Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi-
This is my first blog, and even thinking about what to write brings tears to my eyes. Charlie is my 11yr old beagle diagnosed with a hemangiocytoma on his rear foot, right next to his large pad. At first the doctors felt it would be a skin-graft type of invasive surgery, but after talking to a surgeon, he feels that amputation is the best route. I'm scared out of my mind to do this to Charlie. He has arthritis, low thyroid, and now they even noticed a lump growing on the front paw as well. After his senior panel came back, the doctor said he is a candidate, but I'm just so hesitant. He has so much life inside him, and if it wasn't for me taking him to all these vets he wouldn't even know he had anything wrong. He plays, has a good appetite, consistent-regular potty breaks. I guess I signed up for this website because I'm looking for reassurance, or to be pointed in the right direction. None of my friends seem to give me the answers I want to hear, as well as family and doctors. And the worst part, I don't even know what it is I want to hear. Does that make sense? I guess I'm just searching for a similar story that will give me hope. I'm not ready to say "good-bye" and I strongly do not think Charlie is either.
Thanks for reading...
Abby
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Hi Abby,
Welcome to Tripawds, thanks for registering (your future posts won't require moderation).
I'm so sorry you and Charlie found yourself in this place. Many of us know the heartbreak of dealing with the diagnosis and shock of learning that amputation is a recommended solution. It's hard almost as hard to picture our dogs on three legs as it is to picture our life without them. I think you are a pawesome human for being so dilligent about his medical care and whatever you decide, as long as you make that decision with his best interest in mind, that's what matters.
What we like to say here is that when it comes to a dog's life, it's all about quality, not quantity. So whether Charlie lives six more months or six more years, what matters is that he is not in pain from an uncontrolled tumor. Don't let his age deter you; if he's in otherwise good health, and the doc says he's a candidate, that's a big plus.
From what I understand in this article about hemangiocytomas (which it says are similar to nerve sheath tumors), the chances of the tumor coming back are huge, which is why amputation was suggested. If you don't amputate, chances are it will come back in the same leg. But if you're already seeing it in the other leg, did the vet do a biopsy and say what the prognosis is for that tumor is? What I see as a concern is, what if you amputate the rear and that one on the front goes out of control? Unfortunately dogs only have one spare leg.
I think that if I was in your position I would get another opinion, just to put my mind at ease. It's not an easy decision, but we'll do what we can to make the process less stressful for you. Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Abby,
I agree with Jerry. I would have to find out what is going on with the front paw before I could even start to make a decision. If the lump on the front paw is cancer as well that would really change the way I'd feel about amputation. I would get a second opinion, find out exactly what you're facing with the front paw, and find out if a second vet thinks Charlie is a good candidate for amputation.
If you find out the lump on the front paw is benign and he's a good candidate for amputation, I wouldn't have a problem with amputating his rear leg if it were my dog. My roxy is 8-9 years old, she's been a tripawd for just over 2 years now and we're struggling with arthritis issues in her rear legs. But I wouldn't change a thing. She's spunky and full of life, she makes us smile and brings so much joy to us all. Even with her arthritis she doesn't get down in the dumps, she just keeps on and I'm so thankful I decided to give her a second chance.
Hope this helps somehow.
Leslie
I am sorry to hear your Charlie has been diagnosed with hemangiocytoma. I agree with Jerry-- you need to have a biopsy on that front paw and find out what it is before you do anything else. If the front tumor is benign (our favorite word), then I'd certainly consider amputation if the surgeon thinks he's a good candidate-- 11 is not that old for a beagle (my parent's had a beagle that lived well into his 18th year). If you wade through the forums, you'll find nearly everyone was initially frightened to death by the thought of amputation, but the dogs really do well on three legs. I no longer consider amputation scary and would not hesitate to amputate if (God forbid) we are faced with canine cancer again.
