Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We just found out that our 12 year chocolate lab was dx with canine cancer of the left proximal femur-- We have not done a biopsy to determine the type of cancer but location leads primary vet and surgical vet to consider OSA and synovial cell sarcoma. While she is very healthy (no severe arthritis), 65#, etc., the surgery vet is saying that amputation is not an option due to a possible CCL tear in the right knee that occurred years ago and has since healed--They are saying that an amputation would cause the right knee to blow out in a few months time (our dog is not overly active)-- In any event, we are getting chest xrays and meeting with oncology specialists to determine appropriate treatment-- IF it turns out to be a non OS cancer without signs of metastis, we are considering moving forward with amputation--We are leaning against amputation with an OSA dx as the multiple surgeries would be difficult considering the metastic rate--
Has anyone had a CCL surgery AFTER amputation ? What else can we do ?
Thanks-
Hi there - we are sooooo sorry to hearr about the diagnosis. I have no experience with trying to figure out the effects of surgery when there is a tear involved...I'm sorry I don't have much advice to offer. I know there are some dogs on this site that have dealt with that and hopefully they will get involved in this string. I would surely get another opinion - What about an orthopedic Vet for an opinion? We had 2 specialists...an oncologist and an orthopedic surgeon who actually did the amputation. If you live near Virginia - South Paws in Fairfax is an amazing facility.
Get as much information as you can before you make a final decision - but if it is Osteosarcoma - you have to make a decision relatively quickly.
We are thinking of you and sending pawsitive thoughts your way.
Lots of prayers and much love,
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Ditto KC, we are very saddened to hear about your fur kid. I had a possible ACL tear after my amputation, on one of my rear legs, but I was a front leg amputee so that's different from your dog. My pawrents treated it with rest, arthritis meds, and acupuncture, which helped a lot. They were scared that I would have to have that TPLO of surgery, but I didn't after all.
I wish we had more experience to offer you in this area.
But, we do strongly agree with Zeus and Heather. Get a second opinion, fast. Find an orthopedic doctor who has more indepth knowledge about this kind of situation. I know that would help narrow down your options.
Also, keep in mind that although OS will always come back in the lungs, a prognosis of the timeframe it'll come back in is just a best guess. I lived 22 months post-amp, when my doc told us I had 3 or 4 months. Many dogs live much longer than their prognosis, but sadly, many do not. It's a gamble, that's for sure, and only you can decide what's right for your situation. Whatever you decide, we are here for you. Keep us posted OK? Good luck.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the suggestions. The vet that we saw last night was a sugery vet that handles the repaired knee surgery often-- Our primary vet still thinks it could just be some arthrites rather than an actual tear--In any event, the chest xrays came back clean and we are meeting with the Oncology vets on Monday-- Hopefully we can get comfortable that she will handle the surgery well --
Boy, that would be great if it was just arthritis! Keep us posted. We're thinking of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry-- The good knee may just be arthritis (rather than a ligament tear years ago)-- We still meeting the oncologist on Monday on the bad leg (cancer)--
We have a 19 mo old black lab. Max had TPLO surgery in Oct and was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in that same leg in Dec, having amp surgery Dec 18. I know this is kind of reverse of what you are asking, but what I can tell you is how the recovery went for the TPLO. Typically, 8 solid weeks of rest and minimal movement is required for optimal healing. The dog is in pain quite a bit and has to learn to walk on the leg all over again due to the rebuilding and the healing of the bone(including a plate and screws to hold everyting in place). No stairs, no running, no jumping, a sling to help with stability. This may not be what your ortho vet plans on doing as far as repair surgery, however. Maybe there are other options? In my opinion, amp surgery recovery is much quicker than TPLO recovery, 2 weeks vs. 8 weeks.
If you are considering amp and then cruciate ligament surgery, having been through both with my own dog, and at a younger age, I would not recommend it. That is putting your dog through weeks and weeks of recovery and pain at 12 years old. Only you as an owner can make a decision about what is best for your dog. I hope that I have given you some additional information that helps you make your decision. Hopefully its just arthritis! Best of luck to you!
Paula and Spirit Max
Max's mom-- Thanks so much for the information. IF it was an amp with good outlook then our answer would be much easier. The tough thing is that our dog is not overly active anyways and is a light lab dog (65#)--she walks on the beach, no jumping, etc. Not your "typical" lab--She has never had any issue with her right knee (i would have known if she tore it previously) and i question wether the additional stress from three legs alone would cause her to blow it out (without jumping, running, etc.). I have been led to believe that a three legged dog will actually assume more weight in the front legs and less in the rear (so it is not double the weight in the rear)-- Additionally, She has been fairly lame recently and hoped around quite well--
Decisions, decisons-- IF we knew she would blow it out, then I agree that it is too much for the dog to go through--
You are right about the weight being distributed to mostly the front legs, however, remember that in a tripawd you have to consider the balance factor. Many times they catch themselves with that back leg which puts more weight and stress on it. I see Max do it all of the time. Just another thing to think about!
Paula and Spirit Max
Marley update--we are scheduled for a second opinion tomorrow--We met with the oncologist yesterday and he thinks marley would do just fine with an amputation-- Tomorrow will be with another surgeon---hopefully she is in agreement with the oncologist and amputation is an option---
Thanks for the update. We hope all goes well and look forward to hearing more.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
A week from Monday is the big day--Marleys amputation. Second opinion was strongly in support of amputation--Right knee looked fine and we are scheduled.
Hope all goes well--
Best of luckto you!!! Im so glad that things worked out for the best (and they did!!) Remember that the first two weeks are TUFF! Rely on us to give you support and it will be over before you know it. Soon you will be wondering what you even worried about!
Paula and Spirit Max
Best of luck to Marley, we look forward to many happy updates!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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