Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My Siberian Husky, Niko, recently underwent amputation of his hind leg for what we thought was a chronic infection that finally found its way to the bone. I was so absolutely thrilled at his physical recovery from the surgery, and gettting his autoimmune disorder back under control (he has hemolytic anemia), I forgot that the vet took a biopsy of the bone to confirm it was the staff infection. Today I got the call that it was actually cancer. I'm pretty devasted by the news. Due to his autoimmune he's not really a good candidate for cancer treatments. The vet said he might have about 6 months left. Is that typical of others experience? I can't believe that amputation only gets them a few months?????
Thanks for any input.
Dawn
Welcome to Tripawds Dawn and Niko, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry about the diagnosis- what a shock when you are thinking infection.
What kind of cancer are you dealing with?
Remember- the prognosis the vet gave you are based on statistics, not on Niko! There is no real way to say how long Niko will have- depends on the cancer, if there is any microscopic spread and a whole lot of shoulder shrugs. I don't mean to make light of the situation, but we have seen here that some pets far outlive their prognosis and some come up short. Some do chemo, some don't. In many cases of bone cancer the amputation is palliative- it relieves the terrible pain but does not cure the cancer. But there are some like my local pal Cemil who is 7 YEARS past his amp for bone cancer and he did not do chemo.
What I learned from my little pug Maggie is to ignore the stats and prognosis and go forward with optimism. Make every day Niko's best day and try and not worry about the future. We call it being more dog.
Niko knows nothing about this, he is the same dog as before the diagnosis.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Online
Hi Dawn and Niko
Take some deep breaths and reread everything Karen said, because it's so true! Deep breaths!!
You got news that deflated you, scared you, saddens you, shocked you. Everyone of us here understands those emotions like no others can. And we also understand that statistics don't mean much around here! EVERY dog is different! Every situation is different! Some dogs don't do as well as "statistics" tell them to, and some do far better than "statistics" tell them to!!
NIKO DOES NOT HAVE A TIMEFRAME STAMPED ON HIS BUTT! Take a look! Do you see anything resembling an expiration date? Didn't think so!
Siberian Huskys are so strong, so spunky. Your Niko has already shown you that, and will continue to astound you at her resilience and her ability to continue to love her lofe to the fullest, WITHOUT that painful leg!
Chemo is not right for every dog. There are still.lots of other effective "treatments," ranging from nutritional, holistic, Western, Eastern, misroom therapy, etc. Many of these alternatives actually strengthen the immune system.
BTW, my Happy Hannah and I had a spectacular bonus time of ONE YEAR AND TWO MONTHS, even though the "prognosis" was much more gloomy because of possible lymph node involvement.
Niko does not give rip about any ole' report. Nothing has changed in Niko's world! Niko feels great and that's THE best "report" ever!
Let NOTHING rob you of your time together! Niko isn't worried about a thing...not tomorrow, not days on a calendar. Make everyday count and fill each one with more loving and spoiling than you ever thought possible! Niko will thrive and so will yoi!
Post pictures when you can. Stay connected! We are all here for you cheering you and Niko on!
Much love
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Dawn and Niko, read and keep rereading the posts the community posts to you! Live in the moment keep Niko strong with a proper diet (that will boost immunity) and don't look back. God is in charge! Huskies are strong and you will be strong because you know what to do with your pup! Stay with this community because it has the best knowledge of this disease because we've all been there! Keep us posted, call the helpline, get a second opinion, breathe deeply. We have your back.
love and prayers for you and Niko
Deb, Belle and Angel Zeus
As others have said there's many ways to boost their immune systems naturally and holistically. Continue to be absolutely thrilled with Nikos recovery! Nothing has changed in Nikos world. He's out of pain and back to happily living each day in happy doggie fashion. Worrying about what may come down the road will only rob you of all of your "today's" with Niko. Live one day at a time just like Niko is doing and let nothing rob you of the glorious here and now. Hugs (((())))
Linda, Ollie, Riley & Spirit Mighty Max
Dawn, welcome. I"m sorry you got the cancer diagnosis. Was the vet saying it was osteo? Sounds like it. If so, I'm here to tell you that there are many many dogs who survived and THRIVED longer than any statistics ever predicted even though they didn't have chemo. Our own Jerry was one, he went two amazing years on three legs and did fantastic.
Niko is a Husky, and as other Husky parents can vouch for, they are pretty dang tough doggies. You've already seen it with his recovery. YAY!
