Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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So my 8yr old Rotty Cash started limping yesterday. We didn't think too much of it as the prior day was really active with a water balloon fight and a lot of swimming. Limping got progressively worse through out the day and we got him in to urgent care at 7:00pm to get him checked out. Worst diagnosis possible. Osteosarcoma... Way too much to deal with. We did the chest X-rays last night and after confirming it hasn't metastasized we knew we had to give Cash a fighting chance and scheduled the amputation surgery. He got a Fentynol patch to help with the pain but he is totally immobile. I have to pick him up to get him outside to pee and he spent all last night panting in our bed. I'm so worried about the big man. I've read a couple of the recent posts and instead of finding comfort I've only been freaked out worse after hearing what we have in store in the coming weeks. Cash goes in for surgery this afternoon. What can we do to prepare, what do I need to know, how can I prep my house...how much should I help him get around post surgery? He's 96lbs so I'm going to have to take a couple days off work because my wife certainly won't be able to get him around! I'd appreciate any advise the community can offer.
Hi Cashdog and family, welcome. Your future posts won't require approval so post away.
First, breathe. We are here to help and make it easier. If you want to call the Tripawds Helpline , our Rottie expert Michelle is on duty today and is happy to help you feel better about this.
Yes, it's a crappy diagnosis, we agree. But once you breathe and step back, and peruse all of the success stories here, you'll see that it's not the end of the road. Cash can have a great life on three legs, many many many Rotties have, and much of his success will depend on your pawsitivity. Our animals mirror our emotions and it's up to us to be strong and optimistic. Do so and you will both overcome this hurdle in no time at all.
I need to run to work now but I'm going to leave you with a couple of links:
There's a lot of information here but while you're waiting for Cash to come out of surgery, you can read it and know that there IS hope OK?
I'll be back and others will chime in soon. {{{hugs}}}
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there - hearing that diagnosis is awful, isn't it? My guy was diagnosed a little over two weeks ago, and had his surgery a little over one week ago. I'm sure the "veterans" will chime in, but here is what I did for my guy's return home using the advice on this site:
1. I don't know if Cash is going to have a front or back leg amputated, but I think this idea works for either. Clyde is a front leg amputee and I used a canvas grocery bag cut down the sides to help support him. It really helped those first days while he was dopey and while he still thought he had two front legs
2. Yoga mats. I don't know if you have any hard surfaces (almost my whole house is hardwood or tile) and they have made a huge difference for Clyde
3. T-shirts - again, he's a front leg amputee and this has been great. I don't know what you'd do for a rear leg one, but the t shirt allows me to take his plastic cone off (only when I'm around) because he can't get at his stitches
4. Stuff he'll eat - Clyde's appetite is still not quite where it was, and he won't take his meds without the liberal use of peanut butter. I use whatever I can to get him to eat at least a little.
Be prepared for ups and downs in his recovery - I was and its still hard and scary sometimes. But I just try to focus on the fact that he won't be in pain once he's healed from the surgery, and that it was the only choice I had to make sure he was completely pain free and with no risk of fracture. That helps me when things are tough.
I hope some of these help and good luck to you and Cash!
From my personal experience, I recommend a frank conversation with your surgeon/vet about the meds before you bring Cash home - arm yourself with knoweldge and come home with a supply of all the meds you might need. Some vets do not prescribe Gabapentin until your dog is experiencing phantom limb pain. Pofi (Tripawd just over one month) had a nerve sheath tumor and had therefore started Gaba 2 weeks prior to surgery and he is one of the recent amputees on this board who has not shown any sign of phantom limb pain.
For many of us, the winning pain management combo has been Tramadol, Rimadyl and Gabapentin.
Be prepared to confine Cash in some way and the sling is probably going to be needed because it sounds like he has not been limping for long and so is not "pre-adapted" to life on three legs.
Be positive!!! Even though this is major surgery, it is something Cash will heal from and that awful pain of the osteo will be gone.
Thinking good thoughts for Cash!
Lisa and Pofi 
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Thank you all. Finding this community is absolutely wonderful. I'm blown away with how quickly the community has rallied together to provide their support. Sorry I didn't mention which leg is getting taken. It is his rear left leg. Again thank you all. I'll be sure to keep you posted and I'm certain I'll have numerous follow up questions once we get into the thick of it.
Hi and welcome,
So quick from diagnosis to surgery- it's hard to take it all in!
lawcat gave you some great tips. Since Cash will be a rear amp you can always try boxers to cover the incision- the tail, or nub goes through the fly. Not sure if they will stay in place as well without a full tail.
One other thing to consider is raising Cash's food dish. My first tri-pug Maggie was also a left rear amp, hers due to mast cell cancer. I tried raising her food dish and she wouldn't use it. My current tripawd, a little pug mix named Elly does use a raised dish. It is not very high, she is not very tall, but it does help her posture while eating.
Don't get too freaked out by the recovery stories. It can be hard but just keep telling yourself you are doing this for Cash. You are taking away a very painful leg that would have only gotten worse, and you are giving him a chance for more quality time with your family. I think most of us went through a period of doubt during recovery...'did I do the right thing?', in my case I was sure I had made a big mistake!
