Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Email received from oncologist today:
"It was so nice to meet you and Miss Moo! You're not a pain and I'm happy to answer your questions. Currently Moo is stage I however with the lymphatic invasion we are always concerned there are cancer cells lingering somewhere in her body at a microscopic level (either stage 3 or 4) but right now we don't have any proof that the cancer has been successful at setting up in a new location in her body. You're correct, the later stages are quite grave. There is always a chance for a cure but I'm worried with the lymphatic invasion that the cancer could still show up some where down the road. Unfortunately there are no guarantees with any therapy and because this one is so expensive its not an easy decision to make."
Any thoughts?
Hmmmm...we'll wait and see what Dr. Pam says....
In my very, very unprofessional opinon, it sounds a bit "standard" to sort of prepare you that there could be a worse csse scenario...even though there is no evidence that there is! Does that make sense? Sort of a CYA kind of assessment perhaps?
With almost all of this piece of crap disease there is a chance that it is "somewhere" at a microscopic level.
Also want to add that I was told my Happy Hannah (osteosarcoma) had lymph node involvement and that "gave her a poor prognosis". This gloomy prognosis was given by the surgeon's "observation, EVEN THOUGH the pathologist report said there was NO lymph node tissue presented so they could not address if it was in the lymph node or not. So there was no "proof"....just a gloomy statement from the onco!
Soooooo......Happy Hannah and I proceeded on for over one year and two months with everyday filled with THE most massive amounts of spoiling that could ever be bestowed upon one dog! We had a gloriously spectacular time...and so will you and Moo Cow!!!
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!
Ditto, we always get the worst-case scenario first. I prefer to stick with the best case 🙂
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Murphy also had a positive lymph node (histiocytic sarcoma) and he's been with us for 28 months so far 
Our babies don't listen when they talk about "prognosis"
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
I can't comment too much on the vaccine since only oncologists have access to it but I do know of one dog in our practice who lived 720 days after a toe amputation and the vaccine (no chemo). Also many times we just do the surgery and no chemo, etc due to cost and some dogs are cured, especially if the lymph node aspirate is normal. Of course there is no predicting what each dog might do as an individual so I would say you have done the hardest part already.
I would maybe shop around because those prices do seem steep (especially the bandage changes). Banfield is often pricier than other clinics and of course so are specialists but they are the only ones with the vaccine.
Pam
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