Three Legged Dog Blogging

I've been taking Raven, my dog with osteosarcoma who had her left rear leg amputated a month ago, out with the senior dogs for her morning walks, as she's been nervous around the young dogs. Friday morning I stupidly forgot to shut the gate to the potty yard when I took her back in, and went to get the youngsters for THEIR longer and more vigorous walk.

Raven trotted out to join us and, for a couple of minutes, bounced around and played with Rebel and Kyrie. When they started to roughhouse, she came and stood by me, and I put a dog bed from the car down on the ground. She lay next to me but watched them the whole time as they ran, and I could tell she was thinking about it.

She's run a number of times, but alone. That was  the first time she's done anything but freeze when someone tried to play with her.

This morning, I took a chance and we all went out on one big walk together. She ran with Rebel, albeit only for a minute or so. She then came on the entire walk with us, and at the end of it - raced with Kyrie for the dog door.

Veterinary oncologist Dr. Greg Ogilvie asked me to videotape Raven running and playing so he can show it to his patients who think amputating a dog's leg is cruel or impossible for big dogs. As soon as the shaved area on her hip has grown back in a bit more, I'm going to do that, and will post it here as well. But for now, this is a photo my friend Gina Spadafori took of her this weekend in my front garden.

If you have come across this post because you're searching for information on osteosarcoma and amputation in dogs, I hope you won't let your own natural reluctance to have your dog's leg removed stop you from doing what is best for the dog. Before she even had her stitches out, Raven was running and using the stairs. I don't know how our battle with osteosarcoma will turn out, but the amputation part of it has been a huge success.

Comments

[Travos]

She's such a beautiful puppy. :) I'm so glad she's getting around so well, and that she's starting to play with the younger pups.

Give Raven a big hug for me!

Travis

[Gina]

Nice picture. :)

I can attest to the fact that Raven is doing great. I was astonished, to be honest, at how happy she is less than a month post-op.

[Alex]

Hey my pup is due to get her hind leg amputated next week (after being knocked down). She's only a wee dog (jack russell size). It's great to hear how well yours is doing with 3 legs.

[Julian]

Help! Please advise. I am scheduling surgical amputation for my beautiful dog, Esperanza this Wednesday (left front leg.) I'm a bit concerned because after the labor day weekend I will need to return to work. Can the dog do well staying home alone for 9-10 hours 6 days after surgery? Still struggling with the decision of whether to amputate or put her down. She is such a happy dog.

Thanks.
p.s. I won't be able to keep her. She's a rescue dog. I'm looking at paying for surgery then putting her for adoption. Is this crazy?

[Christie]

How much does she weigh and why is she having the amputation, does she have osteosarcoma?

[karen jennex]

My sweet little terra had her leg amputated friday the 26 of january. She is doing very well. I feel a little guilt for making the decision for her but I guess that is normal. Harder on the moms than the dogs. She got kicked by her friend he is a horse. No more ruff housing with kids bigger than you.

[Jessi Simmer]

I'm so glad that your baby Raven is doing well. I have just found out that my baby bogey will have to lose his leg and I'm so scared for him. I keep thinking that he won't be able to be the dog he's always been. That's until I read your letter. thank you for telling your story. It makes me feel alot better about the whole thing.
Jessi Simmer

[Sylvan Loyde]

I am interested in rescuing a three-legged dog. where can i find one?
- sylvan loyd

[Sylvan Loyde]

I am interested in rescuing a three-legged dog. where can i find one?
- sylvan loyd

[paula peterson]

Bailey our malamute has osteosarcome and 3 weeks ago we amputated her left hind. She gets around okay, a bit shakey at first, but she is pretty depressed, not herself. Her appetite is great, but her interest in the things in her life that used ot make her go bonkers is gone, i.e. her rawhide bones, frisbee etc. Our vet is pleased with her physical recovery. our worry is her mental recovery. Has anyone had this experience during the amputation healing process? Help for a worried dog mom. thanks

[sweetdanemg]

its a miracle to see a dog with three legs function so well! our rescue group for great danes is possible getting a beautiful dane who recently had his front right leg amputated. beleive it or not, weighing 180 lbs, he was up and walking around within 5 hrs post surgery and was jogging 2 days following surgery. its hard not to be reluctant, but you have to figure that the will find a way to function.

[Megan Meyers]

December of 2005 my dog jumped the fence and got hit by a car. She jumped two fences with her broken front left leg to get back home. It took two weeks before a decision was made. She had been on three legs for two weeks with a limp broken leg. We decided to amputate. It was hard for me to do it but it was better than any other alternate. She is faster on three legs than she ever was on four. She can dig, play with toys, and she still jumps the fence. She is still very strong and pulls anyone holding her leash.

It is a very hard decision to make but if you love your dog and you do not want to live without them then amputate if needed. She is still the same dog, loving, very playful, and happy. She loves to play with other dogs of any age.

[Megan Meyers]

Paula,

Is your dog still on meds? I noticed for the first few weeks my dog was like that. Not really herself and not interested in anything but me. She just laid around and slept most of the time. It goes away after awhile. My vet told me dogs are not emotionally tied to their limbs like humans. They do not have any depression symptoms after lossing a limb.

