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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Hi Hope and Marvin and Hubby, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
I'm so sorry to hear about the diagnosis but it's good you have a plan to consult with a specialist. He sounds like an active dog who's still full of life, which isn't unusual at all for a dog his breed. I know amputation for a senior pup is scary at first and until a few years ago most people would have reacted just like your husband (and many still do), but in general most dogs will do fine as long as all other health conditions check out OK. If you guys still can't agree, it's always helpful to get a second opinion from another surgeon who can tell you their thoughts about whether or not he's a candidate.
Yes, the cone is mandatory or else ugly complications like broken stitches and infection can occur. Since you have time you might want to start shopping for an alternative one, like the inflatable cone we have in our Tripawds Gear blog (http://gear.tri.....ernatives/). Since Marvin's a smaller guy the inflatable one should work well if you guys start to proceed.
I hope this helps. Check out Jerry's Required Reading List for more tips and stay tuned, others in our community will chime in soon. Hang in there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Love the name .MARVIN! Can't wait to see pictures!
First of all, we understand the intense emotions and fear involved in this decision like no others can. It just stinks that we ever have to be put in this position.
My 125 lb Bull Mastiff (8 1/2 yrs. "mature") was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and when the vet mentioned amputation I said ABSOLUTELY NOT..NO WAY!! He suggested I at least talk to a Surgeon and Onco.and be open to what they said. I did. At the time, she was limping some and on some pain meds. Otherwise in great shape and loving life...excelt for the pain of a hurting leg.
I jad not found this site yet and cried everyday while trying to research. I just could not phantom "putting my dog through this". And then she started hildw her leg up and I knew it would be just a matter of weeks, if that much, before I would be letting her go. The look in her eyes and her whole demeanour showed me she wanted tomlive and get more loving and more spoiling!
Long story short...I proceeded. Recovery was no picnic. She walked right away just fine, Just the surgery itself was hard on her. For the firw couple of weeks I could not believe I had done this TO my dog. Then BAM...her sparkles started coming back bigger and brighter than before and I k ew I jad done this FOR my dog!!! We had THE best bonus time of one year and two months chock full of more spoiling than one could ever imagine!
My Happy Hannah never had to wear the cone. She never messed with her stitches. I know so e people configure a tee shirt, or boxer shorts or some sort of "sarong" and that works.
Two seniors immediately come to mind...Franklin who was thrirteen at the time of surger....Sam who was also thirteen...both mastered the art of three legs instantly and, if I recall, they both had relatively "easy" recovery. Continue to check out the Size and Age Matter thread and you'll see others who were of "mature" age, as well as large dogs.
STAY CONNECTED! We are right here by your side, okay? Update us when you can.....and eat lots of CHOCOLATE, it helps.
Sending 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!
I'm sorry to hear this tumour keeps returning. The decision to amputate is stressful and heartbreaking and so is the decision to euthanize. However, with amputation there is hope and the likelihood that Marvin will continue to live for more years happy and pain free. My experience is based on my cat's front leg amputation and I learned cats, and I'm sure dogs, are resilient and don't give a darn about a missing leg. Perhaps you husband can express his concerns about amputating and those concerns can be discussed with the vet or surgeon.
The surgeon will be able to give you an opinion on the amputation. Generally in cats vaccine associated sarcomas are aggressive so the leg is amputated immediately. It seems as though Marvin's is slow growing. The surgeon will likely want to ensure there will be good margins so the tumour doesn't reappear.
Everyone has different experiences through the recovery period. It all depends on the pet. From what I read dogs seem a bit more vocal about their discomfort. My cat Mona didn't follow the rules and tore around the house. I think she was crazed from the pain medication. Ensure you come back here for more advice if you do proceed with the amputation.
I wanted to let you know that if this tumour was caused by a vaccine then your vet should try to get you some reimbursement for the surgical costs from the pharmaceutical company and this adverse reaction should be reported to the FDA. The pharmaceutical company paid for half of Mona's amputation.
As Sally says, keep in touch and eat chocolate. There is a lot of great info on this site so it's well worth reading the blogs and forums.
Kerren and Tripawd Mona
Thank you everyone for your encouragement. Appointment with surgeon is tomorrow morning so I will let you all know how everything turns out. My husband has cooled off a little about the idea of amputating the leg. I really do appreciate all of you and looking at some of the stories on this site has really given me some hope.
awww you bet. Glad to hear hubby is more open to the idea. Most of us here hesitated at first too, it's a hard concept to come to grips with, but the more you think about how with everything else being OK, healthwise, why not get rid of that bad leg?, well it just makes sense. I hope things go well, let us know.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Marvin had the surgery today!! He is very medicated, resting comfortable so far. The surgeon said she's sure she got all the tumor out with the amputation! He has not tried getting up at all yet but he's only been home a couple hours and had some morphine just before I brought him home. I'm praying he recovers quickly. I will keep you all posted, thanks again for being here.
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR MARVIN!!! He is out of surgery and home!!!
And did I read this right? The surgery was roday and he is already home?? WOW! Many dogs stay at rhe vet overnight and aren't up walking until the next day...some sooner...some later. So don't worry about Marvin getting up yet. Plus he is really, really doped up right now and in too much of a zombie state to want to move!
I'm sure the vet gave you good instructions but atay connected to us, especially the next couple of nights and days. If Marvin is "resring" now, try and get some sleep while you can. Recovery is.no picnic! But it's all worth it once they finally do recover a d get their sparkle back!
