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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I didn't get a chance to weigh in yesterday either - but I bugged everyone on this site for weeks before the surgery (my pup had a different type of cancer that gave us a little more time to make the decision). No regrets. Zero. None. My (then) 8 year old Lab was up and running and once adjusted, was not really troubled at all by the missing leg. I chronicled my stress on Tripawds - check posts for "Ajax" from last summer and - GOOD LUCK! It will likely be so much better than you are imagining. If you have a few tough days, do not fear, things will get better.
I don't have an amputation regret story for you but I will tell you a few things I wish I would have done different after my 6 year old Doberman was diagnosed with Osteosarcome July 7. After talking to EVERYONE, vets, friends, online research etc. We decided to not do amputation. We stuck with this decision until October. One day I just really felt we had made the wrong decision. Long story short we totally changed out minds and had Levi's leg amputated October 14.
At first, we were fine with Levi being on the pain killers and he only had a slight limp. It seemed OK even though I was totally freaked out that the leg would break...At the time it seemed like he was OK. But now looking back I wish I would have just done the amputation right away. About 3 weeks after surgery I finally saw a dog that I hadn't seen since June...He is waaaay happier on 3 legs than he was on all those pain killers and limp. pre amputation Iwas a nervous wreck worrying about his pain meds and how he was doing etc. Now that we are 4 weeks after amputation our life is much better. Levi is happier and I am happier because he is happy and not on all those pills...We have also decided to do chemo which has gone well. No side effects.
When we first got the diagnosis I was scared about the amputation and felt like it was the wrong thing. But now that it's done and we are recovered I don't know what I was so worried about. We couldn't be happier with our decision. This is a very short version of our story but I just wanted to say that I was am "amputation doubter" and now I am very happy with the decision.
I'm sorry you are going through this. Our life has been hell since July but now that we are 4 weeks post amp and trying to fight the cancer with Chemo I feel so much better about things. Anyway, I hope this story helps in some way. Thanks for listening. I totally understand that there is no right answer and whatever is best for your family is the best thing!!!
Levi was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 7-7-11
Ampuversary 10-14-11
Lung Mets Discovered 1-4-12. Chemo seemed to not be working so we switched to Artemisinin and other supplements. In May, Levi developed a sinus infection and started having seizures. The cancer had moved to his brain. We let him go 6-26-12.
Hi All
Cholla had her leg amputated on weds and seems to be doing really well. The Vets were very impressed with how easily she got up the next morning and walked on her own! They had warned me she may have a little difficulty since she was still using her leg (though hard to know how much). In any case the only problem I think we are going to have is that she wants to go on walks and isn't happy with just going out to pee and poop. She sat at the front door waiting for her walk last night and today she refused to come back towards the house. It is going to be a long 2 weeks but happy with how well she is doing. Also had no problem going down the front steps but couldn't go up so thankfully we could walk around the back. A little concerned with the lower side of her incision looking red and inflamed but I think it is to be expected and will keep an eye on it. In general I was also impressed with how not traumatic it was to see her with out her leg, I really thought it was going to freak me out.
Thanks again to everyone.
Cholla sounds like Ajax! If you've read through this site, you probably have seen people talking about a "crash" toward the end of the 2 week period - days 7-11 or such. Like CHolla, Ajax was rarin' to go right after surgery. He didn't really "crash" but he did have a few slower days in the middle somewhere. I'm sure I wrote about it ini a post. Anyway, based on my experience the fact that you have to try to keep Cholla still now is a great sign - I bet she'll be back to her "normal" self by year end!
Ajax's incision did get red and we took him to our local vet (closer than the surgeon) who thought it was a little infected, likely due to him licking at every possible second he didn't have the cone on. It was no big deal, we got some antibiotics and it cleared right up, but you'll want to watch that.
I know you had a tough time withe the decision -- so did I -- but I just wanted to echo what Levi's mom said. I think you and Cholla will be much happier very soon!
cholla said:
...she wants to go on walks and isn't happy with just going out to pee and poop.
Confinement is key to a safe, quick recovery. You'll find lots of recommendations for keeping recovering dogs entertained.
Also had no problem going down the front steps but couldn't go up...
It is common for rear leggers to have a hard time going up stairs, while it will be more difficult going down for front leg amputees. After Cholla has healed you can focus on conditioning and exercises to build strength in the remaining back leg.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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