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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My wife and I noticed our 6 year old lab 1 and 1/2 weeks ago having wimpering pains sometimes. About 5 days ago she woke up in bed with us in an unbelievably terrible yelping pain, holding her leg up. After two different Vet visits, we took her to a specialist highly recommended yesterday. The MRI revealed no tumors, however the DR first hand seen the episodes that our pet goes through, holding her leg up, yelping in severe pain. Our Mia is still being treated by the hospital, however they are recommending amputating her front leg, believing its a tumor on her nerve that was not noticible on her MRI. We just don't understand how we went from an apparent muscle pull, to now this. We are wondering if anybody has amputated there dogs leg @ 6 years old with success?
six is not old, if that's your concern. gayle was 10 (labx) when she lost her right front leg to a soft tissue sarcoma. she lived 22 months post amp, passing from a second cancer (oral melanoma). we don't remember others mentioning having a nerve tumor, but hopefully someone will chime in about that. sounds very scary that there's no evidence on the scans...wonder if a dye would catch it better... welcome to the site, looking forward to hearing what you guys find out. oh, and what's your pup's name??
Â
charon & spirit gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Welcome to Tripawds. Sorry to hear about Mia's troubles. It can be hard to take in, the recomendation for amputation- Maggie never even had a limp. Are you concerned tht 6 is old or young? We have had all ages here, fairly young pups, around 2 years old to one of our newer members who is 17.
Maggie was 7.5 years old at the time of her amp. She did fine as a tripug for almost 4 years.
There is lots of experience and support to be found here, I hope we can help.
Karen and the pugapalooza
I am so sorry that you find yourself here with us. I am so sorry for Mia!
Â
I hope you get some answers soon as the "not knowing' is the worst part!  But I will say, I never heard of a dog screaming in pain from a muscle pull so it's obvious it's serious pain. Dogs just don't scream in pain unless they are in severe pain!
I had a dog for 12 years that was born three legged. Not sure if you are wondering how well three legged dogs do in general or at a certain age. Comet did fine until she got elderly and then she struggled a bit with mobility.
Good thoughts coming your way.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Hi Mia and Family,
We're so sorry you're going through this! It's scary not knowing what the diagnosis might be, especially after having a MRI which we know aren't cheap. I'm not a vet but it concerns me that the docs are saying there's nothing there, yet they're recommending amputation? What is the diagnosis/prognosis? It sound a little vague to me and if Mia were my dog, I would want to know exactly why they're recommending it.
And if you are not satisfied, get a third opinion. It's not unusual for folks to do that, only to find that the third opinion was the deciding factor for proceeding, or not proceeding, with amputation. Has a neurologist been consulted? Or a certified canine rehab vet? Not knowing what the exact diagnosis is, you may want to consider starting with the least invasive option first before resorting to amputation.Â
Oh, if a dog has to lose a leg, six years old is an advantage, although we've had plenty of dogs who do just great even as senior dogs older than 10! So don't let her age be an issue. Do both of these vets believe she is a good candidate for life on three legs? What kind of breed/mix is she?Â
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi,
Welcome to you and Mia. Has she had an x-ray of the leg? Have you seen an oncologist?Â
6 Years is young for a lab. My Charley is a lab and he had his leg amputated at 2 and he just turned 4! There's a link in my signature of Charley playing in the snow at 12 weeks post L front leg amp. It's amazing to watch.
Please keep us posted! Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers to Mia!
Hugs and chocolate labby kisses,
Ellen & Charley
Charley's Blog:Â CHOCOLATE KISSES
DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab Â
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10
Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10
Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin
Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing
♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥
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