Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I have been on this site for a week, culling through really valuable information. For this, I would like to, first and foremost, thank you. I come to you looking for advice and tips for my 9 year old cocker spaniel, Charlie.
In short, our little guy has a very large subcutaneous MCT grade 3 tumor on his lower front left leg. 18 months ago, I had the lump (smaller then) biopsied and the results came back as chronic inflammation only. It would get larger or smaller, which I attributed to my dog's habit licking and chewing on his legs and feet, something he has done no matter what we've tried since he was a puppy. But when the lump got significantly larger and stayed larger even when I put a cone on him to keep him, I grew concerned and took him back to the vet. Charlie has probably had his tumor all along these past 18 months, even though he has behaved happy and healthy the entire time. There has been nothing out of the ordinary that would have suggested such a serious illness, and I can't tell you the shock, guilt and sadness I feel.
We are awaiting a few more lab results on Charlie's lymph nodes, but a CT scan did NOT reveal any other metastasized tumors and his stomach, liver and his other internal organs look great. I do not yet know the mitotic index, but thanks to this site I will be asking because I know that might be more telling than even the grade of the tumor.
Here in Singapore where I currently live, our vet has recommended amputation followed by a course of chemotherapy as our only option for treatment if the lymph node biopsy comes back ok. Singapore does not allow radiation therapy on dogs.
Our vet says if Charlie's cancer has spread to his lymph nodes, Charlie should not have the surgery, only palliative care, and he may have 3-6 months left. If the lymph nodes look ok and Charlie is a candidate for amputation, the vet told me the surgery could extend his life, maybe 6-8 months, but really how long is unknown. Here, I've seem posts on this forum of dogs who have outlived their diagnosis with amputation and others that lost their battles after only a few months. I am at a loss as to what to do for Charlie. He does have a slight heart murmur, but our vet tells me Charlie could still have the surgery. The other HUGE complicating factor is that we are suppose to be moving from Singapore at the end of the year. If Charlie does not or cannot have the amputation, he will not be cleared to fly on a commercial airline to move with us.
I've gone around and around, and keep thinking that if amputation provides the only chance to move our dog, we should take that chance. But I don't want to make a selfish decision. I want him to live a with as little pain and suffering as possible. What were the factors that ultimately made you decide to proceed with amputation? Would you do it again?
Other questions I am confused about. Should I go ahead and put Charlie on a homemade lo histamine diet? Do you have other recommendations as far as medications or supplements? What else should I follow up with my veterinarian? Charlie was given a course of antihistamines after his biopsy. He is now on a small dose of prednisone to reduce the inflammation in his leg.
Any other tips for dogs with MCT that I need to be aware of?
Any and all opinions and advice are appreciated!
trailingspouse said
I have been on this site for a week, culling through really valuable information. For this, I would like to, first and foremost, thank you.
No, thank you for joining and taking such good care of Charlie. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
Any other tips for dogs with MCT that I need to be aware of?
Tri-Pug Maggie's Blog has some of the best documented treatment of mast cell tumor amputation.
You will find much more information here by searching the forums above, or search all blogs here . Best wishes for Charlie, please keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Howdy and welcome!!
What a sweet mug of Charlie! He's is quite the looker!
So sorry about the diagnosis of MCT, but you're doing everything right by Charlie for all the devotion you've shown helping him. Our Harmony lived approximately 3 years with MCT and probably would have lived longer had we gotten the diagnosis earlier like you have for Charlie. With that said, you're already ahead of the game!! And no one has to tell you how long (in doggie time) a year can mean to all the loving care and dedication you can and will bestow on your fur-baby!
As Sally will chime in, take deep breaths and stay here with us. You and Charlie are going to do great!
Now, let's address this "guilt" I'm seeing throughout your post. Put guilt where it belongs and that's square on the ugly disease itself. Cancer will make you think it's your fault. IT'S NOT! Be brave and confident for Charlie; he is very much feeling you and listening to you.
Harmony itched a lot too. She licked her paw and flank incessantly. It wasn't until later (too late) that we found out what the culprit was. So getting Charlie help early is great. As far as the amputation goes, Harmony's mass was in her armpit and was pressing against a nerve. It was causing her a lot of pain. Amputation was to free her.
