Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm sure this topic exists in the forums somewhere but I can't find it.
Is it possible for osteo to show up in another limb after they have already had one affected limb affected? Chance was diagnosed with hypertrophic osteopathy but his symptoms are SO similar to osteo that I'm starting to wonder if that's not what is going on with his back leg. You can actually visually see that his back right tarsal bone is much larger than the left - and can feel the difference as well.
Just curious... while I wait a call back from our oncologist. Thx!
Yes. There was a blog about a Visla named Hank who had exactly this happen, and I am know there have been others. Has it been x-rayed?
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.
OK I'll search with those keywords... thanks.
It was x-rayed a couple months back and the vet and radiologist both made the diagnosis of HO. I don't think I want to go through more x-rays and then a biopsy. If we found out it was in fact osteo, I won't do an additional amp (it's on the same side of the body as his first). And we aren't doing chemo. He already has lung mets. I guess I was just curious if this was possible.
stupid disease!
From what I've read (on here somewhere...), it's possible, but extremely rare. What makes you think it may not be HO? I am certainly no expert, but would HO not look very different to Osteosarcoma on an Xray?
Big hug,
Meg, Clare and Elsie Pie xxx
Ruby, Staffy, born June 2022, became a Tripawd, November 2023, adopted January 2024.
Also Angel Tripawd Meg (aka The Megastar), who died in April 2023, aged 14, after seven glorious years on three, and Angel Staffies Elsie Pie and Bille. In the pawprints of giants...
I think it's good to know the main differences between the symptoms of HO and the symptoms of bone cancer in a limb. Please ask your oncologist about that, I'd love to know the details for my own knowledge.
To answer your question it is extremely rare for osteosarcoma to show up in another limb. It's a little less rare for it to appear in other bones, like the spine, but we've seen it happen.
This is Hank The Vizsla's blog. His mom, a vet, did write a good description when his symptoms appeared in the other limb.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Isa had a metastatic lesion show up in one of her remaining legs - stiff, limping, pain, all the same symptoms as the initial presentation. I didn't notice any swelling or anything. I never did see, nor did I want to, the x-ray. I certainly wouldn't know the difference between HO, OSA and some other (random?) metastatic lesion. And go figure, her lungs were clear. So with this stupid, piece of 
disease, you just never know what will bite you in the backside.
I second Jerry's request for an educational layout of the differences between HO and OSA.The more you know, right?
Have you heard back from the onco? Looking for an update and sending positive thoughts your way.
Hugs
Teri, Roxy and Angel Isa
Right rear leg amp 7/12/16 due to OSA. Metastatic lesion on her right front leg, January 2017. Joined the Winter Warriors January 19, 2017. Run free my sweet girl.
Hi all,
I had been waiting to hear back from our onco since Friday so I had been just sort of making my own observations and assessments until she finally called today! It is in fact HO.. not more osteo. Sorry I didn't ask what specifically the differences look like :/
At this point we can try a surgery to remove the lung mets which would clear up the HO. But I have decided not to put Chance through that as the lung mets are likely to just reoccur. The Zometa injection if it were going to be effective, should have been effective after one round. It hasn't been. So no more of those. We are enterring pawspice........
Yes. River's osteo came back in his remaining front leg this past January. It was in the outer bone of his leg near the ankle. He was limping and the lump was noticeable. The doctor removed the affected area of the bone and re-attached the ligaments in his paw. He was in a cast until the end of March. We also did 4 more rounds of Chemo every 3 weeks. He is now on chemo pill cyclophosphamide as a maintenance. He is doing wonderful. Playing Frisbee outside, going on short walks, etc. I hope you can have the same outcome! Hang in there. Our thoughts are with you.
River and family, welcome! I see you've been a member since 2014?! Holy toledo you must tell us more about River. He's our hero and so are you!
I'm thrilled he was lucky enough to get a limb spare procedure and to have the outcome be exactly as everypawdy hopes. Who was his surgeon? How old/young is he? He would make a great Tripawd Tuesday feature. Please consider starting an all new topic about him in another forum OK? We can't wait to hear more.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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