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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
I wanted to update you on Puzzle who had her rear leg amputated 3 weeks ago because of a bone lesion that had fractured. She had her sutures removed last Monday (hooray)-she is getting around on 3 legs well. We are going on short walks, eating good food, alert and seems to be in less pain. We are happy we went forward with the amputation and she is still here with us. Her birthday is in a couple of weeks and I soooo want her to be here on that day.
The histopath was inconclusive so we sent it to Michigan State for antigen testing and it came back hemangiosarcoma. My last dog died of splenic hemangio. So sad. This is appendicular hemangio.
Sadly, we had radiographs done last Monday. There are many more nodules on her lungs. The oncologist is not hopeful that chemo will help her. I had an echocardiogram done yesterday-no neoplasia on the heart, but she does have mild degenerative valve disease. Need to speak to the oncologist about this and if chemo is still an option.
**Has anyone gone forward with chemo with advanced metastatic disease? Wondering what the outcome was? I really don't know what to do.
**Also- she is licking the suture area. Not sure what this means? I have her on gabapentin-1-2 times daily. I cut it back to that after sutures removed. Wondering if I should give her more?
I am having a difficult time accepting that her time is short. I worry all the time. I hate hemangio because decline can happen so suddenly and without warning. She has been such a great buddy.
Dangit I'm sorry! You are the second member this week to get the hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Rye is the other. You guys are in the same situation. I wish nobody ever had to be in it.
I'm not a vet but I wonder if there is any kind of chance that it's something other than hemangiosarcoma? I don't want to give you false hope. It's just that over the years, we've seen members whose dogs received an uncertain diagnosis and they ended up beating the odds of the one vets thought they had. I hope with all my heart that it's the same for Puzzle.
**Has anyone gone forward with chemo with advanced metastatic disease? Wondering what the outcome was? I really don’t know what to do.
Did you see this post? How close are you to Madison, Wisconsin?
New Treatment for Bone and Lung Tumors in Dogs and Cats at UW
**Also- she is licking the suture area. Not sure what this means? I have her on gabapentin-1-2 times daily. I cut it back to that after sutures removed. Wondering if I should give her more?
This is about the time the sutures get really itchy. Ask your vet about a topical to soothe the itch. Or you can try something like Microcyn.
I'm so sorry about this news but don't give up, there is always something you can to do boost her quality of life. Lean on us all the way, we are here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the UW post on new radiation technique. Puzzle has multiple nodules in her lungs now-- Sounds like they can do large nodules in the lungs. Wonder about multiple smaller ones.
Today has not been a good day. She woke up with her stomach rumbling-she hasn't eaten much of anything except grass on the walk. I got her to eat a hotdog-but the usual chicken, burger, cottage cheese-didn't work. Not sure what is going on. Going to pick up a steak-maybe that will appeal to her.
If this continues into tomorrow- may try get abdominal radiographs to see if something has happened internally. She does have a sensitive stomach so hoping its just a 24 hour thing.
Also looked at the stories of other dogs with hemangio. Thanks for letting me know about those. We all have made/have to make tough decisions.
Awww poor pupperz. I hope she is feeling better now. Did anything help yesterday? I know that mets can rob appetites. When our Jerry didn't want to eat we tried anything new and exciting, from buffalo to venison and everything inbetween. Also don't forget to use paper plates when feeding her. You don't want to mix scents on her bowl from any food she didn't like before (and yep, dogs can still smell food residue even after their bowl has been washed!). These appetite tips might help give you some other ideas.
My fingers are crossed for you guys. I wish I had some kind of magic juju to get her healthy again. (((hugs)))
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Bummer about themnodules, etc.. Vit hopefully Puzzle is just having one of jer "sensitive tummy episodes" and can get back on track eating. FWIW , my Happy Hannah never did stop eating, even when the lung met was "big as a vaseball" according to the Vet. So every dog responds differently and hoping this earing will pick up soon for Puzzle.
You can ask the Vet about Prednisone. It helps diminish any inflammation the mets may be causing in the lungs, PLUS it increases appetite as a "side effect"....a good side effect in this case!