I'm definitely no vet, but from what I've read among the forums, Charlie may not be in pain right now, but if the tumor grows larger, not only will it send cells all over his body, but it can only get so big before bursting.
Any-hoo, I know how you feel and am very interested on any updates you have about Charlie and how you are dealing with all the stress. We're here for you you!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
I've gone around and around, and keep thinking that if amputation provides the only chance to move our dog, we should take that chance. But I don't want to make a selfish decision. I want him to live a with as little pain and suffering as possible. What were the factors that ultimately made you decide to proceed with amputation? Would you do it again?
Our situations are different---we're dealing with OSA, not MCT---but the choice is the same. Is amputation too much to put our dogs through? Initially our answer was yes. We thought Ellie would suffer as a tripawd and we couldn't do that to her. But we also could not face the alternative---putting her to sleep to avoid the pain of OSA.
Our decision was based primarily on her: she was otherwise healthy and she just was not ready to say goodbye----she was too full of doggy joy! So we thought we could at least give her whatever time she had left pain-free.
I'd be lying if I said amputation w/ a 100 lb dog is easy, but I honestly believe Ellie has not suffered. Yes, there is pain after the amputation but it can be managed. Yes, her life isn't the same but it is still very very good. Yes, she has some physical limitations now but she still gets to chase squirrels and lay on the patio and go for walks and get petted and snuggled and loved. We know we made the right decision.
It is not a selfish decision to amputate if Charlie is otherwise healthy and a good candidate for surgery. It is not selfish if it means he has the chance for a longer, pain-free life. It is not selfish if it means he can stay with you where he is loved and cared for.
Denise, Bill and Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Hi and welcome to Tripawds.
I am Spirit Tripug Maggie's mom. I can relate to the guilt feelings. Maggie had a grade 1 MCT removed from her side about 6 months before I found the one in her knee. After the first tumor removal I thought we were free and clear, I didn't know I had to keep looking for lumps. I would think: "maybe if I had found it sooner...". But I didn't know to look then, I was doing just what I knew to do. What you have to do now is educate yourself (and you are off to a great start!) and be the best advocate for Charlie. Let the guilt go- it won't do any good now (easier said than done I know) and focus on the decisions you have in front of you.
And the shock too! I just knew when I found the lump in her knee that is was a MCT, but amputation? She didn't limp at all or complain and she was quite a drama queen at times, how could amputation be the only real option? But the tumor would eventually grow and ulcerate and create a wound that would not heal.
Maggie's lymph nodes were clean before the surgery but the node in the leg came back with lots of cancerous mast cells after the surgery. Honestly I probably would not have done the surgery if I knew before that the cancer was in her lymph nodes. But then I wouldn't have had her with me for so long, so I'm glad I didn't know. Maggie far outlived her prognosis and didn't pass from mast cell. Not all are so lucky of course, but it wouldn't have happened if I hadn't given her a chance with the amp.
Maggie's little sis Tani also had recurring mast cell tumors from the time she was about 6. She had at least 12 or so over her life time and she also did not pass from mast cell. Mast cell is one of the most unpredictable cancers out there.
You might check out Roxy's blog. She is a long time survivor after her front amp for a grade 3 mast cell tumor, and she had no conventional treatment!
Please read Maggie's blog and let me know if you have any questions. I'm working two jobs right now so I am not on line as much as usual, it might take me a day or two to respond.
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
Online
You have gotten GREAT support and advice from PAM, DENISE and KAREN. I can only say ditto, ditto, ditto!
You are not alone! We are right by your decide wherever this journey takes you and Charlie.
His avatar picture is so cute. Cannot wait to see more pics.
As you can already tell, you have come to the right place for first hand insight from those of us who have dealt with this piece of crap disease.
Like De ise's Elkie, my beloved Happy Hannah (a somewhat "chunky" Bull Mastiff) was diagnosed with osteo. I absolutely was not going to consider amputation....until....her pain progressed fairly quickly and the lain meds were not working. Yet everything else about her was saying, "I want to live! I'm not done yet! I'm still loving life (except for this painful leg)! I want more tummy rubs and scoops of ice cream!" Yeah, Happy Hannah had me convinced ice cream was a great nutritional supplement!
