Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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First of all, I want to say that I am really happy to have found this community.
Our girl Norah, an 8 year old Husky mix, had started limping two weeks ago and the diagnosis from the xrays on her right rear leg was osteosarcoma. We had the biopsy done last Friday and the results just came in, "well differentiated reactive cells with fibrosis". The vet, who I trust, said that the lab results were pretty nonspecific and as much as he's like it to not be cancer, he thinks the sample taken in the biopsy wasn't representative of what is going on in Norah's leg. He's having a radiologist look at the films for an additional diagnosis tomorrow.
While I'd love it to be a benign diagnosis, I'm keeping my head straight about the amputation we'll probably be going through soon. I'd like to ask if anyone else here has heard of a diagnosis/lab results of "well differentiated reactive cells with fibrosis"?
Thanks for your input!
Norah is an 8 year old Alaskan Husky. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right hind leg on 3/26/12. She had her amputation on 4/1/13. Chemotherapy (Carboplatin) started on 4/16/13 and she has completed three rounds.
Welcome! We're sorry to hear about Norah, but glad you found us. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.
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Hello,
Just wanted to say a quick welcome! I do not have Jill's biopsy results in front of me, but I'll make sure to look at it tomorrow when I get to work. I know it had a lot of "stuff" in there I did not understand. I can tell you the result was "suspected giant cell osteosarcoma" so we had a more certain diagnosis, but I will let you know if it said anything in there
about "well differentiated reactive cells with fibrosis". In the meantime, if you have any questions at all about the amputation, feel free to ask away! Also, come on by the chat room
, theres usually a few of us in there 
Erica & Jill
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Hi! Jackson is a husky mix, too, and without a right rear leg b/c of OSA...
I've not heard that lango before, but that doesn't mean anything. It's understood around here that biopsies done prior to amp can be misleading or false or miss things all together. Jackson's tumor was found via xray. Cancer type confirmed after amp. Taking a sample after amp is pretty common and is highly recommended for many reasons...if that is the path you're facing. You may also want to ask your vet, surgeon, oncologist (whoever or as many folks as possible!) if they also take a sample from the amputate lymph node. It's not common practice, as OSA rarely goes there. However, it surprised me it's not common practice b/c if it is detected in the lymph node, that has implications for prognosis/treatment. I am NOT a vet, so I highly encourage to ask you pup's veterinary team if they take that lymph node sample and why/why not. There are good reasons for doing both and I'm confused about it. Just throwing it out there....
Keep us posted!
~ Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
OK, just looked at Jill's biopsy stuff, nothing about "well differentiated reactive cells with fibrosis". Of course, that doesn't mean anything to your case, but just wanted to let you know. I think its wise that your vet is consulting a radiologist just to be certain, shows good judgement and that he is just looking out for your pup's best interest!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
Hello Norah and Dad,
I certainly echo everyone's thought os this site being immensely helpful from a support but also resource to you.
My buddy, Tahoe, a 9yo Golden Retriever was diagnosed with hystiocytic sarcoma, initially by X-ray, ultrasound and then biopsy. The initial biopsy results did not have any wording such as you have. We did have to do further screening of the biopsy results doing 'staining' of the cells to get a 100% conclusive finding. I hope that for you and Norah the results are benign but if not you have found a great place here.
This is day #2 for Tahoe after his amp and according to the surgeon is doing amazingly well and he comes home today!!
Hang in there regardless of the outcomes and if I/we can do anything to assist, please reach out.
Stirling and Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
Thanks for all of the replies! I appreciate your information and experiences.
The vets opinion from the xrays was that it is an osteosarcoma. We agreed to the bone biopsy over the phone because she was already sedated (and it was before we discovered this site and the great e-book!). It was frustrating for the vet to say that the lab results from the biopsy were "somewhat nonspecific" and that the sample "may not be representative of what's going on there". You all are absolutely right that the biopsies are somewhat misleading and could be false! I would have never put Norah through the pain of the biopsy and the grogginess/constipation/nausea of general anesthesia had I found this site and the e-book earlier.
The next step is that hopefully a radiologist will be looking at the xray films today. I'm hoping that since he/she is a specialist, they'll be able to give a more definitive answer. I know the benign diagnosis is a far flung chance, but regardless, I am looking forward in a strange way to having a clear path forward to get her out of pain and to continue living our lives as best we can.
Norah is an 8 year old Alaskan Husky. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right hind leg on 3/26/12. She had her amputation on 4/1/13. Chemotherapy (Carboplatin) started on 4/16/13 and she has completed three rounds.
Where do you live? Are you somewhere near a good vet oncologist? might not hurt to consult one!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
I'd like to put in vibes for a benign 2nd opinion!
About a year and change ago, Sam's eye bulged out--not like hugely, but it protruded enough and it happened suddenly enough my vet was concerned--orbital neoplasms with his co-occurring symptoms are almost NEVER benign. He also had a sudden intramuscular one in one of his back legs (he has a history of lipomas-benign).
