Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our 11+ year old lab mix, Finn, was recently diagnosed with bone cancer in his left rear leg. Quite sizable, not a lot of bone left. Just took chest X-rays and those appeared clean although we recognize it’s likely to appear down the road as aggressive as osteosarcoma is. That said, he’s been an active and, otherwise, healthy dog at a good weight. So headed toward a likely amputation next week. Uncertain what we’ll do for followup treatment. Right now, we just want to avoid an inevitable break and how horrific that would be. And relieve his pain. Fact is, he’s older and we just want quality of life.
I’ve been reading a lot of the forum/posts which has been a great learning experience and affirmation of much of what our vet has said. Our house is one level but all wood and tile flooring. Looking at getting a harness, yoga mats to span between area rugs, and maybe putting a temporary ramp for the two steps out into our carport and the yard (the first and last steps are separated by a landing and shorter drops than normal so it’s already pretty friendly). His bed is about three inches in height, canvas like material covering solid foam. So not fluffy.
Complicating things (as if Finn needs more challenges) is our one year old lab, his best friend, and our daughter’s two year old golden retriever (doesn’t live with us but visits weekends). Finn helped raise the two of them, role playing etc. And he absolutely loves playing with them. So we will have to skip visits with the golden and try to figure out how to limit the one year olds interaction with Finn till he’s well on the mend.
Any suggestions on any of the above and is there anything else I should be getting ready beforehand? Thanks for your time.
Hi Dave - I'm sorry you and Finn are joining this club, it's membership no one wants.
It sounds like you've really thought through all the ways you can support and keep Finn safe during this time - I strongly endorse the yoga mats between area rugs; as we were preparing for Boone's amputation, I did the same (he ended up going with SRT; he has degenerative discs in his c-spine, and has osteosarcoma in his front leg... and he's a lean 170lbs). You can also order a sling-style harness to help; we went with the help'em up model (front and back harness), and even though we didn't go with amputation, it's been very useful when he's doped up following vet visits/chemo. A friend of mine also trained her pupper to walk with booties that had grip (not a tripawd; an IVDD case with muscle wasting) and that's been helpful for traction outside of yoga matts/carpets.
Something that appeared to really helped Boone was diet change; lowering his carbs, and upping his fats and protein. It might be something worth considering. Supplements can also be useful - Boone takes digestive enzymes, probiotics, IP6, and mushroom powders with his meals (chaga, reishi, turkeytail, cordyceps, and lionsmane).
Thanks for the additional suggestions. I feel like we're getting off light as Finn is about 75 pounds, pre-surgery. I'd never had to lift him and so lifting him into the backseat of my truck these past few vet visits has been a challenge. I suspect we'll be transporting him in our car moving forward, a lower transition which I should be able to manage. I can't imagine lifting Boone, even with a harness. We're set to go to an out-of-state teaching hospital next week (we don't have a teaching hospital in-state). They'll evaluate him and, hopefully, give the green light to go ahead that same week with the procedure. Between now and then we're just prepping ourselves and our home as much as we can. I'm sure we (Finn and the whole fam) will be learning on the fly.
Finn's been on a basic kibble diet his whole life. And the only supplement he's taken has been Fish Oil and Dasuquin. We'll have to make some changes for sure and I appreciate your sharing the supplements you're using with Boone.
Hi Dave, Finn, and furmily, welcome to the club nopawdy wants to join. We are glad you found us though, and hope to make the journey to three and beyond easier for all of you. Good move to act quickly and avoid that horrific fracture break situation. It's happened to others here and it's awful.
Here's my feedback based on your comments:
Looking at getting a harness, yoga mats to span between area rugs, and maybe putting a temporary ramp for the two steps out into our carport and the yard
Yep, highly recommend the Ruffwear Webmaster or Flagline harness for a rear leg amputee. The handle on top makes it so easy to lift a dog in and out of the car. As you already know, traction is super important. As for the ramp, I'd say hold off on that. Most dogs hate them, and two steps is not a big deal for a larger Tripawd, and if it makes you feel better put down some no-slip tape on them to make the surface safer.
So we will have to skip visits with the golden and try to figure out how to limit the one year olds interaction with Finn till he’s well on the mend.
For sure. There's no reason why he can't do well playing with his buddies, although you may need to manage his activity more by making him take play breaks while they visit. Definitely wait until stitches are out. A baby gate or two in your home is super helpful.
is there anything else I should be getting ready beforehand?
