Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

Just my opinion but I say take that leg off, the sooner the better. Osteosarcoma, I presume? It's not going to improve, and the pain is excruciating. It's worth it as a pain relief measure alone. You'll trade a week or two of discomfort and adjustment for months to years of happy, pain-free living--chemo or not. Max is 3 and a half months post-amp, and the last three months have been glorious. If that were all we got from it, it'd still be worth it. And I was thinking the very same thing as early as three weeks post-amp. 

As for the chemo decision, one step at a time. Your oncologist or internist can walk you through that, and there is a lot of info here. 

Your baby is frustrated with his diminished quality of life. Just get that leg off so he can get back to playing with the younger girls. My opinion only, of course. My heart goes out to you and your sweet boy. Wish it didn't have to be this way. 

Prayers for you both. 

No one can really make that decision except for you.  You know your baby better than anyone else.  How is his overall health other than his leg?  Murphy was 7 years old when diagnosed and perfectly healthy aside from his leg, so we felt that we needed to give him a chance at a pain-free life.  Without surgery, the pain will just get worse, and the likelihood of a fracture is pretty high, it's just a matter of time.  Many people have opted not to do chemo, so once again, that's up to you.  Murphy had histiocytic sarcoma, so we did 6 doses of ccnu, along with denamarin to protect his liver.  Grain-free food is best, as grains turn into sugar and cancer feeds off sugar.  We have been finding more and more grain-free treats in the pet stores in our area.  We feed Murphy Blue Buffalo.  We've been luckier than most and have gotten over 2 years so far with Murphy.  The first 2 weeks after surgery were by far the hardest, but things got better.

Donna

Tuesday was two weeks post amputation for us, his surgery was July 28th. I have to tell you, I don't regret my decision one bit. I was an emotional trainwreck in the vet's office every day. I could not cope with the idea of amputation although everyone told me that it had to be done and was the best treatment option. I finally had to just do it, as it was best for him, and it would be eliminating the primary cancer site. The longer that you leave the leg, the more time that you are giving those cells to continue to multiply and metastasis through the body. That's what helped me - It just had to go! I finally did it, the night before was the most I'd cried in my entire life. 

From a needle aspirate done on his left elbow (the cancer site) they originally told us that it was likely synovial cell sarcoma and that the survival rate was 2-3 years. So,  my mindset was "if he's going to live 2-3 years, why can't I try to save his leg?". Well, guess what? They were wrong. We were diagnosed with Osteosarcoma yesterday. They told us that osteo was highly unlikely because the cancer crossed the joint (destroyed the elbow and was above and below in the humerus and ulna). So, I am so happy that I amputated when I did because I wouldn't want to leave an aggressive cancer in his body any longer. 

The recovery was not that bad, he has really has done well with it and he is not a lean dog. He's a stocky, short pit bull. 

If I could do it all over again, I would've made exactly the same choice and I think you will feel the same way when it's finally done. The best advice I can give you is to make a decision and stand by it 100%. Just decide what's best and DO IT. No regrets, know that it was the best decision for him right now. 

Please keep us updated! 

Heather