Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our 10 year old lab/golden mix was diagnosed with a mass cell tumor two months ago. Our vet put her on Kinavet but the tumor has continued to grow. So yesterday he sent us to a surgeon. The tumor is at the joint of her front leg and the surgeon says he cannot get good margins because of the location, plus he suspects it has moved into the adjacent lymph node, so he recommended amputation. He also recommended a biopsy to determine if it is a grade 2 or 3 tumor, as a grade 3 has a worse prognosis. Then we spoke to the oncologist who said not to bother with a biopsy because the amputation will take care of the cancer, whether it is a 2 or a 3. I am finding this hard to believe. What I have read on line seems to indicate that the diagnosis of a grade 3 tumor would significantly change the course of treatment and prognosis. We adore Maggie and want her to get better but I feel like I need to weigh that with the incredible emotional and financial toll this will take on my family. I'm not sure I could forgive myself if we put her through the trauma of an amputation and chemotherapy just to have her die not long afterward. Not to mention getting the kids' hopes up for nothing. But she is my baby and I have to do everything I can for her if there's a reasonable chance she will live another few years. I have been unable to find a lot of information on the survival rate for dogs involving a grade 3 tumor and amputation. Does anyone have experience with this? Also, should I insist on a biopsy, despite the oncologist's opinion? There isn't another oncologist in my state so a second opinion will be difficult. The other dilemma is that the tumor is already quite large and my vet is nervous that if I wait too long, it will rupture and the ensuing release of histimines could kill her. I am so afraid - for her and for myself, that I will make the wrong decision. She is the sweetest, gentlest dog I have ever known and my heart is breaking. She is otherwise in good health, happy and eating normally. I can't even wrap my head around the possibility of putting her to sleep when I look into her beautiful brown eyes.
Welcome, sorry to hear Maggie but glad you found us! You will find many members here have shared their experiences with mast cell tumor diagnosis, amputation and treatment. Search all forum posts above and search all blogs here. Or consider downloading the Tripawds e-books for more information about biopsies and much more.
Above all, try to focus on quality of life, not quantity. No treatment decision is "for nothing" if it removes pain and improves the quality of however much remaining time you may have. Maggie the pug's blog is just one example of a well documented Tripawd Journey due to mast cell tumors.
Best wishes, please keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome to Tripawds.
My Maggie was a little pug who lost her left rear leg to a mast cell tumor, the one Admin referenced above. We did the amp because the tumor was near her knee and the surgeon could not get clean margins. Also- I was concerned that the tumor would ulcerate and cause a would that would not heal. This was actually Maggie's second tumor, she had one removed from her side about 6 months earlier.
I disagree that amputation would definitively take care of the cancer. We did many tests before surgery to see if the cancer had spread, including checking the lymph node in the bad leg- no sign of mast cell anywhere. The biopsy after the surgery showed cancerous mast cells in the lymph node removed with the leg. Mag's prognosis with chemo was then 6 to 9 months, she lived almost 4 years and did not pass from the mast cell cancer. You can read her story- link above, or below in my signature.
And it's not so much the grade of the tumor but the mitotic index you want to know. A grade 3 is worse than a 2, but a mitotic index over 5 indicates a more aggressive cancer. I think you need a biopsy for this test.
I WOULD NOT do a biopsy of the tumor before an amputation or if you choose not to amputate. Messing with a mast cell tumor can lead to trouble- it might not heal, and it will release a lot of histamines into the system,
If you choose to do the amp I would get an ultrasound beforehand of the liver and spleen to see if the cancer is there. Mast cell mets to the liver and spleen, if it is already there than an amputation would probably not be a good idea. AFTER amputation get a biopsy of the tumor and pathology on the lymph nodes.
If you choose not to do an amp and the tumor is growing fast it doesn't really matter if it is a grade 2 or 3. Your next problem is going to be when the tumor ulcerates and you have a wound to treat.
I am not a vet and I am only giving my opinion for a dog I've never seen. I have been dealing with mast cell in two different dogs for 8 years, and I have been on this site for many years and seen many mast cell stories.
Another Blog you should check out is Roxy's. She is a boxer who lost her front leg to a grade 3 MCT many years ago and is still going with no chemo.
