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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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13 1/2 Year Old Bugg has Front Leg spindle cell carcinoma for 3rd time
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Member Since:
3 January 2025
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3 January 2025 - 10:06 am
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Hi I am a new member.    My 13 1/2 yr old female Bugg, Maggie was diagnosed with spindle cell carcinoma over two years ago.        She has had 3 surgeries to remove the tumor.  The  last surgery was  in May '24 .  The cancer came back quickly and by September '24 the tumor  was large.  We went back to the Surgeon at the Hospital for a consultation.  The only recourse at this point is amputation of her left front leg.  She weighs 25 lbs.  I was hoping there is someone on here that may have had a similar situation - 13 1/2 yr old Bugg/Pug/BostonTerrier.  We need to do something very soon as her tumor will erupt soon if she does not have the amputation.  She has had the testing to see if her heart, etc could handle the surgery and her vet ok'd her for surgery.  Her age is the main concern. I am wondering if we are being selfish to go ahead with the surgery at this point.  If we had known 2 1/2 years ago we probably would have amputated then. Just not sure if it is fair to her at this point with her age to put her thru that.  The alternative is putting her to sleep.  I have tears in my eyes even typing that sentence.   Any advice/personal experiences you can offer would be greatly appreciated.   Thank You sp_hearticon2

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25 April 2007
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3 January 2025 - 10:40 am
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Hi there and welcome. I'm so sorry about your girl's diagnosis. It's always a tough decision but even harder when a dog is a senior. 

I recommend checking out our Size and Age Matters Forum topic so you can see how other dogs have done on three legs. Many are much larger and even older, and they do well. Also see these Tripawds News articles about senior dogs.

It sounds like she is a good candidate in your vet's eyes. So is her age your concern, or your vet's? If it's yours, I know it's hard not to think that an older dog cannot do well on three, or bounce back from surgery. I would be concerned about my dog's age too. But what we've seen here from thousands of members over the years is that most dogs will do well if they are otherwise healthy, not too badly overweight, and have a strong spirit within to keep enjoying life. Even overweight dogs and the couch potatoes out there can thrive, but it just takes them longer to adapt.

One way you can ensure Maggie adapts quicker and better is by having a consult with a canine rehabilitation therapist already lined up for her. These experts can help her recovery go better, and show you ways you can help her get strong and have better, safer mobility around your house.

Whenever someone is undecided, a second opinion from a board-certified veterinary surgeon is always helpful too. So if that will put your mind at ease and help you make a decision I highly recommend it!

Also, I would ask an oncologist about the possibility of treating her tumor with electrochemotherapy , a limb sparing procedure that treats the tumor but preserves the limb. It's not ideal for every situation and not widely offered but we've seen that it can be helpful and preserve quality of life for dogs who are not good amputation candidates. 

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Livermore, CA


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3 January 2025 - 1:48 pm
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Hello and welcome to you and Maggie.

My heart dog and first Tripawd was a Pug named Maggie.  She lost a back leg to mast cell cancer way back in 2006.  I had a couple of Pugs after Mag and now I have two Pug Mutts including my current rear amp Tripawd Elly.

To me age is just a number, the important thing is how otherwise healthy is Maggie and how much life is left in her? 

My Maggie was only 7.5 when she lost her leg so age wasn't a consideration for me.  But I did amputate because the tumor in her knee was in danger of rupturing and could not be removed with adequate margins.

As an example- my second Pug Tani had all types of health issues, some of which affected her mobility. Although she lived to be almost 15 I would not have considered an amputation for her at 13.5, her body could not have handled being on three.  My next Pug Obie lived to be over 16 years old, if the situation had presented itself I would not have hesitated to amputate when he was 13.5.

We often see here that the older dogs take a little longer to adapt to three legs, but they get there.  Being on the lean side is a good idea and a rehab vet can really help set a dog up for a strong healthy life on three.

No matter what you chose we are here to support you.

 

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

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