Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our 12 yo golden was just diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right shoulder during an appointment to discuss changing her arthritis meds. The diagnosis was a complete shock and we are trying to determine the best way to help her. Her vet took chest xrays as well and says they cannot see signs of it metastasizing but that it is highly likely that it has. She is healthy other than some arthritis. Our current vet will proceed with whatever we would like but seems to be recommending palliative care. We are trying to figure out what options allow her to have the best quality of life for the time she has left with us. Any thoughts/in site would be greatly appreciated!!
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer in your girl.
We have had many dogs here in their 'mature' years who have done well with amputation. The age in years is not as important as how young or old Baylie actually is in mind and body. We have also have pups here with arthritis do well.
You might want to look through the Size and Age Matters forum for stories of older pups.
What palliative care options did your vet give you? Did you talk about radiation treatments or bisphonates? I would recommend a consult with an oncologist so you know all the treatment options available. It might also be helpful to get an opinion from an orthopedic vet on how well Baylie would do with amputation.
This is always a difficult decision- gather all the information you can to help you decide on what is best for Baylie.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Your Baylie sounds like quite a spunky "mature gal" And that is a real plus and reminds us that age is just a number.
Karen has given you good advice and just want to ditto it. Do try and get an appointment with an Orthopedic Surgeon. They'll do a thorough exam and are better able to determine if Baylie has any issues that could prevent her from doing well in three. And yes, dogs with arthritis can certainly do very well on three.
And this is just in the "for whatever it's worth" column. If you have an Ortho Surgeo with a staffed overnight clinic, that would be rhe best route to take.
And it is good that the xrays arr clear. As Karen suggested, an appointment with an Onco can discuss her situation with you.
We know this is upsetting, to say this least. We also know, if your Baylie is a good candidate for amputation, you are giving her good extended quality time to be pain free and get more loving and spoiling!!
Whatever decision you make, it will be out of love for Baylie and that is always the right decision!! We are right by your side. STAY CONNECTED! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! WE UNDERSTAND!
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!
with osteosarcoma, many people suggest throwing everything at it. I have used cyber knife radiation instead of amputation, I’m using THC marijuana, I’m using Chinese herbs, armor up, from k9 pharmaceuticals, turkey tail, there is plenty you can do. Of course the CT would show if it has spread to the lungs. All the best
Hi Baylie and family 🌸🐾
I am really sorry to hear your baby has osteosarcoma but, as others mentioned, there are a lot of available options.
And I would add generally older dogs with cancer stay with us for longer than younger ones.
Please let us know which route you take and do not hesitate asking any questions, big or small, we're all here for you anytime.
Hugs and cuddles 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Fallon was 11 when she was diagnosed. Our vet discouraged going ahead with the amputation due to her age, size, and arthritis--but we did anyway after consulting with the surgeon and a greyhound expert. She had a fantastic life on 3 legs, just rocked being a Tripawd and lived a happy life that she loved.
As others have mentioned, an appointment with a surgeon can give some clarity about next steps. There are options. We all know what a rough time this is, getting this horrible news about this POS disease--you're in our thoughts as you navigate this.
There's no wrong answers, it's what you feel is best for Baylie.
Fallon 8/28/06--9/6/18. My Heart.
Fallon's left front leg was amputated due to osteosarcoma on 10/11/17.
Nothing But Love in Her Heart - dawn3g.tripawds.com
Thank you all so much for your responses!! Right now they are giving Baylie 4 meds (Codeine, Gabapentin, Amantadine, & Galliprant). She seemed to be doing fairly well with the combination until last night & now is limping so badly she can hardly walk - so hard to watch. Vet is closed due to the holiday- hoping to get morphine or something for her first thing in the morning. Just wish we could help alleviate the pain!!
I know this is upsetting, to say the least. I doubt that this would help, but maybe try a warm towel from the dryer over her shoulder and spine.
This crap disease can be do brutal. I know you are still trying to process everything and doing your research, while hoping to manage the pain in the meantime. The Vet may want to make sure no fracture is involved now, as clearly her pain has escalated.
I'm so sorry you find yourself in this situation . The pain is what forces us to make decisions no one should ever have to make for their dog. Amputation removes the pain. It gives them a chance at a quality pain free life. That's not to minimize that it is MAJOR SURGERY and recovery is no picnic for a couple of weeks. All surgery has unforseen risks. As you've seen, the pain meds only work for a certain amount of time.
You know your Baylee better than anyone. You know her spunk, her grit, her demeanor, her zest for life. Whatever route you take, Baylee knows you love her and knows you eill always do what's in her best interest ❤
Have you had an opportunity to have her evsluated by an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Update when you can.
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!
Just now catching up, and I'm so sorry to hear about Baylie's diagnosis and her pain levels. It's such a hard diagnosis to begin with but then when a dog is her age, it makes things even tougher. All I can say is that you know her like nobody else. If you believe she has the heart of a younger dog and can bounce back after surgery, then you can have more quality time together. Amputation isn't right for every dog, but we've had many members with dogs older than her who were given an extra chance at happier times with their humans after amputation. How much time is a gamble, but even those whose dogs just had a few pain-free weeks after recovery are usually glad they went through with it.
I hope you are able to get her to a veterinarian today for some stronger medication. Unfortunately even the strongest pain meds aren't enough to manage the pain for very long, and the risk of fracture is a real possibility so fast decisions are necessary in this kind of situation. I'm so sorry. If you want to talk, the Tripawds Helpline is always available. Keep us posted, we're thinking of you both.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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