Check out the Tripawds Recovery Shopping List in case you missed anything (raised feeder bowls are very helpful). Also see our What to Expect articles to prepare yourself mentally and others in the family too.
We’re set to go to an out-of-state teaching hospital next week
Pawesome! Which one?
We’ll have to make some changes for sure
That's something we all do when our dog is diagnosed, and diet changes can be helpful. Just don't make any major moves until you decide if you're doing chemotherapy or not. Oncologists prefer that their patients don't have any major dietary changes during treatment, just in case side effects happen. If they do, they know it's the chemo and not the diet change. Our favorite book to guide diet changes is The Dog Cancer Survival Guide , you might want to check it out.
We hope this helps! Ask any questions you'd like and keep us posted on how he's doing (and you!).
Thanks for responding. I’ve read through what you linked to except the survival guide. I need to order the pdf of that and the other pdf shortly. The fastest place we could get in to is Kansas State. Private and the other teaching hospital, Iowa State, were farther out. Our vet is part of an animal hospital but not board certified and suggested the others. He made calls to all of them and I think that helped, at least with KSU. When I called they knew right away who I was and what I was calling for. They had it all set up. Our vets been great. Met with us at length and talked with us on the phone.
Hey Dave,
Looks like we are in similar situations and within general vicinity of each other 🙂 Max went to ISU for his jaw cancer surgery (5 years ago) and I spoke to both ISU and KSU for this amputation - however we have a really great orthopedic surgeon in my city and I prefer that over 3+ hr drive to either university hospital. Either are great options for surgery. I wish one was closer to me.
Since I am only 4 weeks in I can still name the things that were important (and already in all the docs you've read). I did most before this since Max has had some other issues with his hind legs (ACL, arthritis) but these are in my opinion crucial for large dog hind leg amputation.
- Cover all floor surfaces with something, an area rug or yoga mats. If Max steps ONE foot off the path he falls. As time goes on he gets better but we don't want to add injury to this situation. Jerry pointed out to me you can buy yoga mat in a roll and cut to your length. I got mine $5/each from 5 Below and not sure the cost difference but a roll would have been better since he can still manage to get one paw between the mats then slide.
- Non slip grip on stairs. Stair Tread: These are what I put on my stairs about a year ago and I think they are great. I have some outdoor like sandpaper on our back porch to the yard.
- Max hates ramps/step assists. Hates. I got them before the amputation hoping he'd learn but he won't use them.
- Get a good harness that supports both front and hind legs. When Max got home he refused to use EITHER front or back. I relied on the harness we have for weeks. It was just today that we started using a sling to get him out instead of the harness (4 weeks post op!). Of course Max has the added TPLO repair on his remaining hind leg so perhaps he is slower but we are going very slow to make sure he recovers well.
Harness I Purchased This is the harness I got last year for other reasons but it is perfect for Max. He can still urinate with it on, if your dog is bigger you can always fold it back when you get outside (or tack it back somehow). The only caveat with this is it is inexpensive - it first came with no straps, they did send later and once we didn't realize the buckle wasn't closed all the way and he fell (prior to the amputation!). We double check them before we lift now and no issues. I am sure there are more expensive/better harnesses but this type has been very helpful for us. Max also hates harnesses 🙂 - I wouldn't let Finn have play time too early. They will prescribe a sedative with the pain meds - this is to help keep the dog calm. Max did not need this but I did give him the sedative a couple nights when he seemed a little extra whiny and that helped him.
It took Max what seemed like a really long time to walk on his own. Try not to rush it. I wanted to but Max needed more time. Other videos of dogs hopping around on day 1 were discouraging when I had to fight to get Max to just stand up... but he got there! Now he pops up on his own and gets a drink or moves to the other room.
And Finn will figure out how to poop. I don't know what that was my main concern but it was.. "how will he ever figure that out?" But he did. He can potty all by himself now. Also Max walked almost in a circle at first and also figured out how to correct that. He kept walking into walls, the fence, me... because he had to figure out how to do it with 3 legs!
I hope this is helpful. I look forward to more Finn updates!
