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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Georgia
Member Since:
20 August 2011
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3 October 2011 - 6:27 pm
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Spencer had a sore on the opposite side from where he had his leg amputated.  First noticed it about 2 weeks after surgery, when the fur started to come out.  It got really gross looking.  Thought it was a spider bite.  On 9/13 he had surgery to have necrotic tissue removed.  (He started chemo on 9/15, adria and cytoxan, followed by 2 weekly doses of vincristine.)  The spot later tested positive for MRSA .  So, we are now 2.5 weeks post op for THAT surgery.  Stitches are out.  But there is still fluid in there.  The family vet drew some fluid off of it ( a syringe full of what looked like blood).  She sent that for a culture; but also sent it to be tested to be sure it isn't something with the cancer.  Those results came back saying it is a hemangioma.  The culture isn't back yet and the vet wants to wait to see what THOSE results are before we discuss what to do.

 

So my questions... I had a spot that wouldn't heal a few years ago.  They removed it and sent it off.  Came back as a hemangioma.  Is that maybe just what "they" say any bloody, benign spot is???  Does it make any sense for a spot that has tested positive for MRSA , was a definite OPEN wound to suddenly be a hemangioma?  Would this likely be something that we are going to need to have removed again?  And if so, will we need to wait for chemo to be done since that slows healing?  (he finishes chemo on 12/22 assuming that he doesn't have to skip any weeks.)

 

Here is a link to a picture of the sore 2 days before surgery.  I'm doing a link because it is gross.  Only look at it if you don't get sick at pictures of wounds.

http://i167.pho.....80bite.jpg

that picture really doesn't show how GROSS it was by the next day.  The next day the "scab" was peeling back, there was raw tissue exposed with obvious infection.

Thanks for any insight you can give me. 

Jac and Angel Spencer.  Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder.  Left front leg amputated in August 2011.  15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria).  Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11.  Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day.  See his blog here:  http://spencer.tripawds.com/

Member Since:
13 June 2011
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3 October 2011 - 7:02 pm
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Bless Spencer's heart...and yours too. I don't have any helpful advice, but we are thinking of y'all. Stay strong and keep us updated!

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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3
3 October 2011 - 7:15 pm
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OH!  I"m so sorry! 

 

Did you vet suggest an ultrasound of Spencer's internal organs by chance?  I'm not trying to scare you but it's something I would do based on experience I had.  It may be totally different  and I hope it is but I would want to ensure the vital organs are okay.

 

 Maybe someone will come here that knows. 

 

So we all know what a hemangioma is - this is from the Vet Merck Manual:

 

Hemangiomas of the skin and soft tissues are benign
proliferations that closely resemble blood vessels. Whether these are neoplasms,
hamartomas, or vascular malformations remains undefined, and no clear criteria
exist that allow for their separation. They are most commonly identified in
dogs, occasionally in cats and horses, and rarely in cattle and pigs; they are
an exceptional finding in other domestic animals. In dogs, they are tumors of
adult dogs and most commonly develop on the trunk and extremities. Many canine
breeds (including Gordon Setters; Boxers; and Airedale, Scottish, and Kerry Blue
Terriers) are considered to be at risk. Cats most frequently develop hemangiomas
when they are adults. Lesions are most common on the head, extremities, and
abdomen. In horses, they are most common on the distal extremities of young
(<1 yr old) animals. In cattle, they may be seen as congenital lesions or in
older animals. Dairy cattle are predisposed to developing disseminated
hemangiomas (angiomatosis) in the skin and internal organs. In pigs, these
lesions generally develop in the scrotal or perineal skin of Yorkshire,
Berkshire, and less commonly Chester White boars. In the first 2 breeds, the
disease is believed to be genetically transmitted. Hemangiomas are single to
multiple, circumscribed, often compressible, red to black nodules. The lining
epidermis may be unaffected or ulcerated or papillated. Small, superficial
hemangiomas that often appear as a “blood blister” are known as angiokeratomas.
When erythrocytes are sparse or absent within vascular lumens, the term
lymphangioma is applied. Hemangiomas are benign, but their tendency to ulcerate
and grow quite large, along with the importance of confirming the diagnosis to
make a prognosis, indicate removal. Excision is the treatment of choice;
however, in large animals in which the lesions may be large and involve the
distal extremities, this may be difficult. In these cases, cryosurgery or
radiation therapy may be necessary. Except in dairy cattle with angiomatosis,
development of additional tumors at new sites after complete excision is
uncommon.

Her Retired AvatarComet - 1999 to 2011

She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.

She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.

Georgia
Member Since:
20 August 2011
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3 October 2011 - 8:43 pm
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Comet dog - can you fill me in more on what you had experience with?  

 

I swear.  We need a break!!!

Jac and Angel Spencer.  Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder.  Left front leg amputated in August 2011.  15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria).  Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11.  Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day.  See his blog here:  http://spencer.tripawds.com/

WYO
Member Since:
10 February 2011
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3 October 2011 - 9:20 pm
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WoW Spence!

Keep taking deep breaths Spencer's peeps....hang in there u guys!

