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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Hello everyone, as a pet parent of a soon to be tripawd, I would love any tips y'all can give me. Akiko is set for front leg amputation next Friday after finding out from our biopsy last week that he has a malignant tumor....it has been a hard decision between keeping the leg and the cancer probably coming back or amputation with a less possibility of it coming back anywhere else. In an effort to prolong his life span( he's 7.5 now) without undue trauma and pain we decided on amputation. Naturally, we are a little scared of the unknown. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Tera & Akiko
Welcome, and best wishes for you and Akiko. Your future posts will not require moderation.
You will find plenty of tips and suggestions in Jerry's Required Reading List . Or for fast answers to most questions, consider downloading Tripawds E-books.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You have certainly come to the right place for information and tons of support!
So welcome Akiko and Tera to your safe haven! You will be getting a post fro others that will show you how to maximize the I to. Available on this site. Thongs like how to prepare your home, yourself and your dog. When you get time, perhaps you could share a little more info......type of tumors, is Akiko already limping, any follow up treatment suggested after surgery, etc.
It can be a very scarey time and for many a very, very difficult decision. The outcome is yo will have a dog free from pain nd you've given him an extended great quality of life:-) The first couple of weeks can be hard but Akiko's recovery and ability to navigate on three legs will absolutely astound you! Really! Surgery is major and not to be taken lightly but dogs up and walking in no time! She'll be on heavy duty pain meds at first but you will eventually be able to taper off, stitches will be out and she won't even remember why she need a fourth let anyway!!
PLEASE KNOW, FROM THIS POINT FORWARD, YOU HAVE AN EXTENDED FAMILY TO HELP YOU ON THIS JOURNEY, You are clearly strong and dedicated to doing what's in Akiko's best interest. A decision out of love is always a great decision:-)
Get some rest, hug and love on Akiko and get ready for a depth of love you never imagined possible because of your enlightened bond with Akiko:-)
Oh yeah, b r e a t h e, now again, b r e a t h e:-)
Surrounding you with support, 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!
Hi Tera and Akiko, I'm sorry you got the bad news about amputation. It sounds like maybe you're dealing with osteosarcoma? If so you've got lots of company here and lots of folks who can help you through this ruff time. Be sure to check out all of the resources we have here to help make your life easier.
Right now just focus on getting through the surgery and recovery. Calm your fears by checking out our videos, blogs and stories of all of the great Tripawds who have joined us here. Take steps to prepare your house to make life easier for Akiko (i.e., floor runners to add traction in slippery places) and remember to live life one day at a time. It's very easy to get wrapped up in the what ifs but all you need to do is look at Akiko and know that he isn't worried, he just wants to feel better.
I hope this helps. Please feel free to ask away any questions you have, we are here to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Tera,
I'm new to this board as well but somewhat of a "veteran" in terms of "tripawds." I only wish I had found this site sooner! Anyway, for what it's worth, we were faced with a similar choice with our Bernese Mountain Dog. He had(has?) Histiocytic Sarcoma which presented itself as a grapefruit size tumor on his rear leg. We struggled with what to do and were concerned because of his size and age (115 lbs/ 7 years old).
I'm not as familiar with osteo-sarcoma, but HS is such an aggressive cancer, the oncologist felt to give Gus a real chance, amputation was our best option. So within 3-days of diagnosis, he underwent surgery followed by about 8 chemo treatements. The amputation was done on October 1 of 2011 and Gus is still with us - sleeping at my feet as I type this.
Everyone's different, but I can tell you that you need to be prepared for when you first see Akiko after the procedure. It's jarring. First, they're "off" due to the anesthesia/pain meds. Then, there's the fact that the amputation site is pretty "raw." And then, of course, they're still getting their 'sea legs' so they can look awkward as they adapt to life on 3 legs. In summary, it can be pretty heart-breaking. But we couldn't be happier with our decision. Within a week or two, as his pain killers were scaled back and he became more lucid, the "spark" in his eyes returned. I can't tell you how happy I was when he started to bark at me when he sensed it was time to go to work (he comes to my office).
Anyway, thought I throw my two cents in. I'm constantly amazed at how absolutely normal life for him is. Many people will see him walking, stop and pet him, and not realize he's missing a leg. Of course a front leg can be more challenging, but I know several in our neighborhood and they get around great.
Best of luck!
Welcome Tera and Akiko!
Glad you found this site, but wish you didn't have to. Everyone here is such great support during this difficult time. It always seems to be so unexpected and decisions have to often be made quickly in order to give our dog kids the best chance at life. The first two or three weeks home are the most difficult as both you and Akiko adapt to a new normal. I highly recommend getting an elevated food bowl as it makes eating much easier for a front amp.
Keep every positive thought surrounding you at all times because you often (always
) question the decision you have made. Remember that decision was the right one no matter what it is. Come here often for a shoulder to lean on and cry on and we occasionally tell a few jokes too!!!
Take care and hang in there!
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Wow Gus! Congratulations! You give hope to so many!
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!
Hello!
I just wanted to say welcome! I'm so sorry to hear about Akiko, however, you have found the right place for support and encouragement! Please make sure to stop by the chat room
for quick answers - theres usually at least one of us in there. Definitely download the resources Jerry suggested and read through the forums for information. I am not the BEST at giving advice for the bigger doggy tripawds as my tripawd is a kitty, however, I can sure try 
Wishing you all the best,
Erica & Kitty Tripawd 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
Thanks everyone for the support and tips....Akiko had his surgery today and came thru with flying colors....he's resting comfortably on pain meds, but I get to go see him in the morning....he has to stay there till Monday , the vet wants to make sure they have his pain meds where he's comfortable. After talking to the nurse after the surgery( the vet called later) I cried like a baby....a release from the worry I guess and also for the loss....sounds crazy, but after awhile I actually started to feel again like my old positive " look on the bright side" self. The vet is checking a lymph node to make sure the cancer hasn't spread, but she seemed hopeful that it hadn't since Akiko was a grade 1 on the tumor...she said it was a nerve sheath cancer....I don't know if she ever gave it a medical name. I'll be back on to update after I see him tomorrow ...everyone else has to wait till Sunday , so at least if I ball like a baby tomorrow , only Akiko will know and I know he can keep a secret.
Yay for Akiko! I'm hoppy to hear he came through surgery! His vet care sounds terrific, keep us posted OK? We'll be waiting.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Congratulations...surgery is over and recovery is starting!"
You need of worry about feeling like you "lost" something because what you will GAIN from this experience..the bond you will have...the lessons learned....All pluses..not. a minus in site:-)
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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