Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Everyone, new here and not somewhere where I had hoped to end up but very glad I found you!
Last Tuesday I took my my Rottweiler Cooper in to the vet for x-rays as he he had been limping intermittently for about 3 months. I had taken him to the vet 3 times in that period and they had told me it was due to the cysts and skin allergies between his toes which have caused him to limp on and off his whole life. We had just moved area and the vet was a new vet for us. We all thought (including the vet) that the x-rays were to tell us how bad his elbows were but unfortunately I got a call at work to tell me that they had found a tumor in his right front leg and its was very likely osteosarcoma which meant he wouldn't have long.
At the time they asked if I would like to proceed with a bone biopsy while he was still asleep which I said yes to... fast forward a week and the results have come back inconclusive. The lab has suggested a second biopsy but since getting that call last week and doing my own reading I don't know if that's the best thing?
This last week has been a bit of a blur,, I have been heartbroken Cooper is the biggest goof, my best friend and shadow. I have come to terms with amputation and if that's what is best - a three legged Cooper is just as great as a four legged Cooper! But is it the right thing to do to go ahead without a conclusive result? His chest x-ray was clear at the time and he's happy and lively, He just turned 9 on Saturday and if it wasn't for the slight limp he had you wouldn't of known there was anything wrong!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Its been such a great help reading of the stories on here.
Thanks so much
Jess & Cooper
Hi Jess
Real quick, I'll be back later with more feedback but one big question: is the leg beyond saving? Did the vet say anything about that? If not then why do another painful bone biopsy if it has to come off? The sample can be analyzed after amputation.
Back later with more thoughts ...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry,
The vet has said that it was a reactive result, she said that the x-ray ticked nearly every box for osteosarcoma but Coopers breed, size age etc. ticks all of the boxes. She was really surprised that the result was inconclusive as the sample she got was really good.
She has suggested I bring him in to do another sample from the same spot as the last one. The bone is really weak in the wrist and my thoughts are that even if its not cancer there isn't really a way that that bone is going to ever get any better? If the second result comes back inconclusive then I will be making the decision based on the same result any way. He has an appointment this afternoon for the second biopsy and unfortunately the vet is in surgery this morning so I am unable to talk to her...
Hi Jess, glad you were able to come back. I'm in the Tripawds Chat right now if you want to talk.
The good thing about a bone biopsy is that it's great if you want to know exactly what you are dealing with. And if it's cancer, you will know what kind of treatment you might be looking at. But if one bone biopsy hasn't given that information yet, and the bone is beyond saving, there really is no point in doing a second one before the leg is removed. It's painful, it's another surgery, and it's expensive. That 2nd biopsy can be done with the amputated leg if it's beyond saving anyways.
Keep in mind I'm not a vet, but this is what vets have told us about the pros and cons of bone biopsies.
So if you are able to have a conversation with her beforehand, I would ask: Is that bone beyond saving? If not, and we are looking at amputation no matter the cause of the bone degradation, then why is this 2nd one even necessary?
If you decide on a second one, I would also ask her to send it off to another lab where better info might be obtained, like at a vet teaching hospital.
Let us know what happens OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
P.S. A second one also greatly increases the risk of fracture too, another drawback.
Not saying what you should do, just putting things out there to discuss with your vet.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
My dog has been battling cancer for two years now and after 5 biopsies, they still don't know what type of cancer he has. He had a lump on his leg and all they could do is assume it's cancer. They could not definitely say it was osteosarcoma. By the way, this is UC Davis Veterinary School. We had the amputation of his front right done January of 2020 and he's been doing fine on three legs. A few months after, he developed a lump on his side and they only gave him weeks to live. They again could not tell us what type of cancer he had but said he'd be gone by April 2020. It's now November of 2021 and he's still alive though his tumor has become larger and harder. He had labs done in July and is in exceptional health according to his vet outside of the tumor. Just a note, we decided against chemo because UC Davis was guessing about what kind of cancer he had, they wanted to do two different types of chemo treatment. One of them I read up on was extremely toxic so we decided against it and thought that whatever little time Giuseppe had we did not want him to go through all of that. It's turned out to be a good decision because he's been living his best life for 2 years now with no sign of slowing down. In closing, I just want to tell you not to lose hope. Everyone told us that our dog was a goner yet here he still is.
eddie said
In closing, I just want to tell you not to lose hope. Everyone told us that our dog was a goner yet here he still is.
Awww Eddie, thanks for chiming in! You'll need to start a new topic to celebrate Giuseppe's ampuversary news!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Eddie, thanks so much for your reply. We decided to go ahead and get the second biopsy done and its come back as osteosarcoma. So far Cooper is still well in himself and wants to run around and have fun its just the limp that's stopping him. In some ways its helped to give us the knowledge that the amputation has to happen.
We are going ahead with an amputation which is booked in for tomorrow. We are feeling nervous but after reading so many stories on here like yours its also got us feeling hopeful that he's going to get good quality happy time without the pain.
We have all the the fingers, toes and paws crossed we have the same outcome as your sweet boy.
Well good luck to you and Cooper tomorrow. Just remember when you bring him home and see that giant scar, it's a natural reaction to ask yourself "My God what have we done?" but be patient. You'll be amazed at how he adapts. Giuseppe does everything a 4 legged dog does, just with three. He runs, jumps, wrestles with me and spends his days being the ever vigilante protector of our yard and home. He's just as happy and lovable as he's always been.
Just wa t to ditto Jerry and Eddie
You have a good path forward now and it's clear what needs to be done so cCooper can be full out Cooper again.
We are here with you every step of the way to he,p you navigate thru recovery and cheer for every victory.
You probably already kmow this, but if you have hardwoods put down nonslip scatter rugs for traction . May want to raise the food and water bowls a bit to avoid straining.
Drinking g and peeing g are import. He may not feel like eating much or pooping for a dpfew days due to the meds.
The first part of recovery is no picnic. It is MAJOR surgery all while adjusting to three and while on pain meds. Somet6, not always, they are a bit perkier the first couple of days because of the strong hospital meds. When they wear off that's when pain management may need a little tweaking . He'll most likely come home with Gabapentin, an anti-inflmmatory (like Rimadyl) and an antibiotic.
For the first two weeks, rest, rest, rest. Short leashed potty breaks, no jumping, no running, etc.
And for you, you get some rest too! Know Cooper is in good hands and will be zonked out on so e good pain meds. Guessing he's spending at least one night, sometimes even two. So e dogs are hopping every quickly...some dogs need a little more time to get their sea legs. No worries. Cooper will recover at his own pace. Slow and easy for now though.
Update when yoj can. We're all cheering for your sweet boy!
Hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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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!
Aww I'm sorry you got the osteosarcoma diagnosis. The important thing is that you are helping Cooper get rid of that bed leg as soon as possible. Before you know it, he will be back to his old self!
Please let us know how we can help OK? Check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds What to Expect articles if you haven't already. Keep busy, and don't get too caught up with worry. It won't do anything to help, and Cooper really needs you to be pawsitive to help him through recovery. You can do this!
Good luck tomorrow. Let us know how things are going.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
We're all thinking g of you and Cooper. Update when you can
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!
Hey Sally, Cooper's folks updated a few days ago here. Thanks for the reminder, we need a Cooper fix with more pix and news.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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