Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Thanks Pam,
I just got off the phone with my vet and everything is starting to make sense to me now. She will be having x-rays on Tuesday. Unfortunately a cardiac ultrasound is not available in Newfoundland, so we will have to hope that the x-rays and blood work will be sufficient. If everything comes back fine, I am going to schedule the amputation during my two week Christmas break so I can be with Myla constantly during her recovery.
Neala
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Hi Neala and Myla
There have been lots of Canadian dogs this year, but I don't remember any from Newfoundland. Welcome!
I am sorry you are currently facing troubles, but it sounds like you have an excellent prognosis. 9 yrs is a typical age for dogs having amputation, because bone cancer tends to be more common at that age. Still, there are lots of dogs much older: 10, 11, 12 and older yet, who do just fine.
We did not have opportunity for many diagnostic tools in Winnipeg, but there was one ultrasound available in town. All the clinics send their pups to this one place. Isn't there any US in your area (are you in St John's?). It sounds as though the x-rays will be pretty useful from Pam's email.
Is it okay to delay until Christmas? I just ask because I am so accustomed to the bone cancer dogs that act so quickly, but we were obviously in a really different situation than yours. I have never heard of your dog's condition. Sounds as though she will be just fine.
Susan
Thanks Tazzie, I was just going to ask the same about waiting!
Neala, your xrays and test will probably have to be redone if you wait. (I'm guessing) I know it's not life threatening with your situation at this point but it wouldn't hurt to ask. I'm just throwing it out there so you can ask your vet if you'll have to redo the tests in 6 weeks.
Keep us updated!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
I am located in Corner Brook, and unfortunately there isn't even a US in St. John's. The closest one is at the vet college in PEI...so with the cost of getting from one island to another it isn't really an option right now. So even if Myla's lungs are fine, I guess there is a risk of her undergoing the surgery.
I will ask about the tests needing to be re-done, but I think with this type of cancer it rarely metastasizes. The risk in waiting is that the tumour could rupture again. I have started a list of questions to bring to the vet with me and if he thinks I should do it asap, I do have family around that could help out with her aftercare. Since I have been reading that the first two weeks after the surgery can be pretty brutal, I thought it would be best to do it during the two week break that both my boyfriend and I can be home with her 24/7.
I will keep you posted on the results of the x-rays. My vet didn't mention anything about blood tests though...that is one of the questions on my list! Thanks for all of your responses
Neala & Myla
My dog Chloe also had a type of cancerous tumor that is rare to metastasize (spindle cell sarcoma), however growth rates are always unpredictable regardless of the type of cancer. I felt that since amputation would "cure" her of the cancer that the sooner I went through with it, the sooner she was cancer free. My mantra was "leg gone, cancer gone".
Waiting: I had to wait 2 weeks before her amputation because my family and I were scheduled to go on vacation (therefore nobody to take care of her), but even that 2 week wait nearly drove me nuts. I just wanted the cancer to be gone and her to be healthy again. The upside of only waiting 2 weeks was that I did get to take care of her post amp because I was on summer break. If all this had happened during the school year, I probably would have had my parents take care of her. I did read a story of someone with a dog who also had the same type of cancer as Chloe and they did nothing for a very long time. After 6 months of no change, they thought their dog was ok, but only 2 months later, the tumor grew to where it affected their dog's mobility and were forced to amputate immediately. Luckily it did not metastasize, but waiting those 2 extra months did affect the dogs health in the short run. This may not be the case for you, but you never know.
The recovery: Basically all Chloe did all day was sleep. Even though I was with her, I didn't do much other than read, watch tv, give her meds when necessary and take her out to the bathroom every few hours. I have read of others who have kept their dog in a safe place in the house during the day and then go home once in a while to check on them. Their dogs healed just fine.
I'm not saying it is right or wrong to wait because the decision is ultimately up to you, but in my case, I felt that the sooner I got the cancer off, the sooner my dog would start feeling better. Even though she had no outwardly signs of pain, she did exhibit more fatigue than usual, so I think it did have an effect (her body trying to fight it). Good Luck!!
-Chloe's mom
Chloe became a rear amp tripawd on 7-29-10. Another tumor was removed on front leg 2-20-14. Found 3rd tumor on neck 2-2015, but she's still kicking cancer's butt at age 14. Chloe's blog
Hi Neala and Myla
I'd LOVE to go to Newfoundland and Labrador someday. Not a place many people ever get to see.
Blood tests should be routine before any surgery, regardless of whether it is for a teeth-cleaning, spay or cancer amputation. You need to know basic kidney and liver values to make sure there are no existing conditions unrelated to the cancer that might call for special treatment such as additional fluids before or during surgery. Tazzie had some pre-existing kidney issues so we monitored his blood regularly (as in every couple of weeks when he underwent surgery and chemo, and it also influenced the "drugs of choice". Neala is middle-aged and it is good to have a baseline for these values. If anything changes down the road, or from a surgery, you will know her starting point.
Yes, it is nice to be there with the dogs when they recover. I can't imagine leaving them to go to work, although many people have no choice.
Susan
Thanks for the information Susan. I'm sure my vet probably didn't mention the blood tests because they are so routine, but I'm glad I'm getting all of this information here. If the surgery does have to happen earlier, she won't be left alone...she's the favorite grandpup after all! I do get to come home every day for lunch too, so that's a bonus.
On a side note, you should really try to get to Newfoundland if you ever have the chance. I absolutely love this province and all it has to offer! If you want to see some nice scenic pictures of Newfoundland, have a look at some of my Dad's photos http://newfound.....d-Labrador
Will keep you posted on the Myla's results on Tuesday.
Neala
What beautiful photos and scenery! I only looked at the thumbnails, but can see they are gorgeous. They make me think of Oslo, a newfie or landseer (sort of a B & W newfie) who was a regular on this site last year. They live in Montreal but spend a lot of time farther north in Quebec. The name of the area escapes me but they call it Oslo's kingdom. I'm sure they'd love to "meet" you and see your pictures.
Susan
p.s. (perhaps we should move this threat out of the 'ask a vet'!)
Okie Dokie BoxerGirl
I waved my magic mawdpawd wand to move this thread to presentation and diagnosis so we don't have to fret about treading on Pam's turf. The Blabbermouth Club - you know who you are - can feel free to spill forth.
((p.s. yes comet and trouble, that means YOU))
Good luck on Tuesday with the results Myla. Alex will turn nine tomorrow and it also marks three weeks post surgery. Sounds to me like Myla will be fine and certainly has great pawrents watching out...
Myla had her x-rays today and her lungs and heart look great for the surgery! Since the urgency of her case is different then a lot of dogs here, she will be having the surgery sometime in the next two weeks. The whole family (Myla inlcuded of course)is going away for the long weekend to have a break from everything. Thanks for all of the positive messages and feedback. Maybe it's time for me to start a blog! I did write down all of the anesthetics and medications that she will be on, and might post some more questions later.
Neala
ps. Glad to hear that Axel is doing so well, he's a beautiful dog!
Hi Neala!
I just emailed you, then thought I'd check for an update here, and here you are! I guess you were able to make a decision then. That's great, to at least not have to wrestle with the decision making anymore. Enjoy your long weekend with Myla! And you just have to love on that adorable boxer face for me!
Leslie
That's Great! Have a good, relaxing weekend and enjoy eachother's company. If you have any questions at all, you know where to find the best group of people on the web!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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