Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hello,
About 6 months ago, my 7 year old Bichon Frise, Molly, has a lump removed from her front left leg. The lump was a mast cell tumor Grade II. Because of where it was on her leg, they weren't able to remove it all. A week after the surgery, our 'vet' told us that we should put her down because the surgical site was not healing. It was the only option he said we had. So I picked my dog up off the table and carried her home. From there, we went to an emergency clinic that had a vet who was interested in oncology, not certified but knowledgeable. He said that it was healing just would take time to heal properly, but he did give us the option to amputate.
So on August 29, 2016, my four legged best friend became my three legged best friend. She is doing miraculously well. The vet said that we didn't have to chemo/radiation because it was a wide clean margin. So she's been bouncing around ever since not even caring about only having three legs.
BUT a couple weeks ago, she became very itchy at the amputation site. Her hair grew over and it healed up. But she'll sit and scratch and scratch at it. You can break her out of it. I took a look at it and it looked like dry skin, so I gave her a bath with oatmeal shampoo to help ease her itchiness. Then last wednesday, my mom went to pick her up at her armpits and Molly welped in pain and went on an angry rampage around the house. She calmed down and I gave her some benadryl to help calm her skin.
Then on Sunday, you could just tell she was uncomfortable. So I took her to the emergency vet where she had her amputation surgery at. The vet assistant was really just hard on us that it was allergies and that she needs a haircut. But the vet, came in and did a through evaluation. He was getting ready to say that he didn't find anything, but then he felt her lymph node at the shoulder on her left leg and told us that it was swollen. He suggested that due to her history, that we get a fine needle aspiration and cytology done. The site of her amputation is also a little tough and boney, he said it might be scar tissue but he would also sample that.
Today, he called with the results. He said that there is mast cells in her lymph node and in the fatty tissue at her amputation site. She'll be 8 in May. He said we should have a biopsy done and then go from there. Also said that it would be cheaper at a primary vet but referred us to an oncologist.
She seems fine just itchy. She's still her normal self. Still eats, drinks, poops, and pees the same. I don't know what to do. It's all so much.
I'm really scared and I don't know what to do. I thought it was gone. I just really need help. Please help. We're located in Pennsylvania close to Allentown, if you have any recommendations. Please any advice I would really appreciate it. She's my best friend and I can't live without her.
Please help
Molly and family, welcome. I wanted to get your post approved so everyone can see it. I'm on my phone now and will be back when I'm at my desk in just a bit. Thanks for joining.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello,
I am very new to this process and my dog's amputation was only 2 weeks ago due to cancer as well. I am sorry that you seem to have had such a run-around with the vets. I am going to vouch for the oncologist/specialist. That was the advice I was also given from a clinic luckily in the very beginning of my journey with Liza and I will say it has been likely more expensive, but worth every penny. They have been remarkable in their service to me as a human who calls them at least 3 times a day, 24 hours a day. Additionally, their work on Liza has been remarkable.
We are in CT but originally when we thought Liza may need further radiation our oncologist recommended a place in PA and I am going to try and get their name and location for you.
What is your name? Best wishes to you and your family during this really hard time.
-Danielle
daniproc said
Hello,I am very new to this process and my dog's amputation was only 2 weeks ago due to cancer as well. I am sorry that you seem to have had such a run-around with the vets. I am going to vouch for the oncologist/specialist. That was the advice I was also given from a clinic luckily in the very beginning of my journey with Liza and I will say it has been likely more expensive, but worth every penny. They have been remarkable in their service to me as a human who calls them at least 3 times a day, 24 hours a day. Additionally, their work on Liza has been remarkable.
We are in CT but originally when we thought Liza may need further radiation our oncologist recommended a place in PA and I am going to try and get their name and location for you.
What is your name? Best wishes to you and your family during this really hard time.
-Danielle
Thank you. I greatly appreciate any place recommendations.
-Megan
Where do you live? It's hard for anyone to recommend anyplace without knowing where you are first.
Yes, you need an oncologist. I don't know much about mast cell, but I believe they usually treat them with Benadryl and Zantac? I think - histamine blockers to help...I'm sure someone more knowledgeable about mast cell will chime in soon.
I'm surprised that the vet who did the amputation didn't send you to an oncologist to start with. I'm sorry you're going through this.
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
Okay, deep breaths!!
Thank goodness you "picked her upmoff the table" that day and took her to the clinic!! And so glad he is referring you to an Oncologist!! That really needs to be the next step!
Karen, mom to Pug Maggie (a very stubborn Pug
) is quite an expert around here on mct. She will see this and chime in.
So ues, go on and get her in for a consult with an Onco and then they can guide you from there. It may be that the Onco will be willing to oversee the ER Vet at the clinic who did her amp and keep the cost down. Not sure...just a possibility.
You are a WONDERFUL ADVOCATE for your girl!! Good job!
What's her name? We would love to see pics when you can.
Update us as soon as you can, okay? YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
PS....I think Penn State has a Veterinary section and that may be a good place to start. Teaching schools are generally less expensive.
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!
