Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My yellow lab was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on 4/8 in his left rear leg. We had his leg amputated 4/13. He recovered well from surgery. Last Sunday after a walk he seemed slightly uncomfortable, so I thought he over did it. I brought him to the vet last Tuesday, it was our first oncology appointment, the vet told me he had a UTI. She also told me he had a negative chest x-ray, his blood work looked good, but he had a lymph node that was enlarged near the amputation site she felt on a rectal exam. A biopsy revealed osteosarcoma cells. She advised osteosarcoma that metastasizes to lymph nodes first is an aggressive form that usually does not respond to chemotherapy. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Hi there, we are in the Tripawds Chat room right now if you want to talk OK?
I hope you don't mind but I moved your post from Technical Support because that Forum is about website-related issues.
What's your dog's name? How is he getting around otherwise?
I'm sorry to hear about the lymph node. I'm not a vet but yes, I have heard that if it's gone to the nodes that it's particularly aggressive. But please don't lose hope. What was the vet's suggestion for a treatment plan? Did she give you alternatives? Sometimes oncologists are so cut and dry when it comes to situations like this, that they don't leave room for hope. But I can tell you that with or without chemotherapy, many dogs have beaten the odds and gone on to exceed everyone's expectations. Don't judge your dog's situation based on statistics or how others did. Your dog is as unique as you are and anything is possible.
Live life one day at a time, know that every day is a great day and remember that your dog doesn't know or care what that biopsy said.
We are here for you OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So sorry to hear this news. I have nothing to add in response to your key concern, but just know that we are all thinking about you. Keep us posted!
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.
Oh, that must be him in your avatar. He's so beautiful!
I can't imagine how you're feeling with this kind of news, but there are so many strange and unexplained things in this world. To read about all the fur-babies who were given poor diagnosis to only prove the dogtors wrong is enough to convince me of moving mountains with the faith of a mustard seed.
I have a friend whose daughter was given the very dire news that she wouldn't live past 16 because of brain cancer. She is now in her mid-twenties, being more dog. She has a husband and two little girls.
I just lost a friend to cystic fibrosis. He wasn't supposed to live past 21, yet he became "more dog" and a State Representative. When he passed, he was surrounded by his family which included 4 grandchildren.
There are many wondrous and mysterious things that happen when we believe that faith=healing and vice versa. Sometimes we (me) forget and let the diagnosis run (and ruin) our world.
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
Pam, those are BEAUTIFUL and POWERFUL examples, thank you so much for sharing them with us. I am truly sorry about your friend though, my condolences. Wow what a legacy he left.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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Well said Pam, and so true!
Just wondering if you have access to another Onco in your area and/or a Holistic Vet who could offer complimentary therapy?
Your handsome boy is feeling well and soing great!'' He sure doesn't give a rip about any ole'diagnosis and doesn't even know what a calendar looks like! 'He's just enjoying being in the moment with you and soaking up all that loving and spoiling!
It's hard to stay positive on this journey, but your handsome pup is his own dog! He is not a statistic! As you've already heard here, many dogs have blown "poor prognosis" clear out of the water!
Post some pocs when you can. We are all right here by yiur side.
Now go spoil him some more and give him a scoop of ice cream!
Lots of love!
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, I am really sorry for the surprise you got at oncology consult. Our circumstances are different, my boy had an STS that turned out to be more aggressive than is often seen because it was poorly encapsulated, had metastasized to a lymph node (removed with amputation) and had some poor margins. The oncologist on our first consult (last Friday) also is concerned about the lymph node as it there could have been cells left in the lymphatics that connect the lymph nodes locally, so perhaps this is what your onco meant? So he is thinking there could be mets to the other lymph node in the chest.
The studies he cited showed there may not be much value to IV infusion chemo for us, but low dose in home chemo showed some good results and radiation probably the best results. With radiation they would do CTI first to map target areas and could see how that other lymph node looks and target it with the radiation. Still working my way through this, but we started low dose chemo last night - no observable issues in the last 24 hours.
Best thoughts for your boy.
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Don't lose hope. My cat, Zoe had a tumor removed last July. It was diagnosed as a non-skeletal Osteosarcoma. Her margins were not terrific. Biopsy report came back that this cancer has a high rate of reoccurrence. I chose no chemo because, frankly, she is old. I kept thinking 13, but my son in law says she is closer 15. He remembers her being at our house when he met our daughter. Being a stray, I have no real idea how old she was when we took her in. Anyhow, that got way off track. What I was taking so long to say is that despite her prognosis, and the only treatment being tumor removal and a grain free diet, she has has no reoccurrence. So, they cannot always predict. That being said, did she say if the lymph node could be removed? I know this is very hard for you. Feels like 1 step ahead to 2 steps back. I am sure others here will have advice. There are so many things that members here have tried. Thinking of you, Lori, Ty and gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
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