Thanks for sharing your recent experiences with Max. Some great suggestions. Your post about Max was one of the first I read and my heart sprung with joy seeing the video of him hopping through the snow. Had to show it to my wife so she knew too that there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
Online
Hi Dave and Finn,
First of all Finn is adorable! My choc lab also had bone cancer and front leg amputation. He was a few weeks from being 12. Brownie did just fine! He wasn't the fastest Tripawd but he was happy and pain free! Some people are shocked when they pick up their pet after surgery because of the missing leg and incesion. To be honest I was shocked on how must fur was missing. Lol
When you pick up Finn just look in to his eyes and let him know how happy you are to see him. In other words just be normal. Finn will do everything he did before surgery just in a different way.
What Brownie taught me about labs is they are very determined and have a heart of gold! So I know Finn is just going to be fine.
Sending positive thoughts to Finn and his family❤️
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
Dave, K State is fantastic! I'm glad you are going there. Your vet is pretty awesome for referring you to a surgeon.
Cherie and Nancy, thanks for sharing such fantastic and supportive information.
When recovery is over for Finn and Max is stronger, looks like this could be a Tripawds Party in the making!
First of all, I want to thank you all for your suggestions, support, and interest in Finn as we moved toward a planned amputation due to diagnosed osteosarcoma in his left rear leg. I’ve learned so much reading everything I could on the forum along with three of the publications. Great info! Unfortunately, things have changed to a degree we are now moving to palliative care for what little time is left.
We started to see additional problems with Finn a couple days ago in advance of going to K State today. He started coughing, with blood. And his pre-op blood panel came back with liver ALT #s nearing 1,000. We let the hospital know and went this morning holding out hope. Upon exam, the determination was that Finn has at least two or three cancer-appearing nodes in his lungs and the bone cancer diagnosis changed from an osteosarcoma to an even more aggressive hemangiosarcoma. Even with an amputation and chemotherapy the prognosis was far less time than we had hoped. At most two, perhaps two months.
We decided to bring Finn home and manage his pain, limit his activities as best we can, and measure his good days against bad to decide when it’s time.
Thanks again to all of you and for this site. You all bring so much information and inspiration to folks who might not see the possibilities.
Oh man. I am so sorry, Dave. My heart breaks for you, your family, and Finn.
all the snuggles and treatos for that good boy.
Had been following your posts and basically jad bothe g of significance to add as you jad already gotten such good advice, information, etc.
So I came back today to simply add a "welcome' and send my best wishes.
Your update was quite a shock and certainly unexpected. Hermangisarcoma is brutal and sneaky and cunning and can g9 undetected.
FWIW, even with long mets and even with hermangisarcoma, your Finn can still jave extended quality ti,e for more loving and spoiling. of ourse Finn didn't hear a word about any of these new tests and is continuing on being Finn. I know without question you will make every moment the best as you stay focused on the NOW, on the present.
Not sure if your Vet mentioned Prednisone as a med to help keep inflammation down around the mets, thus continuing to keep him comfortable. Also, definitely ask about Yunnan Baiyao (sp) to help keep the hermangio stable and at bay. It's a Chinese Herb that has shown results with this crap disease. I have knowledge of an acquaintance who felt like she got more extended time than " projected" as a result of this herb.
Let us know if we can help in anyway, okay. Finn knows you love him and knows you will always keep his best interest st the forefront.
((((((((((((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!
Dave, my heart broke when I read this, I'm so sorry. Hemangio is one of the meanest ones out there. At least you were able to catch it in time to manage palliatively, a lot of people don't get that warning.
I agree with Sally that a preventative YB course might be helpful, along with Pred for the mets. What if anything did they prescribe, just for our own knowledge?
Finn is still his own dog right now. Remember to follow his lead. He knows everything about living in the Now, and it's one of the greatest gifts he will ever share with you. Give him extra smooches from us. We are holding space for all of you in our hearts.
I'm so sorry to hear about Finn. Just remember Finn doesn't know the difference between two months and 10 years. I remember when the vet told me Brownie had two or three months and he lived an additional year.
The only suggestion I have is just be normal, embrace each day, spoil that boy rotten and I mean rotten.
Our prayers and thoughts are with you❤️
My Beautiful Beloved Brownie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma on February 26, 2019. With all odds against him he lived an additional one year and eight days with amputation, love, and prayer. I was honored to be his mom, and I have never been so proud! He will live forever in my Heart!
04/01/2007 - 03/05/2020
"March Saint"
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