Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello everyone! My 9 year old German Shepherd/Alaskan Malamute mix was diagnosed yesterday with osteosarcoma in his left front leg. My husband and I are considering amputation, and I’m trying to find other people with big older dogs who chose amputation so I have an idea of what to expect. Hunter is around 125 pounds. Thanks for your help and your time!
- Kellie
Welcome and best wishes for Hunter! Sorry you have to be here, but you've found the right place for help and support. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Our Jerry was an eight year old shepherd mix when diagnosed with osteo...we had the same concerns, then saw a video of Moose the Great Dane digging up gophers with one front paw. So glad we decided to proceed with amputation! Jerry loved life on three legs for two years, without chemotherapy, at this was back in 2006! You will find many success stories of giant breed amputee dogs. Don't miss today's Tripawds Foundation blog tribute to Cemil, the Anatolian Shepherd who kicked cancer's butt for 9± years! Tazzie was another 225+ lb. Tripawd Hero.
While you wait for comments from others, use the Advanced Search above to refine your forum search results with specific phrases, and you're sure to find lots of helpful feedback. You can also search all blogs here . Or, consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for fast answers to common concerns and feel free to call the toll-free Tripawds Helpline anytime!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Hi Hunter and family!
Sorry you find yiurself here, but under the circumstances, there is no better place to be for support from those of us who understand how devastating it is to hear that news. Of course, Hunter didn't hear a thing and could care less about any ole' diagnosis schmognosis.
Admin Guy already told you about Jerry and gave you some great links too. Eurydice, a magnificent HUGE Great Dane romped around on three legs like a graceful ballerina! I'm sure her Mom will chime in.
My Happy Hannah was 125 lb Bull Mastiff. She had her amputation when she was a little over eight....kind of "mature" for a B Mastiff. Recovery was no picnic for a couple of weeks. As far as mobility though, she was up and walking within 24 hrs of surgery!
Amputation takes away the pain and gives a dog a chance for a quality life for more spoiling and loving and treats and rummy rubs! Dogs just flow from one gloriius moment of love to the next. They don't count days on the calendar and they sure don't have a timeframe stamped on their butt!!
And you never know. Hunter may be the next Cemil❤
Let us know any questions you may have, okay? We're all jere for you😊
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!
Hi Hunter and Kellie 🌺🐾
Eurydice was young, just about 1 month before her 5th birthday at diagnosis but, as Sally pointed out, she was huge, weighed 170lb and lost her right front leg to osteosarcoma.
Recovery wasn’t easy but after stitches came out she started doing fabulously well and never stopped hopping happily until she earned her XXL silver wings 13 months and 1 week later.
I wasn’t aware of cyber knife radiation at the time, the option which was put to me then was traditional radiation which I declined for various reasons (I’ll explain further if you want to know more)
Nevertheless if it was now I might have considered cyber knife radiation.
I am not sure if I would have gone for it in the end because with cyberknife you keep the leg which means primary tumour is still there albeit being zapped with radiation.
Luke went for cyberknife so he’d be the right person to share his experience with you.
No matter what your decision might be we are all here for you and will help you and guide you the best we can.
Sending hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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