Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone,
I posted here last year(?) about my 11 year old boxer/pit mix pup Mookie. Over the last 2 years she’s had a soft tissue sarcoma lump removed from her front right leg, twice.
Her last surgery was kind of scary because of her heart. But she made it thru and recovered well. Unfortunately the soft tissue sarcoma has grown back. Since it’s been removed twice and is in a certain spot, the vet did say amputation would more then likely be the next step. She is getting older in age and I don’t want to keep putting her thru those surgeries.
We have her scheduled to get an ultrasound of her heart, to see if we can move forward with the amputation. The amputation is scheduled for the following week. As it’s getting closer, I am becoming nervous and not sure I’m making the right decision. She isn’t in any pain, but I fear the growth will cause issues down the road.
It’s just so difficult to make such a huge decision. And it’s hard to tell if you’re doing the right thing.
Anyway thanks for reading, don’t know where I’m going with this, just wanted to share my pups story.
Hi Dacia & Mookie. I'm so sorry you are facing this decision again.
It sounds like your vet thinks Mookie is a good candidate for surgery? If so that's great! We've had many senior dogs do really well on three! I like that they are taking care to do the pre surgery diagnostics on her heart.
But I understand your reluctance to do the surgery, I would feel the same way and question if it's the right way to go. The truth is there are no right or wrong choices here. The only one that matters is the one that can help Mookie feel good and have a good quality of life. Mookie knows you do everything for her with love, that's what matters.
Did the vet mention electrochemotherapy or intralesional chemotherapy ? It might be a good option if it's available near you, or you can travel to a clinic doing it (unfortunately there aren't that many). These treatments have worked for some Tripawds here who got cancer in their remaining limb. It's a great way to avoid amputation for a senior dog, minimally invasive, same day procedure, and recovery as easy as a dental cleaning. I'd look into it just to put your mind at ease that you've left no stone unturned.
Bummer that you are faced with the inevitable "forced choice" to proceed with amputation (or not, or other alternatives, etc)
It is very clear from. this post, and your earlier ones, you love Mookie with all your heart and Soul and ALWAYS do what's best for her. And that's what you must keep in mind.....any decision made out of love is always the right one💖
As we say around here, age is just a number and generally, if your pup is jn good shape, .being a "mature" pup isn't an issue. I certainly understand concerns about her heart though. Sounds like you are taking the right steps to confirm that wont be an issue. One thing we always have to remember though, that even with all the diagnostics prior to surgery, all the "everything looks great" to proceed, every surgery, little or big) has a risk that can't be forseen. As you can tell from everyone here though, we all take that "risk" with a leap of faith and proceed forward.
Let us know an update when you can, okay? As you already kmow, we are here for you however and whenever you need us.♥️
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS. Not sure if the radiation or the other "-elwctro" therapies Jerry mentioned require sedation??? Or maybe just light sedation without risk to the heart??
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!
To answer Sally's comment about sedation and electrochemotherapy , I think I remember the vet saying it's only a light sedation. Codie Rae of the Oaktown Pack had it done at age 11 or 12 with no issues, as did her brother Travis when he was a senior.
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