I also gave her K-9 Immunity Plus, Apocaps , fish oil, bone meal...did some home cooking....used Honest Kitchen products a lot.
And in doggy years, one year is equal to our seven! A whole lot of spoiling and loving can take place in those "seven" years!
Statistics, diagnosis, ....they don't mean too much around here. No dog has a time frame stamped on his butt! It really is pretty much a crap shoot...some dogs beat the odds, some don't. We can only make our decisions out of love and what we believe our dogs and cats would want.
You know your Charlie best. Wanting extended quality time for Charlie...wanting Charlie to move with you....that's not being selfish. I guaran-darn-tee ya', that's EXACTLY what Charlie wants too!!
Sending lots of love and peace to you
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
And yes, do take deep breaths....B R E A T H E....B R E A T H E......and eat lots and lots of chocolate!!
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!
I agree with everyone else here, too. Only you know what will be best for your Charlie.
Murphy didn't have MCT, he had histiocytic sarcoma, but amputation was the only option for a pain-free life. The orthopedic surgeon was surprised that he was still able to bear weight, even medicated, and that he hadn't broken his leg yet - it was just a matter of time. He was 7 when he had his surgery and other than being in pain, he was perfectly healthy.
We did do chemo for Murphy, and we don't do any supplements, but we do have him on a grain-free
diet (mostly! lol) The oncologist explained that grain turns to sugar and cancer feeds off sugar, so grain-free
is best. Some choose to cook for their pets, we feed him Blue Buffalo. They even have treats now that are grain-free
. I say mostly because we free-feed our other dogs, so sometimes Murphy just helps himself to Cassie & Max's food when he feels like something different. We would be more strict, and we probably should be, but he has already lived past his prognosis so we know that each day is a blessing, and if he wants to change up his food, then I guess he can 
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
The lab results are just in and the lymph nodes do show a large number of mast cells in them. Even so, our vet says we could still proceed with amputation and chemo or chemo only to try to extend Charlie's life. The vet is really surprised that Charlie has had a lump on his leg for 18 months and has already survived so long and the CT scan did not show any additional internal problems or lumps.
My options are chemo only or the amputation and chemo or to do nothing. As I mentioned in my previous post, we are scheduled to move from Singapore in 6 months. Amputation would be the only way to possibly be able to move our dog with us.
Large number of mast cells in the lymph nodes so disease will progress no matter... do I go with amputation anyway? I need to discuss everything with my husband this weekend and give the veterinarian a call with the verdict.
Such a hard decision.
Has your vet mentioned the possibility of targeted therapies such as Palladia or Kinavet? I'm not sure about their availability in Singapore, but they have the potential to help shrink his tumor down to a manageable size or in some cases even make them disappear.
If he was my dog I would not amputate considering it is not going to be curative surgery for him, it doesn't sound like he's painful/bothered by it, and he will need follow up care (chemotherapy/targeted therapy) regardless.
Is he on any steroids and anti-histamines? If not he really should be.
Sorry you're having to go through this.
A hard decision indeed. You know your Charlie better than anyone. Whatever decision you make will be out of love and that is ALWAYS the right decision!
Your vet feels that amputation and chemo could add extended quality time and he feels Charlie is a good candidate. Her aware of Charlie's heart murmur. It sounds like Charlie is in good hands.
And you have some good suggestions from "lainamaiana".
As far as the lymph nodes, I would just keep referring you back to Karen and Pug Maggie's post. I can also had that "apparently" my Happy Hannah had lymph node involvement that wasnt found until her leg was amputated. There was some confusion as to what samples were submitted to the Pathologist so won't even try and explan that mess. My Happy Hannah had osteo and, even with supposed lymph involvement, we got THE most glorious bonus time of one year and two months! And in doggy years, that's equal to over seven years!
Just to reiterate, dogs handle three legs just fine! That is so amazing! This is whole journey is about quality and getting the most quality time possible! Clearly you love Charley very much and he loves you. He just wants to live a pain free life and be with you! Pure bliss in Charlie's eyes!
Sending you love and peace...
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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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