Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Ugh, we are just having such a hard time accepting Brandy's fate. We keep replaying the call from our vet when he informed us that the Osteosarcoma was back. He said all we could do was make her comfortable and let nature take its course. Has there ever been a Tripawd that had another leg removed? The only reason I ask is because she is healthy otherwise, no lung MET's and is all around happy and playing. Money is not an object, so we have been doing research on prosthetics
and pet wheel chairs. She has such a will to live and we cannot wait for the pain to set in and do nothing. We all feel so defeated 
Are we just being selfish here? Any comments and thoughts would be appreciated. I apologize if I upset anyone, we are still in complete shock...
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I dont think you are being selfish at all. There was a video awhile back of a two legged dog that got around amazingly, I dont know that , this would be the norm, but with all the devices available to help our furbabies, as long as they are eating and happy I say the sky is the limit. I did everything I could for Cooper and as long as he was happy and eating we would have continued, I never gave up on him - and I offer up a resounding NO! you are not being selfish, me looking into my boys eyes a year ago this October is what gave him an extra 9 months with us that he was happy every minute of. Had I not paid attention to his needs he wouldnt have been here until almost a year later. That is just my thoughts and other may feel otherwise, but there is my 2 cents worth.
Coopsdad
Coopsdad/ Kenneth Blackburn
http://cooper.t.....ipawds.com
the monkeydogs only THINK they have invaded the tripawd state
Oh Teresa,
I'm so sorry about Brandy. This must be so heart wrenching to say the least!
I know how hard it is to let go. I certainly wouldn't tell you what to do, but if memory serves me, didn't Brandy have problems with her amputation?
Just ask yourself a couple of questions: Is this something you want her to go through again? Will she be happy with two legs? Is it about quality of life for her or quantity for you?
I know your heart will tell you what to do.
Again, I'm so sorry.
Sending you warm and heartfelt thoughts as you face some agonizing days.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Oh my gosh you don't need to apologize or feel like you're being selfish, I'm glad you said something.
Speaking as Jerry's Mom here....We are all here because we love our dogs deeply and want to do all we can to make their lives as good as it can be, so everyone can relate. I can't imagine what a tough decision this is for you right now, because for most of us when cancer takes its toll, it really takes its toll and the decision about what we need to do next is usually obvious. For you, this is a little different.
I can't say what I would do, but I know that when it was time for us to decide about whether or not we were going to pursue additional treatment for our Jerry's lung mets, we had to weigh the pros and cons. The pros would be that removing the lung lobe with the mets would buy us more time. The cons would be that we had no idea how much time, nor what quality of life would be like with one lung. Could he do the things he loved most with half his lung capacity? We had already beat the odds by removing a leg and not doing IV chemo...could we do it again?
We knew what the end result would be. Osteosarcoma only has one outcome and we knew that no matter what, there was no getting around that. So we decided to live each day to the fullest and make the best of the time we had left. As Jerry beat the odds, each day became more special, but eventually our winning streak ended. 
Since then, we have actually met a dog who had a lung lobe removed because of OS, and nearly four years later she is still beating the odds. And while we've never met a two legged dog, we've seen them and they look just as hoppy to be alive as any dog. So in reality, anything is possible, but the question is, does that possibility fit your beautiful girl's circumstances? Only you can decide that.
The best way to make any decision is to talk it out. Talk to anyone you can, specialists, Tripawds pawrents, reach out to others who may be able to give more insight. Put a timeline on your decisionmaking process and when you reach your date, that's when you decide. Cancer waits for no one so unfortunately you'll need to work quickly but I know you'll make the best decision for Brandy and you all.
Our hearts go out to you, we send lots of love and wishes for peace and comfort as you walk through this journey. We are here to help any way we can OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Teresa, I am so sorry to read about Brandy. As everyone else said, do some more research and ask lots of questions. In time, the answer will come to you. And no matter what the decision is, it will be made out of a selfless love for Brandy. There is no right or wrong decision - especially when it is made from the heart. Please keep us posted.
Sending you many, many golden hugs...
Cathy
I have seen pictures of wheels aiding dogs having difficulties with either both of the front legs, or both of the rear legs.
Not that I have come across cases with one bad front and one bad rear leg.
I see Brandy is a left-front amputee, on which side of the hock is the cancer spotted? How old is she ?
I imagine that it would be difficult to use wheels with one leg missing in the front and rear.
I am sorry that Brandy and your family are going through this.
To be honest, now that the cancer has returned, chances are that the beast might surface somewhere else down the road, e.g. the lungs, or worse, the spine.