Those signs all said "lymphoma." Preliminary biopsies came back "looking very very much like lymphoma." We sent him to the specialty vet. HE thought it was lymphoma. By this time, our vet was outlining chemo plans, getting us in to a study, etc. We did a CT scan and another biopsy at the specialist...NOT LYMPHOMA. The tumor in his head, against pretty much all the odds, was a lipoma. They are of the invasive/infiltrative variety, so they CAN become problematic, but they were NOT cancerous. Lesson being: EVERYONE thought it was lymphoma. It looked like lymphoma, walked like lymphoma, quacked like lymphoma...but it wasn't.
SO! It can happen.
FWIW, up until his OSA, Sam has had a history of TOTALLY making doctors go, "Huh. Well, now THAT'S not how that should present." or "Huh. It absolutely LOOKS like something else." So, we had a pretty good run of bucking the odds. 
Good luck!
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Interesting call from the vet today and a cause for a sliver of cautious optimism. The radiologist did not come back with a specific cancer diagnosis. Again, the term "reactive cells" was used. Between that and the biopsy lab results, my veterinarian said, "I don't want to get ahead of ourselves, but we need to acknowledge the possibility that this is a non-cancerous lesion of some sort." All of your good vibes and well wishes must have helped.
Of course the dark cloud that this silver lining is attached to is that this complicates decision making. We don't want to take an otherwise healthy leg from Norah, but we also don't want to give cancer a shot at spreading. We decided with or vet that a veterinary oncologist referral was appropriate. (Much as rica55 suggested!) They may want to do a more aggressive biopsy, according to my vet. At this point, I think we have to go through with it because it really seems like the unknown right now. We don't know what's causing her limp/pain. Working on getting set up on an appointment now, and hoping we get a diagnosis like Sam's!
Thank you all.
Norah is an 8 year old Alaskan Husky. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right hind leg on 3/26/12. She had her amputation on 4/1/13. Chemotherapy (Carboplatin) started on 4/16/13 and she has completed three rounds.
That is great! I know after seeing and talking to an oncologist, I know I felt better about our options since this is their area of expertise. Keep us posted!
Jill is a 9-year-old tuxedo kitty. She was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma in June 2012 on her toe in her right hind leg. Her leg was amputated on 12/12/12 and she completed four rounds of chemo (2 of Carbo, 2 of Doxy) in April 2013. "Like" Jill's facebook page: https://www.fac.....tty?ref=hl Proud member of the WINTER WARRIORS!!!! Her blog can be read at http://jillsjou.....ipawds.com. xoxo
When Kermit's lymphoma was diagnosed the first biopsy came back as "reactive cells" and the second, more thorough one came back "raging lymphoma". 
When he was diagnosed with the osteo, his tumor didn't show on X-ray much because it was on the inside of the humerus near his chest. Rather than subject an already EXTREMELY painful dog to a bone biopsy, he had an MRI, which clearly showed the large tumor. Even though we didn't specifically know what kind of cancer it was until after the amputation, it was obvious that it was cancer.
If you have access to MRI & the means to do it, it's a diagnostic option.
I think there's something called an ultrasound-guided biopsy. Maybe that's standard? Maybe I'm about 10 years behind? Maybe it's cutting edge! Who knows....but look into it or ask. Whatever can be done to screen that fuzz better!
~Katy
ACL tear in right hind leg 12/5/12 and scheduled ACL repair surgery 12/21/12. Pre-op xrays revealed osteosarcoma. Amputation 12/28/12. Chemo (carboplatin) started Jan 10, 2013 and ended on April 5, for a total of 5 doses. He handled carbo like a champ! No side effects. We started metronomic therapy at his third chemo and have been also doing some holistic treatments. He's a lively, playful 10 year old huskie-boarder collie and a very proud member of the Winter Warriors! Our love. Our funny little guy!
Thanks, as always, for the advice and shared experiences.
We have an appointment early next week with the vet who is giving the second opinion. They have a large practice with an oncology department and are a "hub" for veterinary specialist referrals in the area, so I'm sure they'll make a good call as to what type of imaging and diagnostics to do. They already have Norah's medical records and lab results.
The specific vet that we'll be seeing specializes in diseases of the canine stifle and surgical oncology and has presented on the topic numerous times to the American College of Veterinary Surgeons national conference. That's the location of Norah's problems (right rear lower leg / "knee" joint). I think he's a perfect fit for a second opinion... except he doesn't have any appointment openings tomorrow!
Norah is an 8 year old Alaskan Husky. She was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her right hind leg on 3/26/12. She had her amputation on 4/1/13. Chemotherapy (Carboplatin) started on 4/16/13 and she has completed three rounds.
If I may add my $0.02 worth ...
Sounds like you are doing your due diligence, which is essential for being Norah's guardian.
When you mention the area of question is the knee joint, it makes me think of Tahoe's cancer. He came up severely lame from playing ball, right front leg elbow was severely swollen. Once we got onto investigative imaging and biopsy, ultimately they determined the cancer to be 'periarticular hystiocytic sarcoma' (PAHS). Though not a vet, my research has indicated that PAHS is often associated in the joint areas of the limbs. If they are having difficulty diagnosing OS, maybe a consideration.
Hang in there, our thoughts are with you both.
Stirling and Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
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