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
Lulu is a 4 year old pit bull. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in a toe on her back left leg. we had the toe amputated and biopsied. We made it through recovery and experiences a second and third toe fracture resulting in A leg brace. When it was determined that the bones were not going to heal, it was suggested by her vet that I put her to sleep. I found another vet who referred me to an oncologist and a surgeon who were able to give me hope regarding her condition. She had her leg amputated about 5 months ago. Lulu was doing fabulous after the surgery until one day it seemed like she just hit a brick wall. I'm posting because I'm having trouble sleeping. I'm so worried about Lulu's upcoming vet visit. I desperately want to know what is causing so much pain. I want to know so I can help in any way to make sure she is comfortable. We think her ailment could be various problems. Sprained toe, sore and tight muscles, possibly a slipped disk in her spine or a pinched nerve. It could be lung mets or some other form of cancer spread. Diabetes or kidney failure are some other options. I'm hoping its something that we can deal with such as a pinches nerve or sprain.
It was 70+ degrees outside today so I pushes Lulu's butt off the couch and took her to the trail near my house. She perked up substantially when we started moving. She wanted to keep up with the pace of our other dog. She rolled in the grass, Sniffed the air, looked at the sun and closed her eyes to enjoy the warmth. It made me feel a very happy kind of sad. Today was one of those days the exemplified all of Lulu's superior traits that make her so special to me. I was so happy just watching her enjoy the experience and to able to just watch her and be a part of something so sentimental. I could t push the thought of her recurring cancer scare and the possibility of losing her early. I don't think I will ever meet a dog that I could bind with the way I have bonded with lulu. She's my heart dog. She's wonderful and funny and stubborn and she changed my life in a very positive way. Losing her is going to be so hard. Lulu is irreplaceable. I know I could adopt another dog and I'm sure ill love it but it wouldn't be the same loving bond that I have lulu. I'm not sure what the out one of these next vet visits will be and although I'm hoping for the best, I'm also trying to prepare for some real decisions that may have to be made. I won't make any hasty decisions. I will definitely very thoroughly think over all of the information given to me at her appt tomorrow. I'm just really scared to see her Lung X-rays. I'm so thankful that lulu and I had such a beautiful day to spend together. Even through her pain and sickness, her true self made an appearance today and it was beautiful. I could have continued just admiring her all day but it got dark and we had some stuff to do. I love my lulu so much and I just pray that she has more time left here with me because Im not ready to let her go yet.
Is there anyone from southwestern pa, around Pittsburgh pa that is/has dealt with osteosarcoma. I was hoping to find someone that I can swap tips and ideas on all dog cancer subjects such as the best vets in the area, best holistic dog practices etc.
Offline
Good luck at your appointment today, we hope that the vet says there is nothing seriously wrong. I know it's worrisome when things like this happen, it can really scare us and make us go crazy with the "what ifs".
Try not to focus on the end right now, because that's the only way cancer can win, by robbing you of the time you have left with Lulu. As you did today, enjoy every beautiful moment as it comes, because remember, with or without cancer, none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow. You may want to read our Grief Support Resources to help you through the "anticipatory grief" of losing Lulu some day: http://tripawds.....resources/
Meanwhile, I know we have members in PA, including Zeuspod who you can PM through the forums. But you might want to consider a separate post with the topic "Looking for PA Tripawds" in our "Tripawd Parties" topic. Also put a call-out on our Facebook page.
Keep us posted on what the doc says.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Laura, I'm in State College, PA, so a little ways away to offer suggestions about vets and things in your local area but I'm always happy to help in sharing anything that we've learned along the way. We did chemo with Zeus and we also switched him to a home-cooked cancer diet. If I can ever help with anything please don't hesitate to message me!
Lisa and Angel Zeusy
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Hi Laura
Unfortunately I'm not any help on the PA question as I'm way away from you in Wales in the uk, but I can offer you some support as your story reminds me so much of my relationship with Fizzle's.
I understand exactly what you are saying about the bond between you and Lulu as it was the same for me and Fizz 
I just want to say I hope you get some good news and Lulu keeps fighting for you, and let you know that I send you all the love I can from across the waters <3
Take care and give Lulu
a kiss from Wales
love zena and Fizz in Spirit xoxox
Sending good thoughts for you and Lulu. Remember that she doesn't know that she might get short-changed on the quantity of her life. All she knows is that she's had a fabulous quality life with you. Try to enjoy every moment.
None of us ever has enough time with our special pups. All we can do is make the most of today.
Jackie, Angel 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!
Thank you for the support. Lulu went to the vet on Monday. They x-rayed her sore paw again and the vet told me she suspects that the osteosarcoma has invaded the bones in it. Has anyone else had experience with osteosarcoma metastasis occurring in other bones instead of soft tissue?
