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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Hello all. I am new on this site and my very active and well adjusted almost 10 year old boxer mix got diagnosed with osteocarcoma in her back right leg after a biopsy about 2 weeks ago. I have been struggling with making the decision to do the amputation. i want to do what is best with her and think that this may be but would love to hear from people who have regretted it and why. i have really only heard positive stories which are great but i do want to know some of the things we may have to deal with. it is hard because besides her slight limp only sometimes, she is totally herself wanting to go for her hour morning walk and another walk at night and eating great. i haven't been letting her off leash much because i don't want her to break her leg and since i want her to enjoy the time she has left free of pain and as happy as possible i do think this may be the best decision. can your dogs still play with other dogs and run with out problems? is recovery really only 2 weeks? it is permanent, expensive and i don't want to regret it after. i realize i need to do is as soon as possible so will probably do it this week if i do it. any advice from people who have gone through this would be greatly appreciated. also i am pretty sure i will not be doing chemo but may try to do some alternative therapies and acupuncture.
Welcome! Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
We're sorry to hear about your pup, what is her name? Every dog is different, but if you and your vet determine yours is a good candidate for amputation, that is the only way to remove the tumor pain. Dogs are incredibly good at hiding their pain until it is unbearable, and a traumatic fracture is inevitable if osteosarcoma is left alone.
You'll find lots of recovery and care tips in Jerry's Required Reading List as well as lots of info about what to expect., For immediate answers to the most common dog amputation questions consider downloading the Tripawds e-book Three Legs and A Spare.
Search these forums and the blogs and you will also find lots of information about alternative treatments including acupuncture, homeopathics, and all natural immunity supplements.
Best wishes with the decisions you face, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi! Sorry I missed you in the chatroom. My pup is an injury-tripawd, so we haven't had to deal with cancer..but I can tell you about how she's adapted. For the most part you will probably have to make a few small lifestyle changes. These are just bullet points, I'm sure I'll have missed a few things and like I said, I haven't dealt with cancer so there's probably other things to deal with regarding that.
Try and walk her on the grass as much as possible, so that the impact of hitting the concrete doesn't jar her joints.
If you're in an apartment complex, consider moving to a bottom floor so she can avoid too many stairs.
Rugs on hardwood and tile floors will help with slipping and jarring her joints.
Don't let her get too fat, too much weight can be hard on the remaining joints.
My girl gets glucosamine supplements, and essentially I just try and be mindful of her tripawd-ness and work with it. She can still haul her fuzzy butt around the yard at a pretty decent clip, can still dig (pretty amazing for a front tripawd) and swim (even though she hates the latter) and can beat the pants off my german shepherd who outweighs her by 30lbs.
In short, it isn't going to hinder them much, you just have to be a little more courteous regarding their new lifestyle.
Hope this helps!
Proud mommy of a Belgian Malinois tripawd named Lizzie, who is completely spoiled rotten, loves kids, and will be going into therapy dog training as soon as I can afford it. You can find her blog here.
Also proud mommy to Vito, 3(?) yr old GSD. Adoption weight: 58lbs. Current weight: 90lbs. Goal weight: 85-90lbs (ACHIEVED!). Tested positive for EPI on March 30th, 2011 and stable ever since.
"Sometimes it takes an imperfection to create perfection."
We were also very hesitant and took a while to make the decision about amputation. For three months after diagnosis of osteosarcoma we just managed the pain for my 11 year old lab-shepherd mix Jewels. She was on three different pain meds at the highest doses safe for her by the time we decided that the pain was just getting worse and will never get better in spite of all the pain medications we were giving her. We had to make a decision. Either amputate or euthanize so that she will not suffer anymore. We were very lucky she never broke or fractured her leg in the meantime. We could not bring our selves to euthanize and we were fortunate enough to have a little extra cash to pay for the surgery. After preliminary tests that showed her lungs were still clear of metasis and her blood sugar levels were normal, we went ahead with the surgery. It has been over two months now and we have NO regrets! She is doing well now, back to her happy self and adjusting pretty good to life on three legs. We were fortunate that the surgery went smoothly, she recovered well and is pain-free. I have read a few (very rare) posts here where something went wrong post-surgery, but fortunately these very heart-breaking incidents are extremely rare. After a couple of weeks post-surgery, most dogs do well and adjust amazingly! You can tell by all the wonderful supporters on this website that this is usually the case. But be very informed of the risks involved with surgery and post-surgery care so that you know a great deal about what you will be getting into. The only thing I regret perhaps is not doing the amputation sooner so that she would not have suffered for the few months that she did. I am sure you will make the right decision for you and your girl. Good luck! And know you will always find support here.
