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
My dog's front leg was just amputated for soft tissue sarcoma (stage 1). He's a mixed breed possibly Aussie Sheppard. He weighed in at app 40 lbs. right before the surgery. I'm really curious as to the likelihood of it returning somewhere else. Can anyone that has had a similar experience share it with me. Thanks in advance.
Hi Joseph. How's your doggie doing otherwise?
Cancer recurrence depends on many things and each dog's health situation is so different, it would be hard to a layperson like myself to give you that answer. Did your vet oncologist talk to you about the pathology report?
Remember the important thing is that you helped your dog feel better and get rid of that bum leg. How's he doing?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi,
We talked a little about the Pathology report. Enough to know it was soft tissue sarcoma in stage 1. That was the best news I could have received for his cancer. Lungs and lymph nodes are clear. It's scary how fast it came on. Several months ago, there was nothing last week the cancer was the size of a small orange just above the elbow. He's doing well he can already get up and walk for very short distances on his own. I have 5 steps from my porch to my yard and he can navigate those. He's eating well and has taken a couple of potty breaks without incident.
It's me that needs some rest now. His first night home was last night. I slept (a little) on the couch next to his orthopedic bed and that seemed to calm him. His little mixed breed chihuahua "brother" has been beside him for the most part. That's been great. He had his surgery on Monday and its only Thursday, so I am pleased with his recovery so far.
Thanks.
Hi and Welcome,
Sorry, you had to join us!
There are never guarantees with any cancer; our oncologist told us amputation was likely curative, but C could show up as a different type one day.
The low grade and where the sts was are good indicators or prognosis!
I still have these screenshots with highlights on my desktop;)
See this article
SOFT TISSUE SARCOMAS: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED
Purrkins (cat;) is over five years post-op from the same low-grade sts on his front left wrist.
We have followed up with rechecks every 6 months, chest x-rays * bloodwork, and a few ultrasounds. My advice is to keep up on your rechecks, and do have HOPE the C left with that leg and never rears its ugly head again!
Now go get some rest, please!
(((Hugs!))
Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝
Hi Holly and Purrkins,
Thank you so much for this information. It was exactly what I was looking for. I will definitely follow up with the rechecks. This indeed gives me hope. I will get some rest it appears I need it. Last night when I took my Franklin home I carried him from the back seat into the house. We received a little bit of snow last night and when I looked out my window this morning, I saw that I left my vehicle's door open all night. Haven't done that before. Lol.
Thanks so much,
Franklin and Franklin's Dad.
Just want to send some pawsitive healing energy to your sweet Franklin.
As you've already seen from the input from Jwrry and Purrki s you are in the right place for support and information.
So Franklin is just now coming home from surgery? What kind of pain meds did he come home with?
The first week or two can be a little rough, but recovery doesn't last furever!
Yes it is exhausting mentally and physically and emotionally getting to this point. Things like leaving your car door open all night......a sure sign of stressed out exhaustion! We get it!
Franklin is home, surgery is done and recovery has started. Soon he will have all his sparkle. No I e knows when, or even IF, that piece of crap ay, or may not come back. What we do know is to Be More Dog ......be more Franklin. That means living in the NOW and happily going from one moment to the next with no worries about the yesterdays or the tomorrows,
Let us know how recovery is goi g and if we can help you navigate through it.
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 don't think anyone here will be surprised about the car door;) You were laser-focused on Franklin & getting him inside, nerves frazzled! yes, we get it! Recovery takes a toll on us all!
Tuck franklin in beside you or tuck in beside Franklin, whichever works. Rest whenever Franklin does. And ditto, let us know how Franklin is doing when you can!
Thankfully the car is still there (the universe is on your side;)
Smooch to Franklin, please
Hugs!
Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝
Oh my gosh just catching up, I hope you and the puppers were able to get some rest today. The car door thing sounds like something every one of us could have done during a time like this. It's exhausting!
