Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My maine coon kitty is not even 9 yet. We had to do ultrasounds and xrays because my cat was coughing and having bloody stools, they were checking for asthma and GI issues, he does have asthma (unless it is related to his Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy--heart problem) and we still have yet to diagnose why he gets some blood in his stools, but after a round of metrinidizole, that seems to be at bay.
They found a huge mass on his rear leg, and the other leg has slight hip displasia (which is making this an even harder decision!). The vet says that if we do a bone biopsy to find out what kind of cancer this is, how fast it might move, it could potentially break his leg, and if it does, we would have to amputate regardless, so I'm not even sure I want to do that! This is a really tough decision. He is running, jumping, purring, eating, does not seem in pain, although he does keep his bottom tucked down a little when he walks. He does not limp, cry in pain, and does all his normal things. I just can't bring myself to do a biospy which could result in amputation and then find out it was benign and it never would have caused him any discomfort at all. They did scrape off some cells but the results were inconclusive and it does look cancerous based on that, they are fairly certain it is not benign.
So, that leaves me with 3 options, ignore this and check in a few weeks to see if the size of the tumor has changed and closely watch his symptoms to see if he is beginning to be in pain, do a biopsy that could result in amputation regardless, and I'm not really sure what the information from that would change in our course of action, or just amputate, and I don't want to do that at all right now. He has other health problems, so I'm so worried that I will be decreasing his quality of life just to make him live a few more months than he may have without the surgery, only to turn around and have the heart disease take him anyway due to the stress of having to be without a leg. anyone have a similar situation they can speak of?
Last question, I'm not as worried about furniture, I can help him up when needed, and his favorite chair isn't that high up, so I imagine he will manage ok, I've seen videos of kitties getting around ok in that way. What is concerning me however is, will he be able to squat to use the litterbox properly?
thank you for your time!!
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer in your boy Snuggles.
One question I would ask the vet- is the leg damaged beyond repair at this point? If the leg needs to go no matter what then doing a biopsy probably does not have much value.
I know dogs are very good at hiding pain- I suspect cats are the same? If you are seeing him tuck his rear when he walks he could still be experiencing pain.
We now have a Tripawd Cat forum where you will find links to lots of great information on Tri-Cats. You will also get great input from our Tri-Cat members.
I've had two small rear leg Tripawd dogs. Maggie lost a leg to mast cell cancer, she hopped happily through life for almost 4 years. Elly was hit by a car when she was 7 months old and lost her right rear leg. Elly is now 2 years old and can do pretty much anything a dog her size can do.
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
Thanks for the quick reply Karen. I will ask that question, that's a good point. From what I could see in the xrays, and what they had indicated, they aren't sure how much the leg bone is actually engulfed in the tumor at this point, it is so hard to tell if the bone is even damaged. I suspect, along the lines of what you're saying, if the bone does not break during biopsy then it is strong, if it does, then it may have broken soon after anyway, because that would probably mean it is fragile. I'm just trying to talk this through myself, I have written down so many questions for the vet before I make this decision, and I will also ask the same questions to the oncologist he saw as well to make sure they are in agreement before I make any drastic changes.
I'm sorry your cat is having these health conditions. He's still quite young so age should not be a factor in his healing. My cat Mona had her front leg amputated from a tumour caused by a vaccine. It was called a vaccine-associated fibrosarcoma (VAS). Her tumour did not hurt her and was the size of a golf ball.
Ask the oncologist what could it be if it is not a osteosarcoma. Could it be a VAS?
Bone biopsies are painful and many times they seem to be inconclusive (at least for dogs). My cat did not have a biopsy first because the tumour was growing quickly.
If you are concerned about mobility after an amputation you could consider rehab for your cat. Currently Feta is going through physical therapy, here's his blog: http://cheeseca.....m/2017/01/
I know you have lots to consider. I'm sure there will be others with suggestions.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
Hello and Welcome,
We are sorry you find yourself here! What is you kitties name?
Cats are Masters of Disguise! Even if he does not appear to be in pain. I agree with Karen ,if he is tucking his leg in when walking then he is in pain. Did they send you home with pain meds?
Bone cancer is very painful. I would talk this all over with the oncologist and ask if he is a candidate for amputation with the other health issues you are dealing with. Most importantly you want to make him comfortable until you can get all the infromation gathered and make your decisions .
Here is a new link with some osteosarcoma links in kitties that have joined us.
http://tripawds.....s/#p182524
As for your furniture if you can add some steps in any form that would be helpful. Furniture moved closer together to make the up or down easier. Sorta like steps. Empty Boxes weighted with something and taped would work as well. Just to try protecting the limbs and make things a little easier on him.
The same with the litter box, if you can make that easier for him to get in and out of in anyway it should not be a problem. Low sided litter box. A step in or out to help. We cut our litter box out for our cat Purrkins who is a front leg amp. That made all the difference for him.