Jewels was a gorgeous Lab-Shep mix that found us at the pet rescue when she was just 3 months old. Born June 2000; Diagnosed OSA on June 1, 2011; L-front Amputation September 12, 2011; Crossed Rainbow Bridge December 30, 2011. My "baby dog" will always be in my heart. Now she is running fast and free on all four legs after the rabbits and squirrels! Jewels was loved by her crazy-busy mom, even-keeled dad, pesky twin human brothers and monkeydog sister Aspen. Read about Jewels' Tripawd Journey here.
I know this isn't what you asked for in terms of feedback from those who regretted the amputation, but I still wanted to add my two cents. My furbaby Dixie is a 10 year old mixed breed and just had her right back leg amputated 11 days ago. Prior to the surgery, she only had a slight limp and showed no pain that I could recognize. I was hesitant at first, for the same reasons - I saw her play, run, etc., her appetite was great... it seemed like such an aggressive and scary option for a dog who didn't seem to be overly bothered by the issue. At the vet's recommendation, we went forward with the surgery. Sure, there were times I regretted it - when I saw her struggle to keep her balance, or seeing her bald butt with the drains. But Dixie plays like she did before, she still drags me all over the neighborhood, she still bosses around the other dogs. We're already walking together at the trails she enjoys so much.
She's the same dog. She's just not in pain anymore.
At Dixie's vet appt today, the vet showed me post-op pictures of her leg,the tumor, and the bone. As much as Dixie wasn't really showing many outward signs of pain, I knew as soon as I saw those pictures that she must have been in a lot of pain. The tumor had been pressing into the bone and had also been pressing her quadricep muscle out of place. I was so so so glad to have done the amputation. Right before I left the clinic, I met a lady and her golden retriever who had just been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Her dog was limping from it as well, but obviously amputation won't help her dog. In that moment, I felt both extreme sadness for the lady and her dog, but also a sense of awe, realization, and gratitude that I even had the option of amputation to relieve Dixie's pain.
I'm not trying to tell you what to do - I'm just sharing my story. Amputation was the best option for us. It may not be for everyone. I only shared my story in the hopes that the concept of amputation seems a little less scary if you should choose to go that route. Reading the "Three Legs and a Spare " book that I downloaded from this site helped a lot. You asked about "some of the things we may have to deal with" - well for me I haven't had many issues. Just getting her through the first few days post-surgery was physically and emotionally exhausting, but so worth it.
Whatever you decide, this is a great community to help you through every step. Keep us updated!
Let me add my 2 cents- before I had Daisy who was a tripawd due to an accident I had a Dobe who was diagnosed with OS. This was years ago and way before the Tripawds website. I did not amputate and choose to try to manage his pain. I came home from work one day about 3 weeks after the diagnoses, Jack jumped off the couch and his front leg snapped. I had the heartbreaking task of loading him into my car with his broken leg, while he was crying in pain and taking him to the vet to be euthanized. I would never recommend just managing the pain.
Spirit Samson was Spirit Tripawd Daisys four legged "brother" and ruled as the self proclaimed head of the Monkeybutt Federations East Coast Division. Lady Chunky Monkey stayed from Oct 2011 and left for the bridge in Apr 2012. Miss Perdy is left and has some big pawprints to fill.
Do you have what it takes to be a Monkeybutt? Find out more at the Monkeybutt Federation
Can they still run and play? Heh heh heh -
This was a couple weeks ago (two years post-amp):
This was about a month after Gerry's amputation:
Apologies for the use of the same music, but it fits so well with all dog-play videos. There's more videos on Gerry's blog, if you need more (oh, and other dogs' blogs too, of course).
And you may be thinking, "But what about a dog with osteosarcoma?" Well, I also had another tripawd prior to Gerry - Yoda (around 6 years old) - who did just as well (until very near the end) - I just didn't have a digitial video camera then. 
But to give you an idea - Yoda caught a rabbit in the backyard less than a week before I had to let him go, so that was on three legs and with lung mets. And he was soooo pleased with himself 
Results do vary, and you know your dog best, but, in general, they can run and play and just fine on three legs and the best part is you don't have to fear pathological fractures once the leg is off! Best wishes in your decision. Remember to take care of yourself too in this very difficult time. Your pup needs you strong.
