Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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14yr old, neutered male, 80lbs, pit mix. History of mass cell, double TPLO, arthritis. Cancer found in BL leg after x-ray for limping. Amputation scheduled for the end of the week. As a form tech, I'm prepping as best I can but as you can imagine, I am struggling. Any tips/prep would be greatly appreciated. Any specific harness recs or any other equipment found useful?
Hi and welcome to you and your pup. What's his name?
I'm so sorry about the diagnosis. Is the cancer they found a mast cell cancer?
Amputation is a difficult choice but if your dog is otherwise healthy and the vet believes he's a good candidate for surgery, there's no reason why he can't do well on three legs.
The best places to start gathering info is:
The Tripawds Recovery Shopping List
and Jerry's Required Reading List
What is your home situation like? You want to make sure your floors have plenty of traction so get them ready this week if they are slippery. Rubber-backed carpet runners are your friend. Also, raised bowls, and making sure your pup has a comfy place to recover, which minimizes his movements around the house, will also be helpful.
Good pain management also makes or breaks a recovery. You want to make sure he has really good pain control when he comes home, and your goal is to stay ahead of the pain by sticking to the schedule or modifying it as necessary (most dogs do need their medications tweaked during the first few days).
And finally, if you've been through a TPLO this will be easier. Being that your pup is older, he may need more time than other dogs, so whatever you do, don't compare his recovery. He's is own guy and will get to healing on his own timeline.
I hope this helps. We are here to support you so ask any questions you'd like!
Thanks for the reply Jerry! My boy's name is Hank, unfortunately this appears to be some type of sarcoma. He's had multiple mass cell "bumps" removed but I had decided after the last Sx, that would be it. Selfishly couldn't put him through anymore. But x-rays were clean elsewhere(not the best I know), BW looks great and he's still got the energy of a 5yr old....so here we go again! QoL being the biggest factor, if this is his final few months/years then they're going to be a comfortable as possible.
Prepping my "containment area" 
much like the TPLO Sx, lifting sling on order with a harness to follow. Yoga mats over the wood flooring though I'll look into carpet runners. Thank you for all the recs; I'll start reading up today!
Hi and welcome.
My first Pug Maggie lost her rear leg to a mast cell tumor. Before and after her amp she had recurring tumors...although her prognosis was not good she lived almost 4 years and didn't pass from mast cell.
Mag's little sis had all 4 legs but had many MCTs, I think 14 over the course of her life. I too stopped taking them off, while waiting for the path report to come back after the last removal more tumors popped up. Tani lived to be almost 15 and did not pass from the mast cell.
Hopefully Hank's mast cell will behave itself and not be a continuing issue!
I've been through one amputation and two knee surgery recoveries and my experience was that the knee surgery recoveries were harder and way longer. And since you've been through these major surgeries you have the advantage of knowing how Hank handles pain meds and recovery.
Another advantage with a rear amp- you can use the harness right away to help him get around if he needs it.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
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