Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone!
My baby girl Lilly is a 3 year old black Labrador x staffy and she is the sweetest dog I have ever know.
About 3 weeks ago I noticed she had a lump on her hind leg which I got removed and tested and I was absolutely heartbroken when the Vet told me it is a Mast Cell Tumor.
She's actually at the Vet right as I'm typing this because she's getting a biopsy on her lymph node to determine if the cancer is has spread. Unfortunately if the lymph node shows cancer cells then I'm afraid there isn't a lot I can do for my little girl but if the cancer hasn't spread then I have options!
The Vet has told me they can perform more surgery to try and get more tissue that was surrounding the tumor out to get cleaner margins but I worry that even the tiniest cancer cell that is missed could mean that the cancer will come back.
Another option they've given me is to amputate her leg. I was mortified with this option when I first heard it but I am slowly coming around to it now I have seen others stories. It would give me peace of mind to know that all the cancer cells are out of her leg considering she won't have a leg! But I don't know if I am emotionally stable enough to go through with it.
Shes a real tough little girl and I know she would have no trouble but I think I would break down the second I see the huge scar and see her hobbling around.
I love her (and my Chocolate Lab, Bear) more than words so I am struggling so hard with all of what has happened this past month.
A lot of tears have been shed.
Any support, advice or guidance would be so so so welcomed!!
Hi Lilly and family, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
I'm so sorry you're dealing with this diagnosis, but very glad you found us. We applaud you for doing your research and finding out your options. Lilly is so young and it sounds like a strong doggie who will do fine no matter what path you choose. Amputation certainly isn't an easy decision but as you can see here, most pets do just fine on three legs.
Mast cell cancer is a tricky disease. Many here can attest to that and share you their experiences in trying to deal with it. Amputation is often the best option to avoid a recurrence. There are no guarantees that the cancer won't come back, but amputation can offer a good quality of life when tumor removal surgeries are no longer an option.
If you haven't already seen our Tripawds Start page or Jerry's Required Reading List , hop on over to check it out. Our e-books also have tons of great tips too. And also, here's a Tripawd Talk Podcast about coping with mast cell cancer that help with your research.
If you decide to proceed, know this; you are stronger than you think. Amputation is a tough decision and it's not right for every dog. But for many affected by tricky cancers like mast cell, it's the answer to a longer, happier life ahead. Once you see how well Lilly does on three legs, you'll wonder why you were ever so scared.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello and welcome.
I'm sorry you are dealing with mast cell in your sweet pup! While all cancers suck mast cell can be very unpredictable. My first two pugs each had several MCTs of the course of their lives.
Tripug Maggie lost her left rear leg to a MCT, it was her second tumor, the first was removed from her torso 6 months earlier. In the years after her amputation she had several more MCTs pop up, but never around the amp site. You can read Maggie's story and about her surgery and chemo, the links are in my signature below. Mag's little sis Tani had 12 or more MCTs over the course of her life. Some I had removed, but as she aged I ended up leaving them alone. Neither of the pugs passed from mast cell cancer.
All Maggie's pre-amp tests came back clean, only after amputation did they find cancerous mast cells in the lymph node removed with the leg. I was surprised when I was told the cancer had already spread. I chose to do chemo with Mag hoping to get 6 to 9 months. Maggie lived almost 4 years! If I had known there was cancer in her lymph nodes pre-surgery I would not have done the amputation, Maggie certainly would not have lived as long. So, we didn't expect cancer spread when we did the surgery which was devastating. And then we didn't expect her to live so long which was wonderful.
I hope the test come back clear on the lymph node, but wanted you to know what happened to us. Are they also doing an abdominal ultrasound? Mast cell tends to met to the liver and spleen so you want to know if those are clear as well.
What was the grade of the tumor? And what was the mitotic index? These are indicators of how aggressive the cancer might be.
I have to run now to work, but I'll check back later.
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
You jave such great feedback from Jerry and Kare ! I can only add mu love and well wishes!
For now, just keep things chunked down.. Get the results back and then go from there
Remember that none of this medical mumbo jumbo means squat to. Lilly! 'She isn't worried about a thing!!!
As you can tell YOU ARE NOT ALONE! We are by your side every step of the way.
Update when you can and we can go from there. In the meantime, we would @ove to see photos of Lilly and Bear 🙂
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!
Just wanted to add my support. My Otis lost his leg to osteo, and I do not regret the decision to amputate for even a second. He had a great quality of life on three - just couldn't walk very far, but could do everything else he had done before.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Wow thank you so much for giving me some warm support and so quickly!
The lymph node biopsy went well but of course I won't know if the cancer has spread for a few more days when the results come back.
I have been doing a lot more research (it's the only thing I can concentrate on lately) and I'm feel much more positive about the possibility of amputation. I know Lilly would deal well with the loss of a leg and she probably wouldn't even notice! I am a very emotional person especially when it comes to my 2 babies so I would have to try my hardest to be strong for her if we decide to go through with it.
