Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My 7 year old German Shepherd/Lab Mix Finnigan was limping for 2 weeks until I finally decided to see the vet. She took some x-rays from the front left leg and compared it with the healthy right front leg. She thought it's probably osteosarcoma and referred us to the vet college.
At the college my oncologist and took some x-rays from his chest and did some blood work and a urine test. Everything looked normal. His lymph nodes were fine, too. The next day she took a sample from his bone. The test came back with no clear outcome. One week later he was booked in for a biopsy. Yesterday I received a call from the oncologist that the biopsy didn't come to a conclusion either.
He would like to do a second biopsy to be sure that it's osteosarcoma before doing the surgery = leg amputation. Finnigan has never left Canada as far as I know (I'very adopted him when he was 3) so it can't be an infection from a tropical country.
Finnigan is doing fine. He is not limping anymore and doesn't seem to be in pain so it's not urgent that we do surgery said the oncologist.
I'm leaning towards a second biopsy but what should I do if this comes back "negative", too? What else can it be? The oncologist said they took good samples during the first biopsy. Has anyone had the same experience?
Hi and welcome! What a cutie!
Yes lots here have been in similar situations, stay tuned for feedback. Meanwhile, have you asked the vets if the leg will need to come off regardless of the results? If so you can have the biopsy done post op, it's a very painful procedure.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Sorry your having these challenges. My Happy Hannah did not have a biopsy, and wuite frankly, it wasn't even mentioned. I guess the xrays were fairly conclusive...as is usually the case (not always)'
From what I've seen here and as Jerry said, often biopsies DO come back inconclusive! Ugh! Usually it's a very painful procedure and many here say they would not do it again if they had it to do over.
The fact that he is not limping now is interesting. Were they treati g him during this time with any pain meds or anti inflammatory???
Yeah, as Jerry said, if the leg has to come off REGARDLESS then another biopsy would not be necessary.
If he stopped limping on his own, and the xrays aren't showing a clear indication......I would think you woukd have time to step back and wait and see. Good news that all his work-up came back good!! Certainly not a Vet and not giving Vet advice.
Updat when you can. And give that sweet Finnigan an extra treat for us! 🙂
Hugs
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!
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