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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Hello everyone, I am new and in search for dog parents like myself. Hudson started limping on and off about a year ago. He was originally misdiagnosed as having lymes. A new vet determined hip dysplasia was shown on X-rays. A very well known surgeon was opening a dept for replacements in NYC Sonia took hudson and the new set of X-rays showed something was going on. The biopsy confirmed chondrosarcoma. I have been told by my vet, an oncologist , and ortho pedic that amultation will cure him and give him 6 years. I am concerned that his hip will be in pain since he would have to use it more then ever but all vets say they think he will be fine even though he has hip dysplasia in the X-rays. I have an appt for the chest X-ray this week and am going to amputate. My husband does not feel the same I do about amputating but trusts my choice. I'm looking for any hope right now thy this is the right choice. I love Hudson and am nervous to put him through this and have cancer spread or have his hip hurt. It is a low grade chondrosarcoma at this point. X-rays in July barely showed anything and X-rays in January showed a bunch of stuff .
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not require moderation.
I'm sorry to hear you are dealing with cancer- but if amputation cures it- that's a good thing!! What you are doing is taking known pain away, and giving Hudson a chance to be with you longer.
If your vet feels he is a good candidate for amputation then you might look for ways to manage his hip pain if it becomes a problem. Keeping him on the lean side, and good exercise that includes stretching and strengthening. There are lots of joint supplements available and you could consider a NSAID if there is pain. I am using Adequin Injections for my quad pug who has terrible arthritis with good results. There are dogs here who went through amputation while having some other orthopedic issues and have done fine.
You should look through Jerry's Required Reading List for info on what to expect with amputation and recovery. The first couple weeks after surgery can be tough- but most pups come back to themselves in 2 or 3 weeks. Maybe Hudson will be one of the lucky ones who bounce right back!
Tell us more about Hudson- what kind of dog?, how old is he? Since you talk about dysplasia I assume you are talking about a rear amp.
Karen
Hello and welcome!
Who is the surgeon in NYC? I am in NY and my kitties vets are all here! Let me know if you need any referrals around here!
Amputation is a scary decision, but if you look around this website you can see so so so many dogs THRIVING on three legs. I was so terrified when I was told I would have to amputate my kitty's leg and now (2.5 months post amputation) I am amazed at how she gets around!
Please let me know if you have any questions and come on over to the chat room also if you want to chat!
Erica
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
Karen provided some great advice. Search these forums and the blogs or consider downloading Three Legs And A Spare for much more.
Here is one related video interview in Tripawds News blog you may find helpful:
Canine Chondrosarcoma and Chemotherapy
Posted by jerry on Friday, July 1st 2011
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hudson is 4 and will be 5 in July. He has been a part of my life since he was 8 weeks old. Before the limping started he was our hiking companion. I work corporate hours so have provided Hudson with off leash hiking trips weekly (spoiled boy). Weekends prior his discomfort were spent hiking and swimming. Now thats it's cold I have not taken him swimming since the water is all ice. I have grown up with dogs and hudson is my first dog child. Hudson sleeps by my feet every night and I love it. He has a nice orthopedic bed but we like to sleep together. He's the best dog ever! He never barks, always hugs and kisses, and has a lot of people who love him. I sometimes think my dad (Hudson's grandpa) thinks Hudson is his dog child! I am ok with amputation but more concerned that this problem has been going on for a year. It was around last winter when my prior vet misdiagnosed for lymes. The medicine helped with the pain for a few weeks and the limping started again. The vet said to give it sometime. It was not until July his limp came back and I decided to try a new vet. The new vet took an X-ray that showed hip dysplasia in both hips. That's when my vet old me dr. Hart of Bedford animal hospital is going to open an orthopedic dept at AMC in the fall. I met with dr. Hart in November to see if Hudson was a candidate for hip replacement. After the exam he said that he feels he could do the one hip he's limping on and was very confident the other hip would be ok. He then took X-rays as part of pre surgery work and it showed something more compared o the July X-rays. I then had the biopsy done which revealed the cancer. It is now a year later since signs started some am so scared that he will have surgery and the cancer already spreaded. I know the chest X-ray is not guaranteed to confirm no spread so feel it is a chance. All docs think he will be fine but I am freaked out about this! My husband doesn't share the same opinion but tells me it's my choice so that makes it tougher because I will feel bad if I spend the money and his doesn't cure him. I am set on doing this and nervous. I will stay positive for Hudson because I believe I know this will take away his pain and he deserves a chance
well this is what i can tell you - my Jill is treated at AMC and it is SIMPLY AMAZING They provide the most wonderful care. I am so confident leaving her in their care each and everytime I leave her there.
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
I feel the same way at AMC. Dr. Hart has a great reputation so I am confident his surgery if he passes the chest X-ray will be fine.
Great! and if you need to see the oncology department there after, see dr ann hohenhaus, she is the BEST.
I totally understand your hesitation and nervousness. It is a big surgery, but if you look around this website, you will see how great doggies do on three legs. come on over to the chat room
if you want to talk 
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
Hudson and Momma, hang in there, you are in GREAT hands.
Now, things DO get better once recovery is underway. I won't lie to you; the first couple of weeks can be scary and you might even doubt your decision. But rest assured, dogs can recover from the ruff times and go on to live long and hoppy lives.
Finally, try not to dwell on the could-haves and should-haves. Hudson isn't and neither should you. Many people go through misdiagnoses before finding out it's cancer that they're dealing with. And while it sure does stink when that happens, what's really important is to move forward and let the past go.
Has your husband seen our videos and blogs? Perhaps these stories can give him the confidence he needs right now.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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