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.
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Maybe talk to the vet about giving treats & loving up your pup while she's at the office so she wouldn't mind going there as much? I told ours that Kermit hates being kenneled so he just stays loose in the treatment area when he's not actually getting the 30-minute chemo infusion. He just sleeps on the floor & all the vets & techs step over him for the extra hour that he's there. 
In any case, it's only 90 minutes total, so I just do my grocery shopping & come back for him.
Amy
Sorry you have to join our little club. My Maggie sounds exactly like Sambuca. She would whine and cry and shake every time we went to the vet's office. She would even get the other dogs upset. So I also opted to take the chance of not doing chemo and giving her grain free food, K9 immunity wafers and lots of fun. After reading Jerry's story I'm hopeful she will sail through 2 years or more cancer free but she will be happy in the meantime not being drug to the vet's office. She's 3 months post amp and doing great. If she does get cancer again I won't regret any decisions I've made because it is the best decision I made for her and besides I think guilt is a very unproductive emotion. Good luck, kisses to Sambuca.
Penny
Amy,
My Hobo is at one month post surgery and 1 week since his first chemo treatment. I too struggled with deciding to do chemo or not because at the point of amputation Hobo had lived with his mass for 4 months.However we are very blessed to live close to Colorado State University, which is one of the very best oncology research hospitals in the country. I decided to make an appointment to just talk and see what my options where exactly. I was told very similar things by the surgeon who did he's surgery that you where and I received very different and extremely informed answers at CSU. They have an awesome website and it is free to ask their oncologist any questions you have as well. Never hurts to be well informed.
I talked to 3 different doctors about chemo at 3 different hospitals before making the decision to start it. Like everyone else mentioned, you can always decide to not continue with it. CSU was very good about going over side effects and giving me the tools to handle them at home and an ICU number to call at any time with concerns, which I did... twice ( over nothing it turns out ). In the end only you will know what is best for you guys, I wish you luck!
Hi,
Just wanted to offer my 2 cents worth......I think the most comforting thing someone (probably multiple people on here) told me about chemo was that, you can ALWAYS stop. If you do one treatment and find that Lilli really hated being there all day (or for the few hours she needed to be), then dont do it again. You can ALWAYS stop.
Jill, being a cat, is always a little anxious about being taken out of the apartment, so I was quite concerned about leaving her with the vet all day, but knowing that if it really affected her and caused her to be upset for days afterwards, that I could stop at anytime was comforting. Turns out, she does just fine there, I suspect they all just rub her belly all day........
Of course, it is a very personal decision whether or not to do chemo. You know your doggy best!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
So just an update on Sambuca. We decided to go ahead and try chemo treatment! Like a lot of people said we can always try it and stop. We just thought if we didn't go to chemo and he passed in four months we would have so many questions about if we did all we could. He had his first treatment today. He did great! Not stressed at all. Mr. Happy go lucky. He has been sleeping since he got home but that's expected. I know we have a few days to see how he handles the chemo but our biggest hurdle was his stress factor in going to the hospital. He passed that with flying colors . Thank you everyone for your thoughts! We will keep you posted.
Amy that's fantastic! I can hear the sigh of relief you're breathing now, it feels so good to move forward with a plan doesn't it?
We have our paws crossed that Sambuca sails through this without any side effects. Let us know if you have any questions or need anything OK? Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Awesome! I'm glad he did OK. How are these days going, after chemo? Any side effects?
