Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Anyone out there have experience with hemangiosarcoma? We originally thought our almost 12YO Samoyed had osteosarcoma (she broke her leg the night before New Years Eve). But the biopsy and several tests after that showed it was this blood cancer instead (supposedly it's very, very rare to show up in the bone like in Muji's case). We're about 2.5 weeks post-op, recovery has gone very well. I'm sitting at her first chemo session now - going to try doxorubicin (sp?) and some Chinese medicinal herb that supposedly helps a lot. Leave it to my pup to go the road less traveled.
My heart broke to read this title. Your Muji's case presents very much like my Shelby. She broke her leg and we couldn't find any cancer so we fixed her leg but it never really healed. We assumed it was old age and arthritis. Sadly, then her spleen had to come out and we found the hemanagiosarcoma. We started chemo immediately and a few months later, that darn leg did have to come off and only then did we find the hemangio.
It's a cruel cancer. Rare in the leg so yes, I get it. And we did do duboxician (sp) and the chinese mushroom herbs. I like to think that everything we did prolonged Shelby's life .... she got 8 months where they gave us must more somber statistics.
I am so sorry you are going through this but glad you found us. Please keep us posted on how Muji is doing .... and more photos!!!
Much love,
alison with spirit shelby in her heart
PS - feel free to ask me anything ... there are a few of us here that have dealt with hemangiosarcoma so we can offer any insight and guidence. I believe there was a dog here that lived over 4 years with this cancer. I can't recall the name but there are many that beat those odds!!! Remember, statistics are just that .... what counts is living in each day and love... lots of love!!!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Others will chime in who, like Alison and her beloved Shelby, dealt with it.
In fact....shhh....this is just our little secret.....nobody's listening, right. I happen to know that Alison will be "on duty" for the Tripawds Helpline this Thursday if you'd like to talk directly with her.
Gladto hear that Muji is handling recovery so well. It's still early and it only gets better!! Savor each day and never waste anytime worrying abput tomorrow. Muji is staying in the moment soaking up all your loving and spoiling!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Hi to you and welcome, sorry you are dealing with ugly cancer in your sweet Samoyed, especially this cancer. I personally have had a little too much experience with hemangiosarcoma........ My angel Polly, who was a sweet yellow Lab, also started with hemangiosarcoma in her right front leg, but was more in the muscle and soft tissue. We had two leg surgeries to remove the cancer in 6 months time, but ultimately had to have her leg amputated. We chose to start chemo after her very first surgery in March of 2013, which was doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. She had a bumpy road at first with the doxie, but got it to where she could tolerate treatments. The one regret I do have, is not learning about and starting Yunnan Baiyao which has been a proven herb to combat symptoms of this cancer. I also lost my Black Lab Maggie to this cancer, who was my Polly's older house-mate, and they kinda grew up together.
I wish all the best to you and your pup, and there are so many here to help you through this unwanted journey..... Alison and Sally have already given great advice, and I know there are a few more of us that have dealt with this crappy cancer, so hopefully they will help out as well. My Polly battled this ugly cancer for almost 14 months, before it took her from me, and we are mighty proud of that. I always have to remember that she had many quality days in that amount of time too, but somehow we always want way more than we get.
Like Sally said, enjoy and savor the moments, and don't waste time worrying, learn to Be More Dog 😊🐾
Keeping you and Muji in my thoughts,
Bonnie, Angel Polly, and new crew
A huge thanks to everyone for your responses. It really helps a lot. Special thanks, Allison, for your post and reminder about stats being just stats (I was kind of depressed when I heard the survival rates weren't as good for hemangiosarcoma as compared to osteosarcoma. BTW - we're in LA, too. Did the amputation at Access City of Angeles but switched to VCA West LA for the chemo. Looking for a PT now). And Bonnie - I love your reminder to be "more dog." Karsha and Muji
karsha said
stats being just stats...
Haven't you heard? 9 out of 10 statistics are wrong. 
Looking for a PT now...
If you're in L.A. check out CARE - aka: California Animal Rehab- and consider taking advantage of the Maggie Moo Fund for Tripawd Rehab to get reimbursed for your first visit!
I love your reminder to be "more dog."
