Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My 11 year old golden retriever mix, Aspen, was just diagnosed with a grade III soft tissue sarcoma on rear leg. God I love her dearly but quality of the rest of her life and money have to be an issue here. I'm just eaten up thinking I can't afford the care she needs. Vets are offering 5 possibilities:
1. Surgery and Radiation treatment. Good prognosis. $8,000.
2. Amputation. $2000. good prognosis.
3. Clinical Trial of Liposomal Clodronate (we live next to Colorado State University) and then possible amputation. $500 then amputation. unkown prognosis for the trial.
4. Low dose chemo. $75 month. unknown prognosis.
5. Do nothing.
From researching, it seems that the grade III tumor will have about a 50% of spreading. The vet estimated 6 to 9 months life span. I simply can't afford the radiation treatment.
I'm so worried about the amputation option for the 11 year old dog. She is only 37 pounds so her other limbs should do ok but how much time am I buying her? Is she still going to live a happy life?
They have no numbers to gauge the effectiveness of the clinical trial. With the grade III tumor they are saying the best we could hope for was to keep the tumor the same size.
Chemo, I just don't know enough about it....
Thanks for listening. Any input is greatly appreciated. This is so hard!
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Welcome Forrest, please consider registerring so your posts appear immediately without requiring moderation.
We are sorry to hear about Aspen's diagnosis but glad you found us. You will find lots of advice and support here. The first thing to consider is that it's not the quantity of time, but Aspen's quality of life that matters most. We have a number of members with dogs in their teens who are still Loving Life On Three Legs .
Amputation is often the only way to totally remove the pain, along with the tumor. After a couple weeks recovering and adjusting to life on three legs, most dogs do quite well. Finally, while clinical trials are a gamble, without them we would never discover the results of new innovative treatments, and they usually cover the costs of otherwise unaffordable options.
You are very fortunate to live near Colorado State University (We just returned to Red Feather Lakes). Don't miss our three-part series on the CSU Animal Cancer Center where we discuss some of their clinical trials, and consider reviewing Jerry's top ten canine cancer amputation Q&A posts.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry to hear about Aspen's cancer diagnosis. In my opinion, you are lucky to live by a Vet School doing a clinical trial you would be able to participate in; I was very sad UW didn't have anything for our type of cancer going on (I was hoping maybe some good could come of this). In my search on clinical trials six months ago, I did run across the one for Liposomal Clodronate at CSU (Ohio State is also doing it, if that helps anyone else out there!); this search also brought me to a blog for a dog in Denver who participated in this clinical trial at CSU. Jake (the dog from Denver) has Histiocytic Sarcoma, they choose not to amputate, and he just had a check-up this week and is cancer free over one year later. Jake participated in the Liposomal Clodronate study and then took CCNU chemotherapy pills every three weeks after the clinical trial was over. Here is his blog if you would like to check out the path they choose … http://thatsoft.....gspot.com/
We choose the amputation/CCNU chemotherapy route. Harley has Histiocytic Sarcoma, is 6+ months post amputation, and he is 9.5 years old (which is older for a Rottweiler). Although we have noticed him slowing down some lately, he has had a great quality of life since amputation (something I really worried about).
It's heartbreaking deciding what to do. So many options, so much money, and no guarantees. We wish you the best of luck … keep us updated no matter what road you pick!
Amputation on 11/10/09, due to Histiocytic Sarcoma in left elbow. Angel Harley earned his wings on 06/24/10.
Aw, Forrest, so sorry about Aspen's diagnosis. Cancer really, really sucks. I don't envy you having to make such a tough decision. As Hopalong Harley says, there are simply so many options and no guarantees and of course then there's the financial resources too.
Catie, our 6 year old Golden, lost her front foreleg on January 13 to osteosarcoma. Never in my life would I have imagined 1) I would ever find myself in a position where I had to make such an awful, heartbreaking decision; 2) that everything would cost so much; 3) that I wouldn't regret anything. There are no guarantees for sure but I do know that the amputation got rid of what must have been tremendous pain from the tumor and she's still with us and it's lovely.
I know how hard this is and I wish you the best of luck.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
Welcome Aspen and family! I'm so sorry about your diagnoses. I'm sorry I can't offer any advice because I haven't been through cancer. But I just want you to know that whatever choice you make, it will be the best one.
No one can say how much time you are buying - it seems to run the gamut. And I know it's all expensive and this is just an option, but have you tried getting a CareCredit credit card account? I think most vets take it since it is just for med expenses and they offer 18month interest free.
I would love to see your Aspen! When you say golden mix and only 37 lbs - I wonder if she looks like Comet? Not that Comet is a golden but I'm positive she must have retriever since she is tennis ball nuts and has been from the moment she saw one.
Sending you warm wishes during this very hard time.
Comet mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Thank folks for all your kind words and help!
My wife and I shed quite a few tears tonight. Bottom line is, we really think Aspen deserves a shot a another couple years. I am going to call the vet tomorrow and schedule the chest X-rays. My understanding is that if the x-rays and a check of the lymph-nodes comes back clean then she will be a prime candidate for the amputation.
