TRIPAWDS: Home to 22974 Members and 2152 Blogs.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG

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.

JUMP TO FORUMS

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!

Please consider registering
Guest
Search
Forum Scope


Match



Forum Options



Minimum search word length is 3 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters
Register Lost password?
sp_Feed sp_PrintTopic sp_TopicIcon-c
Specialist and Regular Vet Have Conflicting Opinions
sp_NewTopic Add Topic
Member Since:
4 May 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
1
26 May 2015 - 6:45 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

Hi everyone, I recently joined and posted regarding my dog, Bones, battle with MCT on his left hind foot.

The specialists want to try chemo to shrink the tumor in the hopes of saving his leg (by only removing the toes with clean margins), however, my regular vet, whom of which I have brought Bones to since he was a puppy, suggested amputation. It has spread to the left popliteal lymph node, but so far there is no evidence of it anywhere else. My Vet is concerned that this could start spreading everywhere, and I am so confused as to what to do. It is a low grade 2, but it is not behaving as such, so I am very worried. All of this is taking time, time which my poor dog may not have. I know all I can do is gather as much information as possible, and make a choice that is in my dogs best interest, but I am just so torn between the difference of opinions. A very good friend of mine is best friends with a veterinarian, and she too suggested amputation. I just want my dog to be happy, even if that means he will lose his leg. I feel like I am going to go crazy, and I really just do not know what to do. I tried to insert a photo, but couldn't figure it out, so I am including links below, one of which is his fundraising site, which has a great story and image collection

 Mr Bones

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
2
26 May 2015 - 7:45 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Good to hear from you again. I know you've had y our hands full trying to get tests done, researching, etc. And of course, Mr. Bones is not worried about a thing and blissfully unaware of what all the fuss is avout!!

To get two differing opinions from professionals is sooooo frustrating! Unfortunately it halpens a lot on this crazy journey. I know from your previous post your mom is apprehensive about the amputation and most friends cannot even begin to comprehend the diagnosis, much less the amputation!

Glad you found us! Goodness knows we understand! What works for one dog, may not be right for another. It really can be somewhat of a crap shoot sometimes.

Others will chime in regarding MCT. Karen and her Pug Maggie dealt with it.. My Happy Hannah had osteosarcoma.

What I can offer is that almost all dogs do well with three legs. Recovery is smoother for some than others, but usually, not always, takes place in a two or three week time frame. Recovery from surgery, but adjusting to three legs usually starts withi. 24 hrs. or less. And yes, even very "sensitive" dogs recover very well.

Your regular vet, who has known Bones all his life, apparently feels Bones will do well.

I knlw I'm really not offering much help at all. Jist want you to know we are here for you and Bones wherever this journey takes you!
If you javent already done so, enter mass cell tumor or MCT innthe search box for helpful info.

Sending you hugs and love

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!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
3
26 May 2015 - 9:00 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Boy that's frustrating, I'm sorry. If you are able, a third opinion could break the tie. Seeking out the expertise of a veterinary teaching hospital might be the route you want to go if you're near a school. Here's a post with more info about teaching hospitals:

How to Get Affordable, Awesome Veterinary Care for Your Tripawd

If you haven't already, you might want to ask your oncologist these questions, which could also help you decide.

Bones is adorable!

Image Enlarger

Here is a post about how to add photos to your forum posts. I promise it's not as difficult as it seems. If you need assistance just holler, I'm happy to help. Meanwhile I hope you don't mind but since the Tripawds Fundraising Policy doesn't allow solicitations in our community, your second link was removed. Thanks for understanding.

Please keep us posted on what you decided OK?

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
4
26 May 2015 - 9:19 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Bones is adorable indeed!! A very handsome young man with a mug that calls out for smooching...lots and lots of smooching!way-cool

Hang in there. Getting to a decision is wuite tumultuous. Once the decision is made and you move forward there is a sense of relief.

Lots of hugs!

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!

Norene, TN
Member Since:
21 October 2014
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
5
27 May 2015 - 10:09 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_EditHistory sp_QuotePost

You are right! Bones is handsome indeed!

Welcome!

I wanted to jump on this thread just to tell you about our Harmony. She too had MCT. We lost her 11 days after amputation, but not due to the surgery itself, but to the disease. Unbeknownst to us, it had spread to her liver.

Our biggest regret is that we didn't act as soon as she started limping. We were uneducated and didn't insist on further examination(s) or tests. From the day she started limping, she lived nearly 3 years. Would she have lived longer if we had been more diligent from the start?

