Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Not sure if I get any answers here I posted in another area but no answers 
I am so frustrated. We amputated my 9 ½ yrs old labs right front leg after months of limping.
We did a Bone Biopsy BEFORE amputation and that suggested Fibrosarcoma.
Then my vet split the leg in 2 pieces and send it off to two more labs. One just came back and suggested
Hermangiosarcoma!??? But didn't rule out Fibrosarcoma either.
What do I do? Vet said he doesn't feel we need to put him thru unnecessary Chemo if it’s a cancer that won't respond. This is the 2nd Biopsy now we are waiting on a third!
Why is this so confusing ! My vet told me for sure on FIBROSARCOMA Chemo won't even respond and on Hermangioarcoma it's one of the worst!
What to do? when its so unclear?
- Thanks in advance. Manuela Woodrum
I'm sure one of the vets will answer.
My 2 bits... when our oncologist was waiting for the results but suspicious it could be hemangiosarcoma I'm sure he mentioned a particular chemo drug that would be a preference. I dont remember him saying chemo would be of no use. I hope that is the case. One of the vets on here will know.
Karen and Spirit Magnus
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Jamie, I saw your other post and gave you some feedback. Hang in there, I know this is hard.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yeah, waiting and feeling like yoj aren't "doing anything" can be sooooo hard!
The old sayi g.....Give me patience..and hurry up! I need it ow!" is always withus on this journey.
I'm sure you saw the li ks Jerry gave you on your other pos about a couple of success stories on these types of diagnosis. Statistics don't mean much around here. As Jerry always say's' "Nine out of ten statistics are wrong!"
You CAN do something very healingg for Bogi! Go hug on him right now and surround him with the most playful and loving energy you can muster up! That will make both of you feel better!
As soon as you get a plan in p.ace, yoj will feel soooooo much better! We can all relate!! There ARE protocals you will be able to implement once you get the info. next week. And, if this ver isn't ooen to options then, with all due respect, go to another vet! Perjaps smeone here can give yoj a referral name in yojr area.
We are with you! We u derstand the worries. You are not alone! You are very strong!!
Hugs to you!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Most of the bone cancers look similar on biopsy and there are only subtle changes that differentiate them. I would consider having the tissue or slides sent for a second opinion, maybe to a vet school? If HSA is suspected I would get an abdominal ultrasound first but if the spleen and liver are clear then chemo is still an option. You can do metronomics or injections of Adriamycin. Have you already consulted an oncologist?
Pam
I am going to get sick I just got the final results
Diagnosis:
Specimen of half section of proximal right humerus: Primary hemangiosarcoma of bone
Comment:
Specimen of half section of proximal right humerus: Primary hemangiosarcoma and fibrosarcoma of long bones of dogs together represent between 5 and 8 per cent of the primary bone tumors of long bones in that animal species as compared to the more common osteosarcoma (~80 %) and chondrosarcoma (~10 %); however, hemangiosarcoma along with osteosarcoma are considered equally likely to produce metastatic disease early in the clinical course of that disorder.
Mannie,
You need to breathe. Deep Deep Breaths. This does not mean that is it a death sentence for Bogi. You can still do some treatments. Just love him and let him enjoy life. You can treat him holistically if that is what you want to do. You have to remain calm. I know its a blow to the gut.
I can't speak on this type of cancer because as you know Sassy has Osteo. many others will chime in.
Hugs
Michelle & Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
The overwhelming feelings that we get when we get our diagnosis is just .. well.. overwhelming... !!! We don't want our furbabies to go through this.. and we don't want to sit back and do nothing either.. it's frustrating. But like Michelle said, you can still do some treatments for Bogi. There is no "expiry date" set in print.. find out about what kind of treatments you can do.. talk to your vet... and give extra snuggles and cuddles and belly rubs every day...
Enjoy the days ahead. Bogi doesn't know any different.. My Franklin was 14 when he had his front left leg amputated due to osteosarcoma.. He did end up with lung mets and ran for the bridge 5 1/2 months later. But you know what? we were thankful and enjoyed those 5 1/2 months and they were a blessing to have him around... he was 14 1/2 when we said our final goodbye for his new adventure...
And then there are other tripawds who are still hopping around, happy go lucky, living each day to the fullest!!
good luck.. and remember to breatheeeeeeee...
Christine..... with Franklin in her heart ♥
Franklin, he was the Happiest Dog on Three Legs! Diagnosed 09/26/2012 with Osteosarcoma, amputated 12/4/2012. Had a wonderful 5 1/2 months painfree until he ran for the Bridge on 5/15/2013. Always in my heart, and always a guardian angel of my pack... You can follow his Tripawd Adventures, before and after, in my blog, Frank'n'Farter!
DITTO to evsrything Micheele just said!! And I mean it, DITTO
You have ootions! You will be guided to the right o es!
You DO have quality time to cram in so much loving and spoiling it will overload Bogi to the point where he'll say, "Will you stop with the belly rubs and cookies for just one minute?"
We are by your side and we understand like no others can!
Love,
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
not much options I lost my german shepard to this cancer he had it in his spleen and he bled to death and we didn't even know it. I cant breath right now I can barely type my tears are flowing so hard and fast I cant go into the chat it wont let me log in
A diagnosis of HSA almost always carries a poor prognosis, the only exception being HSA originating from the skin with no internal involvement. If treatment is not an option, euthanasia should be considered to prevent suffering from internal bleeding. Surgery alone to remove the primary tumor carries a median survival time of 1-4 months, while chemotherapy in addition to surgery carries a median survival time of 6-8 months.
Even with surgery and chemotherapy, the disease will progress and the cancer cells with continue to metastasize, creating masses throughout the entire body. Hemorrhages may occur from each cancer site, which may cause transient weakness until the bleeding stops. If the bleeding does not stop, the patient will start showing signs of shock and collapse. To save both the dog and owner from the horrors of this experience, I always prefer to euthanize sooner rather than later when faced with a diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma.
Mannie,
I am so sorry to hear about this diagnosis. First of all, take a deep breath and dont panic. Do your research. There are probably a bunch of options out there for you and Bogi.
Dont forget about Butchey - he just had his TWO YEAR ampuversary due to Hemangio:
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Again, I'm really sorry to hear this. Read my comments in your other post, I hope they help.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I just feel helpless because all the vets WASTED so much time from first diagnosis in end of May LIMPING since FEBRUARY amp end of June final diagnoses mid July now......gosh we are already 7 month into all this... WASTED time.
I cant even think straight
The orange "PM (Private Message)" button next to her name in any of her Forum posts.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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