In the last post, I focused on looking at life quantity, or lifespan, in considering amputation for dogs with osteosarcoma. Let’s focus on life quality issues and amputation.
Often the first question that arises is, “But will my dog be able to have a normal life on 3 legs?” Everyone, the answer is almost always yes.
There are two big things to factor. First, are you available to assist your dog in walking during the recovery period? The remaining limbs need to strengthen to support the extra weight. This can take just a few days in a lean, young dog, or it may take a few weeks in an older or overweight one.
The second things to factor in is other problems that could affect the weight bearing, like arthritis, hip dysplasia, old ligament tears, back or neck problems, and so on. The presence of other orthopedic issues can slow or complicate things a little and should be discussed with your vet.
Usually, most dogs are up and hopping around whenever or wherever they want to within 1-3 weeks. They really do just fine once their strength builds. It can be hard to watch but many times when people are depressed about it, they start to look at the dog and realize, “Wow..my dog actually seems pretty happy!”
They just seem to move on with life and live in the moment, which is a good lesson for all of us to learn from our dogs.
During recovery, you will need to help your dog learn to walk on three legs. This is really pretty simple. you just need to help them support their weight during walking. This can be done with a commercial sling you can purchase, or with a towel looped under the belly or the chest. You just lift some of the weight and they will hop right along.
Remember in males that you will need to position the towel away from the sheath for urination or you will have a wet sling and a unhappy boy!
You will want to provide a surface that is not slippery to walk on. Ramps can help get up in some cases too.
You should work on keeping your dog lean. Being overweight has a whole collection of bad effects in dogs with cancer, and bone cancer is no exception. Additionally, the extra load makes it harder to move around. Another issue to remember is that being overweight increases the risk of injury in the remaining limbs due to increased wear and tear (arthritis, cruciate ruptures, and more).
Activities that required four legs can always be modified. Dogs will learn to live how they can and they adjust, just like we do. If you watch them, they will derive as much pleasure in their new life as they did before. The limits of what they can do change, not the limits of how happy they can be.
Let’s look at the surgery itself and preserving as much life quality as possible with pain control in the next post.
Best to all,
Dr Dressler
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Dear Kristy, although it is true that over 90% of the dogs with OSA have mets (often micrometastasis) at the time of diagnosis, it does not mean that your dog will have them. Sadly we do not have a test for these. Most of the time diagnosis by X-ray is adequate, especially if you are dealing with an experienced clinician. I believe you would be well served to use all of the tools at your disposal, from the conventional side, diet, supplements (as usual I use Apocaps in my patients), stress management and life quality enhancement, touch therapies, sunlight and so on, once your Dane is up and going again.
Wishing you the best,
Dr D
PLEASE HELP — front leg amputation???
I found out last week that my 7 year old Rottie has OSA. We took him to a specialist and he gave us our options. The only two I am considering, are amputation plus chemo, or keeping him comfortable and have him live out his life. He has a bone tumor in his front left leg, and the leg would need to be amputated just under the shoulder blade. I’ve read a lot of comments on here, and most of the amputations are of back legs. He is very tall for a Rott and he weighs about 130 pounds. He limps pretty bad, and once in a while I will see him do a little hop and not even use that bad leg. This dog seriously means everything to me. At first I wanted to do the amputation, but then I spoke with some family members and they all thought his quality of life would be poor because he wouldn’t be able to get around that well on one front leg. So in the past couple of days I thought I had made my decision to not amputate. Now that I am reading everyone’s comments, I am even more lost.
Almost 2 years ago I lost my 48 year old mother to non hodgkins lymphoma. She was given 12-18 months to live or to try a bone marrow transplant. Well basically we went for the transplant, and it was a slow and painful 6 months until she died. I don’t want to go for the amputation and have him be miserable and it be unsuccessful. THe oncologist said by the looks of the x-ray, his bad leg will probably break within a month, and at that point we will need to put him down. Other than a little bit of grumpiness due to the pain, he is still himself! I can’t imagine putting him down like that.