The vet also checked her eyes because the right eye has been very red and inflamed for a few weeks. I asked the vet if it could be conjunctivitus or glaucoma. She was tested for glaucoma and I was told the pressure in her eye is lower than normal (which is the opposite of glaucoma). Also, it was pointed out to me that the pupil in the left eye is huge and doesn't dilate properly. The vet said she could see a white spot in the back of the eye which is normally an age related disorder but since Lulu is only 4 years old, its suspected that she might have a tumor in her head which is pushing on her eye. Does this sound familiar to anyone? I asked for chest x-rays and the vet said she would do the X-rays but didn't think they were neccessary because there were so many other signs that the cancer has spread throughout Lulu's body. Lulu's blood work all came back normally though (kidney & liver function). There were some white blood cells in her urinalysis. The vet said it was probably a uti though and put her on baytril and pain meds.
I'm torn between accepting the fact that there's nothing else I can do or fighting harder. I know that Lulu doesn't feel good right now and I feel bad subjecting her to more vet visits. At the same time, there have been vets in the past that were wrong. Lulu is on a 1/2 home cooked + 1/2 taste of the wild diet, K9 Immunity , Vitamin C, E, D, artemix, butyrex, rotated with apocaps . She still eats and drinks and goes to the bathroom outside and begs to go on walks. But she looks sad and I know she's feeling pain somewhere in her body. Thanks for any help.
*I really appreciate what tripawds is doing for people and their dogs who need help and support. Lulu was diagnosed a year ago and given only a few months to live. She has made it this far with a good quality of life thanks to all of the people who have taken their time to post their experiences and knowledge of alternative cancer therapies. From me and Lulu, thank you.*
{{{{{hugs}}}}}} Laura, see my response to your other post about your news.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry you are at this stage.
I remember there was another dog here that had odd nasal discharge, and I believe it was due to a tumor in his head - possibly similar to the eye trouble with Lulu.
The fact that she's still eating and wanting to go on walks sounds good, but if her eyes are sad... that's a hard one. When we knew it was only a matter of time with Abby folks here said we'd know when it was time when we got "the look." I was worried that maybe I'd miss it, and she'd be in pain and I'd keep her around too long. But, man, she gave me the look one afternoon and it was unmissable.
I do believe we can see it in our pups' eyes when they are truly ready to rest.
hang in there. Sending hugs. I know this time is so hard because when we end their pain ours is just beginning.
Jackie, Angel 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!
Hi Laura, I'm sorry to hear that the cancer may be spreading. Magnum's osteosarcoma spread to the hip of her one remaining back leg. She was still happy and enjoying life, eating and wanting to go and sit in the park and watch everyone (although preferring the car to walking to the park). She deteriorated over a 2 month period and in her last 2 weeks we became her back legs. As long as she didn't have to move she was bright eyed and happy. But in her last week we could see further deterioraiton and she was in pain even when still. It was clearly becoming too much for her so we made the decision to let her go. I can't say I ever really got "the look" but I still remember how relieved Magnum looked when we took her to the vet on her last day. It was as if she knew they would fix her pain.
Sad eyes are a worry because, as you say, they are telling you she is in pain. Talk to your vet about what other things you can do for pain management .
Hang in there.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Lulu is so gorgeous! I agree with Jackie that still eating and wanting to go on walks is a good sign (although with the eating, I think it depends on how "foodie" your dog is - people kept telling us that is was a good sign Holly was eating, but we knew her and so we knew that that was the very last thing that would go...she just loved food more than anything...I don't say that to be discouraging, but only because I got a little frustrated that people kept saying that to me when I knew things weren't going well). Sad eyes are definitely difficult...I do think that when Holly was just really exhausted and didn't want to fight anymore, I saw something in her eyes. On the other hand, it's always possible that they could have sad eyes from pain that can still be made better.
It is such a difficult and personal decision to determine when to fight harder and when to stop. The thing that strikes me about your post is that it seems like there are still some unanswered questions; the vet has suspicions of things but not necessarily confirmations. Has your vet offered more diagnostics for what is going on in her head/with her eye? I know it may not matter if the osteo has invaded her paw and she's in lots of pain from that, but just something to think about. How confident is your vet that it is osteo in her paw (I know it is usually pretty distinctive looking in x-rays, but just something else to confirm, I guess)?
Listen to your heart and do what it tells you. You will know when it is time to stop fighting. It sounds like Lulu may not feel really well, but she still has a lot of life in her.
Something that helps some decide whether to stop fighting is to keep a journal. Compare good days to bad days. When the bad outweigh the good, maybe it's time to make that decision.
I know that feeling of never being able to replace her. Trouble's been gone 20 months and I have two other pitbulls, one I got while Trouble was on the cancer journey and one we rescued after she passed, and the two of them will never replace her. We have to accept they are the special ones and carry them in our hearts forever, but that doesn't keep us from reaching out to another who needs a loving home when the time is right.
Sending you good thoughts and love to the beautiful Lulu.
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 don't know what to tell you other than I know you will do what is best for Lulu. I'm praying for both of you. Hugs.
Dogs: Friends for life, faithful and true.
Courage is being scared to death... but saddling up anyways.- John Wayne
bikeintime.wordpress.com (will soon have Hank story)
1 Guest(s)
