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
Casey is an 11 year old cocker spaniel diagnosed with osteosarcoma December 14, front leg amputated December 18. At time of amputation his ALK was normal and no evidence of mets. We are snowbirding in Florida and receiving care at UF Vet Hospital Gainesville. We are proceeding with 6 carboplatin treatments and a vaccine gd3 clinical trial.
This has not been easy for him. He seemed to have pain longer than he should have, (was using tramadol then garapentin) and diarrhea issues, (on flagyl) and now he is not eating. He was about 2 lbs underweight before dx, he can’t afford to lose weight. He also has a past medical history of acl repair and an ivdd episode so a little meat on his bones would be nice. He ate well after the surgery up until Saturday. Cockers are notorious foodaholics, but not mine-they have always eaten what they want and then walk away from their food, which had always consisted of Wellness kibble with homemade topper of liver, chicken, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, green beans-sometimes he would turn his nose up at that! I have home cooked, hand fed, done whatever is necessary for an ill dog to eat, but this is the first time I am force feeding a dog-I puréed chicken and beef and putting it on the roof of his mouth so he swallows it instead of spitting it out. I will be calling tomorrow for more appetite stimulant meds, he is on flagyl for the diarrhea. Luckily he is drinking a lot.
Last week was really the first time he was getting up on his own and walking around the house and walking in and outside. I was carrying him before, a luxury most of you don’t have with your large dogs. I know I spoil him which contributes to him not helping himself, he knows mommy will do it, and yes I will! I put the crate in the garage and got a packnplay playpen-much easier to lift him out than a crate. He walks around a lot outside on the soft grass for exercise, I just am very nervous about him falling on the hard tile inside, even though we have rugs everywhere for him to walk on. I am thankful we are here in Florida instead of cold snowy NH for his recovery.
So my questions-2 weeks after first chemo, can the appetite issue be related to that? Has anyone here had experience with the gd3 vaccine. After reading about other dogs I thought after getting through the first two weeks he’d be better, but he’s not. His personality has changed from sweet and always happy to depressed. I am with him 24/7. I am open to any and all suggestions.
Thank goodness for pet insurance. It sure took the financial component out of the decision making.
Casey and family, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
You are getting some great care at UF, how fortunate to be nearby. Have you talked to them yet about his lack of appetite? Generally chemo side effects happen either a couple of days after treatment, or around the 10 day mark. I'm wondering if this could be related to the GD3 vaccine you're referring to? Is this the study? I would definitely give them a call tomorrow.
Meanwhile, a couple of thoughts:
What exactly makes you think he is depressed, besides the weak appetite? Can you describe his behavior that seems like depression? Try to keep in mind that what we humans experience as depression is not exactly what dogs and cats go through when they are feeling down. When they show signs that we think are depression, it can often be pain related. Has he been evaluated by a rehabilitation therapist yet?
As difficult as it is, a little tough love goes a long way when it comes to the other areas of his recovery. Encouraging Casey to do things on his own, like walking to his food and water dishes, and eating, is an important way to show him that you are normalizing things. This is a great confidence booster. Be strong, you can do it!
All Tripawds will have a stumble or two at first, and occasionally later on, but it really is worse for us than it is for them. We all freak out when it happens but our Tripawds just go on doing what they were doing. How is Casey adapting to the runners in your home? Is he using them? If not you may want to consider applying Dr. Buzby's Toe Grips, which help with traction .
I know others will chime in with thoughts of their own so stay tuned for more feedback.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I don't have too much too add right now, but I'll be following since Casey is a fellow Cocker Spaniel. There's not too many Cockers around here, since it's rare for them to get OSA. Lucky us.
Rocky did pretty well food-wise until we had to switch to Palladia. After that, grilled chicken was about all he'd eat (though occasionally he'd surprise me and eat his kibble or fresh pet).
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
Thank you for your replies. He has not started the gd3 vaccine yet, first one due on Thursday. Got a CBC and temperature from my local vet today, within normal limits and temperature was normal. Started mirtazine appetite stimulant and did speak with UF today-seems I am always calling them, but they are great about calling back and helping.
Today continued to force feed him but tonight he ate some baby food and biscuits on his own so hopefully tomorrow will be better. Mood seems brighter today. His depressed behavior is not pain related anymore, I felt it was before so I continued his pain meds until Saturday, about 3.5 weeks post amp. He is a merry cocker with a nub that never stops, when the tail is down and the look in his face, I know when he is sad. He is a very expressive dog.
He is doing much better walking in and outside instead of me carrying him, and does get up and walk around the house occasionally when he wants to. He eats sitting down, I will elevate his bowl when the time comes(easy solution-flip a pot upside down and put bowl on top, of course bowl needs skid proof bottom).
