Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We just learned our boy has a negative histopathology lytic lesion post amputation.
10 yo neutered male Labrador Retriever. 75 lbs good health.
Dec 4th: went down 5 stairs and broke the “wrist joint” front left leg. X-ray shows break, “lytic lesion” in joint. Leg casted and referred to orthopedic specialist
Dec 5: specialist agrees with vet osteosarcoma suspected. Amputation set.
Dec10th: leg amputated, sent for pathology. No Mets in lungs or liver per X-ray.
Dec11th return home late pm with usual meds and recuperating well.
Dec 24th: prelim lab finding: probably not osteosarcoma may be another form cancer
Dec 30th: lab cannot find any cancerous cells of any type. vet says this has only happened once before. Calling oncologist.
What should we do now? When it was probably osteosarcoma we learned a lot very quickly. Our boy is continuing to heal. Is finished gaba, antibiotic and caprofen. He just seems really tired and not his usual carefree self. Where should we go from here?
Hi Labmom1, welcome. What's your boy's name?
I'm so sorry for the inconclusive pathology report. This isn't typical but in our community it's also not unusual. Sometimes it takes a second or third opinion to figure out what's going on. If you are pursuing any kind of chemotherapy it's important to know. I'm sure our Fairy Vet Mother Dr. Pam will share some insight in a bit.
In the meantime, please post in our Treatment and Recovery Forum so that we can help you through recovery, as it sounds like you have some questions. Your comment about his tiredness is something that we often see with members so try not to worry. His amputation wasn't that long ago, and it's not unusual for a dog to feel a bit off and slow during these first few weeks. I hope to see you over in that Forum!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Did they send the whole leg and also check the local lymph node? If the surgeon only sent part of the leg they could have missed it. Can you get a copy of the biopsy report? If he had a pathologic fracture then osteosarcoma is the most likely thing. In other parts of the country you can see fungal disease such as Blastomycosis that look similar but often the dog is sick with a fever and the lesions in the bone are in multiple sites. you can also have your vet get the slides of the biopsy and send them to a vet school or other pathologist for a second opinion.
Pam
Thanks for your pawesome feedback Dr. Pam!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dr. Pam,
Thank you for response. Evidently the sent the whole leg. The vet didn’t take the shoulder, so anatomy wise I’m not sure if lymph nodes were harvested. Great idea on sending slides off. My hubby (cardiologist) has asked if maybe slides could be sent to oncologist, as human oncologist like to look at slides for pt. As well as get path report. When he suggested this to vet, he said he would call oncologist we had planned to use for chemo and immunotherapy. I feel better knowing some question to asks and or suggest. Again thank you for your response.
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