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
I have a similar tough decision. My rescued love, Bingo, was approximately "2 or 3" yrs old when he came into my life. I have had him now for a little over 12 yrs so figure he is 14 or 15. Diagnosed with OSA "officially" April 29. However, started limping then broke his leg 2 days later, X-rays suspected OSA March29. Right hind leg amputation May 8. Came home May 10, wound did not stop oozing, brought back in and found out was a nasty infection! Wound opened again, stayed In hospital for 2 weeks! IV antibiotics. Our poor guy has been through so much already. Brought him home April 29 and he is FINALLY starting to be his "normal" self but moving around outside is still difficult. Very easily tired. Arthritis in right front elbow and left hip. Poor guy was already limping from arthritis before cancer. Vet "enthusiastically" recommended the amputation, said he would do great. We don't regret it, especially given the amount of pain all the vets said he was in. NOW..... Carboplatin??? We just don't know if this is the right thing to do. Vet recc's 5 treatments. We are in California, would you believe our amputation cost was $5000! That doesn't even count the X-rays, biopsy, blood work, ultrasound before surgery. Another $1500 at least. Then there was the cost of the hospitalization after surgery. I think they felt sorry for us and put a cap" on expenses after we paid an additional $1500. All on credit! Chemo is at least $2500. Finances alone make this a " no". I think I would rather spend the $ on good dog food, supplements and maybe some rehab. We found a great holistic "rehab" vet and PT. maybe that metro.... Not sure cost of that. Does anyone have any thoughts? No measureable cancer in lymph nodes, chest or abdomen, just the worry of the microscopic spread....
Hi Sweet, thanks for joining and sharing your story with Bingo. Please consider starting a new topic so your story doesn't get lost here in the Forums.
I'm sorry about his diagnosis but so glad to hear he's doing well despite all of the complications he went through. When it comes to chemo, always remember there are no right or wrong decisions. The only "right" one is the one that feels best for Bingo and your pack.
This forum discussion, "Why Didn't You Do Chemo" can help shed some more insight, but I know others will chime in too. Here are some others.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wow poor Bingo
I'm in Calif and my amp was $1300. It's amazing the price differences. I opted not to do chemo more because of Maggie's fear of the vets office. Unfortunately her cancer did come back. I really don't believe the chemo could have stopped it but maybe that's my rationalization. But I think I would have felt worse if I put her thru all the chemo and she still got it. I chose to do good home cooked food, K9 wafers, love and exercise. She passed away on April 27- too short in my mind but I was glad to have met her. You will do the right thing and everyone here will support you. Good luck.
Penny
sweetbings said
I have a similar tough decision. My rescued love, Bingo, was approximately "2 or 3" yrs old when he came into my life. I have had him now for a little over 12 yrs so figure he is 14 or 15. Diagnosed with OSA "officially" April 29. However, started limping then broke his leg 2 days later, X-rays suspected OSA March29. Right hind leg amputation May 8. Came home May 10, wound did not stop oozing, brought back in and found out was a nasty infection! Wound opened again, stayed In hospital for 2 weeks! IV antibiotics. Our poor guy has been through so much already. Brought him home April 29 and he is FINALLY starting to be his "normal" self but moving around outside is still difficult. Very easily tired. Arthritis in right front elbow and left hip. Poor guy was already limping from arthritis before cancer. Vet "enthusiastically" recommended the amputation, said he would do great. We don't regret it, especially given the amount of pain all the vets said he was in. NOW..... Carboplatin??? We just don't know if this is the right thing to do. Vet recc's 5 treatments. We are in California, would you believe our amputation cost was $5000! That doesn't even count the X-rays, biopsy, blood work, ultrasound before surgery. Another $1500 at least. Then there was the cost of the hospitalization after surgery. I think they felt sorry for us and put a cap" on expenses after we paid an additional $1500. All on credit! Chemo is at least $2500. Finances alone make this a " no". I think I would rather spend the $ on good dog food, supplements and maybe some rehab. We found a great holistic "rehab" vet and PT. maybe that metro.... Not sure cost of that. Does anyone have any thoughts? No measureable cancer in lymph nodes, chest or abdomen, just the worry of the microscopic spread....
HI Sharon...
Everyone needs to do what is right for their families--so no two answers are alike. In our case, we also have an older dog who is arthritic. We elected amputation (left front)--and that decision was not difficult. The chemo or not did make me pause for a bit. Average survival time with amp alone is 3-6 months; with amp and chemo is 6-12. Some dogs live longer in both cases, others not. And COULD he make it one, two, more years with chemo? Sure. Anything CAN happen. He could be one of the large breed dogs who lives to 15 (if healthy), and the chemo helps him get there. But the reality of the situation is, even if he were totally healthy, he probably doesn't have decades ahead of him. At 13, he's outlived both of his parents (both who died young, thank you, cancer). Realistically speaking, chemo might buy us weeks, if anything, and add stress to him and a big financial burden to us.
