Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone, not sure if this is the right area in the forums for this, but I'm hoping someone may have a recommendation on some type of pad or protective sleeve that can help my Great Dane.
Onyx's surgery was late summer and he has been healing fine and getting used to the new normal. However, we have hit a snag where he suddenly developed a really large (about the size of a grapefruit) seroma on the area of the removed leg. At first, I was worried it was some sort of cancerous tumor, but the vet x-rayed it and it's all fluid. The vet drained it a bit, but was concerned about an increased risk of infection if she drained extensively.
The doctors think it's the result of him sitting on the area or bumping it when falling, but he is always indoors unless I'm with him and his indoor environment is extremely plush. He has a Big Barker memory foam bed in the living room + another really nice K9 Ballistics bed in his crate. He never has to lay or sit on a hard surface.
However, the vet is advising we try to find a good sling/pad/protective sleeve or something that Onyx could wear in order to help the area. Have any of you seen anything that would work for a large breed dog with a rear leg amputation? The vets could only find items for a front leg amputation.
Thanks for any recommendations!
Patrick
Sounds like you're describing an hemangioma (benign fibrous histiocytoma).
Wyatt has one which a vet suggested is from impact of sitting on his hip stump, but it is not nearly that large. We've searched and found no products exist for "protecting" that area. Perhaps a second opinion could help determine if removal is an option. We have had vets explain that you do not want to exacerbate these things by disturbing them. Interesting how they chose/needed to x-ray it for such a relatively simple diagnosis, and curious as to whether they did that before or after draining it.
While benign, hemangiomas can bruise and ulcerate, so surgical removal is usually recommended. Once excised, they don't tend to grow back.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
admin said
Sounds like you're describing an hemangioma (benign fibrous histiocytoma).Wyatt has one which a vet suggested is from impact of sitting on his hip stump, but it is not nearly that large. We've searched and found no products exist for "protecting" that area. Perhaps a second opinion could help determine if removal is an option. We have had vets explain that you do not want to exacerbate these things by disturbing them. Interesting how they chose/needed to x-ray it for such a relatively simple diagnosis, and curious as to whether they did that before or after draining it.
While benign, hemangiomas can bruise and ulcerate, so surgical removal is usually recommended. Once excised, they don't tend to grow back.
Actually, I don't think this is the same thing. This is something that is all fluid and developed within about a week. At first I thought I was just imagining that it was getting larger, but after a few days it was obvious. The docs drained a bit out of it with a small gauge needle and showed me that it was blood/fluid. They just seemed to think that if they drained it as much as possible, it would simply refill - why I'm not clear.
I'm sorry your big boy is having trouble!
I worry about my little rear amp Tripawd's back end sometimes- she has no femur left at all and her hip bone is pretty exposed. She is very sensitive back there and won't sit on hard surfaces. So far so good but she is only 3 years old (an accident led to the amp).
My first rear amp Tripawd Maggie became incontinent so I tried doggie diapers to keep her and my bedding dry. This was when I learned how hard it is to keep anything on the back end of a rear amp Tripawd! I could not keep those diapers on her at all. I finally went the med route and gave up on the diapers.
The only thing I can think of is to put something around his back end and attach it to a harness to keep it on. I did this when I put 'pants' on my quad pug when he had knee surgery. Wearing a harness 24/7 might not be ideal but maybe just long enough for the seroma or whatever it is can heal.
One other thought- is it possible that it is some type of bite or puncture?
Hope you can solve this for Onyx!
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
Hi Patrick,
Sorry that you are having a bad time. Your pup should not have a seroma or hematoma for no reason. That is not normal. I agree with admin and Karen. It needs to be looked at. I have no idea in the world why they would xray something that they could aspirate with a needle. I think his health is more in jeopardy by just leaving it. If it gets worse and something happens to make it burst, he could be in trouble. Did they give you antibiotics? His amp site should be totally healed if he had the surgery in the summer, so it sounds likely that something else has happened. Not trying to rain on your parade here but I really think a second opinion is in order. Good luck and please stay in touch. Let us know how you make out.