My grandma always told me as a kid, "Wish in one hand and spit in the other and see which one gets full first."

Here's what I know, MCT is difficult to diagnose simply because the disease doesn't present itself easily until it's obvious. If you have a vet who's found it in the early stages, God bless you, that's half the battle. I don't fault our vet no more than I blame ourselves for not taking her care up a notch when she had a slight limp. Just like any other cancer, MCT is deceitful.

I think a third opinion will be great for your peace of mind. Get a handle on this disease early and show it who's boss. Don't let it make you self-doubt your decisions. You've got your diagnosis; you know your enemy; now kick its a**!

Someone in this community coined it perfectly, any decision made after diagnosis is the right decision.

Peace be with you and your adorable Bones. xoxox

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

Member Since:
4 May 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
6
27 May 2015 - 5:28 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Thank you all so much for your replies and support.

My vets have since come to an agreement. We are going to try 2-3 chemo therapy sessions to see if we can shrink that sucker a little. If it does, we may end up removing just the toes, and continuing chemo afterwards to kill any remaining cells. If he does not respond, then they will amputate his leg.

My sister, whom of which went through a similar experience with her dog recently, recommended a wonderful oncologist in NYC. He was kind enough to send me a long email today, which helped a lot. He did not even charge me for it, and said he would gladly review his test results. Bones has had this tumor since August of 2014, when at the time, it would only swell maybe once per month. You could not see the tumor, only the swelling, which rarely happened until Winter. It did not show it's ugly face until the end of winter, and I really had no idea what it was, and never even thought it was cancer. I did beat myself up for some time, but I have moved passed that, because I was following the guidance of my Vet. Honestly, if it had not gotten bigger, I never would have noticed, due to the fact that it is in between his toes.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
7
28 May 2015 - 11:18 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Oh that's fantastic! I'll bet that feels like quite a relief.

Who was the onco in NYC? What a great doc!

Glad to see that you're making peace with the way things are turning out. Don't feel badly, for most of us here cancer was a learning experience in much the same way it happened with you.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
8
28 May 2015 - 11:53 am
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

Okay! You have a plan and you can move forward snd put all the turmoil up to this behind you...far, far behind you never to be visited again!

I'm glad you're getting the proper support and guidance. Stay connected, okay? We are right by y your side!

(((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))))))))))))

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!

Member Since:
23 April 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
9
28 May 2015 - 1:12 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

So glad to see the news! I'm happy they were able to come to an agreement. Keep us updated - I hope this works out for Bones!

 

Jamie and Mac

We adopted Mac in June 2014 from the GRCGLAR and he is our little baby boy, despite the fact that he is 11.5! Almost a year of bliss turned into complete devastation when he started limping on his front right  leg and it was discovered on April 16, 2015 that he has bone cancer - specifically Osteosarcoma. We were luckily directed to Tripawds by our oncologist, Dr. Avenelle Turner, which changed our lives and guided us through the amputation process.

Read more about Mac's incredible story on his blog: http://teammac.tripawds.com/

 

Member Since:
4 May 2015
sp_UserOfflineSmall Offline
10
28 May 2015 - 2:51 pm
sp_Permalink sp_Print sp_QuotePost

The oncologist in NYC is Dr. Joshua Lachowicz @ Blue Pearl Vet. Once I sent him the test results, he emailed me a detailed opinion filled with experienced suggestions. He did not charge a penny for this, which surprised me. It is so good to know that there are Vets like him out there. Too bad NYC is so far away, if I thought Bones could manage going up and down stairs everyday, I would bring him there to stay with my sister (who did offer).

Tomorrow is Bones first chemo treatment. I have also made arrangement with a nutritionist, and have started him on 

Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang, which apparently is great for MCT and other cancers. I will let you know how it works. So far, it has increased his energy levels, which is great, since he has been on so much benadryl for the MCT.

When I try to link a photo, i just get a question mark for the image? I am using Safari on a Mac

Forum Timezone: America/Denver
Most Users Ever Online: 946
Currently Online:
Guest(s) 233
Currently Browsing this Page:
1 Guest(s)
Member Stats:
Guest Posters: 1268
Members: 17735
Moderators: 6
Admins: 3
Forum Stats:
Groups: 4
Forums: 24
Topics: 18610
Posts: 256809
Administrators: admin, jerry, Tripawds
Tripawds is brought to you by Tripawds.
HOME » NEWS » BLOGS » FORUMS » CHAT » YOUR PRIVACY » RANDOM BLOG