all nice.'
Please keep us posted.
Debra & 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.
wileysdad said:
Today we went to an oncology vet in Sarasota, Dr. Heidi Ward, who started him on Carboplatin 150 mg.
Wiley is recuperating well and was bouncing off the walls with excitement that he got to "go somewhere" (his favorite words).
Your general report sounds great and you are definately making progress in the right direction. This was the same chemotherapy treatment that Cherry was on. Usually the first is the toughest, and there may be secondary complications like nausea, vomiting, or drop in blood count. Hang in there. The oncology ususally provides medicines for potential nausea and vomiting so be sure to give them. If they did not, then you may have to call for a perscription if needed. These drugs do work well and Cherry did not have any of these complications. My understanding is that nearly all the chemical has left the body at the end of 72 hours.
Also, I can totally relate to the "go somewhere". Cherry does not always wait for the actual words but trys to anticipate a ride by my actions. After spending the day painting the trim on the house, I took a shower. Cherry was convinced that this meant that we were going somewhere. (it usually does!) Thus, she hopped down to the bathroom where she hungout anxiously waiting. It is great to see this sparkle. When ever I have to go shopping, I will take her for a short trip (10 miles) just to get the car warm and give us both a trip.
Keep moving forward Wiley!
Bob & Cherry
Hey Wiley and dad.
I came to understand the prognosis are based on statistics. My girl pug Maggie had her left rear leg amputated over 3 years ago. You can read her story in my blog when you feel like it (Life with a Tri-pug) After the amputation she was given 6 to 9 months with treatment. We did 6 months of chemo- and somehow she is still with me.
I am also single- my kids are my two pug girls. They don't worry or even know how much time they have. They remind me everyday that they live for each day, and are happy about each walk, each snack, each meal, each 'lap' watching TV at night. Yea- there are things Mag can't do anymore- but you know she doesn't miss them- I do.
Things may be bumpy as he recovers- ups and downs, but don't get discouraged. There is always hope while Wiley is getting better and feeling better!
Karen, Tri-Pug Maggie, and the weird 4 legged pug Tani.
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