Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone.
I have an 11 yr Bassett Hound, Olive. She is as sweet as can be. Just diagnosed with an osteosarcoma. We have gone to the hospital at CSU. The surgical oncologist said she would do an amputation for Olive with the caveat that there is a chance she might not be independent afterwards. I'm just searching and searching for anyone who has had a Bassett who has had an amputation.... I see the link to Maya, the Bassett Hound. Is there anyway to communicate with her owner? Any other Bassett owners here or anyone with input? Thanks!
(PS I tried to add her picture to my profile- looks like it's not coming up :()
Hi Olive and family, welcome. I'm sorry you had to join our club, osteosarcoma is such a heartbreaker. But the good news is that you are in amazing hands at CSU, we are totally biased I'll admit, and love those folks. See our CSU blog posts for some highlights of our interviews with their team. Who is your surgeon?
I see the link to Maya, the Bassett Hound. Is there anyway to communicate with her owner?
Yes! As a registered member you can message them via her profile. Click on the envelope icon to utilize our Private Messaging system. We haven’t had many Basset Hound members over the years, but as Admin mentioned in the other topic where you posed, quick search of these forums finds 12 Topics started by ‘bigjim’ who was owned by Basset Hound Maya.
You can also message Nellie's people, and the other Olive the Basset Hound.
Basset's unique body types post an extra challenge when they lose one leg, which is I'm guessing why the surgeon mentioned the slight chance that she may not regain mobility. But if anyone can decrease those odds it's the CSU rehab therapy team, which do an amazing job (our Wyatt was treated there).
What leg is the cancer in? And when do you think you might do surgery?
Be sure to check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books for lots of answers to common questions, and ask any you'd like here too.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, Jerry for your reply. It's very nice to hear the accolades for CSU!!
Olive was just there again today. The surgeon will be calling us today or tomorrow (possible surgery on Thurs or Friday). This week it's Dr. T.... I didn't quite catch his complete name.
It's olive's front right (yes concerning it is her right). She is a small bassett 42 pounds. Very agile - on hikes she'd fly down people on rocks and they'd ask- is that a Bassett? 🙂 I feel is any Bassett can do it, Olive can 🙂 I hope.
Thank you for all the helpful info! It's very toughing to see the people who have such big hearts- it volunteer for your phone lines....
....."If a y Bassett can do it, O.ive can!"
You know your Olive best and that is just as important a "diagnostic tool" as any others the medical profession have to offer!
You're gathering your Information and proceeding in the vest interest of Olive. You are removing a painful leg and giving her a chance at a quality life full of spoiling and loving ane tummy rubs! Even IF she needs some assistance with a harness or an ocassional ride in a "Bassett Wagon", etc, she can still be a very happy Olive! She will loooove being the center of attention wherever she goes!!
And being agile and dit and not overweight is a definite plus towards a good recovery!👍
Cannot wait to see photos of her. Here's a link for: adding images .
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
Aww you are so welcome, that's why we are here, to help in whatever path you take.
Was it Dr. Thamm?
As for front vs. rear leg on a Basset, that is an interesting thing to think about. Because yes, dogs do carry most of their weight on the front. But with a long-bodied dog, I wonder if losing a rear is actually harder because it puts more stress on the back end? I have no idea. It's something I'll ask next time we interview an ortho vet.
If you keep her lean, there's no reason why she can't have a good quality of life. How do the vets feel about her being a candidate for amputation?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you Sally and Jerry and everyone else who is rooting on our sweet Olive!!
We are back from the hospital. Olive had her amputation Thursday afternoon and we picked her up last night!!! We are soooooo happy to have her back.
She hopped out on her three legs on her own!!! We're so impressed and proud of her!! (Can't wait to add pictures to the link you sent).
She did pretty well last night - a couple of yelps 🙁 but mostly rested. Today she seems to be content to relax with us (has moved around to eat and drink not much more).
Our surgeon was an Italian doc: Tremolada and a resident (I just forgot her name, Pitt I think). Dr Tremolada said he had never done an amputation on a Bassett. He wasn't sure if she would be independent... After much thought and consideration, my husband and I thought it would be the best route for her (like was said above- at least she'll be pain free and able to relax and enjoy the last few months or so with us...). And so far- looks like she will have at least some mobility!!! Yay! 🙂
We want to put some sort of ramp to our front door. We have 3 long wide steps to the front. Anyone have experience with adding ramps? The vets thought we could jut put a piece of wood down... Do you think we need to anchor it? I guess we could try it with her harness to support her incase it moved...