Lisa gave you a great tip too about talking to your vet about the pain meds. When is Cash coming home? Most pups stay at least one night at the hospital, but some come home the same day. Know what meds Cash will be on and ask about the possible side effects.
Keep us posted.
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
I'm just popping in with some encouragement. First, as you see you will get lots of great support from this group. Second, the vet started your dog on pain meds before the surgery. I've recently read a study that it really helps to start managing pain before surgery.
And, congratulations, you've done the best thing possible for your dog by getting on this problem immediately. Hearing the possible diagnosis is brain numbing and it will feel like a whirlwind. Be sure to ask friends, family and co-workers for help.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Thanks Karen,
we do have a raised feeding bowl for cash but I will certainly consider raising his water to a more accommodating height. Cash is getting dropped off in 2hrs and the vet will keep him over night. I've spent the entire morning laying next to Cash reading as much as I can from this site. It has been an amazing resource. The discussion on meds is appreciated. I've taken some detailed notes and will probably make my vet regret taking us on as clients....this is going to be a long discussion. If I have come to terms with one thing today it is that this IS the right decision! I just want the big man to not suffer, pain management with drugs just isn't an option especially after seeing the X-rays the reality of future fractures seemed all to likely. Again thank you all!
- Sincerely Cash, Les and family!
Les,
It is an amazing resource and I am glad you are feeling more confident in your decision! And it is funny what you said about the vet regretting taking you on as patients, because I have said the same thing. But the Surgeon told me I ask great questions and my determination to be informed has been a benefit to Pofi. And on Monday our Oncologist asked me my profession and said he was curious if I had a science background because I was following everything so well and clearly understanding it all. Tripawds has a lot to do with that.
🙂
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Welcome to you and Cash. Bet he's beautiful! One thing that helped us tremendously was the Ruff Wear harness for our big guy Max. He was 110 # rear legged amp. The straps didn't come near his amp incision so we were able to use it right away and it greatly assisted in helping him up those first few days. It has a handle at the top so we could stay close while he did his bizness but we could quickly grab it if he looked like he needed help. We ordered it from the store on this site. Sometimes it takes a few days for the bigger dogs to get their sea legs but they do figure it out quickly. One thing I learned very early on in this process is Max was taking his cues from us. If we stayed strong and positive he likewise did but if we panicked so did he. So we had to learn to keep our emotions tamped down and stay calm. We call that "being more dog" around here. 😀 I think Cash will amaze you with how well he will do after the first few days. Post with any questions you may have we are all here to help! Sending you hugs ((())) and healing thoughts for an uneventful recovery!
Linda, Riley & Spirits Mighty Max & Ollie
The next 2 weeks will be hard, but focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. Once the staples come out, about day 10, you will start to see almost daily improvement. My Otis is 4 months out and has completed his chemo and he is doing great. The amputation was absolutely the best decision for us!
We also love the Ruffwesr Webmaster Plus harness. I think a rear legged can use it almost right away.
Consider sleeping arrangements too - a firm dog bed is best, and if Cash is used to sleeping with you, you might consider putting your mattress on the floor since furniture and stairs will be out of bounds for a while.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
X2 on the Webmaster harness . You, your wife and Cash will all appreciate how much it helps. Keep connected here. You will never find a better place than Tripawds!
Kathi and the Turbotail April Angel...and the Labradork
Murphy is a five year old Lab/Chessie cross. He was hit by a car on 10/29/12 and became a Tripawd on 11/24/12. On 2/5/13, he had a total hip replacement on his remaining back leg. He has absolutely no idea that he has only three legs!
UPDATE: Murphy lived his life to the fullest, right up until an aggressive bone lesion took him across the Rainbow Bridge on April 9, 2015 and he gained his membership in the April Angels. Run free, my love. You deserve it!
Poor thing, he was probably hurting too bad to get up by himself. He will surprise you after surgery! Before surgery, when Murphy was off medication, he would lay down, refuse to eat or drink, and yelp if we did get him to go outside. It was horrible! We had no idea what was going on - I thought maybe he had a fracture, even though his x-rays had been ok. The funny thing was that with medication, he would actually walk pretty good. When we went to see the orthopedic specialist, Murphy allowed him to do a full exam - pulling, stretching, palpating his leg. He was surprised when he did the x-rays to see a tumor. We picked Murphy up the day after surgery and he walked, or hopped, his way out to the car by himself. He's a 50 lb golden retriever mix and had his front leg removed. We also use the Webmaster Ruffwear harness , we love the handle. The first 2 weeks or so are the hardest, and sometimes the bigger dogs take a little bit more time to find their balance, so don't panic. Make sure you keep up on the pain medications, limit his activity, and feed him anything you can get him to eat.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thanks to all those who made the ruffwear harness recommendation. I was wondering if there was something reliable I could use other than a towel sling...I found it on amazon and it's getting delivered later today...gotta love Amazon. The vet reports that the surgery went well and I'll be able to come pick cash up at 12:30. Can't wait to bring him home.
Holy moly! Just catching up!! As you can see, you have come to the right place for support and information and understanding! You've gotten great insight from everyone here.
So for now I'll just say, YAAAAAAAAAY FOR CASH!!! Surgery is over and he's coming home to recover and get on living life to the fullest! 🙂
STAY CONNECTED! As you can see, we are all right here by your side!
Hugs!
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!
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