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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hello all
Our 9 year old pitbull was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on Monday. We've had a rough few days getting 2nd opinions, and making the decision we believe will give her the best chance at a pain free life.
She had a right front amputation on Wednesday and bloodwork and chest x-rays both have no indication of spread. We did not opt for the pre-surgery biopsy, but the bone will be biopsied after removal. We also have chosen not to do chemo and/or radiation as it would be a 100+ mile trip one way. We are aware we are playing the odds to make this choice.
Trouble will be coming home today. What can we expect in the next couple of weeks as she recovers and adjusts to the amputation?
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.
Trouble will thank you for getting rid of her pain.
Jerry has recently posted in his blog the Top 1-5, 6-10 questions on coping with amputation and with bone cancer. Hope this helps.
Go with your instincts and what is best for Trouble and your family, as each story is so different. There is no wrong decision. We all do not know what the "odd" is. There is no calculated formula, nor any guarantees. Just focus on getting one quality day at a time.
Wish Trouble have a speedy recovery.
Hugs!
I agree with Genie that Trouble will be ever so thankful the pain is gone.
My 2 year old Golden named Tanner was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on Oct 16 and had his amputation Nov 4. After his recovery period ( which was less than 2 weeks and now he is back to 100% ), he is so happy and is loving life. We also chose not to go the chemo route for reasons of our own and we are enjoying every pain-free day with him.
The next couple of weeks will be tough but hang in there and come here for support. What I found was that everything that Tanner was going thru was "normal" and that really did help. Read prior forums posts; I found those very helpful.
Good luck to you Trouble...........here is to a speedy recovery.
Amy and Tanner
Hello Trouble, it is soooo nice to be pain free, isn't it? I hope that you have a pawsome recovery and just make sure to take it easy and one day at a time. Don't over do it and you will see that you and your pawrents will spend lots and lots of great new time together. Cherish every moment you all have and never take anything for granted. Your pawrents love you and will do what is best for you.....I know. Just keep your chin up and like good old Spirit Jerry taught us...NGU.....NEVER GIVE UP!!!! We are all here for you...lots of licks from my heart and soul Kellie! 
Kellie
Trouble came home early afternoon. She does well, but tires very easily. Her incision looks great. They removed the pain patch before we left and sent her home with rimadyl and cephalexin.
She was beginning to whine so I went ahead and gave her the rimadyl. She's napping now. I think she will adapt wonderfully. We will be the ones struggling to let her do for herself as much as possible.
Thank you all for the wonderful encouragement and advice. I've been reading through the forum as I watch her this afternoon. The more I can learn, the better we will be.
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.
[Image Can Not Be Found][Image Can Not Be Found]Hello Trouble!
Pam and Tazzie (and Kona)
Hey Trouble, thanks for joining the Tripawds community! We are so glad you found us.
Sounds like everyone has great advice for you. We second the advice to take it slow. Don't overdo it, because I know you'll want to! Remember, it takes time for that muscle to build up, so limit your walks and playtime for a few weeks at least, until you are able to do more.
My pawrents decided not to do chemo on me right after surgery, for probably the same reasons yours didn't (the nearest place for me was 6 hoursb away!). There's a lot of other things you can do to fight that nasty cancer, like eating healthy for starters. Check out my Health Tips page for some ideas.
I didn't have chemo for over a year after my amp, until my pawrents learned about the Metronomic Protocol. It allowed us to keep traveling, because it was a continuous, low-dose chemo treatment in a pill form. I only had to go to the oncologist for the occasional follow up visit. And, it gave me extra time that I wouldn't have had otherwise. You might want to see if this chemo option is available for you. Just a thought.
Good luck with your recoverya, let us know how we can help OK? Also, remember there's going to be an "Ask an Onocologist" chat this Tuesday, 12/2 at 5pm Pacific here on Tripawds, if you're interested.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Guys! I really appreciate all the tips. We've been a little busy since coming home, but are doing so much better than I ever expected. Trouble is learning to pace herself and will lie down to rest a little when necessary. We've put the rubber shelf liner down our hallways and entranceway so she has traction on the tile floor. She knows she can get on her runner and be safe, so she will motivate through the house on her own already. I no longer have to help support her for her little potty outings.
Yesterday in her honor we baked a turkey. She LOVES turkey!
We are still waiting for the biopsy results - maybe today or tomorrow. Paws are crossed.
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.
tazziedog said:
My dog Tazzie is an English Mastiff and also had her front leg amputated (8/26/08).
Pam, Is Tazzie having any problems from carrying all the weight? I'm
really concerned about getting Trouble down at least 20 lbs.
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.
Tazzie actually does pretty well for a giant dog. Yesterday we went to the park and she hopped a lap around the soccer field. She needs to rest frequently, but she had fun! The chemo takes a lot out of her for 7-10 days but she only has 1 more dose to go.
Tazzie is probably only 5 pounds overweight but you are right to try to get any extra weight off of Trouble. Our pitbull Kona is probably 65 pounds, and most females probably shouldn't go over 70 even if they have lots of muscle. A glucosamine supplement is a good idea to support the joints, and fish oil is a natural anti-inflammatory as well as an antioxidant that can help fight cancer.
Good luck with the biopsy results...
Pam and Tazzie
Mini Update - We've finished the meds (pain & antibiotics). She is not getting around quite so well today, but I figured it is the lack of pain meds. Also, yesterday she may have overdone it. She was feeling frisky and had a much longer than normal walk without resting.
The preliminary biopsy report has us guardedly optimistic. It appears the osteosarcoma was contained in the one area, however we won't know for sure until the remainder of the test results are in. We are contemplating doing a trial study, maybe University of Illinois, but haven't made a final decision yet.
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.
1 Guest(s)