Don't focus on the statistics, they do not take into account your dog. Be More Dog as we like to say here, and live every day to the fullest. If you want to feel like you're "doing something" nutritionally, holistically, etc., hop over to our Tripawds Nutrition blog for lots of good diet tips.
We're glad you're here. Lean on us, we're here to help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Dawn and sweet Niko, welcome to the best pet support group in the world...... So sorry about Niko's diagnosis, like Sally said, most of us absolutely understand the many different feelings that go along with hearing that ugly c word in diagnosis. But like everyone else has also said, prognosis is just a guideline...... So many pups have beaten their supposed prognosis, and others have not, we just do what we possibly can, and like Deb said, we just leave the rest in God's hands.
Everyone here has given great advice, so I just want to say we are all here to help you through this new and difficult journey, and we all definitely understand what you are going through. 💜🐾
Bonnie, Angel Polly, Pearl, and Zuzu
Many of us know well the feeling of having the floor drop out from underneath us at the word cancer! It's such a horrible thing. To think that time might be limited for our babies. Murphy had a different type of cancer, histiocytic sarcoma, which is highly aggressive. At the time of his surgery we were told that we would be lucky to get 12-18 months with him if we did chemo. We did do it, and in April it will be 3 years! We haven't done any other supplements for him other than changing to a grain-free diet. Murphy lives every day in the moment - he is such a happy boy! He runs out the door every time we open it, he barks at squirrels, he lays in the rain, snow or sun, he rolls around moaning & groaning and loving his back rubs. We have to learn from our pets and live for today. Niko doesn't know that he has a "prognosis." Take every day and love him, spoil him and enjoy it to the limit!
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the words of encouragement! It has certainly helped me put all of this in a perspective that I needed!!!! I think I am over the pity party for one I had been having 🙂 How can I expect Niko to fight if I'm a mess? I just shared all of these posts with our 13 year old daughter, Abbey, who has been having a hard time dealing with all of this as well. I was expecting her to shed some tears at all of the heartfelt support we have received (I know I cried reading all of these), but she read them all without a tear, looked at me and said "they are right". I hope you know that each and everyone of your posts helped her probably more than they could ever help me, and for that I am truly thankful!!! Niko has been a fighter all of his life dealing with his leg issues so I don't expect him to stop fighting just because it's cancer. Every day we have with him is a gift, and while we don't know how long the gift will last, we fully intend to enjoy each and every day of it!!!!!!
Beautiful avatar picture! OMD! Niko is so handsome!!! More pictures!
This fella' is a fighter! You can just "feel' it!
And ykur daughter is clearly a very wise old Soul in a young body! What a special child! Way to go Abbey!
And yes! You've gotten the lesson! Every day IS a gift! Always has been! It just takes something like this to remind us! Spoil, love, make every day count! Niko is getting on with living life to the fullest!
And....shhh....don't tell Niko, it's okay to have a pity every now and then...we all do. Vent to us anytime. We understand.
Now go give Niko a good ole' butt scratch! And give yourself a good hug! You deserve it!
Love to all!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Howdy and welcome!!
Bless your heart! Gosh knows we ALL know what's going through your mind and heart!
All I can add to what's already been said is don't try to eat this elephant in one big bite. Find a great recipe for elephant stew and freeze it in bite-size portions. Many of us here have great recipes.
Cancer is a demon; a thief. Don't let it sideline your emotions or your outlook. Don't let it steal your precious time celebrating love and life with Niko.
Okay, getting off my soapbox. xoxo
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
So very sorry that you got this shocking and unwanted news. The timeframe we were given was 4-6 months after amputation for osteosarcoma without treatment. We are extremely lucky to be currently at 21 months 🙂 What I really wanted to say was at the four month mark when we were over the worst of the shock, I know that had I lost Kaos at that point, I would have still considered it to have been a great decision to amputate because four extra good quality largely pain free months was worth a lot more than it sounded like when we first heard the prognosis. During those months we had been to the beach and forest on numerous trips, thrown a party for our friends, played with new toys, tolerated photo sessions, and been spoilt rotten generally. Many happy memories. We still try to focus on enjoying life in as normal a way as possible, and have chosen not to put ourselves through a lot more testing and vet visits.
Well said Corinne! 21 months? WOW!! Will be looking for your thread so we can celebrate!!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
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