Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi I have a 12 year old lab who has been biopsied and confirmed osteosarcoma in her rear left tibia.
She is arthritic in right hip and knee and the orthopaedic surgeon suggested not a good candidate for amputation.
We are now approx. 8 weeks since the diagnosis and have done 2 rounds of doxorubicin and one that was combined with palmidronate.
She has bad side effects to the doxo and I've stopped treatment as she seemed to be getting lamer and was very unhappy most of the time.
I was considering amputation again, and this week had her lungs xrayed and they show nodules in the right lung with some small growths in the left lung. shes not showing any respiratory problems other than what the vet said was inflammation in her bronchiole tube due to an undetermined reason. They have said that they should not progress with amputation as her risk of not coming out of surgery are higher (20%). She is now on a Fentanyl patch, meloxicam and gabapentin.
Is there any reason I should reconsider amputation, she seems ok and more mobile and using 3 legs more and more hopping and run hopping? or is it madness to think she could make a recovery from here?
Hi Lisa and Holly, welcome. Your future posts won't require approval so post away.
I'm not a vet but hopefully Dr. Pam, our fairy vet mother, will see this soon. Meanwhile here's what I can suggest:
Check out this article by Dr. Joanne Intile, you'll find some good insight:
Great Osteosarcoma Article: Diagnosis is Cancer, Now for the Treatment
Also, if you haven't already, consider another opinion from a second orthopedic vet. Whatever their answer at least you'll know you got additional information from another source to help you decide.
Finally, remember that every dog is different. What is "old" to one dog isn't to another. Every story is different and following your gut feeling is one of the best things you can do during this journey.
Let us know how we can help OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
In general once the cancer has spread to the lungs your survival rates are reduced (sometimes less than 1 month) so the question becomes is it worth it to put the dog through a major surgery if you are only buying a short time. There is also some evidence that lung mets will grow faster if the primary leg tumor is removed. Of course there is a chance that your dog will live longer than a few months but there is no way of knowing how much time you will get. In your case I think it is important to first consider if the dog could handle life on 3 legs so a second opinion is warranted.
Pam
Thankyou interesting reading much appreciated
Thankyou I've had two opinions when she was first diagnosed 2 months ago. The orthopaedic surgeon was against amputation.
the cancer is very aggressive 2 months and she had declined a lot sadly and the spread to her lungs is rapid.
im sad but I think the best option is to make her comfortable and when the time is right help her make a peaceful goodbye
Thanks for your insight Pam, we so appreciate it.
LisaHolly, I hear your inner voice speaking now and I'm really sorry. This is such a rough time. Please know we are here for you OK? You can post in our Forums as much as you'd like, lean on us.
Sending lots of love your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Lisa and Holly
Please know that your love for Holly comes shining through. We know, and she knows, you want only what's best for her.
Do speak to your vets about all the palliative care available to continue to keep her comfortable so she can continue to soak up al that loving and spoiling she's been getting from you 24/7
It sounds like iv you can keep the pain in her leg managed somewhat, that the mets aren't compromising her quality at this point. Can never find things or remember proper names, but armentidine (spelling is so far off, sorry) is something that may help with the pain
My Happy Hannah developed mets and it wasn't a painful thing per se. The tiredness and change in breathing pattern at night did eventually start to make her uncomfortable. Talk to your vet about Prednisone or Piroxicam.
We woukd love to see some pictures of your sweet Holly and hear more about her. Did you get her as a puppy? Is he a couch potato?
Maybe even cconsult with some Holistic vets for options on some level.
In tbe meantime, steak, ice cream, cheese pizza, eggs and bacon...anything she wants!! She's with you today and today is all that matters!!
Sending you all the love in the world
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 thankyou for your reply and suggestions
holly is very fussy about food - yes strange for a Labrador but she's taken to eating bacon and eggs for breakfast, cat biscuits and BBQ chicken
ive tried prednisone she had bad side effects
shes got a fentanyl patch that's working well
she sends her doggy love 🐾😇
Holly, it sounds like you've got your own personal Chef cooking up some fine meals for you!
Clearly every day is HOLLY DAY at her home!
So glad the patch is helping. We're all sending positive energy to Holly for continue comfort and lots more bacon and eggs! Bet Miss Picky Eater won't turn down a couple of waffles with some syrup!!
Continue to stay in the present and let NOTHING rob you of your time together now! Your love for Holly will carry you through this....And we will help carry you through this
We're all TEAM HOLLY!
Hugs
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,
If I were in your shoes, I would consider bisphosphonates , and zoledranate in particular.
Here is a Clinician Brief, sort of a summary on a research paper. http://www.clin.....teosarcoma. The full paper is named at the bottom if you want the original peer-reviewed article.
Here is another paper on the same drug but tested in humans with osteosarcoma and metastasis in the lungs http://www.ncbi.....MC4848872/
I did lots of other digging, too, but will sort of summarize my take. Bisphosphonates are most effective if the primary tumor is still there, e.g., no amputation. It may actually have a negative in conjunction with amputation. They help with pain and building some strength around the tumor, but the bone is still around risk of fracture, same as it has been since diagnosis. The side-effects are few if any. And prices have come down so it is cheaper than chemo.
There isn't much research yet, but if I were looking at already having mets, and the arthritis, this is the direction I'd be chasing. That said, I am not a vet. In our case, the lungs were still clear, and the risk of fracture too high for my scrawny legged dog,,so we amputated.
Peace,
Jenifer & Milo
Thankyou very much we tried biphosphenates with doxorubicin as the vet said it was synergistic but we didn't see any improvement in her only decline sadly. Not sure if this was because the chemo was too much for her old body or the cancer just didn't respond. Thankyou for your reply Jennifer and milo
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