I lost my first cocker at age 2 to IMHA, it is very hard for me to bury that while chemo and gd3 vaccine play with his immune system to get better. Gum checks many times a day. Just hoping the chemo and vaccine doesn’t cause that.
My avatar picture was taken a week before diagnosis. Every year he sleeps under the tree!
Hello and welcome.
I'm sorry though that cancer and amputation made you find us.
I hope your latest update means Casey is on his way to 'normal'. I wanted to add that you need to be sure you are positive and upbeat around him. When my Pug Maggie lost her rear leg to mast cell cancer. She was a stubborn Pug who took her time getting used to her new normal. She was grumpy and as a result I was grumpy. We fed off each other's grumpiness and I think it slowed her recovery.
I also think that getting things as back to normal will help. All my dogs have been very sensitive to changes in routines- trying to keep routines stable helps them be confident and secure.
For non-skid- do you have any of the rug backing or shelf lined that prevents movement? I've found that the non-skid rug stuff works for all kinds of things.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Yesterday went to UF for first vaccine. Had abdominal ultrasound and blood work which showed gi iratation. He was on an antibiotic for a skin infection, I really think that caused his issues. Anyway after a probiotic, different appetite stimulant, hills Id food and continue the flagyl I think we turned the corner today, he started eating and poops are better. He doesn’t like the hills Id but is eating chicken and rice which I’ll take.
He seems brighter, tail is up and his face looks better. Gets up and walks around when he wants and walks in and out. Hoping he continues to get back to normal, I want to get him on a cancer diet instead of what he is eating now.
Yay! I know it seems small but it's in the right direction!! I know it's probably going way too slow for you right now but it's progress, you were all over it.
Way to go on being such an awesome advocate for your furbaby! ❤️
Hugs,
Jackie and Huckleberry❤️
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
I am sad to tell you that Casey didn’t make it. We never had the chance to fight the cancer as we couldn’t resolve his GI issue. We tried so hard, he would not eat enough so I force fed him 4 times a day for 6 weeks hoping that tomorrow would be the day he would eat. His protein levels were very low, he wasn’t absorbing anything he ate. The last week we tried a Hail Mary admit for plasma transfusion and steroids for two days, but that didn’t work. Except for the eating and diarrhea he had regained a normal routine and had quality life, playing with his toys, barking and greeting company, going for walks in the stroller(which he loved), sitting on the lanai which he also loved, and sitting with me on the couch-he was happiest when he was with me. We miss him so much. I try to take comfort knowing he had a wonderful life because of us, knew he was loved, and did lots of fun stuff. He loved playing ball and playing with his toys, going for walks, swimming at the lake and going on the boat, in the kayak with me, traveling in the RV, playing in the snow. He was lovable, happy, always smiling, a merry cocker, but the one adjective to describe him was fun-he enjoyed everything and always had fun doing whatever he was doing. I have two other cockers but the house is empty without him. They miss their brother too.
I am so very sorry for your loss. My goodness, you tried so hard. I know that was a lot of work. You gave Casey the best care, and I am glad to know that he had at least regained his zest for life as you fought for him.
You are in my thoughts. Again, I am so very sorry.
Jackie and Huck 
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
I'm so sorry, what a heartbreaker. You gave Casey everything you had to help him get healthy, what a loving parent and family he had. He was one very fortunate doggie, so treasured and adored. What an adventure hound! I would love to see him swimming and playing. Do feel free to share a tribute to him in our Coping with Loss forum if you are up to it OK?
May all those good times you had together comfort you and the pack, as you all strive to find a new normal without his physical presence in your lives.
Run free Casey, you are healthy and strong again.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry to read this about Casey. But you are right: You gave him a wonderful life filled with love, happiness and fun. Nobody, absolutely nobody, could have given him a better life than you.
I'm going to guess Rocky met him at the Bridge with a grungy, worn-out tennis ball and said "You like to play ball too!?! Let's play!"
David and Rocky (and Baxter now too!)
Rocky had his right front leg amputated on Valentine's Day 2017 after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma.
He joined the September Saints on September 3, 2017.
He is the toughest, bravest, sweetest and best friend I'll ever know.
I am so sorry to hear about Casey. Run free sweet Angel.
hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
Online
So hard to read this. Just so very, very hard. We are all so sorry and our hearts break with yours.
You DID give Casey the best life a dog could have❤ And I'm so glad he got to have some extra bonus time with you, especially over Christmas.
Thank you so much for sharing Casey with us. I loved hearing about his adventures with you...and we would love to hear more, with pictures of course😊
Casey will ALWAYS be with you. I have know doubt he will connect with you in some form...uou will feel his presence and you will know all is well.
Surrounding you with Casey's joyful essence and eternal bright light
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)
