Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello all. My black lab mix mix, Abby, rececently had to have her back leg amputated for what I thought was due to a condition here in the Southwest called Valley Fever. She sufferered a complete fracture of the bone on March 21st. My vet said immediate surgery at our local animal hospital had to be performed or we would have to put her down. The surgery was performed on March 22nd and she made it through with flying colors. Unfortunately, I received a call from the hospital on Saturday saying that the preliminary report had detected bone cancer and she probably had only 3 -5 months left!!!! I'm still stunned and really have no idea what to do. She seems better than ever...especially her appetite! I can't bear the thought of losing her. They are really pushing chemo which I'm not in favor of. Have any of you tried any special diets or supplements to help? ANY advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!!
Hi Donna,
Thanks for joining us here at our little corner of the universe. We're happy to have you, and are here to help however we can.
We understand completely how awful it feels when the vet says something like that. But try to take a step back. Take a deep breath, and first thank dog that Abby came through the surgery just fine. She's a strong, hearty gal and health like that is a great thing to have on her side.
Next, keep in mind that when a vet gives a prognosis, it's a best guess based on statistics. Many dogs live far longer than that. I lived almost two extra years past my four month prognosis, and some of our friends here have lived several years past their prognosis. While some dogs do fall into that too-short timeframe, many don't, so keep hope near and dear to your heart and don't give up just because you hear those numbers.
Abby's amputation is a chance for a new beginning. You were so brave to make that decision to go ahead and do the amputation. So don't give up now because Abby sure isn't! You got rid of that nasty infected leg, and now is the time to stay pawsitive and focus on living as long and healthy a life as pawsible.
To help you get started, check out our Top Ten Questions, here and here.
Then, our Health Tips page will also help.
Whatever else we can do to give you the confidence that you need, please let us know OK? We're here for you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much for the post Jerry!!!! It's so nice being able to talk to others going through the same ordeal. I really appreciate the support. I DO need to stay strong and be positive for Abby's sake. She was already getting around on 3 legs before the amputation so she has already adjusted to being on 3 legs. It is, like you said, that she has a new beginning now. Again, many thanks for this wonderful website!
Anytime Donna. Keep up the pawsitive attitude and try not to let the information overwhelm you OK? Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I am sorry to hear about your Abby. It is so tough getting the cancer diagnosis especially when you are not expecting it. Research all your options and read from tripawds so you can make an educated decision. You know your girl the best and as Jerry's pawrents have said many times, there are no wrong decisions!
I have a black Lab, Paris who will have her 4th and final chemo on 4-8. She has tolerated it very well and for us it was the right decision. The most important thing for you to do is to give Abby lots of love and enjoy each day.
Gineej & Paris
Grateful for every moment we had with Paris…..no regrets!
Honoring her life by opening our hearts & home to Addy!
We are all very sorry to hear about Abby's diagnosis. Jerry was right-on about the fact that the vet gave you an educated guess but every case is different. We will send every positive thought and prayers that the two of you will beat the statistics. In Cherry's case, her first chemotherapy treatment was literally hours after the amputation and the chemotherapy was far worse than the amputation. She was as close to her old self as possible shortly after the last chemotherapy. The month of February was nothing short of great and made our decisions all worthwhile. She is battling an intestinal bug just now; however the quality of her life is still great.
You know Abby better than anyone so what ever decision you make from here regarding treatment will be the best for Abby. Remember to try and keep your spirits up as much as possible around Abby, enjoy this additional time that you have, and be sure to treat Abby's spirit as well as her body. For Cherry, that means a daily trip in the car or truck.
Bob and Cherry
Making the chemo decision is not an easy one. I was so defeated after making the decision to amputate, that I didn't even want to consider chemo at that point. My husband talked me into giving it a chance. I conceeded on the grounds that if it degraded her quality of life, we would stop. She had minimum side effects, lasting appx 12-24 hrs, I knew she and I could both handle that length of time knowing it could improve her lifespan.
There are many things to consider with chemo - money, time, quality of life, biopsy report, preliminary chest xrays.....each of us has to make the choice that is right for us and our pet. Fortunately, everyone here understands how personal the decision is and supports the choice of others.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
What the others said…that estimate is a guess based on statistics, and if the vet phrased it that Abby actually had that long left, he was irresponsible. I've read of dogs living years past the diagnosis, even though the average is probably 4-6 months.
That said…I am not doing chemo, although I am doing neoplasene. I'm continuing the raw diet I've fed all my dogs for almost nine years, slightly tweaked for Cooper. Added a few supplements - l-glutamine, co-enzymeQ-10. Have upped fish oil and continuing with joint supplements. And enjoying every day, making sure at the very least Coop gets a walk around the block, and as much free running, visiting with friends and doing normal activities as possible.
So far so good! Running, not quite six weeks post op, yesterday:
Thank you so much Carina. Abby is so full of energy right now. Due to the Valley Fever, she had already adapted to being on 3 legs so I can't keep her still. I am going to start adding additional supplements. I've read other people feeding their dogs a diet of just plain chicken and rice so I think I'll give that a try as well. I also found a few blogs about K9-Immunity…let me know if anyone out there has heard of these “super” vitamins. Hopefully, her energy level and appetite will stay at this level. I just read a few articles about Neoplasene so a big thanks for that. I've never heard of it before so I'm definitely going to follow up with my vet about this. Thanks again to all of you for the support and great advice! Keep in coming….
donnac said:
I also found a few blogs about K9-Immunity…let me know if anyone out there has heard of these “super” vitamins.
We wrote about Jerry's K9 Immunity clinical trial in the blog and there are many topics about K9 Immunity in these forums. Below are just a few, use the search to find more.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Donna....plain chicken and rice is a fine interim diet, but lacking minerals and amino acids necessary for long term nutrition. My dogs eat raw (meat, bones, organs, and as many whole animals as practical) but cooking isn't that labor intensive. I will point out that the conventional thinking on cancer diets is no or low carbohydrates - the rice really is unecessary. Dogs don't need carbs. If they did, mine would be dead, since I have fed raw for almost nine years with the only carbs being incidental like pizza crusts and some treats. 🙂 But if you go to cooked, you will need to vary meats a bit more than merely chicken, and add minerals (calcium/bone) in some form.
I read up on K-9 Immunity and was put off by the siite and unconvinced by the "science" behind it. For that matter I am rather unconvinced about the neoplasene too, but my vet had already researched and ordered it, so I'm doing it! I do have a in-real-life friend who has actually seen some very good, solid results with her brain tumor dog on the neoplasene...it's the only reason I considered it. But I'm a natural skeptic and disinclined to believe most of what I read, so take my opinions for what they're worth!
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