San Diego, CA
Member Since:
29 October 2010
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3 October 2011 - 10:22 pm
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I wish I had some good info to share, but I don't. I'd never even heard of that before. I'm so sorry you guys are having such a ruff time. You definitely do deserve a break!!! I hope you get it soon.

Hang in there. We're all pulling for you, Spence.
Jackie, Abby's mom

Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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3 October 2011 - 10:56 pm
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I'm sorry for sounding so dreadful!  I really didn't mean to sound like it was gloom and doom!   I was running out the door and should have waiting to post.

 

I absolutely don't know what I'm talking about.   I just worry about hemangiosarcoma which is tumors on the organs.  That is why I was wondering if your vet suggested an ultrasound.

 

I'm sorry for sounding dire!  I shouldn't have rushed!

Her Retired AvatarComet - 1999 to 2011

She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.

She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.

Georgia
Member Since:
20 August 2011
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8
3 October 2011 - 11:01 pm
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ah, gotcha!  I did read about that.  I'll be asking about it.  At this point we haven't done an ultrasound of the spleen and liver or any other organs (other than the heart) since his tumor was at the front of his body the oncologist said it would go to the lungs first and so far they look clear.  Definitely might be worth looking at the spleen now!

 

I do wonder about this whole thing popping up though.  it was nothing, then it was the sore, then the incision and that was the first time the fluid showed up!  Poor Spencer, he doesn't need another surgery right now.sleepy  Hopefully the culture will be back tomorrow or Wednesday.  And hopefully it will be good news.  We are really ready for good news!

Jac and Angel Spencer.  Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder.  Left front leg amputated in August 2011.  15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria).  Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11.  Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day.  See his blog here:  http://spencer.tripawds.com/


Member Since:
22 August 2008
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9
4 October 2011 - 12:01 pm
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A hemangioma is a benign tumor or growth involving a blood vessel whereas a hemangiosarcoma is a malignant tumor of the blood vessel that often invades the spleen, liver, and can rarely involve the bone.  It sounds like they diagnosed it based on a fine-needle aspirate.  If the mass is removed I would have the entire thing sent out for a biopsy to make sure that it is benign.  From your photo it does not look like the malignant type but it is best to be sure.  I wonder if he could have had trauma at that site which set up a local tissue reaction and then led to the MRSA ?  A puncture wound?  Injection? It is definitely very odd.

I hope he is still feeling well!

Pam

Las Vegas, Nevada
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14 August 2009
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4 October 2011 - 6:53 pm
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See!  I told you I didn't know what I was talking about!!!!!! 

 

Pam is a vet. 

 

I've got paws crossed that good news is coming Spencer's way!

Her Retired AvatarComet - 1999 to 2011

She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.

She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.

Georgia
Member Since:
20 August 2011
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11
4 October 2011 - 7:49 pm
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Thanks Pam!  I'm talking to the vet tomorrow.  I wish I could know what originally happened!  Before the injury this thing was definitely not there.  Then the injury happened and it was flat, basically a scab at first.  Then over the weekend it started doing what I showed in the picture (that was taken on a Sunday).  But the next day it (the scab) was peeling back, had raw tissue around it and puss looking stuff, the vet took a swab for a culture that day.  Then on Tuesday he had the surgery to remove that.  From that surgery he had 14 stitches.  the incision got fluid in it that didn't seem that different from the fluid that was in the amputation incision.  but 2 weeks have passed (3 tomorrow) and the fluid is still there. Oh, and the culture came back as MRSA .  So last week they did the fine needle aspiration and those results came back as this hemangioma.  

 

With removal... is that something we would want to do while he is on chemo?  Or would we want to wait until we finish chemo? 

Jac and Angel Spencer.  Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder.  Left front leg amputated in August 2011.  15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria).  Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11.  Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day.  See his blog here:  http://spencer.tripawds.com/

St. Louis, MO
Member Since:
16 September 2011
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4 October 2011 - 8:47 pm
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Sending lots of positive thoughts and prayers to Spencer!!!   Please keep us posted on what the vet says tomorrow.

Hugs and chocolate kisses,

Ellen & Charley

Charley's Blog:  CHOCOLATE KISSES


DOB: 3-29-08, male chocolate lab  
Dx: OSA L proximal humerus 10-19-10

Amputation: L front leg & scapula 10-28-10

Chemo: 5 rounds of Carboplatin

Video (12 weeks post amp):Tripaw Charley Playing

♥♥♥ Lots of supplements and love!!! ♥♥♥


Member Since:
22 August 2008
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5 October 2011 - 11:48 pm
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I guess I would wait until chemo is finished (if possible) and make sure that the MRSA is under control.  

Pam

WYO
Member Since:
10 February 2011
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6 October 2011 - 12:39 pm
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are they going to give him longer or a combo antibiotic treatment for the MRSA ?

Georgia
Member Since:
20 August 2011
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6 October 2011 - 12:55 pm
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Hey guys.  About to run out the door again.  It has been a crazy few days with non-dog related things.  But a quick update - Spencer's culture came back clean from his MRSA .  he had his 4th chemo treatment today and he seems to be feeling great!

Jac and Angel Spencer.  Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder.  Left front leg amputated in August 2011.  15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria).  Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11.  Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day.  See his blog here:  http://spencer.tripawds.com/

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