Fingers crossed the lymph nodes test comes back clear - the vet hasn't suggested abdominal ultrasound but I will definitely enquire when I speak to them next week!
I will post an update once I receive the biopsy results back, fingers crossed so tightly.
Would love to share some photos of my adorable babies but I am still trying to figure out the user controls! Will put some pics up soon as I can 🙂
Also the tumour is low grade (didn't give me a number indication) and said it is well differentiated so I have hope for my girl
Low grade is good!
Here is how you post photos in the forums- they have to be hosted somewhere online.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Still waiting on the lymph node results from the vet, in the meantime enjoy some photos of my cuties! 🙂
Lilly being her usually silly self. You can see where the MCT was on her leg - this is the leg that I am considering amputating
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Myself and my two babies
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My happy boy Bear!
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BEAR AND LILLY ARE ADORABLE!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 Happy pups indeed!! 🙂
A great photo of you and your pack to treasure always!!!
Thanks for shaing and giving us a smile! 🙂 🙂
,
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!
Hi everyone
I received the lab results back on Thursday morning so I have been sitting on this for a few days now but I figured I would share.
They did find cancer in her lymph node and it's been assigned grade 3 with a very high mitotic index. It's possible the Grade 1 tumor in her leg was a secondary tumor.
The Vet has told me Lilly's chances are not good and she may only have weeks or months left with me.
They've suggested Chemo in order to give her roughly an extra 12 months of life but I have made the decision not to go ahead with this because I feel it would be selfish of me to drag out the inevitable. (it was a long battle with myself to make this decision)
I have been absolutely heartbroken and inconsolable for days now. But of course a very long talk with mum makes things better.
My beautiful mum has made be realise I need to be strong for Lilly and just give her as much love as I always have and not let her clue on to what is happening.
I am going to make the rest of Lilly's time with me very special. I am not ready to say goodbye to my baby girl but I guess I never will be. I am just going to ease her suffering and let her tell me when it is time.
Thank you all for your support and beautiful words.
I am sorry that I do not have any good news to share
Kelly
Kelly, I'm sorry. That is a real heartbreaker.
The decision to go the palliative care route is an extremely difficult one but you did it with love. Lilly knows how much you care about her well-being and she is undoubtedly grateful to have such a great mum. Your own mother has great advice. Be strong, love her up and live every day in the moment. It's all Lilly wants for you and her.
Please know that you are always welcome here throughout the journey. Many Tripawds members have opted not to amputate and even more have been through palliative care (myself included) so you have lots of knowledge and strength you can draw from the community. Whatever you need or whenever you want to talk, we are here.
Sending lots of love and hugs, and many wishes for more great days ahead with Lilly and the pack. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The pictures of your Lilly and Bear are ABSOLUTELY adorable!!!! Such cute and happy dogs!!!
Yes, you are family now and we are with yiu every step of the way, okay? And we would looooove to have more pictures!! CUTENESS always makes us smile around here! 🙂
And you know what? Lilly doesn't have a timeframe stamped anywhere in that cute butt of hers! And statistics mean nothing o her! And she could care less about any ole' diagnosis schmognosis! 🙂
All she cares about is living in the moment and being spoiled and loved by you!! Each moment with you fully present by her side is eternal! MAKE EVERY MOMENT COUNT!! 🙂 And do NOT let that piece of crap disease interfere with your time together!! 🙂 There will be a time to grieve, but it is NOT while she is here with you living life to the fullest!!
MAKE EVERYDAY LILLY DAY!! Ice cream, tummy rubs, cheese pizza, steak, more ice cream!! Even a couple of M&Ms on top of the ice cream with a dollop of Cool Whip...YUMMY! Make everday LILLY's BIRTHDAY 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Stay connected.....And we can't wait to see pictures of all the ways you are spoiling Lilly (and Bear too)!
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!
Thank you guys so much, I cannot even begin to explain how comforted you have made me feel.
I am definitely going to stay connected through here to update everyone on Lilly's journey, this community is so beautiful and it is heart warming to find others who love their dogs just as much as I do - they are everything to me and Bear and Lilly will always hold a special place in my heart as they are my first dogs.
"There will be a time to grieve, but it is NOT while she is here with you living life to the fullest!!" - this really spoke to me, thank you so much! You are helping me stay strong.
Lilly has been enjoying the odd cheeseburger from McDonalds every now and then as well as a couple of scoops of ice cream whenever I have some. She probably thinks cancer is awesome!
Here are some more pictures I took over the weekend (sooky faces because I was holding food to get the photo!! Hehe)
Awww I'm so glad you are comforted, that's wonderful. And I totally agree; let the tears flow later, but not now. The only way cancer can "win" is if you allow it to rob you of whatever time you have left.
What sweet photos! They are definitely saying "Mom, give it up, where's the burgers?!"
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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