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 dog (Leroy, sometimes known as "Meeps")is eight and a half years old and I love him like he is my chiild. We found a tumor on his left front leg (on the elbow) about two months ago, the vet removed it last week. She said that it would be a difficult tumor to get clean margins on, but she would do her best. She did not get clean margins, so there is bits of the tumor still inside the leg. We got the lab reports today and it is a Grade 2 Fibrosarcoma. The vet said I have three options, 1. Amputate the leg 2. Radiation / chemotherapy 3. Let it be (it will grow back and probaly invade the bone)
It seems like amputation is the only option, but I feel terrible about it. I am afraid he won't be able to walk and he'll be in more pain. He is a 100lbs German Shepard mix. Will any of you on here please share your stories with me about recovery (good and bad) and what to expect with this type of procedure. I would really apprciate it. Thanks
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Welcome and thanks for joining! Be sure to log in so your posts appear immediately without requiring moderation. Descriptive topic titles are also very helpful for those who want to provide feedback.
It is indeed important to keep tripawds fit and trim, but if Meeps is otherwise healthy he should do fine. Just check out some of Jerry's videos to see how well dogs can run, play and swim on three legs. You say you feel terrible, but think about Leroy. Without removing the leg, the tumor will return and the pain will persit. Think about dogs in the wild who will chew off their own leg to free themselves of pain.
Of course, every dog is different. Some do experience omplications, but the vast majority recuperate quickly. Be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of canine cancer and amputation recovery tips and advice. And consider reading the book Without Regret for help dealing with the difficult decisions you face. Best wishes...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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