Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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and then have a later diagnosis of osteosarcoma?
I, unfortunately, lost my mastiff, Ti, less than a year ago to OSA. He is the one in my profile picture. This forum what's very helpful while I was dealing with his diagnosis and treatment.
As for why I am back, my other mastiff (Ti's uncle) is suddenly very sick. Pain in his leg, won't put much weight on it. Fever. I got him to the vet and we x-rayed his chest, abdomin, and leg. All came back ok.
I am still not convinced that the pain is not OSA, even though the X-rays are clear. (I also am skeptical of X-rays I have not seen myself, due to some "false negatives" that occurred with Ti.
So, has anyone's dog been later diagnosed after a clear X-ray of the site?
thank you!
Hi and welcome back. I'm sorry it's under these circumstances though. First, breathe, and know that whatever comes after you can handle. We believe you can!
Did the vet give your pup (what's his name?) any pain relievers in the meantime? What is their recommendation for further course of treatment?
To answer your question: I know you'll want us to be honest, so yes, that is what happened to us. Jerry's vet didn't have adequate x-ray machine capabilities to pick up the tumor. We only found it because we went to another vet with better equipment at a vet teaching hospital when we learned why he was limping. Unfortunately, our story is not unusual.
Do not panic. Lots of us have been freaked out like this. Once you go through osteo, every funny movement makes you jumpy. But, go with your instinct. Get a second opinion from an orthopedic specialist. It will probably come back as nothing but it will give you peace of mind to know you took that extra step.
Keep us posted OK? We are thinking of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes, sadly I too had that experience. My dog was diagnosed with an ACL tear, and xrays prior to operating didn't show any clear signs of osteosarcoma (which they informed me was extremely unusual). It wasn't until the vet drilled into the bone and found it crumbly that he stopped the op and performed a biopsy. I did see the xray, and even the comparison with the other healthy leg, and I couldn't have picked it. They also showed me a standard xray which clearly showed osteosarcoma, and it was very obvious. So, I think it is rare but can definitely happen.
However, there are a ton of other reasons for lameness, so I certainly hope this is not what is happening for you.....
corinne said
Yes, sadly I too had that experience. My dog was diagnosed with an ACL tear, and xrays prior to operating didn't show any clear signs of osteosarcoma (which they informed me was extremely unusual). It wasn't until the vet drilled into the bone and found it crumbly that he stopped the op and performed a biopsy. I did see the xray, and even the comparison with the other healthy leg, and I couldn't have picked it. They also showed me a standard xray which clearly showed osteosarcoma, and it was very obvious. So, I think it is rare but can definitely happen.However, there are a ton of other reasons for lameness, so I certainly hope this is not what is happening for you.....
This is exactly what happened to us w/ our Ellie. The only difference is that the surgeon took another look at the x-rays prior to the surgery and called us to say that he had gotten a little suspicious of a certain area and gave us a heads up that he might just end up doing a biopsy. But the appearance on x-rays was not typical OSA, which as you say is unusual.
So, yes I agree that it is possible that Ti's uncle has an a-typical x-ray. I think if other things are ruled out, perhaps a second opinion would be useful? I don't know whether other imaging is useful (MRI etc) and I don't know if that would even be an option in your area.
I hope you find an answer. Nothing hurts worse than when our pups hurt and we can't help them.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Sadly we broke our leg and couldn't find OSA only to find out a few months later that it was hemangiosacorma... an equally ugly cancer! And we had lots of biopies and other tests and it was good several months before we found that cancer. BUT that is not always the case. It is purely possible that there is indeed nothing wrong so I can understand your fear and stress!
I would agree - maybe get a second opinion? We never even would have found Shelby's cancer but her spleen got inflamed and was removed and the rest is history. Will hold you close and send good thoughts!
alison with spirit shelby in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Harmony's cancer (MCT) was different and wouldn't show on any x-rays. Heck, it barely showed up in the ultra sounds either. Plus it was in her shoulder and not in her leg. By the time they found the mass, it was huge and had already spread throughout her body. The time between her initial x-ray and her amputation was about 2 years.
I agree with the others, get a second opinion and if you don't like that one, go get a third. Follow your heart.
Keep us updated!
pam
Harmony became a Tripawd on 10/21/14 (MCT). She left us way too soon on 11/1/14.
"We miss you so much; our love, our heart, our Harmony."
- Pam, Ron and Melody, Meesha, Doublestuff and Mariah Carey
Yeah, a second opinion could give you the reassurance you need.
It could indeed be an infection of some sort. Did the Vet give you an antibiotic or anything to help bring the fever down? Has he eliminated any possibility of a bite of some sort? How is he treating this?
Stay optimistic and update when you can. This maybe as simple as some unexplained infection.
Hugs!
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!
I am sorry that it took me so long to come back and respond. I did read all of your replies on my phone, I just wanted to wait until I could sit down at a computer to respond to all.
To answer a couple of questions first, he was given two antibiotics and two pain meds... the swelling in his first leg got worse until it was weeping, leaving pools of fluid whenever he got up. The second leg started swelling too, but not as bad as his first. They seem to have leveled out now.
I went and picked up his radiograph CD as well as his paperwork, and now I am starting to understand why the vet was mentioning hemangiosarcoma, or possibly lymphangiosarcoma.
His spleen is enlarged, and the bloodwork is all congruent with hemangiosarcoma.
I showed the X-rays to another vet, who believes something is pushing down on his intestines, she thinks it's a mass near his kidneys.
I finally got a call from the specialty center for an appointment for him.. internal medicine, to get an official diagnosis.
It's February 25th.
And you know what's crazy? I was at that same hospital February 25th of last year. That was the day Ti died. Cruel.
I'm so sorry they are leaning toward hemangiosarcoma... I have far too much experience with that. But I am a little surprised they are making you wait almost a month before anything else. Especially if you see an enlarged spleen. that was what happened to us and we had it removed and thus, found the cancer. It was just 'fatty' before. Maybe I am reading this wrong.
And Feb 25 - the one year of losing your other baby... I am so sorry.
I don't want to scare or alarm you and I am certainly NOT a vet but I would encourage you to find someone earlier than 2/25 if it is indeed hemangiosarcoma... it is a fast acting cancer and I would hate for it to burst or something else.
Hugs!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Ugh, just ugh.
I'm glad things seem to be leveling out though and the swelling is getting under control.
Alison and others have more insight into the specifics of containo this piece of crap disease.
Yeah, the date for the appointment, bizarre. I agree with Alison, do whatever it takes...calls from yiur vet, calls from you...whatever it takes to get him in sooner!! The sooner you can get a plan of action, the better!
Stay connected. We are all right by yiur side!
Love
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!
I'm so sorry you have to be on this journey and this timeframe seems nuts. I agree with the others do whatever you have to do to get seen more quickly. Tell them you're not comfortable with having to wait and he needs to get in sooner than the 25th. Please keep us updated and sending healing prayers your way.
Linda, Ollie, Riley & Spirit Mighty Max
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