When you have time, listen to our Be More Dog podcast.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
karsha said
A huge thanks to everyone for your responses. It really helps a lot. Special thanks, Allison, for your post and reminder about stats being just stats (I was kind of depressed when I heard the survival rates weren't as good for hemangiosarcoma as compared to osteosarcoma. BTW - we're in LA, too. Did the amputation at Access City of Angeles but switched to VCA West LA for the chemo. Looking for a PT now). And Bonnie - I love your reminder to be "more dog." Karsha and Muji
Another LA family!!! We also had our amp done at Access City of Angeles (Dr. Carey was the best). We did chemo at the Veterinary Cancer Group right next door with Dr. Turner. As far as PT, Shelby and I only did one session here but it was great:
Two Hands Four Paws
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
I know a bit late but looks like your on the right path.. my girl was just diagnosed with HSA its her 3rd different type of cancer in 2 yrs. From what Ive read.. If you have the $ or are close to a university I would suggest a full body CT. in Illinois it was only about $700. because if you catch it early you can remove any other nasty tumors..just a suggestion.. My girl had bone cancer to start, but just got diagnosed with HSA, if I would have just done an extra couple ultrasounds for rechecking of any mets, we might have caught it earlier. as her HSA is heart and liver. Also a not so common starting point.
But go for it.. thats what I say... I went for it all.. I regret non of it...
Good luck and God bless your journey.
Neka & Steph
Angel Neka
7/4/2003-4/5/2016
2.5yr 3x cancer warrior survivor
Hi, looks like this is the most likely diagnosis for my Mum's domestic short hair tabby cat Jack. He's less than 4 years old. The vet made the call on an amputation (left front leg) after opening up the tumour and realising it wasn't encapsulated like a hemangioma would be. Mum is 80 and is very upset about leaving it for 6 weeks before treatment - we had all assumed it was an infection. However she will not likely do chemotherapy unless my brother who is a human oncologist can prescribe - Jack has cost a lot of money by NZ standards for pet healthcare
I have read a bit about the prognosis. Not great. I would really like to hear from other cat tripaws about their real life experience
Hi quirkyfriend and Jack, greetings! Your future posts won't need approval so post away.
I'm really sorry to hear about the diagnosis. So has the leg been taken off yet? I'm thinking it has, but why does your Mum need to leave him for six weeks?
Well as you know, hemangio isn't the best prognosis, but one of the great things about this community is that it's full of exceptions to the rule. Here's one kitty, Prince Vince, who did great after a hemangio diagnosis;
One Year Ampuversary!
Although Prince Vince did have chemo, that doesn't mean that Jack can't have the same longevity. We've seen many dogs and cats here not go through chemo and beat the odds, even when the prognosis was dire. Our own Jerry beat the odds for two years after an osteosarcoma diagnosis, and many dogs and cats have gone further.
I hope this helps put some hope in your heart and help your Mum cope better. It's not easy when you're first hit with this news, but we'll be here every step of the way.
P.S. I didn't search through all Tripawd kitty blogs but here's our growing list, you may find others in your situation and for sure you'll be inspired.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there, thanks for the reply. Jack is home with his human (my Mum) and is showing that two of the last six weeks have not been a total waste of time. He had been bandaged to prevent him worrying at the wound which we suspected wrongly was caused by an antibiotic resistance so had been pretty much three pawed mobile due to that.
Vet medicine in NZ is like our human medicine, a very deliberate process of ruling out each possible cause in turn, so we ruled out fracture, simple infection and haemophilia and antibiotic resistant infection before the FNA showed a tumour.
We will know about the specific type of tumour and how far it spread within 2 weeks. Our young vet is getting loads of help from her professors at the vet school because it is such an unusual case.
We are midwinter here and he's getting pampering with heated wheat bags and his bed in front of the heat pump. Given my furball has a full coat of fluff and is coming under the covers at night, I can imagine Jack will complain about the bald spots.
We've sent age appropriate emails to my partner's daughters today explaining about what is going on for Jack - their mother doesn't let them have pets and they are very attached to the animals in our family who they see on visits.
I have found a specialist harness option for if Jack has problems with the H harness we were using the last few weeks, so I will keep you all posted.
I told Mum about this place and she was chuckling at "tripaws" instead of "tripods"
It's early days and I'm working this weekend but will see if Mum wants to blog his journey
Welcome to the site quirkyfriend, Mum and Jack!
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
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