Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I have a new German Shepherd, almost exactly 1 year old. It's a long back story, but I'll make it brief. One vet shot xrays and did a biopsy, said it's a benign tumor causing pain, and his leg needs to be removed because of the position of the tumor. The other vet, who saw the xrays, says the dog has mild OCD and will make a good pet. This all happened before I got him.
First question is, could a biopsy and xray misdiagnose OCD as a tumor? His symptoms are he fatigues easily, runs slower than he should, sometimes he loses balance / collapses his front legs.
Second question, I've been reading tons about tripods, because the tumor treatment, which I think is most likely, will require an amputation. I didn't get the dog thinking I'd have to do that. I'll also be in a better position in a few months to rehab him after the surgery. In the mean time, should I get a harness and get him used to it? He's pretty skinny already, so I'm not too worried about his weight right now.
I'll have more info from the vets today, talking to the vet that did the biopsy and xrays. I also plan to take him to a place called Blue Pearl near Nashville for a diagnosis by a specialist, and probably if required where the amputation will be done.
I'm also a little conservative with dog surgery in the first place. I had a dog and a cat that surgery was suggested, and they lived to be 17 and 18. I hope the specialist at Blue
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Hello and welcome, your future posts won't require approval so post away.
What's your dog's name? He's a lucky dog to have such a conscientious new parent!
Well those are two very different diagnoses and unless either one is a board-certified oncologist I would take them with a grain of salt until you talk to one. Obviously there is something going on, he's not running like a GSD should and collapsing is definitely not normal. Dogs, especially GSDs are so stoic, they'll do anything to hide their pain so it's great that you're doing something about this now.
As for rehab, yes it will benefit him greatly (and the Tripawds Foundation will even cover the cost of your first visit), but it doesn't have to happen immediately after surgery. The harness is a good idea, especially for a front leg Tripawd. We recommend the Ruffwear Webmaster harness , it's a great all-purpose one for active dogs.
Keep in mind that that if he does lose that leg (hopefully he won't), he will have modified activity requirements for the rest of his life. While Tripawds can do everything a quadpawd can do, it's up to us to monitor their activity to make sure they don't overdo things and hurt themselves, especially as they age. Check out the blog of our Tripawds Spokespup Wyatt Ray , another GSD who lost his rear leg to abuse, to get an idea of the kind of things we do with him. Our Tripawds e-book Loving Life On Three Legs has tons of great tips as does Jerry's Required Reading List so hop on over when you get a chance.
Let us know what the specialist says this week, we'll be waiting for an update.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
His "official" name was politically incorrect, so we named him Scooby. He's going to the specialist on the 18th. I'll definitely check back in then.
Yesterday after I posted this, I spoke to the vet that diagnosed him with the tumor. She did Xrays and biopsied a "walnut-sized" growth in his shoulder. It's near lots of nerves and his jugular, so the tumor can't be removed. She was adamant that it was not OCD. I have another vet friend that said they're very good where the diagnosis was made, and she actually refers some cases to them.
I've always been conservative with my dogs and cats. My last batch of animals that died happy and very old (17.) They were recommended surgery, one dog for hips, one cat with luxated patela (sp?) I don't want Scooby in constant pain, and I appreciate what you said about the stoic nature of GSD's.
Thanks for the quick reply! (unfortunately the proxy at work has an issue with this website - times out, so I can really only post in the mornings from home.)
OCD and a soft tissue tumor are indeed 2 very different things so we will see what the specialist says. Can you feel the mass yourself? Did the vet do a biopsy (with general anesthesia) or just a fine needle aspirate (usually done awake)? If a biopsy was done it should be pretty clear if the dog has some type of nerve sheath or other soft tissue sarcoma.
OCD is diagnosed with xrays and sometimes arthroscopy and usually is treated with surgery to remove an abnormal cartilage flap (not amputation).
Pam
Yes it was biopsied. He has been passed around, and still had the staples in from the biopsy. I can't feel the tumor, or at least I don't know what it feels like. The vet told me it was a large needle, and the tumor was crunchy. I assume that's bone. His hips and such were xrayed and everything else was perfect. He's from a breeder that raises and trains police and military dogs. This tumor is an anomaly in a dog that should be out sniffing bombs or working the beat.