Putting Brandy through yet another amputation, with no guarantee of ridding the bad cells completely off her body, you need to weigh what is best for Brandy.
May the Lord give you guidance and strength to make your best decision for Brandy.
I know for myself and my boy if money isn't an issue, I would try anything that would give him more time, as long as he is happy. Is Brandy a younger girl? Are her back legs and joints good? Can you afford to do an MRI and check her whole body out for possible mets?
My boy is doing great on 3 legs and when he started licking his back leg my husband said," if it is cancer I know he wants to still be here and is happy so we will rid him of that leg if we need to". I thought he was crazy, a two legged 100 lb dog? But I thought about it and he gets most of his enjoyment from laying out at night and looking at the stars, and of course being next to me. He could still do that on two legs and if he was willing to try I would be too.
There is a cart place, one of the few in the united states that is a couple of hours from me. I was already considering it when we got the welcome news that it wasn't cancer again. So, many might disagree with me, or may not, all I can say for us is if we could buy him more good times with us and he wanted to be here, I would do it. It sounds crazy but I would explain to him what I was thinking of and the reasons why and I would ask him first.
Elizabeth and Sammy
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma in the right front leg 8/23/10,
leg fractured 8/27/10,
leg amputated 8/30/10
http://sammyand.....pawds.com/
I couldn't begin to say how special Sammy is to us. Living and laughing with and loving this wonderful boy is priceless.
I read your post this morning and wanted a little more time to collect my thoughts before answering. I found myself in a similar situation. Trouble lost complete use of her right rear leg - the same side as her front amputation. We considered a cart, but my mechanically inclined husband insisted it would be difficult for her to maneuver with a front leg missing.
I would encourage you to do tons of research and ask lots of questions. My fear for myself would be that I would make a decision because of what I want instead of what is best and practical for Brandy. Letting Trouble go was the hardest thing I've ever had to do and I would be lying if I told you I was over the pain, the emptiness, and at times the guilt
I still wonder if I could have bought her more time, but I think if I had it would have been for me, not for her. And I think it would have been such a short period I would have regretted it in the long run.
Make your decision based on what you know in your heart is best for Brandy and you can't go wrong.
My thoughts will be with you as you make this difficult decision. I know it is heartbreaking for you.
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.
I am sorry to read about Brandys situation. I know you will do whats best for Brandy. I debated all day on posting this but I decided to share my experience with everyone.
Here is a little insight on my life with a immobile/wheelchair dog- I am not sharing to influence you either way- only you know whats best for Brandy. I have no regrets on caring for my dog in her condition either.....
Daisy is happy and healthy (no cancer) but confined to her dog bed while I am working from 7a-4p. Our life (as most of us already know) revolves around our dogs needs. We get up at 5am, wake Daisy (and Sam) up, put her harness on and take her out to pee. The wheelchair takes too long to put on and if you do not get outside quick enough-you are cleaning up pee. Back inside I make her breakfast, feed her, place her in her chair and back outside for a walk. The digestive system slows down when they lose mobility so it takes alot longer to get things moving. If she doesn't poop by the time I have to leave for work- I have to "express" the poop manually. (Lots of youtube videos that demonstrate) Back inside, off with the wheelchair and then I make sure she has 2 fresh water bowls next to her bed. (in case one tips over).
Back home at 4pm, the process repeats itself except a longer walk, stretching excercises, a swim in the pool or a car ride. About 1-2 hours. The last walk is 9-10pm. She can scoot around on her bed but cannot get up and move. Its difficult for us to go anywhere for more than a few hours and when we do travel she has to either go with us or be boarded at our PT vets office which has someone on duty 20 hrs a day. Immobile dogs are also subject to callusus, bedsores and urine burn. You need to make sure that they stay clean and dry to prevent sores, infections and chaffing. Daisy hates to have accidents in the house but sometimes even on a strict schedule it happens. We should have bought stock in Lysol wipes and Pampers baby wipes. 
I will continue to care for Miss Daisy until I see her quality of life declining. Right now she is happy as a clam and relatively healthy. She loves car rides and spends most of her day as normal as any senior dog.....Sleeping.
Julie
Daisy earned her wings on Oct 22, 2011 at 14 years old
She is now the official greeter at the rainbow bridge
Everyone is guaranteed a welcome sniff and Dalmatian smile
Thank you all for your help in this very difficult decision. I wanted to answer a few questions asked by a few of you...