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Bo was 6 years old when diagnosed with OSA. We were nervous about amputation, but it was the only way to completely relieve his pain. Surgery recovery was rough...phantom pains, abnormal eating, lots of pain meds...but about 3 weeks post-amp, Bo became his normal, playful self again. We did not do chemo; we chose to let Bo live out the rest of his days happy and pain free. He could still swim, roll in the grass, kill chew toys, etc.
Bo lived for 3 months after surgery. It was a lot to endure in a short period of time, financially and emotionally. I don't regret a minute of it. I learned more about life in three months from my three legged dog than some learn in a lifetime. I know you asked for people that regretted the amputation decision...I'm not one, but I thought that I would welcome you and share Bo's story.
Good luck and keep us posted!
When I was researching that exact question in trying to make our decision, I found a survey or maybe just a forum thread that asked that question. I scrolled through pages of responses and found only one regret. That person's pup had to be put down 2 weeks after amputation (don't remember why).
It definitely is intimidating and it is not without risk. Every once in a great while, something goes wrong. But that is definitely rare. I'm just telling because you need to know that. (My very first support contact - NOT on this site! - painted this very rosy picture and I really resented it later.)
I agree that pain management is not a good alternative especially for an active dog. Realistically, I think your options are amputation or euthanasia. It took me a long time to come to that harsh reality. But I learned that amputation is commonly the first step for canine cancer in a limb - get rid of it and then deal with the microscopic stuff with chemo or holistically. But first get rid of the source, as it were. I couldn't put Tate down and I certainly did NOT want to amputate his leg. But the latter was the lesser of two evils.
Best of luck to you whatever you decide - you've been dealt the same crummy hand we've all faced. It's not a fun place to be, that's for sure. But please don't be horrified by the thought of your girl with only three legs. There are a lot of good reasons not to amputate but that's not one of them.
Jan & Tate
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
I know you are looking for regrets- but I don't think you will find too many here. By the very nature of this site I think everyone here who remains active had a good outcome from the surgery.
And it's not that we are pro-amputation- but again since we are still here then we mostly chose amputation, it is what we know.
The surgery is risky- there are some that don't make it through, so that is not a decision to be made lightly. But by far, at least around here, pups do fine with the amputation and recovery.
The recovery period can be rough- it was tough enough for me that I was regretting my decision to amputate (but that was before Tripawds was here!). My pug Maggie had her left rear leg amputated, she was 7.5 at the time. She healed up physically just fine, no complications, but she was not a happy pug for about a month. She did bounce back though, she just did it on her time. She was always an obstinate pug who didn't deal well with change- so I guess it made sense. She lived almost 4 years after the amp (for mast cell cancer, not OSA) after a prognosis of 6 to 9 months.
You have to weigh all the factors and make the best decision you can for your girl. If you make your decision with her best interest at heart you can't be wrong.
No matter what you decide we are here to offer info and support. The cancer journey SUCKS weather you make it on 3 legs or 4 legs (or even 2 leggers!).
Karen and the pugapalooza
When our golden Catie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right front leg I was hysterically adamant with my husband that no way would I let anyone amputate her limb. But..every source I found said that amputation was the only way to get rid of the pain, short of euthanasia. She was only six years old at diagnosis. It was a horrible, anguished time. Then I realized how much pain she was in, even if she didn't show it. Bone cancer hurts. She hurt. Losing her wasn't an option. She wasn't ready to die yet.
We always knew amputation wasn't a cure and even though the cancer returned and we did finally have to say goodbye, Catie lived sixteen lovely, memorable months as a beautiful, glorious, golden tripawd.
I don't regret a moment of it.
It's an awful turbulent and soul-crushing place to be, that place of not knowing what to do. Best of luck in your decision making.
