Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I want to add a few more thoughts...and PLEASE don't think I'm trying to sway you not to do this...but just putting out some things about my dog...things to think about regarding your own dog.
My dog was healthy(well, except for this tiny thing called CANCER), not overweight, her structure could handle living on 3 legs, had been physically fit all her life - she did agility for 8 years, not to mention hiking and skijoring in the winter months. She is a large dog at 65 lbs. and she was 9 years old at the time of amputation. So, it appeared that she should be able to handle being a Tripawd.
Her recovery from amputation was miserable to say the least.(went off her food for two weeks and had a slight fever). It being winter during her recovery phase was tough to get her exercised and I had to go outside with her at all times because I feared of her slipping and falling on ice in the yard.
She has great fears of slipping on some surfaces but that has improved thru the months with encouragement from me and some clicker training to get her courage back.
She has gained an incredible amount of strength back now with it being summer and me doing physical therapy with her. But she still cannot handle long walks at all. A half hour walk on relatively flat ground really is too much for her. She's pretty wiped out for the rest of the day.
I know there are MANY dogs on this site that it seems they do anything and everything they ever did before amputation. Maybe my dog is the only one that can't? I dunno.... But you'd think with my dog's background (physically fit/structurally pretty good) that she'd have had an easier time and could handle things better.
Just thought I'd throw out these comments.
One thing that I didn't get from my vet was the support and advice that is here at Tripawds.. I didn't find this site until two months later.
Just be welll informed and try to make the right decision for your Dolphin.
Do I regret amputating Maggie? NO! BUT it would have been nice to hear the goods AND the bads that may or may not happen to my dog prior to amputating. I felt lost and alone and felt right after amputation that I'd done the wrong thing.
Maggie can still do a little bit of agility...VERY short stints and not the large obstacles...she only does hoops that are on the ground...but she LOVES it and so do I to see her smile and run for a short time. She now competes in Rally Obedience...but again, she cannot handle a long duration of even that.
Just food for thought and AGAIN, I'm not trying to sway your decision...just trying to get you as informed as possible 
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
maggie said:
I know there are MANY dogs on this site that it seems they do anything and everything they ever did before amputation. Maybe my dog is the only one that can't? I dunno…. But you'd think with my dog's background (physically fit/structurally pretty good) that she'd have had an easier time and could handle things better.
Harley's stamina is nowhere near what it was when he had 4 legs … so Maggie is not alone. Short walks are all he can handle. Our surgeon told us how Harley is a healthy (minus the cancer), muscular dog at a lean weight with good hips, and he would have no problem with recovery and getting back to his old self. Recovery went pretty well for us, we didn't have to deal with not eating and Harley didn't need help standing or walking (they helped him stand/hop the very first time at the hospital after amputation, but since then he's been doing it on his own), but he certainly cannot go on walks like before.
Harley is an older Rottweiler (9yrs at time of amputation, about 7months ago). I don't regret the amputation. But Harley definitely DOES NOT have the stamina he had before. Amputation got rid of the pain he had, & we've been blessed with (almost) 7months of hopping around (although, not for very far).
You've come to a great place for support and advice. I've learned so much here. No matter what you decided, keep us updated!
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
Misery loves company, eh, Gwen? Well, you know what I mean...at least I'm not alone in the fact my dog can't handle much exercise anymore - I was beginning to think I was. She does more laying around than moving around now - most of her moving/exercise is "Tracy induced". I'm VERY thankful she is out of that tumor pain...I can guarantee that for SURE! Cause she was laying around even MORE then when in pain & four legs prior to amputation....
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Wow so I'm not alone. Phew, I was starting to think that Tai was the only dog who was much "lazier" after her amputation. Of course I wouldn't have NOT done the amputation to relieve the pain but she certainly doesn't want to move around as much as she used to. Short bursts of activity followed by long dozes in the sun seem to be more to her liking nowadays. I thought it was perhaps because she was getting older (she'll be 9 in August) but my 13 year old Lab is more active than she is. I can still get some degree of excitement when I talk about "car rides" and "gophers" or "swimming" (which is really just glorified paddling nowadays) but it's pretty short lived. Still, she seems happy and content which is what life is really all about anyway.
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
tai09 said:
... she seems happy and content which is what life is really all about anyway.
Amen!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks to everyone for the comments
Today I went to another vet to hear his opinion and thinks it's a difficult decision. If he had 8 or 9 years old he would say with no doubts to do amputation, but with his age he thinks the recovery time will be too long and that is such an invasive procedure that will not benefit him that much.
He never was a fit dog. He's actually a bit overweight (even after some months of diet, but he lost 2kg) and the vet thinks this would be another problem because after the surgery he would be even more sedentary and gain more weight, which do not benefit the recovery.
Nowadays he sleeps most of the time and does just a 10 min walk 4 times per day.
One new thing is that he's always licking his leg, but not in the region of the tumor. He did some allergy to the bandage he had after biopsy and I guess it's just itch, because he's not limping.
I guess my parents (that are with him almost all day) aren't emotionally prepared for an amputation and it's recovery and prefer not to do it.
Sometimes I think I should go for amputation, even if it's just to relief pain, but I'm out of home most part of the day and I can't assist him and since my parents are the ones who could help him but aren't prepared for it, I guess I have to accept their decision...
I heared about artimisinin, neoplasene, etc... Do you recommend it without amputation?
I thought of buying K9-Immunity, but since I'm out of USA it would cost more $50 for shipping fee, which I think it's a lot...
Thank you all,
Ana
Thanks for the update. Keeping Tripawds fit and trim is indeed very important for a quick recovery. Being overweight can cause complications. It is equally imortant for caregivers to be prepared emotionally and physically for the challenges of care during amputation recovery.
