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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I just wondered if anyone initially chose not to amputate but because of a break or for whatever reason, had the amputation done later on.
I had to amputate pretty fast because of his pain. But the oncologist told me the cancer was more likely to spread with an amputation than without so I don't think it will make the cancer worse. it's more for pain control and the likelihood of a fracture with the weakened bone. Good luck with whichever way you go.
Are you at tjat point now? You need to make a decisio ?
Many, many dogs nere, cludi g mi e, were treated off ad o for several otns fr arthritis, or sprain, isce pulls, etc. I mh case, o ce We fnalh glt the diagnosis, It took me an additial m th to F ALH makre the decisio to aputate.-.scared me t death...now, I can tell you, BEST DECISION EVER!
Tell s alittle ore avout yor sitation.
Does the vet say youjr pup is a good candidate fr surgery?
I jave heard of "the break" happe ing and t's very, very pamful.....ot cold happen i te iddle of the ight..-or why yoj're away' etc.
It an go izng decision..-all of us ere get that Let us kow how we can elp. Dogs do very, ver wel,on tnree legs.
Se di g you hugs!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
We did... we had a break and then 6 months later had to amputate. Let me know if you want further information....
Alison and her Shelby
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
PS - we didn't have a diagnosis of osteosarcoma when we had a break. So that was a key in our decision making - no cancer but it showed up later.... 
Hemangiosarcoma, not osteosarcoma.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
There are many dogs here who didn't go through amputation right away, usually because they went the radiation therapy route first but eventually did amputate. I'm hoping they will chime in.
It's not a good scene to let the situation get to the point of a pathologic fracture due to damaged bone. Usually it happens in a horrific and painful way, it's very traumatic. Some studies have shown that waiting too long causes the cancer to spread rapidly, others dispute that, it's a toss up.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We amputated right away when we finally got the diagnosis. It was what I would call delayed because we spent 6 months with varying diagnosis. Actually had a surgery to remove a metal plate thinking that was problem, tests, xrays, more tests......He was in so much pain that it just seemed still the right thing to do. I can tell you, I did not hear him wimpering in his sleep anymore. I may have waited if his pain level had been better. Lori and Angel dog TY
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
I can say we choose not to amp right away. My guy did fracture in the end. We could not amp for several reasons. If you do decide to wait, consider talking to your doc about biphosphinates. They are supposed to help strengthen the bone ( my guy was on them and still fractured however) the oral version relatively inexpensive but not as successful as iv can sometimes be, but worth discussing with doc if you decide not to amp right away. Like Rene said, there's a chance the cancer can spred faster after, but as with everything it's all really up to chance. I've talked to people whose dogs did well without amp but with radiation and biphosphinates. I'm a case where he ended up fracturing after 5 months. We hadto puthim down at that point. Some people the dogs fractured within weeks. One thing I've learned is youhave to do what's right for 1) your dog and then 2) you. I don't regret anything I chose, but I really didn't have a choice. A surgeon wouldn't clear my dog for amp.
Either way, I hope for the best for you guys. Please keep us posted on how he's doing 
Lori and Chuck
Wooly was put on 1 50mg tramadol twice/day in the beginning and continued to do well for 5 months, walking, running (more of a trot), without limping or showing any signs of pain. After the fracture was discovered, he received a splint and the meds were increased. About a week later, while in the splint, the fracture broke through the skin. I didn't know this was possible. So, that's where we are now. The choices presented to me were euthanasia or amputation. I said, "So, I have to make a life or death decision based on a broken leg." The vet said, "The leg is just a piece of the puzzle, look at the whole picture" and both recommended euthanasia. I have chosen to go ahead with the amp and it's tentatively scheduled for Tuesday. After treating the infection from the break, his bloodwork looks good except he's still anemic.
Lori, I just wondered why the surgeon wouldn't clear your dog for the surgery
Geez, you've really had a rough go.
As far as Lori's journey, you can click onton her avatar and it will take you to the topics Lori has started so you can follow Chuck's story. Part of Chuck's issues concerni g amputation...he was a magnificent St Bernard vut with mobility issues prior to amp.
So jas Wooly been diagnosed with bone cancer? I'm really unclear why any vet would suggest euthanasia. Does he have other health issue? What's his age? Are you seeing orthopedic specialist?
There is a whole lot od nfo. n here to help you prepare for helping Wooly as a tripod, hw to prepare your hme, etc.
Sounds like he's already use t walking on three legs so he should adjust fine. First tw wees of recovery is no picnic, but once recovery takes place he should be a verynhapy dog.
Best wishes to you. Let us know how we can help.
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
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