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
Wow- Thank you all for your advice and kind words/support. I have been to do vets that both did needle aspiration biopsy on the rear lump, and they both referred me to a surgeon for a final opinion. Once the surgeon recommended amputation (and talked circles around me in the room- has anyone ever felt like that? He literally spoke the word "amputation" and the whole roomed just turned into one muffling sound and all I could do is focus on that word, and Charlie huddled up underneath the end table shaking). So when I left the surgeon, I went back to my primary vet, we reviewed the surgeon's notes, and my vet agreed he move forward with amputation as well.
My initial reaction is to wait it out, since it is a slow growing tumor, non-metastasizing (except for a small rate) would it be irrational to wait until Charlie shows signs of discomfort, then take him in for surgery, and while he's under just have them remove the front lump as well since it's small enough to handle? I am strongly considering just moving forward with another fine needle aspirate for the front lump, but hesitation is my worst companion right now...if he has to go under anyway, I would much rather just remove the front lump in general.
Thank you again everyone- you have been a breath of fresh air.
Welcome to Tripawds. I'm sorry you are having to deal with all of this.
My pug Maggie had had a mast cell tumor removed from her side about 6 or 7 months before I found the lump in her knee. The first tumor was removed and we didn't do any further treatment- sort of a 'no big deal'. When I took her to the vet to check the lump in her knee I was pretty sure it was cancer again, but based on our first experience there would be a quick surgery and recovery and maybe do chemo this time- still not too big a deal, right? When my vet said amputation I was stunned- geeze the tumor wasn't even causing her any pain or mobility issues! How could amputation be the solution to this? I worried way more about the amp then the cancer.
As it turned out I was worried about the wrong thing. After a slow start Mag did fine with the amp- we were fighting the cancer for a long time. Mag lived almost 4 years after her amp.
I would definitely want to know what is in the front paw before deciding on amputation. I did lots of tests on Maggie before the amp to make sure the cancer hadn't spread, if I had seen signs of mets I probably would not have done the surgery.
Let us know what you decide to do, we are here to support you and help any way we can.
Karen and the pugapaplloza
That word amputation just kind of sucks all the other noise out of the room. When my oncologist said it to me, literally, I didn't hear another word she said. It's such a drastic-sounding measure, especially if your pup, like mine, wasn't feeling any discomfort or pain, wasn't limping, didn't appear sick in any way.
Since you have the time to really research your options -- a silver-lining to a slow growing cancer -- it will help take away some of the panic. Knowledge really is power, and understanding as much as you can about what you're facing is the only way to make the best decisions for you and your Charlie.
And as you take this journey, know that you have friends here, friends who've faced the challenge that you're facing and can provide support and information as you step into the unknown.
Good luck to you and Charlie -- we'll be thinking about you.
Rio's momma, Micki
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~ ~ Rio ~ ~ |
riosmom said
That word amputation just kind of sucks all the other noise out of the room.
I have to say, that is an incredibly accurate description of those moments after the diagnosis.
Abby, I am so sorry that you have received this scary diagnosis, but please know that you are not alone and there is hope for Charlie. I agree that you need to know what you are dealing with in the other paw before you can make an informed decision. We have all experienced that time of diagnosis - kinda like having the wind knocked out of us - and we will all be here to answer questions and offer whatever advice we may have. Strangely enough, once the shock wears off and you start moving forward with treatment (whatever that may be - holistic, amp, chemo....) you will find some peace with the journey. There is alot to be said for the empowerment that comes with knowledge and with knowing that you are actually "doing something" as opposed to feeling helpless.
I wish you the best of luck!
Lisa
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Hi, don't really have anything to add since I don't know anything about that type of cancer and don't know what I'd do in your situation, but jsut wanted to say welcome. We had a wonder beagle for 12 years and my family has had many beagles over the years so I have a huge soft spot for them. I hope all goes well for your gorgeous guy.
Keep us posted,
Jackie, angel Abby & MBBunny (and part beagle) Rita'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!
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