Two factors I must consider (besides how incredibly expensive this will all be) is that last summer he had a toe amputated because of carcinoma. The vet said his OSA is unrelated. I don’t want to go through all of this for him to only get a 3rd cancer in a couple of months. Also, he hates going to the vet’s office. He gets anxious and nervous, and he basically hates being away from home, so I can only imagine how stressful being in the hospital and then the chemo visits will be for him.
Basically I need some advice on how his quality of life will be with 1 front leg. I need to make my final decision pretty soon!
Dr. Dressler, May 2009, I had my 8 year old Rottie’s leg amputated because of osteosarcoma, As I have posted, he has had some problems that we have overcome, He is still my strong boy today, loves his food, alert, watching, ect. however, this evening, I was outside with him, he was sniffing, looking around, when suddenly he let out a cry, a cry I remember well. I checked him, and now I see, his right front leg is very weak and very limp. As you can imagine, Im worried. I know you cant tell me what is up with that, because you have not examined him, but I want to ask you, have you seen this and can it be more osteosarcoma in the front leg now? Thank you Dr. D.
Dr. Dressler,Its been over a year since my Rottie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. Since last May I chose surgery to remove that horrible cancer. My choice for amputation was the best choice I ever made.He No way was ready to be put to sleep. My dog will be 10 this month.We have had some issues, he has overcome. However, again, now he has such a hard time getting up, although once he is up, he goes out, sniffs, does his business. and comes in, sometimes he lays like he is sick, and may not feel good, othertimes, ears out, wrinkles in the forehead to say lets go. Im confused with the outcome of this type of surgery, Originally, His blood tests and chest Xray said no cancer elsewhere, Im curious about the outcome for this cancer, Can it resurface in other limbs? Even after the films came back clear? Again, I know you have not examined my dog, Can you please enlighten me on this Osteosarcoma and typically the outcome?
My dog was diagnosed with osteosarcoma yesterday and I just want to make sure that I am making the right decision in putting her down. This is devestating to my family as she is such a sweet girl and a part of our family. She is a St bernard, great pyrenese and weighs 167lbs. I was told about the option of amputation, it is on her left front leg, and I am afraid she will have a very hard time getting around, and really do not want her to suffer from pain. I am having a hard time accepting the idea of putting her down because she is so loving and she is still mobile, with a limp that varies in severity. She is only 5 years old and I still see her as a baby. Is it the right decision to have her put down so that she does not suffer?
This is all a Lie of bull… 11 months ago my Siberian was diagnoised with cancer in her back left leg, the told me the only way to say her was to amputate… AND he said IF we did this it would be gone!!! Yesterday she was diagnosed with lungs full of cancer and has about 2 weeks to live. I am devistated… The just make their $$$………..:(
Mary, your vet misinformed you. OSA is extremely aggressive. Once diagnosed, the cancer almost always has metastasized to another site, & the lungs are often the first major organ to develop metastases. The fact that you had an additional 11 mos with her after amputation is great. Today, I had to put my baby to sleep b/c I could not handle watching her in pain. The cancer on her front ankle was the size of a large grapefruit, the skin was so stretched, it was weeping internal fluid. She was diagnosed with OSA a little more than 2 mos ago. Amputation was not an option for us (she was 240 lbs)… Though in pain, she was so happy to be loved… I’m devastated.
I have 4 dogs. My 12.5 year old Malamute has bone cancer of right front leg. This is such a hard decision. I have read your book and searched on line, joined 2 yahoo groups. I could much more easily make this decision with my other 3 dogs. The pain of bone cancer is truly awful. I need to act now. My wonderful malamute has no weighf issues, good general health, but her arthritis is quite bad. I am in my 70s and know that age does matter. I understand that dogs can cope on 3 legs, but can this 12.5 year old with arthritis cope? I just don’t know.