Sometimes watching him I think it would be crazy to do surgery. He plays, chases a ball, aggravates my old dog, but he just tires easy, and sometimes his front legs slip on my hardwood floors. (I know he needs some rubber shoes.)
One more question - what should a front leg at shoulder amputation cost? I've had verbals from $500 to $3000, depending on fancy or rural vet.
There's a thread here on what people have paid for amputation and chemo. Costs vary widely -I had one quote near $5000 from a specialty surgeon and paid $655 at Helping Hands, a place in Richmond that does great work at a low cost.
We amputated my dog's front left leg when she was two years old, after she developed arthritis at the site of an old injury. Knowing when to make the call was difficult, because she was still playing and going on walks at that point. I'm hopeful the specialist will give you good advice and you'll have a clearer idea of what to do at this point- it sounds like you've been able to seek out the opinions of several people around you.
I paid $2000 for my cat's front leg amputation. When getting a quote you might want to ask them to include everything including all tests, surgery, day or overnight stays, pathology report, medications, stitch removal and any emergency and aftercare. Otherwise you can be nickeled and dimed with additional costs to an amount that is way more than you expected.
My cat's vet included any emergency calls and all aftercare visits but I've heard others not. Also it's worth discussing the medications they will prescribe before the amputation so that you go home with what you need. Some vets are a little lax at prescribing enough pain meds.
By the way I would not have known that my cat had a cancer tumour because her behaviour did not change. I hope you find the answers you need from the vet/specialist.
Kerren and Tripawd Kitty Mona
p.s. I always thought OCD was obsessive compulsive disorder! I couldn't see the relationship with your dog's shoulder so finally googled it. I learn so much here!
Another post you may find helpful:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
So did the biopsy say soft tissue sarcoma? It sounds like it is on top of the shoulder if it is near the jugular vein so sometimes an amputation is not necessary. If it is invasive a CT scan would be recommended to determine tissue margins. Amputation alone might not cure a nerve sheath or spindle cell tumor. I am glad you will be seeing a specialist. Please keep us updated as this is a very odd tumor for such a young Shepherd.
Pam
Thanks for the replies everyone. So, we finally saw the specialist, had more xrays, lots of feeling around and leg manipulation, and a drugged up dog from the xray sedation. Turns out yes, he does have a benign but growing tumor. The biopsy done previously showed it's some kind of tumor that if you don't get it all, it will come back, which would be likely. So, we're going to be a Tripawd next Tuesday. I never realized I'd be so nervous about this. I think it's because I believe my pets count on me to keep them safe and healthy. I know it's the right thing to do.
I've been reading a lot, bought a Web Master harness for when that time comes. He's such a great boy and he'll be great!
I also found he ate a safety pin, and he's passing it along. 1 year old German Shepherds. He wants to eat everything!
Trying to find a way to upload the images.... I'll have to put them on my Flickr...
EDITED: Here we go - https://flic.kr.....aHsktbtvVR
kgbean said
Trying to find a way to upload the images.... I'll have to put them on my Flickr...
FYI: Here are detailed steps for adding photos to forum posts .
Flickr makes it tricky, since you have to view the background image first, to get the image file URL, which you paste in the Source field using the Insert Media link in the post editor here. Like so...
If this gets too complicated, you can start a free Tripawds blog anytime and upload them there.
Hope this helps! Post in the Tech Support forum if you need more assistance.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks. I was kind of in a hurry and it was a stretch to get the photos uploaded. I realize now they didn't all make it to the album either. They're there now.
Yeah, this is a pain...
Oh, by the way... To prepare, I bought one of those t-shirts that says "You don't eat a dog this good all at once." My dad used to tell a joke about a 3-legged pig.
kgbean said
I bought one of those t-shirts that says "You don't eat a dog this good all at once."
Thank You!
For anyone interested... A dog this good, you can't eat all at once!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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