I have to go back to work, I'll check back later. Feel free to send me a PM if you want to exchange emails.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I agree with Karen. My Jake had a Grade 2 mast cell tumor in his right hind hock. He was diagnosed at age 4 1/2. He had 2 surgeries to debulk the tumor then underwent 15 radiation treatments. He stayed perfectly well for 3 years until it came back with a vengeance. It grew back in the original site and ulcerated. We did amputate at that point and I would do it all over again. The pain was gone and Jake did very well. The tumor raised it's ugly head within 3 weeks of the amputation. The histamine release during a debulking or biopsy sends cells throughout the body. Unfortunately when initially biopsied (for what they thought was a fatty tumor) he was not given benadry and Pepcid to block the release. Sounds like you have done your homework. My best to you and Maggie...it sucks but- Dogs are not born with an expiration date stamped on their butt. Sending good thoughts your way!
Thank you for sharing your experiences with me. We have decided to follow through with the amputation so her surgery is scheduled for next Tuesday. I am terrified, to put it mildly. Maggie is so much a part of our family and she just loves being with us. Today's survey of my house revealed a LOT of steps and I am worried she won't be able to manage my long, uncarpeted staircase. Not to mention that it is impossible to leave my house without going down stairs. And how will she be able to jump into my van to go for car rides? Maybe I need to look into a ramp? And most of my house is hard wood floors. Of course, having Christmas two weeks away is not helping my hysteria. I have shopping and wrapping and the kids' concerts and family events, not to mention the stress (and resulting behavior issues) with my two special needs boys. I have spent every spare moment in the last two days doing research and reading everything I could find about mast cells and amputation recovery. I am definitely feeling overwhelmed. But Maggie is my furbaby and she is symptom-free right now, other than the swelling in her leg. I just couldn't live with myself if I didn't try everything I could to make her better. My husband is not really supportive of my decision, mostly because of the cost, but I would do the same for one of my boys and I love Maggie just as much. I just hope I can be as brave as her in the next few difficult months. I am glad to have found this group - I already appreciate the wealth of knowledge I have found among the forums. There's nothing like others who have walked a similar path to find the answers to the hard questions. Thank you for your willingness to walk beside me through this difficult journey.
Kim, I am in the Chat Room right now for a bit if you want to talk. Hop over, scroll down and wait for the box t load. I will answer your post next.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Mommykim,
You certainly do have a lot going on but believe it or not once you make a decision things go so much better. I also had a Maggie who had an amputation in December. Don't worry about your spouse not being on board with your decision, that also happens often because spouse's and family don't have the same perspective as you do. You love your dog and want to do the best thing for her. People will chime in on using runners for your floors and a harness to help her get around. We are a great support her so hang in there. Keep us updated on your girl.
Penny, Blink, Hank and Spirit Maggie
If I could give you a big hug right now I would, so this will have to to {{{{{hugs}}}}
Your fears are totally justifiable. Those of us who've gone through the amputation decision understand how scary this is for you, and it's hard to believe but dogs really do handle it so much better than we do. Our complicated emotions really get in the way of things and it doesn't help when you have so much stress going on in your life. What you can do right now to help Maggie is to:
- Breathe. Remember, you cannot be there for her until you are there for yourself. Know that you CAN get through all of this, from the holidays to her recovery and beyond. You just need to remember to breathe.
- Visualize success. Maggie is a dog, and the fact is that most dogs do very, very well on three legs. She's not an old girl, she's mature, and she just wants to feel good again. Once that bum leg is gone she will be so happy! Also remember that whatever feelings and thoughts you project during this ordeal, she will pick up on them. So, Be Pawsitive! Visualize her as a happy, healthy dog who isn't missing anything but a bad leg that was hurting her. Look into her eyes and tell her she is strong, and she CAN do this. Your kids will also pick up on your feelings so be strong for the whole pack (aren't Mom's so good at this already?!)
- Take things one day at a time. Get the amputation done and like Karen said, the biopsy is important especially if you plan on pursuing chemo. Try to come to an agreement about future treatment with your husband. The more you can both be on the same page, the less stressful this will be.
- Read Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books if you haven't already. You'll find lots of tips about Tripawd-proofing your home, assisting her with things like the Webmaster harness , what to expect during recovery, and more.
Remember, we are here for you. So whatever questions you have, we'll try to answer them. Keep us posted OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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