You got great insight from Sally and Holly (thanks gals!). I flipped through my copy of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide (you should get a copy if you haven't already, it's a must-read). When it comes to soft tissue sarcomas, here's some of the highlights mentioned:
- Amputation achieves the necessary wide margins and prevents recurrence
- Low and intermediate grades of STS may benefit from radiation therapy. 75% of afflicted dogs are still alive after 5 years without tumor regrowth. STS is one of the few malignancies associated with five-year control rates, which justifies the extra expense and added involvement of adding radiation treatments.
Mind you, this is mentioned in the book in relation to dogs who had the tumor excised, not a limb amputation. But it's something you might want to discuss with your vet if any kind of follow up treatment is in your budget or if you think Franklin could tolerate the repeated visits.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello Everyone,
Thanks so much for all of your replies. They have been so helpful. Franklin just entered his second week post op. He appears to be doing well. He can walk down the 5 steps from the back deck to the yard and he does his business without a problem. I walk him around the yard a little, but he tires quickly which I expected. But each day I do see tiny improvements. I'm retired so I spend all day with him which I am so grateful for. He's still off his food a little. I'm hoping his appetite will return soon. All in all, from what I've researched here and other places he seems to be on track with his recovery. I'm taking him back to the vet this Thursday to have the bandages removed then again four days later to have his stiches removed, that will be a great milestone reached.
Benny55 asked "What kind of pain meds did he come home with?" They sent me home with Gabapentin. And Jerry I will get the Dog Cancer Survival guide thanks!
Well, I'm off to take the boys out to the yard. I wish all of you happy days with your beautiful dogs and cats (Family)...
Happy Holidays everyone.
Well that is the best news to kick off the week! It's so nice his mobility is coming back! Yes, it does sound like he is having a normal progression of getting back his spunk. When those stitches are out you guys are both going to feel GREAT!
Thanks for the update. We are so happy you guys are doing great.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So good to see this GREAT UPDATE ON FRANKLIN YAAAY!
All tiny improvements add up; he is doing fantastic already! Give Franklin whatever he LOVES to eat right now. Burgers, chicken, steak, you name it;) You can get back on track when appetite returns.
It does make all the difference getting those itchy stitches out!
Hoppy Holidays to you and Franklin. Give him a smooch from us, please!
Thanks for the pupdate!
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins💝💝💝
Hello again,
Thank you all, every post you make helps us get thru this terrible time. But I am getting adjusted. I just purchased a sweatshirt here with "Yo Ho Yo Ho, A Tripawds life for me" lettering above a tripawd pirate dog. Laughter can be the best medicine. 
I'm so grateful the hardest part is behind us. The hardest part for me was first getting the cancer diagnosis. Waiting for the pathology report after the biopsy. Then finally making the decision to amputate. But now we're moving forward every day. I can honestly say I've made peace with the way things are now. I'm looking forward to our new way of life and the new normal and being with my buddy for years to come. Would I do it again? Yes, in a heartbeat.
Best Regards,
Joe, Franklin and little Rosco in New Hampshire.
Aww Joe, that's the sweetest note. I'm glad you liked the funny sweatshirt (thanks for shopping with us!) and hope that things continue getting better and better!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We can relate to the hardest parts. The diagnosis was a massive blow! And then the amputation bomb next! I was NOT prepared to hear that word! Making that horrible decision to take the leg. Waiting to hear the surgery went well, waiting to get Purrkins home, and then yes, waiting on the pathology report again! It's a lot of weight to carry and set free both! Take all the wins and celebrate! Every slight improvement with Franklin celebrate!
I'm glad you are at peace! You made the right decision & your fantastic attitude will indeed help Franklin! They are our greatest life teachers;)
I love you got a tripawd shirt! 
Your vocabulary will change next:) Hoppy Howlidays;)
Hugs!
Holly & Purrkins 💝💝💝
You sid such a great job of articulating all the emotions, the ups and downs, that got you to this point!! Yes, there is a peace in having all the rough part behind us and moving forward.
And the shirt is PERFECT!!!!!! Great attitude....great pawsitice energy. Franklin is a very lucky boy to have you as his hooman💖
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!
1 Guest(s)