Now that's a nice update, its amazing how, when free from pain, dogs and cats are happy just chilling and looking at life going on.
I am sure that you will enjoy all the time you have together, may it be many years.
- "what shall be done for these innocents? I have been warned not even to raise the question of animal immortality, lest I find myself “in company with all the old maids”. I have no objection to the company" - C S Lewis (The Problem of Pain)
- "Mr Toplady was touched by the cruelty of the scene, and exclaimed, ' Who could bear to see that sight, if there were not to be some compensation for these poor suffering animals in a future state' 'I certainly hope,' said my grandfather, ' that all the bulls will go to heaven; but do you think this will be the case with all the animal creation' 'Yes, certainly,' replied Mr Toplady, with great emphasis, ' all, all!" - Josiah Bull (recording a meeting with the great A. M. Toplady, author of "Rock of Ages" in "Memorials of the Rev. William Bull of Newport, Pagnel")
- "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God" Luke 12:6
Oh Olive! You are so pawesome! I'm really hoppy to hear that you are home and resting, congratulations you guys!
I know of Dr. T, he's a new guy there and clearly just as fabulous as the rest. What a wonderful crew Olive has on her side. I'm curious what pain control she came home with? Just wondering if CSU is doing anything differently lately.
As for a ramp, I think that yeah, just lay down a wide piece of plywood, as wide as you can get and make sure it doesn't get slippery under her feet. I don't think it would move but yeah guiding her with the harness is wise. Which harness does she have? Also, you can get traction tape at the hardware store for extra protection. Keep in mind though that many dogs won't use ramps, so it's smart not to invest too much time or effort until you know if she will use it. Many dogs have poor depth perception and things like ramps are scary to them. Has Olive ever used one before? If so she should be good.
Hope you are all having a good snuggle session! Don't get worried if she doesn't want to do a whole lot of anything for a while, that's perfectly fine as long as she is staying hydrated and eating a little something (probably won't eat much but if she'll eat some scrambled eggs or small meals that's great). Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
WELCOME HOME TRIPAWD ROCKSTAR OLIVE!!!👏👏 I know you were thrilled to see her little Bassett self hop out on her own. Way to go Olive!!!
Yeah, try a sturdy long piece of plywood that will give a gentle slope that doesn't cause slipping. As Jerry said, it may be scary to her at first,, especially if there are no rails on it.
Can't wait to see pics!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
I can't tell you how relieved I am that one of the first posts I read is about a Bassett! My Sarge is a 11 1/2 year old Bassador and it's only been a couple of days since the vet gave us a preliminary diagnosis of soft tissue sarcoma. We're waiting for the pathology report but the mass is so tangled up with his right wrist structures that they warned me amputation is very likely the best treatment. I've been rather worried about how well he'd do with only three short legs to balance so it's greatly reassuring to hear about other Bassetts doing well, even so soon after surgery! Lots of cuddles and support to Olive and you!
~Monica and the Heathens
blackwylf said
I can't tell you how relieved I am that one of the first posts I read is about a Bassett!
Hey there, welcome! I'm so glad you posted. One, because I'd love to hear how Olive is doing so I hope they see this, and 2) so that we can help you and Sarge in your journey if you decide to go the amputation route.
Sounds like you are doing everything right to get a proper diagnosis and recommendation. Just want to throw this out there in case your vets don't mention it, but electrochemotherapy or intralesional chemotherapy treatments might be an option for this type of cancer. Check out the links for more info, but basically these treatments are ways to reduce or sometimes eliminate the tumor without requiring amputation. Not a lot of vets do it but of those who do, we've seen good results with the dogs.
Keep us posted in an all new topic here so that we can follow along with your journey!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much for the information! It's a good thing my vet is well accustomed to being barraged by questions every time I see him 😅 I'll definitely start a new post when I have a better idea of what we're dealing with. I'm so grateful to have found this site with all of its wonderful people (and furkids!) and extensive resources 😊
~Monica and the Heathens
You are so welcome. Never be afraid to ask your vet questions, they would rather you do that than go without information. And while we aren't vets, we can bounce some ideas around so you can have a good convo with your vet team. Keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Here's another Bassett tripawd story. https://tripawd.....t-tripawd/
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!
Aww thanks Sally!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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