Keep us posted please! We will do our best to help.
http://tripawds.....s/#p182524
Hugs
Holly & Purrkins
You've gotten great advice. I just was t to add my support. I know this is a stressful time and full of uncertainty.We understand!! Continue to do your research, ask questuons. You are a great advocate for your kitty!!
Update when you can!
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!
Little Man was a rear leg amputee due to vaccine associated sarcoma. LM was close to that age when he had his amputation, but he had no other health issues at the time. My suggestion is to talk to the vet about the other health problems you mentioned in regards to the anesthesia, recouperation period, and additional medications that may be needed (pain meds, antibiotics, etc.). If you decide to go forward with some kind of treatment, you may want to consider just doing the amputation. They can send tissue off for pathology to determine what the tumor is and if any further treatment may be needed. This will keep you from having to do the biopsy and then possibly having to do the amputation anyway. That is, if the vet thinks the other hip will be ok. Cats hide pain very well. Amputation usually increases quality of life. But... having issues with the other hip is definitely something to think about. There are supplements that can help with the joint health of the remaining limbs, physical therapy exercises to help increase strength, and medications specific to problems that may arise. Depending on the tumor, radiation or chemo may be recommended. LM didn't have to do that, but cats usually do very well. Any possible medications will need to be reviewed if there is a heart condition going on as well. Again, just talk to the vet about these other health issues. I wish you the best!
Michelle
thank you all for your kind words and support, I never expected an outpouring, especially not this fast! I have noted some more questions your posts have made me think about asking, and will definitely continue to research before going forward with anything. At this point it has been about 3 weeks since we first found and saw the tumor on radiology,we have to wait another week to control his heart disease on atenolol (if we can!), and then he can either do a biopsy, or I am thinking I'd like to see if it has grown and see if we can get another look at the bone and how strong it looks before doing even that. thanks for all the advice, it is helping!!! God bless 🙂
Oh I'm so glad you're feeling a bit better about this! I'd feel just as confused and conflicted myself, it's not easy when so many factors are in the picture.
I may have missed it, but are you working with a vet oncologist? I'm guessing probably, but just thought I'd check. Because if you aren't, it would be the a good idea to get a 2nd opinion from one. Having multiple opinions from vets experienced in treating feline cancer can help you make decisions you can be comfortable with.
As for the biopsy, I know that a bone biopsy could shatter a leg when an osteosarcoma tumor is involved (because they're drilling into the bone), but I'm not clear if that can happen when it comes to other types of tumors. Based on the scans, how strong of a possibility is it that the tumor is osteo, versus a soft tissue tumor? Just wondering.
Nine is so young for a kitty. Is he showing signs of hip displaysia or is this something the vet has just mentioned by looking at x-rays? I ask because we were told (unofficially, based on x-rays) that our dog Wyatt Ray has HD, but he's not showing any signs and he's 8. He's been missing a leg since he was 8 months old. Many dogs and cats do fine on three legs, even with other conditions. As long as the conditions are managed well, these animals are good on 3.
Keep us posted on the information you learn and what you decide OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Just wanted you to know we are thinking about you and your kitty.
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.
thanks again all who care so much about my Snugglebear, at the moment I have decided to complete his first week on atenolol which the vet is hoping will keep his heart in order so that he would be able to endure a biopsy at all, then I'm going to request another xray to see if the tumor has grown at all (which might give us an idea what kind it is or fast it is moving). I have a long list of questions for him, some of you have helped me come up with, thank you, after those are answers I am currently leaning toward getting the biopsy, because I am thinking of it this way, if the bone is damaged, it will likely break at some point, which is emergent and painful. If it is still strong, then it shouldn't break with the biopsy. I'm hoping I am right in this! I will still ask a ton of questions before I do that even, but it will be about a month since diagnosis once we get a week of heart meds in, so I don't want to wait too long before this spreads. And yes there are 2 doctors involved, one oncologist and my primary vet. and I'm not sure if he is showing signs of displasia, he gets up on furniture, stands straight up at our counter when waiting for food, runs around all over the place, does not appear to be in pain, the only possible sign is that he tucks his bottom down a little when he walks, although I am not positive he didn't do that before, it is not really obvious. anyway, lots of questions and will be praying for this baby and my decisions!! thanks for your support all!!
Sending Pawsitive thoughts and energy for Snugglebear and you! Praying Snugglebear's heart can be stabilized so you can decide what the best plan is for you both.
We did not deal with bone cancer.. I would also ask more on the biopsy and pain it will cause during and afterwards. How accurate will the biopsy be?
What if the bone shatters during the biopsy etc. I know you have a list going already!
Keep doing some research and get yourself informed as much as possible for Snugglebear.
You have his best interest in mind , you want the best quality of life for Snugglebear and no matter what you decide from here, with those in your mind you will do whats right for Snugglebear.
If you do not like what you vet's response is go for another opinion !
We got 4 opinions for Purrkins. It took that many for us, to be comfortable with the plan, and decisions for Purrkins.
Keep us posted please
HUGS
Holly & Purrkins
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