My dog was dx with a Hemangiopericytoma in Oct. 2010. Surgery was delayed b/c he had a rash reaction after his needle biopsy. His was tumor removed in Nov. 2010. In Mid-Feb or early March it returned with a vengence. It is now causing him significant pain. My understanding is amputation is the only way to get rid of this fast growing tumor for good and it tends to be a localized tumor. Blizzard is a rescued 10 year old husky-australian shepherd mix?, and weighs 78 lbs. He has a strong, playful, sweet spirit. The vet said after his tumor removal that Blizzard was her hero that she had never seen a dog recuperate that quickly. My husband and I have differing opinions on what to do next. I feel that being 10 years old, it would be unkind to put him through an amputation. My husband feels we should proceed. We took him for a 2nd opinion yesterday and the vet said he otherwise was very healthy that he would probably do well with an amputation since he is already adapting to walking with 3 legs. Do you have any thoughts? I wondered about another tumor removal rather than the amputation but it came back so quickly that I doubt it would do much good and don’t want to put him through that again. Thanks.
Dear Elizabeth,
dogs on three legs are indeed already doing their own physical therapy. Based on this info, I would consider the surgery.
Also if Blizzard were my patient, I would likely advise Apocaps, the dog cancer diet, and the other supplements in the Guide.
Best,
Dr D
Hi……….my dog is right now in surgery having her front right leg amputated. She was run over by a vehicle 6 1/2 years ago, and it started out as being only nerve damage, and a year later they amputated a toe. They said, she had absolutely no pain, however she was continually licking it and opening it to the meat. They had thought it was due to a tingling sensation. She has had the cone on almost always and a boot for the past 2-3 years. She has been experiencing chronic infection lately, and the last x-ray show massive bone deterioration. She is 7 years old and 30 pounds. I hope I have done the right thing, as she is in perfect health otherwise. Will she have a lot of propblems because of it being the front leg?? Thanks for your help……
Diane,
usually dogs with a bad limb have been compensating for it, and doing their own physical therapy in the process by bearing weight on the other 3 legs! Have your vet thoroughly check out the other legs before the procedure.
Best,
DrD
Thanks for the reply in regards to my dog having her front leg amputated. It is day 3 to-day, and she is doing phenomenal. I am having a hard time keeping her from doing too much. We have a small carpet covered 3 step stool, which she uses to go to the couch or onto a bed. Like you said, she has been relying on her other 3 legs for so long now, that I believe she is finding it so easy. We have a pet door which goes to our garage and then outside, but I am not sure if in the future she will be able to use it. Once she steps through it, there are 2 steps, she needs to go up. Once her wound is healed, I guess we will see. Should it make a difference, with only 1 front leg, since she could always do it with 2??? She hasn’t been whimpering or whining, since the 1st day, and I am still giving her the tramadol. Should I be giving her it for the complete week……Thanks again……………..only regret is not having done this sooner! Cookie is now painfree, and we are finally getting a break from the constant worrying and work that goes along with having a pet with a long term problem!!!
Yesterday my 10 year old German Shepherd was given an initial diagnosis by our general vet (radiographs also read by a radiologist offsite) of osteosarcoma on the proximal humerus. I have seen the radiographs and it certainly is not as obvious as the ones that are posted online but there is an irregularity in her shoulder – it looks like a break in edge of the bone and sharp piece sticking out but perhaps somewhat of a sunburst pattern if I really use my imagination inside the bone (no mass sticking out). The chest radiographs are said to be fine – I don’t know what I’m looking for but I do see hundreds of small specks on that one. They said that is normal? She has very advanced arthritis for about 3 years and takes 150mg of Rimadyl a day, so the limping may have been masked for a while due to the pain medication. However, she was seen by the vet the day BEFORE the limping started for her comprehensive annual exam, dental cleaning, and vaccines. When they called to check on her the next day, I asked them if she fell of the table because the limping started right when she came out their door (they said no)… that was two weeks ago yesterday. We have an appointment tomorrow afternoon with an oncologist. I am wondering what questions I specifically should ask in order to make our visit as productive and informative as possible? I want to be able to make as informed a decision as possible for my girl. Thank you!