Carmen
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Hi,
This might not be what you are looking for but I can tell you a bit about our story. Back in February my 5 year old Irish Wolfhound, Fergus, started favoring his right rear leg. We took him to the vet and he diagnosed him with a torn ACL. He was unable to do the surgery due to his size and told us to go to the local Tufts facility. He estimated the cost would be $4,500 for the repair and it would be a long recuperation. Based upon previous experiences with Tufts, which have all been positive, the $4,500 amount was probably low! We decided since he didn't seem to be in any pain and was getting around well to pass on the repair. In August we noticed a lump on the leg...back into the vet. He thought it was due to the ACL but said if it got any larger, come right back in. The lump did get larger and on 9/20 I took him back in and had an xray. The doctor showed me the xray and the bone looked like it was "moth eaten". He was diagnosed with OSA. No biopsy was taken because the bone was severely compromised and amputation or euthanasia were our only options. (Thank goodness we did not repair the torn ACL in February!!) On 9/22, Fergus became a tripawd (post surgery biopsy confirmed OSA and the torn ACL). Fergus came home on 9/23.
I will be honest with you, this has been VERY difficult. It has been like having a 130 pound newborn. I could not help him up or down the back deck stairs by myself to let him go outside, I didn't know what he wanted/needed when he whined, I was sleep deprived, and I was taking my frustration out on the rest of the family. While the first 2 weeks were the hardest, Fergus' recovery has been longer than most. 4 weeks post amp, the doctor had to open him back up again to move the muscles back over the remaining bone stump and to add more layers of sutures. This started the recovery process all over again. The vet believes with a giant breed, there is a lot more pressure placed on the incision and, therefore, the staples did not hold. We are now almost 8 weeks post amp and the incision is almost closed. Yesterday was his first day outside for the day with his 2 brothers while I was at work. He was exhausted last night but content. I should also add we opted for chemo. Fergus has had 2 treatments so far and has done well with them.
Given our experience, you probably want to know if I would do it again. The answer is absolutely yes because I truly believe we are giving him a better quality of life for the time he has left. Has it been difficult?, absolutely, on both him and the family. But watching him run around the yard with a big smile on his face and his tail wagging has made it worth it. It was just a matter of time before his bone fractured and put him in tremendous pain. I wish I could ask him his opinion, but I will just go with my gut feeling and say he seems very happy. I also sense a new special bond between him and I. We have been through a rough time together and we are both in a much better place now! Our next hurdle is teaching him to go up the steps from our family room into the kitchen. With the large (giant sized) incision he had, we didn't want to risk steps until he was fully healed. I built him a 4' by 11' ramp off the back deck which he sprints up and down but he needs to master the few steps inside. I am confident he will conquer the steps too. Maybe a Thanksgiving turkey sitting on the counter will be enough of an incentive. He has gotten 2 turkeys off the counter in the past (one partially raw one my son had burned on the BBQ and another breast which was waiting to be carved). Not a trace left...wolfhounds will eat everything (bones and all).
Good luck with your decision, I'm sure you will make the right one for your beastie and your family! This website has been very helpful for me to seek answers and assurances with my decisions.
Tara & Fergus
Thank you all for your stories and positive experiences, it make a difficult situation a little easier. I am glad that no one has regretted it. I have made the appointment for tomorrow for my baby, her name is Cholla. She had her second set of clear chest x-rays today since the first ones were done in early October. I am sure I will be using this site as a resource and support.
Hi and welcome to you and Cholla - I didn't get a chance to weigh in yesterday.
As others have said, there are no guarantees and any surgery can have risks, but generally the dogs do quite well dealing with it all (often better than the humans...) and 2 weeks is sort of the usual amount of time for recovery, which is because at 2 weeks the dog is *usually* off all the meds and has his staples out, and so he feels much more like his old self. There are others who've had a rougher time of it, but we were lucky and definitely saw our girl come back right around day 12ish. Of course, it took her a while to build her stamina back up, but now we go for daily walk/run/play sessions at the beach.
Try not to think of the surgery as putting him through something - instead think of it as giving him a chance to run around again, pain free!
Please give us an update tomorrow! We'll be sending out positive thoughts for Cholla for an uneventful, completely routine surgery and an excellent recovery!
Rest up!!! Sleep can be in short supply the first few days/first week - and when you are sleep deprived, everything will seem worse. You might start thinking, "What have I done??" - but don't go there. There will probably be highs and lows but you'll get through it and then Cholla will be begin to amaze you. It's a great gift to get to be a Tripawd Mama. Tripawds are extra special!!
All the best,
Jackie, proud Tripawd Mama of Abby for over 1 year now!
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
cholla said:
I am glad that no one has regretted it.
Many here have found the book Without Regret helpful in coping with the decision to amputate. We sure did!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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