Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi to everyone on this wonderful site. I've been reading different posts since my Sadie was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma last Thursday. She & our other baby, Syd have been very active since our area finally thawed so we assumed her limping was a sprain. We are still in shock over the diagnosis. Our regular vet asked if Sadie could stay for a few hours until the specialist came in to see another patient. He really wanted her to be seen. Then I got a phone call, the phone call where I couldn't get anything out of my mouth except for "1 hour". Short for give me one hour to get myself put together enough to drive. He showed me the xrays, the mass, aspiration results, said a lot, his hands moved a lot, then he said amputation of leg and shoulder. Still can t believe it.
I read here that another member would not have the biopsy on her baby if they were able to do it over. I've have a couple people say the same thing also, why put them through that pain then more for amputation? I don't know I guess. The vet agrees that the biopsy isn't necessary but serves to make the parents feel better about their decision. What are your opinions? Thank you!
Hi and welcome, your future posts won't require approval. I'm in the chat right now if you want to hop on over. Back in a sec to answer your post.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Many of us here have been in your shoes and totally understand the confusion and tough decision.My first question is, what kind of specialist saw Sadie?
What you need to ask your vet is, is this a given that no matter what happens, will the leg need to come off? If so, can the bone biopsy wait until after the amputation? Usually, if a cancer diagnosis is 99.9% certain, vets will biopsy the removed leg. Otherwise if there's any doubt at all, and a chance that the leg can be saved, a bone biopsy is recommended. Despite the painful procedure that it is, it's the only way to know for sure what you're dealing with. However because it's so painful, many vets and people opt to wait IF they know that they leg needs amputating. So, find out if the leg needs to come off no matter what the outcome. If the tumor is getting in the way of mobility and/or painful, that's probably the case but do let us know.
I recommend checking out Jerry's Rquired Reading List right now, just to try to ease your worries. Do tell us more about Sadie!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to Tripawds.
My deciding point would be, like Jerry said, would the biopsy change the amp decision? If the amp is going to happen anyway then I would wait for the biopsy until after surgery. The biopsy could be important to stage or grade the cancer, and maybe give a definitive diagnosis on cancer type. Another question I would have, is a soft tissue sarcoma biopsy as painful as a OSA biopsy? I know the bone cancer biopsy drills into bone and that is very painful. Would a soft tissue biopsy touch bone?
I completely understand how you felt with the diagnosis. My pug Maggie had a mast cell tumor removed about 6 months before I found the one in her knee. I expected the cancer word, but when my vet said the amputation word, well, I didn't hear another word.
What type of dog is Sadie? How old, how big?
Keep us posted on your decision.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I waited and had the biopsy done on the amputated leg. My boy had had a needle aspiration done a few months before. Long story, we had a long road to a diagnosis. He was in a lot of pain just after having the joint aspirated. His leg had to come off due to pain levels. I also did not want to waste any more time. We also were 99percent sure it was cancer. Wound up being Histeosarcoma instead of Osteo, but same protocol. So I agree with what everyone here is saying. If it will not change the amp. decision, then have it done after. Keep us posted. I know, it is so difficult, in the heat of the moment to try and make a decision. You are basically in shock and yet have to try to think clearly. You have come to the right place for support. This group will have your back the whole way through this journey! Love from, Lori and TY
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
I was one that said IF I had to do it over I wouldn't do a biopsy again. If they have the possibility of Osteoscaroma. That is my personal opinion. I did 2 of them and both of them came back inconclusive. I had a vet before the one I am going to now (and this is part of why I left her practice the other I won't mention)she said she wanted to do a bone "wedge" biopsy. Which would have meant Sassy's leg would have broken for sure especially since it was diagnosed with Osteoscaroma after the amputation.
The biopsy process is all a matter of opinion. I just know if faced with this again & the x-rays look like it I won't hesitate.
Hugs
Michelle & Angel Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
krun15 said
Another question I would have, is a soft tissue sarcoma biopsy as painful as a OSA biopsy? I know the bone cancer biopsy drills into bone and that is very painful. Would a soft tissue biopsy touch bone?Karen and Spirit Maggie
Excellent question Karen, I didn't even think of that! I'd love to know the answer.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for your comments. They said Sadie has soft tissue sarcoma and if we choose biopsy it will be a punch biopsy. I thought that odd since all the reading ssys those are for skin cancers, not a mass so deep under shoulder muscle. I' ve been reading & writing down questions and made an appt. For me to see dr. again. I seriously didn't retain much of what he said & I have a list going. I go this Thursday so if anyone thinks if any other questions please let me know. It still seems so unreal. She won't be 3 til Aug. 12, so young.
Just saw yourpost. Yeah, feels like you're stuck in a ightmare, huh? I cried non-stop fr days...didn't realy have access to this site til after the amoutation......stayed connected once I fond tripawds and felt like K'd been tossed a lifelne.
You sta connected tomus, o,ay? Do your research and, should yor up meed amputatin , yoj will be amazed at how well she'l do! Just keep it chunked down...one decision at a tme...and eat a whole lotof chocolated n between deep breaths!!
B R E A T H E......... B R E A T H E........B R E A T H E
You are not alone.
HUGS
Sally and Happ Hannah
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!
oh gosh she is young, I'm so sorry.
Yeah, writing down everything ahead of time and being clear that you want the doc to answer all of your questions will go a long way toward helping you make a decision. Good luck this week and keep us posted, we'll be thinking of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sadie is a Golden /English setter mix. (tried to change avatar to my babies pix but it says I don't have enough memory to do that? How do they know I'm forgetful? ):0) I have another baby Syd, he'll also be 3 this Summer. He is a Golden. I thought that with Sadie being a mix it would stave off cancer that seems to hit our Goldens. NOT. THX FOR ALL OF YOUR responses, I can't tell you how grateful I am to find this site! Sally, the chocolate & deep breaths. Sound like a good idea. I'll throw in some wine too! Jerry had asked me what knid of specialist Sadie saw besides her regular vet & sadly I don't remember if she was an oncologist or an orthopedic specialist. Like I said, it was a blurr. How does everyone feel about the vaccine site sarcomas? This is exactly the spot where she hsd her rabies in 2013. There's many people and research to back it up, that believe there is a ggod chance of that being the cause.
Hmmm..not enough memory? What exactly is the error you're getting? I'm wondering if the photo you are trying to upload is too big?
Sadie sounds beautiful. Yeah, unfortunately we see all breeds and mixes here, there is no dog that's immune from a potential cancer diagnosis. We're glad you found us too.
That's OK that things were a blur and you forgot some stuff, we've all been there. If at all possible, take someone with you to your next appointment so you have two sets of ears. Take copious notes to.
As for the odds of a vaccine causing a sarcoma, we've heard all kinds of theories about that. You might want to start a new topic about that in "Anything Goes."
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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