Dr. Dressler -
Our 6 year old Great Dane was recently diagnosed with Stage 1 sarcoma in her lower jaw. The vet couldn’t verify whether the cancer is osteosarcoma or some other type. We are having x-rays and blood work done tomorrow to identify whether the cancer has spread. If it has not, then surgery to remove the tumor is likely. Our vet didn’t not mention anything about the grade-level of the cancer but rather only referenced it as stage 1. Is there a difference between the stage and grade of cancer? Also, given that stage 1 sounds low in comparison to a cancer that is stage 3 (for example), do you have any insight on whether that reduces the likelihood that the cancer has spread?
Thanks for your insight!
Danielle
I have a question. My dog is 51 pounds and 10 years old and has canine osteosarcoma, which is cancer in her left back leg. I’m not sure if I should go ahead with the surgery which is an amputation. Does anyone have any comments or advice to help us out. We want to go ahead with the surgery, but would like to talk to someone who has gone though this before. I also, talked to Dr. Charles Loops and he said to go ahead with the surgery and to give her his herbal vitamins. We also, went to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and spoke to the two doctors and they both told me to go ahead with the surgery, and her back leg is strong enough. However, her regular vet told us NOT to do the surgery and that her back leg is not strong enough. So I AM VERY CONFUSED AND would like some advice from someone that has had a dog with bone cancer and did the surgery. E-mail : Ericazimm@live.com
I have a question. My dog is 51 pounds and 10 years old and has canine osteosarcoma, which is cancer in her left back leg. I’m not sure if I should go ahead with the surgery which is an amputation. Does anyone have any comments or advice to help us out. We want to go ahead with the surgery, but would like to talk to someone who has gone though this before. I also, talked to Dr. Charles Loops and he said to go ahead with the surgery and to give her his herbal vitamins. We also, went to Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in New Jersey and spoke to the two doctors and they both told me to go ahead with the surgery, and her back leg is strong enough. However, her regular vet told us NOT to do the surgery and that her back leg is not strong enough. So I AM VERY CONFUSED AND would like some advice from someone that has had a dog with bone cancer and did the surgery. E-mail : heatherzimmermann@live.com
Heather,
I had a seven year old 75 labrador that had a front leg amputation in January 2011. She was absolutely amazing after the surgery. She did not even know she only had three legs. My understanding from talking with others is that rear amputees may be a little easier since most of the weight bearing is in the front. Each dog is different though and only you know your dogs limitations. If left untreated, the bone will weaken and you may end up with a fracture which will leave you with the other decision which may not quite be ready for. We read the survival guide and talked to folks on the website and other groups such as tripawds.com and found such an amazing community of folks out there to help us out. We would not have done anything differently in our treatment and would do the amputation again. You have to come to terms that it is a treatment though and not a cure. It is simply removing the tumor and pain in your dog. One common lesson we learned was that osteosarcoma is incredibly evil and agressive. We were only able to prolong our dogs life for seven months because the cancer came back in the lungs and both kidneys. The kidney failure was what finally got her. Up to that point, however, she was absolutely amazing and brought so much joy. She had a compromised immune system from the beginning so suspect that had a lot to do with it. It was a real commitment to go through with the amputation and was rough for a week or two but her recovery from it was absolutely amazing. You know your dog best so take advantage of whatever resources you can to help you navigate this difficult time.
Dear Erica,
if your dog is limping, she is already bearing weight on the other remaining 3 legs. Hopefully the added extra won’t be that big a deal for her. Don’t forget diet, apoptogens, immune boosters, deliberate life quality increases, and anti-metastatics discussed in this blog and more completely in the Guide.