Can't give any insight on continuing with chemo,per se, but talk to your Vet about Piroxicam and about Palladia. They have been shown to aide in shrinking mets or at least keeping them at bay.
Let usmjnow how your appt went today. We're all cheering for Puzzle and sending lots of healing energy💖
(((((((((((((((((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!
Whew- By the end of the day she ate a hotdog and then slowly gained her appetite back. She even went on a walk so it was a sensitive tummy day. Yesterday was great-she ate and we went on her longest walk since the amputation.
I let the oncologist know that I have found more skin nodules. She is not optimistic and think Puzzle has a few weeks of quality time left. I still haven't decided about chemo. If her prediction is true, then I don't want Puzzle to feel bad during the time she has left. However, if her prediction is not true.... aarrggh, this is so hard.
YESSSS!!!!! OK the hot dog and eating is a WIN. I'm so glad you had a good day together. These little victories are precious, keep savoring every moment like I know you are doing.
I'm sorry the oncologist gave such a bad prognosis. I can see why she isn't feeling good about it, since hemangio can be so mean. But at the same time, all we can do when confronted with it is to know that each dog is different, and how that piece of 
disease progresses with one dog doesn't necessarily mean it will go the exact same way with another. Balancing the potential for that to happen, with hope that Puzzle's case will be different is such a difficult thing.
If it would make you feel better to get another opinion from a different vet practice about her situation, that might help you decide about chemo.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Ditto every Jerry said! I think you'll find some reassuring comfort in her very wise post. Getting a second opinion regarding chemo may bring you more clarity.
And YAAAAAY for eating!!!! Keep chowing down sweet Puzzle!!! And YAAAAY for going on a nice happy walk too!!!!👏👏👏
Puzzle is already showing a lot of spunk and zest for life! So embrace the NOW and live in the NOW just like she is!
So glad to read how she's bounced back! With a sensitive tummy she may have an off day here and there, at least you now know not to freak out👍
Celebrate Puzzle being Puzzle.....and get that pup some more hot dogs! We would love pictures!
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!
Hello and thanks for the support in this forum. I just need some moral support. We are so glad we amputated Puzzle's leg. She recovered well
and its now been 5 weeks. We have done lots of short walks -which she loves. She has been able to go in and out of the doggy door and roam around the house. It gave us more time with her which I will always be happy about.
The hemangiosarcoma has spread really fast. She nodules all over her lungs, some in her skin, suspected 2 in her spleen and 1 in her kidney. She has slowed way down and is starting to breath faster.
We talked to the oncologist. The best possible treatment option was chemo (doxorubicin). However, they didn't know if it would work given her advanced state. Generally, side effects for dogs are lethargy and stomach upset for several days, decrease in white blood cells. We opted not to do it. She is tired, she would have to be at the University from 7 a.m - 4 p.m. and prognosis grim. One of the hardest decisions I have ever made-and hope that I don't regret. But , we didn't want her to feel badly or stressed with the short time that she has left. I am feeling a bit guiity today that I didn't do everything in my power to prolong her life. I have to remind myself that its quality time for her now. They did prescribe some metronomic (low dose oral chemo) to try. If it gives her stomach upset, I will discontinue.
Yesterday, she was at the U for a couple of hours for an exam and blood work. She was really stressed when I picked her up. She calmed down when we arrived home and I promised her that I would try not to have another vet visit unless its an absolute emergency.
Its hard to believe what has changed in the last 2 1/2 months. Thanks for listening. Her birthday is tomorrow-so hotdogs on the menu.
I'm so glad you posted. Moral support is our specialty, you are among friends who get it. My heart hurts for you knowing that the hemangio is being so mean, and so quickly. Stupid cancer. It just does what it wants to sometimes 
. We always hope for the best in any situation, especially that one, I'm sorry it's not going well. I'm just glad it has allowed the time for you and Puzzle to have more quality time together, free of that bad leg.