- Brandy turned 4 years old on June 17. She is sooooo young and full of life
- Brandy lost her left front leg on May 18, 2010...The osteosarcoma tumor is on the remaining back left hock.
- Her remaining front right leg is strong, we call it her "popeye leg" because it is so muscular. Her rear right leg is also very muscular and does not show any issues.
- Her Joints and hips seem to be fine, originally before the tumor appeared, we thought her lameness was due to her hips but that was not the case. Also, we have not noticed any issues with her spine, so it seems pretty strong too.
- She had full chest X-rays and blood work done back in March/April and she was all clear. Unfortunantly, here on the Big Island there are no MRI machines for dogs...or people...so we cannot have that done.
Brandy's one true love is swimming. For the last 3-4 months, she stopped using the bad leg and only swims with her two good legs. I am not sure how she is able to stay straight, but she manages. We drained our pool and installed special seats around the pool just for Brandy to use. She usually just swims over to one of the seats and hangs there. She falls asleep all the time right there on her seat! She loves to just lay around and nap all day. She has taught herself to only go to the bathroom once a day, which is crazy, but she pulls it off.
Other than the discomfort from the tumor, she is happy and looks forward to things just like she used to. She is still pretty frisky in the mornings and is eating and drinking just fine. The only problem is her lack of mobility...she kind of just drags herself over if she wants something like a bone or if she wants to come visit my dad. She does not like having to get up on that leg. However, if you are heading to the pool, she is up like a ninja!
We have done research on the carts, they look good but we are concerned about her size and if she would be able to pull herself with only the one front leg. One thing is for sure, Brandy would never be one of those dogs who are able to walk on two legs...she has never been very coordinated. The upside is that Brandy lives a pretty sedentary life. We work from home, so she just sleeps all day in the office with us, swims in the evening, does her one bathroom break of the day and then retires to her bed right in the front room with us. Brandy's doctor thinks we may be putting her thru unnecessary surgery for possibly an extra couple of months, but how is he to know. There are so many dogs that are given weeks to months and then they blow everyone away by living way beyond that. My Jack-Russell (Princess) had congestive heart failure and started caughing badly. After xrays and an exam they confirmed her heart was so enlarged it was pushed up against her rib cage...she was given 1-3 months...tops. She enjoyed a pain free, happy life for almost 11 months on medications.
We are doing research and we just left a message for her doctor today. We are leaning toward helping her continue her fight against cancer. I will let you all know what is happening.
Teresa - Brandy's Auntie
I'm really sorry this has happened. I have to agree with Ge’lena and urge you to strongly consider who, if anyone, would benefit from further intervention. We all love our dogs deeply and want to do everything possible to keep them with us, but quantity is not equivocal to quality and dignity.
The practical considerations are many, and must be carefully considered independent of emotional factors.
Wound healing is going to be compromised. You mentioned Brandy’s previous wound issues in another topic. After the amputation of a second and in this case rear limb, you have to anticipate complications. No matter how diligent you are, the wound will become soiled with bodily waste. Circulation will be impaired and moisture an issue simply due to immobility. Pressure sores are very likely to occur, even if it were feasible for you to change her position every 2-3 hours around the clock, and will be a constant infection risk. As with the surgical wound they will be subject to soiling/infection. They are nearly impossible to avoid/eradicate in an immobile being. Millions of healthcare dollars in human medicine are spent in the prevention and treatment of these wounds, without much success. Treating their complications is equally expensive and often futile. The pain is exquisite and frequently unmanageable.
Immobility and total dependence beget physical and psychological consequences too numerous and painful to fully itemize.
Brandy may lose the dignity of choices in her life. Moving from one favorite spot to another, rolling in the grass or not eliminating where she sleeps, will all be up to someone else. She might learn to drag herself short distances, but that risks shearing injuries. Any mobilitl/balance will be adversely impacted by the mechanics of limbs on only one side of her body.
Prosthetics for those Tripawds who use them, can sometimes work because dogs are skilled at not using them to bear a normal weight load, thus eliminating some of the common discomfort/complications humans face. If it is even feasible to fit a two legged dog with a functional prosthetic, bearing the brunt of a full weight load will likely be brutal. Pressure sores and pain frequently hamper the use of the most sophisticated human prosthetics , resulting in many people just choosing to not use them.
Designing a useable cart for a dog with one front and one rear leg will be a challenge and exhausting to use for both of you. Again there will be issues with pressure wounds. A cart’s use is limited, particularly for large dogs without these stringent restrictions.
