Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello there,
I am curious as to what cancer symptoms look like once the osteosarcoma metastasizes to the lungs. Koko had her leg amputated in December and she started with a dry cough about a month ago. I’m just looking to find specific symptoms so that I can identify them if this is related to the cancer or if it’s just related to age. She also gets a lot of supplements so naturally she clears her throat a little bit after she eats. The cough is more like she’s trying to clear her throat. What other symptoms should I look out for so that I can recognize changes in the lungs early. Thank you in advance.
There are many symptoms of lung mets including weight loss and decreased appetite; cough (usually with blood) is a later symptom. Most dogs with a cough due to lung mets will also have an elevated resting respiratory rate over 40 breaths per minute.
Unfortunately there are no early signs which is why we often take chest rads 3 months after amputation then as needed afterwards. This time of year many dogs can have bronchitis; other causes of a cough are heart failure or pneumonia. If it is persistent I would recommend chest xrays.
Pam
Thank you for your expertise Dr. Pam!
@koko please keep us posted in Treatment and Recovery OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi,
my pup has osteosarcoma which has metastasized to her lungs. Just 3 weeks ago, she was playing and fine. This Saturday I got the bad news. She is no longer receiving chemo but is now on Palladia. Since starting the Palladia on Saturday 2/12/2022 she has declined rapidly. She can barely walk at this point. And X-ray on her remaining back leg showed nothing wrong but she can’t put weight on it and it’s swollen. And now her two front legs are swollen … I also want to had that she has discharge from both her eyes now and the eye drops did not work. Any advice or opinions? I need help before I make a major decision. Thanks
@mmos, welcome. I'm sorry you and your dog are dealing with this situation, it's so tough. Stay tuned for Dr. Pam's insight but please start a new topic elsewhere when you are able, so that we can better help you.
In the meantime, did your vet mention anything about hypertrophic osteopathy? The symptoms you are describing sound similar to what others have described when discussing this condition as a possibility.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Koko had thoracid rads done yesterday that showed heart hemangiosarcoma. Im thinking this is why she has been lethargic and weak the past few days. I want to start her on low dose pred before she stops walking all together. Any ideas how to get a vet to prescribe pred? Mine are reluctant to do so. Thanks. This is a difficult time for her.
Hi Noelle & Koko. Did you have trouble logging in? I see you started the topic above, so just to eliminate any confusion for Dr. Pam, you are the same original poster, correct? Let us know if you'd like help logging in.
I'm so sorry for the new diagnosis. So to confirm, she's dealing with osteosarcoma and hemangiosarcoma? Or did the hemangio replace the osteosarcoma diagnosis/
Before Dr. Pam chimes in can you tell us what treatment plan is being recommended by your vet?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Has any mushroom therapy been offered as a treatment? Or Yunnan baiyao
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!
Hello there
yes logging in is not easy on my iPhone. As far as her diagnoses I’m pretty bummed with my vets at the moment. Long story short her rads are in the process of getting reviewed by her original oncologist that did the amputation. The vet that did her rads on Monday wasn’t sure about pretty much anything And said he may see something or he may not see something. So right now it is unclear. The unfortunate thing is it I never know when anyone is going to get back to me there were two spots on her heart they were very suspicious in my opinion. And with her symptoms being lethargic extremely weak clearing her throat after she eats panting as she sits and rests....
I have her on turkey tail and I have the yunnan baiyo on standby as I knew that hemangiosarcoma may be an issue in the future. So I don’t have her on it just yet. I’d like to put her on it I’m hoping Pam could give me some insight does the yunnan baiyo interfere with Rimadyl or prednisone low-dose such as 5 mg? Koko needs to be able to walk, her hind and weakness became so weakOver the last few days and I need to be able to give her something for her mobility. Any suggestions are welcome thanks so much. She has not been on rimadyl for 2 days I have everything on stand by except the shrooms and ip6.
Sorry, I'm a bit confused. Are these your questions for Dr. Pam?
Koko had thoracid rads done yesterday that showed heart hemangiosarcoma. Im thinking this is why she has been lethargic and weak the past few days. I want to start her on low dose pred before she stops walking all together. Any ideas how to get a vet to prescribe pred?
does the yunnan baiyo interfere with Rimadyl or prednisone low-dose such as 5 mg?
And to confirm, you are still awaiting a diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma, this is just suspected right now?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Koko’s ortho vet put in Pred for me. @benny55 did you use pred along with the turkey tail and Yunnan?
@koko, it sounds like the pred issue has been resolved? I'm going to close this topic now, hope that's OK. Message me if not. Please ask the questions about supplements in Eating Healthy OK? Thanks!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I was hoping a vet could comment on if prednisone is ok to take with yunnan. Thanks much
Yes you can take the Yunann with pred but in general do not give Rimadyl and pred together since they may upset the stomach. If your vet has prescribed both and the pred is a very low dose this may be okay. Check your dog's gums to make sure they are still pink since hemangiosarcoma can start bleeding at any time,
Pam
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