Sending lots of (((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))))
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!
Oh thank you for responding, I was beginning to get worried Marvin is still sleeping mostly, quite drowsy, and not even thinking about getting up. I guess because he just got out of surgery 13 hours ago? They didn't have an overnight option that I know of but I'm glad he's home with us. I didn't realize the IV meds they gave him during and after surgery would last so long. He won't eat at all or drink much, and he hasn't urinated at all yet. Poor little guy. The incision looks great and I'm just hoping he makes it through this without too much difficulty.
This week has been SO emotional for us. Now that the surgery is over and it appears that tumor will hopefully be gone for good, I feel certain this was the right decision. I think my husband has come around as well though he was not happy with the idea of amputating one bit when it first came up. I have been reading a lot on this site and what a help it's been!! . I'm sure these next couple weeks will be a challenge but I can't wait to see Marvin looking sober and happy again! 
Yay Marvin!
Try not to worry, that sounds like a pretty typical recovery. If you have any concerns let your vet know but for now remember that this is major stuff, it's exhausting and sleep is what they need right now. You're so lucky that overnight went well, a lot of people have a pretty sleepless night when they bring their new tripawd home immediately after surgery.
Eating will come soon but he should be drinking water so try to tempt him with yummy flavors in his water. Anything like no sodium chicken broth, water from a tuna fish can, even goats milk can help. If he doesn't urinate within 12 hours of leaving the vet clinic let your vet know, you may need to help him, but that's easy enough.
Glad we could help your husband adjust to the idea. Keep us posted and let us know how today goes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yay Marvin! And welcome mom and dad....
You are right, the next few days and weeks will be a challenge, but SO worth it once you get through it. You will have many conflicting thoughts, I know I did. My Dobe had front amp surg June 2014 and is doing so well today. We knew it wasn't time to say goodbye to him because he was so full of life, and it was the best decision we ever made. It was a bit of a rough recovery, but we took it one step, one day at a time. Stay in touch, this site will save you, as it has saved me.
paula and nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Yep, drowsy, not eating, not drinking, not wanting to get up...all nor.al this soon...so soon...after surgery. The hospital meds can actually stay in his system for about two or three days. The anesthesia alone can make him groggy for a bit too.
The main thing you might watch for is peeing. Keep your vet in the loop on that as you don't want him to go too long without peeing...even if it's in his bed, that's okay. The vet can tell you how to "express his bladder" if it becomes necessary. No biggie.
Perhaps later today you can start trying to get him to stand...with a vet's approval and guidance of course. He'll probably be woozy and wobbly, but it's worth a try to keep him started walking.a few steps.
Patience is soooo hard during recovery. It seems like it takes forever! In a matter of a few short weeks Marvin will be getting his sparkle back and enjoying a pain free life!
Update us later tonight if you can. I know you have your hands full right now.
Sending lots of HUGS!
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!
Marvin is doing much better, I'm pretty worn out, lol. He stood up on his own a few times so far. I use a sling/harness to help him and he's walking a few steps but pretty unsteady and nervous, as expected I guess. He finally urinated a whole lot in the back yard, I was so happy and he seemed very relieved. Thank you Jerry for suggesting the low sodium chicken broth, he loved it and has now worked his way up to chicken and rice with broth mixed.
He's still kind of drowsy but keeps waking up due to our other 2 dogs barking every time they think they see or hear something going on outside. He's usually right there with them and I think this may be his motivation for standing up and trying to walk. They sent him home on antibiotics, anti inflammatory, and for pain Tramadol 50mg every 6-8 hours. I called them today about adding Gabapentin but we won't have it until tomorrow as my husband is working too late to get it tonight and there's no way I want to load Marvin in the car and risk an injury. From your experiences post op do you think this is adequate pain relief so soon after surgery? I'm hoping the Gabapentin helps but Marvin seems to be in a lot of pain mainly after trying to walk, it takes him 10-20 minutes to relax after laying back down and that's only after I hold a cold compress on his wound and rub his head. He also has a small, soft puffy area at the top of the incision now that he's gotten up.
I can't tell you all how much I appreciate your experience, advice and encouragement through this very difficult journey. Also Marvin's a little over weight and we will have to help him lose 3-5 lbs, part of the extra weight was probably the tumor itself but his belly looks a little chubby too. I sure hope I get to sleep tonight!!
My kitty Mona has a cute pudgy belly and I was so excited when she lost weight after the amputation. They vet said it was probably the weight of the leg! Oh well.... we do what we can to get the weight down.
I sounds like Marvin is doing well. I found the cold compresses helped Mona. Don't worry if the area turns red/blue because that could be bruising. We just have to watch out for infection.
I can't give an opinion on the pain meds for a dog because they are different than for my cat, who went a little nuts from hers and raced around the house. You may find that you'll cherish the time when Marvin is sleeping so that you can sleep. It is emotionally exhausting.
Hugs to you and that little Marvin.
Kerren and Tripawd Mona
Hey there sorry I just got a chance to check in. How's Marvin today? Did you get the Gabapentin? Yes I think that's great pain relief, a good combo for most dogs so I hope it works for him and that you got some sleep.
Yep, losing weight makes a huge difference in a Tripawd's ability to get around, so you're definitely on the right track there. It's lucky for us that dogs can lose weight so quickly, usually as easy as just reducing portion size, wish it were that way for us humans!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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