Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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my willow turned 14 back in June. A couple of months earlier she jumped and hurt her front left leg.
From X-ray it looked like her bone was missing in shape, "the tumor ate into the bone" the vet explained. From that moment the entire leg up to the arm got swollen and willow stopped using it. Currently she is jumping on 3 legs and having hard time to make the distance. 20 meters it's quite long and required a rest.
3.5 years ago we had similar case with the same leg. Back then we were advised by the vet at pet hospital to amputate the leg. I convinced my wife to moved to a village near by my office as I thoughts it will be easier for her to travel on 3, and if it won't work, I will burry her among the trees and the grass she likes so much. But after 2 months she started getting better and one days she stopped limping. The next year we got back to the city. I must add that I gave her lots of supplements I found on google against cancer (mainly artemether and alicyn) but I keep thinking it was the life in the village that made the difference.
Now it's look worse, unlike before the X-ray look more horrific and she do not use the leg at all.
the option I face now is to amputate or to leave it as it is, and let her be until we both feel it's time to end it.
i always feel that the entire limb (he leg and the upper swollen arm) is a burden as its seems really really heavy and could ease on her journey on 3 legs.
regarding pain it is manageable using previcox with tramadol on a daily basis. I also use turmeric which I believe help her as well.
Hope to hear your thought on it.
Hi Willow and family, welcome. I'm sorry you're faced with this complicated dilemma. Lots of member have done palliative care and then decided on amputation afterward. Usually they hesitate to do it because of health issues or the dog's age, similar to your pup.
My question to you is how does your vet feel about Willow being a candidate for surgery? Does she have other issues? Have you gotten a second opinion?
And also, is this osteosarcoma you're dealing with? If so, that pain medication she is on now won't be able to manage the pain much longer, sadly. Talk to your vet about a stronger medication like Fentanyl, dogs are so good at hiding their pain and by the time they show it it's usually really bad.
I hope you have lots of good days ahead with Willow. We'll be here for you no matter what you decide.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry,
Thank you for your reply.
The vet (the family vet and the pet hospital) believe its Osteosarcoma, although they have not done biopsy (just by feel and xray).
Because she proved to walk last time they recommended amputation, i am/was hesitate to take their words this time around. she walk fantastically for 3 years after they claim its a dead end for her.
i went to 3 different vets, 2 of them said i should put her down. the one who didn't tried other methods (such as fixing the hurt leg for support), but eventually it didnt work and effected arm got swollen so she can not lie on that side anymore.
once the vet realize i am not into the fatal injection, as she has good appetite and she is always responsive and happy to see me. he said the idea of taking out the leg is good as it will hopefully stop the pain, but he also said it wont prolong her life.
i personally believe it will, as it will cut her wight by a good 4-5 kg, which can only be good ( prevent her from falling, as it happen sometimes).
with that i heard stories of complications (death during the procedure) and long healing process... and i am wonder if she could take it at her age.
So sorry you find yourselves in this situation. Clearly Willow is a very loved dog and you have her best nterest at heart.
It comes down to such a personal choice and knowing your dog. Yes, we've had several seniors get great extended pain free quality time. Two dogs I can thinknof right off who were thirteen yrs. Shooter and Frnaklin. Also another ine named Sam comes to mind. It IS major surgery and it does nave risks. Recovery can be really rough for a couple of weeks. But these particular dogs adjusted very well and enjoyed a whole lot more time for loving and spoiling!
You nave a vet who thinks Willow can handle the surgery and will do well in three legs, is that right? As far as "timeframes", it's about quality...pain free quality. In doggy hears six months is equal to over three years in humans!
I guess it really comes down to how YOU can best handle the situation. If you do the surgery and it "doesn't go well", can you live with that knowing that you tried everything possible for your sweet Willow.
If you don't do the surgery, can you be at peace and not second guess whether you should have done the surgery.
It is just awful that we are put in the position of making these agonizing "forced choices" . You know yoir dog best! Sit quietly with Willow and see what she wants to do.. There ks no right on wrong decision! You will make a decision out of love and that wil l be the best one for Willow.
We are all jere with you and support you all the way. We would love to see some pictures of Willow. There are instructions on how to download photos on the site.
Sending you lot snd hugs and love..............................
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Thank you for your kind words... There's a lot of wisdom in it.
i change the profile avatar with my willow in it.
you know, she wasn't always with me. I adopted her when she was 6 after she was abandoned by a family who relocated abroad. I was alone in this world and then she came along and we were such a great team. We still are, but now there's a wife and a baby, and as much as they love her, they don't share the same dilemma and pain as I do.
Yes there is one vet who thought she can go through this although it has been a month since he saw her and things has deteriorated. Especially the distance she can go on 3 and overall weakness. So will see what he think on Tuesday.
There's a lot to consider. Bone cancer is very painful, and eventually the bone will break. One of the things to consider, too, is cost. The surgery is not inexpensive. A private vet is usually more expensive than a teaching hospital. The first 2 - 3 weeks are the hardest for recovery, but after that it's usually better. But being older, it might take a little bit more time for Willow. There's quite a commitment to helping her through this.
Wishing you the best,
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
I think basically what it comes down to is that you know your dog!! Is her tail still wagging.. is she still trying.. is she still happy.. without the pain so to speak?
My Franklin was 14 when he had his front left leg amputated as well. He was a 50 lbs English Springer Spaniel. He hurt his leg in the February.. and we just iced it, etc. Another visit to the vet suggested that he was becoming arthritic. By September, the lump on his knee was getting bigger and when we went back, he confimred osteoscarcoma. We thought.. well.. lets just let him be a dog...after all .. he's 14 years old!! And we waited a few months.. but his tail was wagging, he was happy still, and yes, he limped.
Finally he did have his leg amputated on December 4, 2012. He did wonderful! He was pain free and he was the happiest dog on three legs. His recovery was perfect... he was on pain meds as well.. and we changed his diet so that he didn't gain any weight. Yes, the walks were a bit shorter.. but he was a couch potator anyhow and loved being with us snuggled.
Yes, we did lose him on May 15, 2015. He ended up with the cancer in his lungs.. and we let him run fast and furious to the Bridge to have a good time till we meet again.
Would I do it again? Heck yes. I try not to dwell on the fact that I should have done it sooner.... that would eat at me and cloud those wondergful 5 1/2 more months that we had together. Yes there are chances you take... sometimes thing do happen, it's unfortunate but, if she can be pain free for the rest of her time with you... then... only you know what to do...
Good luck.... and please let us know how things go!
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!
Awww Chris, you are so awesome, thank you for sharing Franklin's story. xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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