Regarding supplements, check these links to information about recommended canine cancer supplements in the Tripawds Nutrition blog . Specifically, you might be interested in Power Mushrooms, a lower cost alternative to K9 Immunity .
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
admin said:
Thanks for the update. Keeping Tripawds fit and trim is indeed very important for a quick recovery. Being overweight can cause complications. It is equally imortant for caregivers to be prepared emotionally and physically for the challenges of care during amputation recovery.
Regarding supplements, check these links to information about recommended canine cancer supplements in the Tripawds Nutrition blog . Specifically, you might be interested in Power Mushrooms, a lower cost alternative to K9 Immunity .
The problem isn't the cost of the product but how much I'll have to pay for shipping... The shipping cost is almost as high as the product.
I'll read about those supplements. Thank you
dolphin said:
The problem isn't the cost of the product but how much I'll have to pay for shipping... The shipping cost is almost as high as the product.
I'll read about those supplements. Thank you
I have a homemade mushroom mix that a friend of mine shared. She was using it for her dog that was fighting lymphoma. If you would like me to send it to you, I'll be happy to look it up and PM it to you. I think all of the ingredients come from a natural foods store, I'm thinking you could find them locally and not have to pay shipping.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Great idea Shanna!
Also, here's another supplement that a member found in South Africa. Maybe you can find it in your country too?
Matema: Herbal Treatment for Canine Cancer, Similar to Artemisinin
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Ana,
Welcome to tripawds. I'm really sorry to hear about your cocker spaniel. Holly didn't limp at all before the diagnosis - she hid her pain really well. The vet couldn't believe that she had bone cancer because she wasn't limping. She was only 8 when she had her amputation, and was physically fit so her situation was a little different. I was so afraid to see her after her surgery - so I can understand your parents' concerns. Holly's recovery was fine after she made it through the first 2 weeks - I haven't had any regrets. She loves taking walks and we slowly resumed her old routine of a long walk at lunch every day. But as everyone here has said, you know your dog best and will make the decision out of love for your friend. We will support you whatever decision you make - and we all know what a difficult decision it is. Your posts show how much love you have for your dog - we'll keep you in our hearts as you make this decision.
Sending lots of hugs across the miles,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
PS - your English is great!
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Hi everyone,
I didn't post for long time but I would like to keep you updated.
Before make any decision I wanted to be almost 100% sure it was really an osteossarcoma, so I asked a 2nd opinion to Dr Couto and he confirmed it was really an osteossarcoma...
However we decided to not do the amputation because we thought it would be difficult for him to walk in 3 legs. At first I wasn't sure about that decision, but now I know it was for sure the best choice.
Probably due to the increase strength he had to do in his back legs it's now clear he has a lombar hernia that got worse due to that. With time he has lost some coordination of his right rear leg and it's weekness improved too. So, as an osteossarcoma was easy enough, he has this aditional problem...
However, it passed 3 months since his diagnosed and almost 4 since his first symptons and he's still fine.
He's been medicated just with NSAID (meloxicam) SID and tramadol BID and a diet without cereals.
He gained weight which is not good because it's more weight on his legs, but he never lost his BIG appetite, he always enjoy going out for a walk as usual, even with the possible pain he must have because he doesn't stop limping. He never cries or seems to be in pain, despite the limping, and walks around the house with us.
We made the outside walking shorter and slower, but he has such a joy when he knows he goes outside you should see!!! He actually seems perfect at that moment. He actually jumps at that moments and is perfectly happy. At the end of the walk he's walking slower, but he still climb up the 5 steps to enter home.
I know he's not good and probably he's in pain, but if he had the amputation with the increased strength he had to have in his rear legs he wouldn't be walking and we would had to put him to sleep ealier.
While he enjoys eating and going outside for a walk (his best moments of the day during all his lifetime) and seems happy I will continue to have him by my side.
He already passed the statistics average time for not do nothing and he's almost reaching the time for an amputation without quimio, so, it's already a BIG victory for us and I have no regrets at all.
He's such a tough dog that it has been a pleasure to be his owner and be at his side day after day.
Thank you all for the support and keep my little baby in your prayers.
I know that if my dog Chloe had gotten osteosarcoma, it would have been an extremely tough decision since it could have already spread before doing the amputation and chemo on top of that would have been very expensive. I might have made the same decision as you, put her on pain meds and live out life to the fullest.
Even though cancer is an unfortunate thing, Chloe was lucky to get a cancer that was confined to the tumor on her leg and amputation was the best option since it made her officially cancer free. She was also at a healthy weight and was healthy in general (apart from the tumor), so learning to walk on 3 legs was fairly easy.
I wish you both the very best and if you would like me to put your dog's name on the back of my shirt for the K9 Cancer Walk in October (to walk for him in spirit), I would be honored! I didn't catch your dog's name though…
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
I think you are fighting as hard as you can fight with the choices you've had to make. No one's choices are the same. The circumstances are always different and you have to do what is right in your heart for your friend. It is awesome that he has already beat statistics. No one knows when they start this journey how long they have, that is why it is so important to live each day, which clearly you are doing.
Good thoughts to you as you continue the journey.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Dr. Couto did Denali's '2nd opinion' as well!! He really helped put our mind at ease, hopefully he did the same with you.
Are you doing radiation treatment or just pain management ?
~~~~ Denali ~~~~
June 9, 2010 OSA suspected
June 17, 2010, July 14, 2010 Clear X-rays – no mets
July 1, 2010 Amputation
July 9, 2010 OSA Confirmed
November 23, 2010 Cancer took you from me - Never forgotten, Always Loved - Forever
Supporting the Fighters, Admiring the Survivors, Honoring the Taken, And never, ever giving up Hope
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