You are in the Bermuda triangle of Vet Schools. However, you are closest to CORNELL which is in the top three nationwide. Please, and I mean this, consider going through the Cornell Vet School ER, having her assessed, and then going from there. You will likely be referred out to the service providers ( Internal, Surgery, Oncology, etc...) That is your closest bet to EXPERT care from the best vets in the country. A team from each service applicable will assess her and offer you each and every viable option. Although it sounds daunting, Molly's case is EXACTLY what Vet Schools are able to support and care for. Going through the ER generally costs a $ 150 fee.
You've gotten great suggestions from everyone, and I agree that if you can make it out to Cornell you would be at a huge advantage. Mast Cell Cancer is a tricky beast and it's best treated with expert oncologists. Your vet sounds good but do ask for a referral so you can get your pup in for an assessment.
Here's a podcast with a leading expert on mast cell cancer, Dr. Ann Hohenhaus of Animal Medical Center in NYC:
Mast Cell Cancer Basics for Tripawds with Dr. Hohenhaus
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Mea culpa!!! And GREAT news: you are only @ 75-90 minutes away from the University of Penn Vet School. That is even better!!! (Now you have TWO choices if travel time is not a consideration.) Sorry about the earlier confusion...and best wishes whichever direction you decide to go in. Please keep us updated!
Update:
So this morning we went to HOPE veterinary services and talked to an oncologist who explained to us our options. When the board certified surgeon amputated Molly's leg back in August, he told us that the leg didn't have to be sent out to make sure their was clean margins. So unfortunately, we have no idea if the mast cells were there or if they just re-appeared and therefore, don't know how aggressive it is.
So he gave us three options, which is so hard to choose because I hear so many pros and cons about each.
The first option: Do surgery to remove the lymph node and the scar tissue. Then do radiation at Monday-Friday for three weeks. And chemo (I don't remember the time frame off hand).
The second option: Do surgery to remove the lymph node and the scar tissue. And chemo
The third option: Treat with medication and watch
This will be technically her third surgery (if we do surgery). They said her bloodwork and scans all came back good and she would be good to go. I'm just so scared of doing the wrong thing.
My parents said that there's no way they want to see me spend that much money on surgery and treatment that might not work.
Then there's the thought that I might just lose her faster if I put her through radiation/chemo.
I'm only 24 so in my mind I have my entire life to make that money back. So why not spend it and save her. But what if I just speed up that process and she goes quicker than she should.
Please if you have any advice or thoughts or your own experience on chemo/radiation or just letting it sit. Please help me.
Thanks,
Megan
Megan I'm so glad you at least talked to the oncologist. HOPE is a great clinic, we've heard lots of good things about them.
When it comes to chemo, there are no right or wrong answers because every dog is different, and every person's situation is different. If you have the funds to tackle her cancer with the big guns, and it won't stress you or her out, then there is no reason why you can't try it and see how it goes. You can always stop if she doesn't handle it well. But if that treatment is going to stress you out because money is tight, then it's going to rub off on her and stress her out too, which isn't good for beating cancer. So you have to decide: what's best for both of us? It sounds selfish, but if you two are both content with your choice (because after all, you are the one choosing), then you both stand a better chance of a successful outcome. Does that make sense?
And if you don't have the funds to tackle it with the treatment that has the greatest odds of success, then there is no reason to be upset about that. Our Jerry didn't have chemo and he lived two years when he was only supposed to live six months. We've seen that happen many times with members' animals. Chemo gives dogs & cats a better chance of beating cancer, but it doesn't guarantee that will happen. So if you can't do it, that's perfectly OK. Focus on giving her a great quality of life and that could be the best medicine of all.
I hope this helps.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I have a couple of questions for you-
When the tumor was removed from the leg and came back as a grade II did they give you the Mitotic Index (MI)? That result can give you an idea how aggressive the cancer is. Can you call that vet back and get a copy of the pathology results? Unfortunately it may be that the mast cell is aggressive since you have found it in her lymph system. One of the hardest things about dealing with mast cell cancer is that it is so unpredictable. While
When you say the scans are clear are you talking about xrays or ultrasound?
With mast cell cancer an abdominal ultrasound (US) should be done to see if there is anything suspicious in her liver or spleen which is where mast cell tends to go. If they did an US and it was clear then great- if they only did xrays I wouldn't make any treatment decisions until one is done.
Is she still itchy? She should be on benadryl and probably pepcid or something to protect her stomach. Mast cells can release lots of histamines and can cause stomach ulcers.
As far as the options given... radiation was offered as a possibility for my Pug Maggie to treat the tumor in her knee. Maggie did not do well with anesthetic, hated the cone, and was in general not good at frequent vet visits. Because she would have to be put under daily for weeks I chose not to do the radiation. Maggie's left rear leg was amputated and then we did do chemo because cancerous mast cells were found in the lymph node removed with her leg. You can read Maggie's Story and about her amputation and chemo if you are interested, the links are in my signature below.
I know it is all overwhelming and hard to decide what to do. Decide what is best for Molly- what would make her days the best they could be?
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
1 Guest(s)