Best,
D
Dear Brad,
thanks for sharing your experiences with the rest of the readers. It is a tough choice but most of the time the results are similar to what you describe, so thanks for that. By the way, don’t forget about the other tools you have at your disposal too…diet, apoptogens, immune support, anti metastatic supplements, and of course deliberate increases in life quality too! Best, D
I’m writing this with a broken heart. After 2-3 weeks of limping I brought my bullmastiff in hoping it was just a simple injury. We were told it was bone cancer. the Xray showed bad in her right shoulder. Vets said if it shows up that bad in that Xray it’s probably already spread. We rescued her only 2 years ago. Vets suggested amputating the leg as well as chemo and radiation but says with all that we will be super lucky to get a year out of her. We have decided to put her down tomorrow. Before pain gets any worse. She has had major surgery on both her back legs getting her knees replaced so that acted in the decision we mad. Amputating would put more stress on her already other legs which she couldn’t handle. But the decision kills me. When she is still playing and being silly it’s hard to comprehend how sick she is. A dogs love is stronger than anything on this planet. I seriously feel I’m having an emotional breakdown over this. My best friend is leaving me.
My 8 year old chocolate lab was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on his left scapula today based on xrays. Options for treatment given to me were to 1) Amputate the leg and give him pain free living for 3-9 months. or 2) amputate with chemo and get average 18 months left with him. Unfortunately the cost of both is around 6,000 dollars, which we don’t have. Is it worth it for him to go through the amputation to only last 3-9 months??? or do I spare him the additional pain and put him down? its an impossible decision.
I am perhaps not the best person to weigh in on this but I am going to anyway. My Great Pyrenees was tentatively diagnosed with osteosacroma in his right hind leg and I was given the same information you were. I have a close friend who is a veterinary oncologist who encouraged me to go ahead with the amuptation and follow up with the chemo. Abner’s leg was amputated 4 days ago and while he is certainly having a bit of a tough time, he has started to sort of walk unassisted for short (20 feet is his record) distances roughly 4 days out from his amputation. I am expecting his recovery to take several weeks in terms of walking becoming easier for him although he seems quite happy now that he is home and getting lots of visits and love. He appears to have little or no post op discomfort with Deramaxx and Tramadol to take care of what there might be.
What I will tell you this soon after, is that I probably would not do this without the chance of chemo extending his life 18-24 months. I think he is going to have to work hard for the next 4-6 weeks to get to where his walking is more comfortable and rewarding and if he only had a life expectancy of three months and the likelihood of discomfort coming from a different source, I wouldn’t put him through it. Our costs, not including the diagnostics which exceeded $2,000 will be about $6,000 as you have been told where the surgery was only about $2,000 of that.
I know what you mean by an impossible decision. We don’t even know conclusively that Abner had osteosarcoma but because of the evidence pointing toward that and the very aggressive nature of this disease I had to make the choice and quickly. I cried a lot but at this point have a pretty happy dog at home with me. If things go well I will have a happy dog for another year and a half or more and that would certainly be worth the more than $8,000 this will end up costing me. One thing I am doing is paying for this with Care Credit. this is a credit program that is owned by GE that many doctors, dentists and vets offer that allows you to pay off these expenses over a period of 6-18 months interest free. It becomes very costly if you don’t pay during the allowed time but I should be able to and it will help spread out these big expenses.
Best of luck. I sympathize with your difficult situation. I hope my current experience helps.
Hi Kerri,
There is a vet in Richmond, Va. called Helping Hands. Their fee for amputations is $800.00 all inclusive. If you are within reach it would be worth the additional 3 to 9 months.
My 6 year old Bull Mastiff 48kilos, Bud xx
Was diagnosed a week ago with a MCT on his front right leg, we had this removed but unfortunately the vet has recommended that we take his leg from the shoulder to make sure that it won’t spread.
My head is going round in circles and I don’t know what the best choice would be.
I have read a few things online about dogs living comfortable and considerable lives after surgery and I also hear the stories of ppl ignoring the facts and there dogs/babies suffer.
My main concern is that cos he’s so big the weight on his other limbs would bring on a whole lot of other problems.
Has anyone experienced or know of anyone that can shed some light on big dogs with cancer or big 3 legged dogs.
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