So given his age (just shy of 13), and size/breed (akita cross) and the cost/benefit, we elected NOT to do chemo. Instead, we have spent the money on PT to help keep him limber and loose(er), develop muscle strength, and stay mentally stimulated. Our goal is to keep him happy and enjoying his days--quality of life, for sure.
There is no right or wrong answer... What is good for one family is not for another... Each and every situation is different... all of those statements, while platitudes, are true here. Make your decision out of love, and you choose the right option.
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
WOW. Reading the new posts to this topic and I just realized Sambuca just passed his two month ampuversary! Since I started this topic I have read and learned a lot. I have learned that chemo, along with any treatment ( or none) is a personal decision and a lot of factors go into that decision. It is nice to have a place like this to talk it out and get other people's experiences. I have also learned first hand that a decision one makes can change week to week.
Sambuca is doing great. He is going for his third chemo in a week. Still no side effects. He doesn't mind going to chemo and he gets a lot of attention there so I am comfortable when he is there all day. We are doing x rays before his third treatment. If it has spread to his lungs I think we will be done with chemo. But I can't say that for sure right now. Like I said things change every week for us. I talked to a friend who is in the same situation . His mastiff went in for his sixth and last treatment, a year after amputation, and they found mets. Very discouraging but they have other alternatives so we are hoping for the best. Plus a year with his buddy that he probably wouldn't have had otherwise - so worth it.
However we don't have the ability to do more than 4 treatments. I tried grain free food for a while but honestly with four mastiffs to feed in addition to Sam's bills we can't afford it. I do buy him joint supplements and k9 immunity. I guess I am kind of spilling all kinds of thoughts here but I am trying to make a point. My first decision was no chemo. Then it changed to let's see how he does then to let's go through the entire treatment. First grain free food then not. IT CHANGES ALL OF THE TIME. AND THAT IS OKAY! a lot of people told me that I could try chemo and if we could stop anytime. That helped a lot. We take this day by day and whatever you decide for your dog and family isokay and you have every right to change your mind along the way.
Congrats Sambuca on your 2 month Ampuversary! Our Daisy had 4 rounds of carbo after her amputation for osteosarcoma in March 2012. She was almost 12 at the time and had no side effects to speak of. We did have to delay her 2nd & 3rd rounds a bit as her white blood cell count was low but she showed no physical symptoms. Sadly she has now been diagnosed with lung mets. However we have no regrets since her side effects from carbo were non-existent. Best wishes to you and just believe that you know what is right for him.
Penny - so sorry for your loss.
Alicia
Amy I don't know how I missed your update but I'm so glad to hear Sambuca is doing great!
You are too...what a great outlook you have, that will take you far in this journey. You couldn't be more right....it changes all the time and that's OK.
Four mastiffs? What a fun house you have!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Well a little update on Sambuca. He did not have his third chemo treatment yesterday. Not only was his blood count too low but the chest xray showed a few mets in his lungs. So no more chemo. We are switching to metronomics but they are still telling us he only has two to three months. I am mad, disappointed and surprised he didn't respond to the chemo. But I wouldn't change our decision to try chemo. Now I know we have done what we can and there are no regrets in our ever changing decisions. Sammy gets whatever he wants from this day forward (which won't change much from how we already spoil him). For those who are saying " well it didn't work for them and it was only two treatments before it spread" or "its a crap shoot"...... it is a crap shoot and it didn't work for us but it can and will work for others. This shouldn't sway anyone not to try chemo. It is still a personal decision that is different for each pack. We are.dealing with this news and I am slightly depressed. Trying to prepare ( how do you do that?). This little fiasco has sped by. I thought we would get the "8 months to two years". Now we are back to the original 4 to 6 months with amputation. So sad.....
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