[Stacey]

We have a just turned 3 year old mastiff love her to pieces she may have to have a rear leg amputated due to cancer looking for some response to those who have gone through this. My biggest concern is she gets depressed easily when not feeling good i am hoping once the leg is gone she will finally be pain free and able to enjoy life.

looking for support

Concerned mom & friend

[Larry & Debbie]

Our 10 year old Golden just had his left front leg amputated yesterday. Brought him home today and he seems depressed, almost upset at us. Having a hard time getting him to try to stand - we put a towel around his midsection to help stabilize but all he wants to do is lay back down. He is still on pain pills and took those with cheese. He has eaten and drank some, but has not gone to the bathroom all day. Any hints to get him to go outside or trying to stand? Thanks

[Christie]

Hi there, can you tell me what meds he is on?

[Christie]

My biggest concern is she gets depressed easily when not feeling good i am hoping once the leg is gone she will finally be pain free and able to enjoy life.

My experience with Raven was the opposite. Once the pain was gone, she perked up and seemed happier. But I've heard some dogs do go through a short period of depression and adjustment. I wish you the best!

Have you joined the bonecancerdogs yahoo group?

[Ann]

My almost-13 year old German Shepherd had her front right leg amputated on February 27 due to osteosarcoma. We carried her outside for several days because the drugs made her unstable. It took her almost one month to really be able to get around without help and seem normal again, but I am so glad we did the amputation. She's happy and feeling well again, and although she doesn't run around like she used to, she can get around and do her dog things. She's having chemo treatments also (carboplatin), and she's handling them very well. I got her a sling to help hold her when she needs help, and a RuffWear harness that has a handle on top; she wears that when I walk her outside, although she doesn't walk/hop too far. She's doing very well and as long as she seems happy and feels well, that's all I can ask.

[Larry & Debbie]

Thanks for all the comments..it is good to talk with someone who has gone through the same thing. Madison has a fentanol patch and taking the pain pill tramadol. He had a lyposarcoma in his paw, sort of rare we were told, not bone cancer, and it finally got bad enough he had a lot of trouble walking. He seems content although not real responsive - his tail wags when I get up close to talk, but won't lift his head. When we try to get him to stand, his back legs seem wobbly and he immediately tries to lay back down. It has only been 1 day to this point....thanks! L & D

[Ann]

Larry & Debbie, one of the side-effects of fentanyl is lack of coordination. My dog clearly had that side effect when she had a fentanyl patch on. That wears off after the patch is removed, and tramadol is a good pain medication. We were worried too, but after the drugs wore off, she seemed herself again. Because of her age, she's not the quickest nor the most stable,but she makes do and can get around. Your dog might take some time to relearn how to walk but he will manage. Good luck! Just give him some time.

[Larry & Debbie]

Ann - thanks so much, your comments have eased our minds! All the comments here have made it clear to us we made the right decision and that very soon we will have our dear friend back to a near normal life.
L & D

[Christie]

Okay, yes, I've seen this with Fentanyl quite often. When does the patch come off? It takes a day or so after removal for the effects to be gone, so I'd wait until then to worry.

Keep me posted!

[Larry & Debbie]

Christie - thanks so much. The patch comes off on Thursday. He just stood up on his own a bit ago but when we tried to walk he laid back down. Hopefully by this weekend then the drug effects will be gone. We will let you know...thanks L&D

[Larry & Debbie]

Our dear Madison passed away Sunday. He had the front leg amputation 3 weeks ago. Many of you had helped us through his first few days. They only got better and after 2 weeks he was nearly normal in all ways, including behaviour and fun loving. On Sunday he started having internal bleeding from either a cyst or tumor bursting in his abdomen. We had to euthanize. The paw cancer was a lyposarcoma and usually only spreads to the lungs. The x-rays in the lungs were negative, so we had the surgery. The abdomen tumor came as a shock. We wouldn't change a thing - we had our old dog back the last few weeks and that is how we want to remember him, not like he was with us having to change bandages every few hours because his paw was bleeding so much. Thanks to all of you who helped us through the first few days - everything you said to us was true - after going off the pain pills the activity level went way up and he progressed so fast. We are pretty sad, but have so many warm thoughts I am sure we will come through in a few days.

Thanks to this blog and all of you....L&D

[Pat]

Our 11 year old Boston Terrier, Greta, had her right front leg amputated 2 days ago due to hemangiopericytoma. We picked her up from the hospital yesterday afternoon and it has been rough on all of us. She hasn't stopped whimpering. I cuddled her most of the night, and it seemed to help some. The vet put her on the fentanyl patch that comes off in 2 days. She is also taking an anti-inflammatory pill once a day.

I'm concerned that she refuses to eat anything. She is drinking water and she has actually gotten up and walked on her own a few time.

Since so many of you have been through this maybe you can tell me what to expect. She urinates regularly, but no bowel movement since she been home. How long does the whimpering go on? Do you think she needs additional medication? Any advise you can give me will be appreciated.

Thanks...Pat