Take care,
Jackie
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
paws120 said
Hi Patrick,Sorry that you are having a bad time. Your pup should not have a seroma or hematoma for no reason. That is not normal. I agree with admin and Karen. It needs to be looked at. I have no idea in the world why they would xray something that they could aspirate with a needle. I think his health is more in jeopardy by just leaving it. If it gets worse and something happens to make it burst, he could be in trouble. Did they give you antibiotics? His amp site should be totally healed if he had the surgery in the summer, so it sounds likely that something else has happened. Not trying to rain on your parade here but I really think a second opinion is in order. Good luck and please stay in touch. Let us know how you make out.
Take care,
Jackie
Unfortunately we heard back from the vet this morning that the radiologist looked at the films and believes the cause of the hematoma is a malignant tumor that has developed at the site of the amputation. It sounds like all I can really do at this point is make him as comfortable as possible with the time he has left. He is an 11 year old great dane and I just can't see putting him through another major surgery.
It does seem to be bothering him in terms of he is having a hard time getting comfortable when sitting or lying down. Now I probably just have to keep an eye on things and decide when the right time is to send him off to the rainbow bridge. 
I am so sorry to hear that. I have never heard of anything like that happening in that way before. They just want to leave it the way it is? I understand his age, eleven is a good long life for a Dane but surely you would think they could offer an idea to help make him more comfortable? So sorry you are all going through this.
Jackie
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
paws120 said
I am so sorry to hear that. I have never heard of anything like that happening in that way before. They just want to leave it the way it is? I understand his age, eleven is a good long life for a Dane but surely you would think they could offer an idea to help make him more comfortable? So sorry you are all going through this.Jackie
He is on pain medication and that seems to be helping him, but the only other solution is to put him through surgery where they would cut him open and examine the tissue more closely. The hematoma seems to be some sort of reaction to the tumor that is growing.
Because he has already been diagnosed with osteosarcoma, cutting out this tumor would likely just result in it growing back shortly after. I can't see putting him through another surgery when he is this old + the updated x-rays show he is starting to develop arthritis in his remaining limbs and back hip of the good leg. Right now I'm feeling like the best way forward is just to love and spoil him while I have him and make arrangements to end things in the most comfortable way possible.
It sucks, but I knew I signed up for this when I made the decision to amputate his leg vs. and then stopped the chemo treatments after three because they were making him so sick. I guess I just thought I would have more time.
crumbscrapings said
I guess I just thought I would have more time.
Totally understandable. Now more than ever, it's just important to focus on quality of life, not quantity. It sounds like you're doing that and Onyx is fortunate to have you. Remember, he doesn't know he is sick. And he's not dying from cancer, he's living with it.
If you haven't already, consider listening to out Be More Dog podcast for some helpful tips about how to, well, Be More Dog .
Give him a good ear rub for us and please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm glad he is comfortable. I'm really not sure what you can do to protect the area, maybe his doc can give you suggestions. You still have time to have quality time together, just don't know how much so try to stay positive and make some good memories. They are so sensitive to our feelings and emotions so try to stay positive for him. Now's your chance to spoil him and love him. Please stay in touch and let us know how you're doing.
Hugs
Jackie
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
admin said
Totally understandable. Now more than ever, it's just important to focus on quality of life, not quantity. It sounds like you're doing that and Onyx is fortunate to have you. Remember, he doesn't know he is sick. And he's not dying from cancer, he's living with it.
If you haven't already, consider listening to out Be More Dog podcast for some helpful tips about how to, well, Be More Dog .
Give him a good ear rub for us and please keep us posted.
Thanks for reply - the Be More Dog
stuff is a good reminder about how it would be better for Onyx if I focus on the good of the time left with him. I think he's confused about why I've been crying all day. 
While I am trying to lean towards being a vegetarian, I think Onyx is going to be able to look forward to some quality meat during the rest of his meal times.
...and cheeseburgers, and bacon, and pizzas, ice cream....🍧🍦👌 yum...just pure spoiled rotten
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry
I was hoping that there would be something easily fixed for Onyx. Cancer is such a nasty bastard!
I completely understand your decision making process. My pug Maggie fought mast cell cancer for years. She developed renal failure and then another cancer. The recommended treatment for the second cancer was surgery and radiation. Mag was also 11, and although not old for a pug, I felt she had been through enough invasive treatments.
You are right to follow what is right for Onyx.
One thing I did when I chose to end aggressive treatments was to write down my decision making process. It was helpful later when the 'what if's' would creep in and try to make me doubt myself.
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
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