Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey friends,
Mischa, my 8.5 year old female Rottweiler, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her back left leg on April 24th. She had her amputation on Wednesday, April 27th, and we are fast approaching the 2 week post-op mark.
Recovery has had its ups and downs. The first couple of nights were a struggle as Mischa just could not seem to get comfortable. Then, she started acting as if nothing had even happened! She was getting around the yard easily, and she seemed to be in great spirits. However, today (day 11), she began to favor her front left leg. She is even whining every now and then when she readjusts or lays back down. She is still taking Tramadol 3x a day and Rimadyl 2x a day, so I am freaking out that this isn't just from over-exerting herself. I am genuinely concerned that this is the cancer now showing up in her front left leg/shoulder.
I had asked the oncologist if the osteosarcoma could show up in a different bone location after amputation, and she had told me it was very rare and it normally metastasizes to the lungs and other organs...but I am so concerned that we are going to end up being that "very rare" case
when we did chest x-rays 2 weeks ago, they were clear of metastasis...and we just received news last Friday that the lymph node we had biopsied came back negative for metastasis, too. My logical self is telling me to calm down, but my irrational/fearful self is freaking out that metastasis skipped a bunch of normal steps and decided to do a rare thing...
Has anyone else experienced painful remaining limbs in their furbabies after amputation? If so, did it take time to develop like it has with Mischa? Any shared experiences would be greatly appreciated 🙂 I'm trying to maintain composure and make it to her recheck on Wednesday...
Thanks everyone in advance!
-Joy and Mischa
I am not a vet, but I wonder if she pulled something as she is trying to adjust to life on 3. The first 2 weeks they are using different muscles in different ways. And they do not really know what they can and cannot do. My vet said to imagine hopping everywhere you need to go on one leg. I would try to keep her quiet, limited activity, until Wednesday and see if you see improvement.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Joy, take a deep breath and know that muscle pulls and strains are a common occurrence this soon after surgery. It happens a LOT here and 9 out of 10 times it's resolved with R&R, weight loss and more activity monitoring. I'm going to bet that is what's going on. Try not to think the worst OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi guys,
It is really easy, and not uncommon for a new Tripawd to hurt another leg or their back as they learn their new normal.
Once you are dealing with cancer it is also really easy, and not uncommon for us as humans to jump to cancer spread for every thing that seems wrong.
My pug Maggie has mast cell cancer so I was always on the look out for new lumps. I can't tell you how many times I found a new lump on her belly and in a panic flipped her over to look at it. Yep- it was one of her tits 
I'm not making light- just trying to commiserate. Cancer does nasty things, but it is really unlikely that Joy is limping from a new tumor in her leg or shoulder. Make sure she has good traction , try and keep her quiet and keep an eye on her.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Online
Congratulations on great test results! That really really is good news! Be sure and take a moment right now to celebrate that!
Yep, ditto everybody else!!
Not uncommon at all to have muscle strains, sore joints, neck strain, back strain and on and on. I know it seems like this recovery period lasts for ever, but day eleven is still very early in recovery!
" Getting around the yard easily, acting as though nothing had happened, all signs that she may have done a little bit too much too soon. And it only takes a little bit of "too much" to cause soreness.
Try some gentle.neck and back massage and shoulder and leg massage, especially before.she tries getting and then when laying back down.
It takes approximately two weeks to recover from the.suregery itself and about one month to get all the necessary muscle adjustments to walking on three legs.
So yes, take deepbreaths, grab some chocolate, go give Mischa a treat and a big hug!
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!
Karen! OMD! There should be "Worry Wart Award" for thinking a movie is a tumor! Well done!
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 all for helping put my mind at ease! I truly appreciate it! I am doing exactly as you all have recommended; Mischa has been more confined, and we will be taking it veeeery easy until Wednesday.
This has been so terribly hard for me, because Mischa is my first personal dog. I had dogs growing up, but she is the first dog that I adopted as an adult when I was a sophomore in college. I rescued her from a shelter heart worm positive and permanently deaf from untreated, severe ear infections. That has never stopped her though! She is a fighter and truly one incredible canine. She was the ring bearer in my wedding last year, and as a registered therapy dog with Pet Partners, she has been able to come to my school every Monday for "Read to Mischa Mondays"...I'm a teacher 🙂 I have seen her help build the confidence of so many of my students, and she has touched the hearts of so many...so, as you can tell, this whole ordeal has me thrown for a loop.
Again, thank you all so much for your replies. It is greatly appreciated, and I am definitely feeling more at ease.
-Joy and Mischa
benny55 said
Congratulations on great test results! That really really is good news! Be sure and take a moment right now to celebrate that!Yep, ditto everybody else!!
Not uncommon at all to have muscle strains, sore joints, neck strain, back strain and on and on. I know it seems like this recovery period lasts for ever, but day eleven is still very early in recovery!
" Getting around the yard easily, acting as though nothing had happened, all signs that she may have done a little bit too much too soon. And it only takes a little bit of "too much" to cause soreness.
Try some gentle.neck and back massage and shoulder and leg massage, especially before.she tries getting and then when laying back down.
It takes approximately two weeks to recover from the.suregery itself and about one month to get all the necessary muscle adjustments to walking on three legs.
So yes, take deepbreaths, grab some chocolate, go give Mischa a treat and a big hug!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
You're so right! Thank you for reminding me to celebrate the victory moments of this disease. Focus on the positives!
WOW! What an incredible backstory on you and Mischa!! Standing ovation for both of you for touching lives on so many levels!!
This doggy has a lot.of determination and has no problem overcoming any hurdles thrown her way! What a great role model for us all!
And remember, let NOTHING rob you of your time together.or.interfere with you staying in the present with Mischa! She's living in the NOW and is.not worrying about a thing!
Clearly Mischa had your name stamped on her heart the day she was born.....and hers on yours!
Thought I'd put a link to your other post over here so maybe others will see it with some advice. The main thing you'll want to do is core strength building.
Here's the link to yoir question about a leg brace. http://tripawds.....ed-advice/
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!
I am so touched by this story about your darling Mischa! She has done so much for others in her lifetime, too! I'm so glad she had clean X-rays and a clean lymph node biopsy, too.
Try not to worry about her limping. (I know that's easier said than done after your dog is diagnosed with cancer.) Susie is 3 months post-op and she still limps occasionally on one of her back legs. (She was a front-leg amputee.) The other day I was quite concerned about it, and then I remembered how she tumbled head-over-heels when chasing after a rabbit in the backyard the day before! (She still will sometimes forget that the amputated leg is no longer there, and try to use it--then she falls over (or, if she's running in hot pursuit, will sometimes do a complete somersault)!
Love and ((((hugs)))xxx
Nancy & Susie
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