Emotionally, the cost is overwhelming. Your love for Brandy and desire to help her are obvious and familiar. Sadly, often, the most exceptional, loving act we provide for our dogs is to make the selfless decision to send them off with the dignity they have displayed throughout their extraordinary lives. I wish you the strength you will need as you face this part of your journey, and peace with your choices.
I'm so sorry you are in this situation. It would be very hard to decide what to do with a young dog who seems to be still loving life and who has, as you note, worked out a routine for herself that really seems to suit her.
I don't know tons about artemisinin , but have you considered trying that route, rather than the amp? It is, of course, a crap shoot. We are trying it for Abby who has 2 mets in her one lung. We just started a month ago so won't really know if it is working for a while. I joined the artemisinin_and_cancer group on Yahoo and there is a woman on there, Penny, whose dog, Jane, is doing amazingly well on the artemisinin and other holistic supplements Penny has her on. She found out her dog had osteo. in Dec and decided not to amp and instead started her artemisinin regimen. Jane had originally been unable to bear weight on the tumor leg, but after I think a few months of the arte she actually started bearing weight on the leg and was even able to go off all her pain meds. It's now 8 months out from then and as far as I know the dog is still doing very well.
Like I said, I'm no expert - but if you decide to not do the 2nd amp, it might be something to look into. Just some more food for thought... [If you are interested in finding out more, you can join the Yahoo group - the folks are helpful. And Jane's protocol is listed in the files there under a file called "A Guide to Health, Happiness, Hope and Insomnia".]
All the best with your decision,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Teresa, check into Eddie's Carts.
They are wonderful and built them individually per your requirements. They add wheels and balance weights for your needs.
Give them a call and look at their website too.
I'm with you. And, yes, your pup is full of LIFE 🙂 Don't give up on your kid!
Denise
Kona turned 9yrs on April 16, 2010.
Kona was diagnosed Memorial Weekend 2010 with osteosarcoma.
Right rear leg amputated on June 4th. First chemo June 18th 2010
Second chemo July 9th, 2010 Third and final (yea !!!) chemo July 30th, 2010
ONE TOUGH GIRL this Australian Cattledog !
***Kona's journey/fight ended late in the evening of December 22, 2010***
We Love you so much Kona….always
Bella 9yrs, albino lab/aussie shep/pit?(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind (from birth) in one eye limited vision in other.(laid back, ok lazy 73 lbs)
Cotton, 5yrs, albino hound/terrier of somesort/???(abandoned in mts as a puppy) deaf & blind in one eye(from birth), excellent vision in seeing eye. (ball addict…destroyer of Kong balls…yes,etc), high energy 55lbs knots of muscle)
Kona Kai's pup brother and sister as well as her buddy and playmate cat, Shaymous 12yrs (like Seamus), miss her terribly.
Okay, well the decision has been made to amputate he left rear leg.
We were amazed to find out that there is a pet wheel chair company right here on the Big Island! The company's name is "Doggon Wheels" and they make each chair to your pets specifications. Brandy goes in tomorrow morning for her fitting then its off to the vet for her amputation. Our vet and my father spoke at length about our options. Due to the damage to her bone, her leg could fracture at any time. If that were to happen, we would have no choice but to amputate the leg anyway or put her down. Due to her age and current activity level and health, the doctor agrees that it is totally worth a shot. The wheel chair Brandy will be fitted for is a "quad" chair for dogs who have little to no mobility in all 4 legs. Her legs will be able to touch the ground and she will be able to move herself around just fine because the chair will be holding most of her weight. If she gets tired, she just needs to lift her legs and let the chair take over. They had a dog with only 1 good leg and the dog had no problem propelling the chair by himself. Her remaining other legs are very strong so we are sure she will have no problems. Brandy will be able to relieve herself on her own right from the chair. At the point she is right now, she is barely able to squat at all. The chairs can be used in the water also and on any terrain so Brandy will be able to go right out into the yard on her own to use the bathroom! The amputation is going to be tough and we have a difficult couple of weeks ahead of us...but we know we can help her thru this. We switched vets from the last amputation. The veterinarian we have now is a real pro and we informed him of what happened on her first amputation which included infection after infection. This time around, he feels she will be healed up in about 2 weeks and she can begin using her new chair in one week. I will let everyone know how things go tomorrow. Please keep Brandy in your prayers and thank you all once again for your help and understanding.
Teresa and Family
It must be such a relief to have your decision made, and it seems pretty fortuitous that the chair folks are right there!
I look forward to hearing a good update about how she is doing post amp!
All the best and sending best wishes for the surgery and recovery,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
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