You are so so strong and wise to be able to focus on how well she's done after surgery. Many people are unable to find the good at a time like this, they remain stuck in the sadness. In my opinion that's the only way cancer ever "wins," when we allow ourselves to let time slip by without making the most of the time we have together, in whatever way that looks like. Even the "little" things count, snuggling, sitting on the lawn, soaking up sunbeams, these things are all blessings when those we love are still with us physically.
I'll admit that you will feel that guilt for a while, how long you will is anyone's guess but it's inescapable. We take on the responsibility of giving the best life to our dogs and cats, and when not even medicine can help us do that, it hurts so much. But please remember, you have done everything humanly possible to make sure Puzzle lives the rest of her days with quality, not just quantity. Living with quality is all anyone wants, be it animal or human. This is such an incredible gift to her. And letting go of medical interventions that could make her miserable can feel so freeing in a weird way too. I felt that way when we decided no more for our Jerry.
Puzzle has taught you so well. She came to you for a reason, and some day, hopefully not for a while, she will transition on knowing that you were an excellent student. But for now, get out there and celebrate your amazing Tripawd's birthday! And know that we are all doing a little hoppy dance with you, because you are together, right here and now, and that's what really matters!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jerry- Thank you so much for the response. Its just what I needed to read. It has been a tough day for some reason emotionally. But I have spent most of it with Puzzle and my other senior dog. Puzzle did go for 2 short walks this morning and I am about to go buy some really good meat for her. She hasn't eaten much today. Tomorrow I will try to stay away from tears and embrace her birthday-remembering all the "quality" times we have had together.
Jerry said every so well. I know her words of wisdom helped to lift you out of a dark place, and gently lift you back Iino the light.
You ABSOLTELY have, and are, doing EVERYTHING possible to ensure Pizzle gets the best QUALITY possible!... And from a dog's perspective, it is never about the days on a calendar. It IS about making every moment the npbeet mome t possible full of loving and spoiling and cuddles and more spoiling, and being with her hoomans who adore her!!
She is not letting that crap disease interfere with your time together, so you follow her lead and do the same. A time to Bridge will eventually show up, but not today, not tomorrow and that's all uou need to k ow to be true for now. Then you can repeat that mantra as you move through each day...
You made a decision to follow a "treatment path" (and yes, staying away from " medical treatment" that involves poking, prodding , stress, etc) that would give Pizzle the best stress free time at uo e with her dog pal and you!.
From the outside looking kn and from what we've seen around here, that sneaky piece of s**t disease had already plotted it's course and no medical intervention would have made any difference. And, quite frankly, the doxorubicin has caused issues and diminished quality sometimes that it's hard for the dogs to bounce back. FWIW, and I probably shouldn't I interject my own perso al opinion, but given the same circumstances you were facing with Puzzle ESPECIALLY being stressed at ,the Vet all those times,I would have made the exact same decision. Ake every day cou t, be stress free and full of love and joy💖💖
Look forward to seeing somebiethday pictures, INCLUDING ice cream and cake!!! And what the heck, add sprinkles!!
Sending you an extra dose of (((((((((,(hugs))))))))) and asking you to give Puzzle some extra smooches from us🥰😘
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!
Thinking of you and Puzzle today and sending tons of love and birthday wishes!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you benny55- yesterday was a dark place. I kept going round and round about should I have...what ifs.... your response (and jerry's) made me feel way better.
The morning that Puzzle had been scheduled for chemo (before we cancelled), I took her to the U for a short visit. Her bloodwork showed low red blood cells (anemia) and slightly elevated liver numbers. She was there for an hour and a half and was stressed out when i picked her up. She hardly had the energy to get into the car- I lifted her in. As you said so well-the poking, prodding and stress of being with unfamiliar people for a long period time-would have been hard. I keep going back to that moment and know my decision was a good one for her.
On her birthday-I have been with her all day today. Just hanging out. I just went out and bought treats to honor (my other senior dog is 14 today too) them both- Jerky, biscuits and a marrow bone. I am looking at this as a hospice situation now-what can I do to make her the most comfortable.
The postman stopped by too- to give her treats which she loves. I had one of those moments and started bawling-but he understood.
I am unable to post an image or I would--any tips. When I hit the image icon- it asks for a source??
Thanks again-
1 Guest(s)