If I can figure how to post a picture I'll put one in of Aspen. She is such a great puppy as I'm sure all of yours are as well. Thanks again. It really means allot to have others to talk to! I will update as we go through this!
Best,
Forrest
Forrest Orswell said:
If I can figure how to post a picture ...
Here are instructions for adding photos to forum posts and how to upload your user avatar (members only). FYI: Tripawds Blogs are the easiest way to share photos if you don't have somewhere else to host your images online.
We notice you joined Tripawds, thanks! Now just be sure to log in when visiting the forums and your posts won't require moderation.
We're all intimately familiar with the shedding of tears here ... that's why we created this support community! 
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Forrest, I am saddened to hear about Aspen's diagnosis. This cancer stuff just sucks, and unfortunately, most of us belong to the exclusive 'cancer club'. The decisions you are faced with are very tough - it is a ballance you must stike between quality of life and what you can truly afford. We have all been faced with those difficult decisions, and you make them one at a time based on the information you have available at that time. Do your research and ask questions when faced with a decision, then make that decision based on quality of life for Aspen. You'll never make a wrong decision as long as Aspen is in the foreforont.
And in case no one mentioned it - there are no wrong decisions. You will always find support here regardless of your final decision.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
hi forrest and aspen. gayle had the same type of tumor as you, in her right front leg. it was relatively small when we detected it, but was too entwined to be operable. xrays and sonograms showed no evident tumors elsewhere, so we went with amputation, because the radiation would require alot of anesthesia and didn't offer any better outcome. we've completed four of five chemo treatments with doxorubicin. she is now about ten and a half, and is remarkable getting about on three legs. she weighs about 60 lbs. hope this info helps you with your decisions, our thoughts are with you!!!
charon & gayle
p.s. we find that the prognosis %s and numbers are really 'in the way' when considering moving forward, as they are estimates based on history, not on our specific girl. we are trying to be realistic but hopeful..living in the now.
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Hi Forrest! Sorry to hear about Aspen, but as you can already tell, this is a GREAT place for advice and support. We are so programmed to think of our time with our dogs in terms of years, but this forces you to change your whole outlook on life. It really isn't about quantity at all...one happy day is worth a million. We went ahead with amputation and chemotherapy. We were scheduled for 6 treatments but stopped at 4...partly for money issues, but partly because I felt that I wanted Jack to just be a normal dog, to not get poked every 3 weeks, to not have his heart damaged a little every time because of his protocol (adriamycin). We will celebrate one year on June 3. Last year, a year was hardly any time at all, I couldn't imagine only having 1 year left with Jack, but now...this past year has felt like 10, simply because we are living life to the fullest. Your thoughts may change as you go throughout this journey, but the one thing that remains the same is the love and support you and your family offer Aspen. Feel good about the treatment you choose, because if you do something you don't feel comfortable with, you'll be questioning yourself quite a bit. Our dogs tend to feed off of our emotions, so be positive, stay calm, and give lots of treats (YUM!!!). Best of luck with your decisions!!!
<3 Laura and Jack
Hi Forrest & Aspen,
I'm sorry you have had to venture over here to Tripawds.com but you have come to a pawesome place!
My dog, too, was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma on her left rear knee. I read alot about STS prior to amputation and some of what I read was that with amputation alone, it can well be a cure all for STS. My dog is now 10, she was amputated last October. She hasn't had any chemo. She is on daily homeopathics to keep her cancer from spreading.
Follow your heart with your decisions...as Laura said above, don't do something you don't feel comfortable with because then if something goes negatively, you'll beat yourself up over it.
We're here for you and Aspen...
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
Hi Forrest and Aspen-
Our Calpurnia was diagnosed at the age of 12 with a grade II soft tissue sarcoma in her front leg. We know how agonizing it is to worry about what to do with an older dog. We first tried a chemo regime with Cali, and she tolerated it reasonably well. However the tumor continued to grow and started to rupture through the skin. It was quite painful, so we were faced with amputation or euthanasia. Cali seemed to have fight and life left to live, so we did, as you are, chest xrays and determined that her lungs looked reasonable clear. The amputation went smoothly and now here it is 2.5 years later and Calpurnia is a happy, highly active, totally deaf, 14-year old bouncing around with the rest of the hoodlums.
If I can answer any questions, feel free to shoot them my way. I think you can probably search "Calpurnia" on the Tripawds site and read more about her story and our experience with her amputation. My understanding is that a rear leg is a little easier because there is less weight on it. If Aspen is otherwise healthy and you can keep her active and trim, I'd say she has a good chance at having a good quality of life after amputation.
Best of luck!
Hi Forrest,
I'm so sorry to hear about Aspen's diagnosis... 
My Jake was a 10yr old golden retriever (85 pounds) and he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his front leg. We did the amputation (but couldn't afford chemo treatments) hoping that he would have at least 4-6 months after that. Jake recovered quickly from his surgery, and got to play, eat, cuddle and swim afterwards. But unfortunately for him, his cancer quickly spread to his spine and so he barely made it to 8 weeks post-op. Even though his lung x-rays were clear before his surgery, he had been limping on and off for several months before that (we just thought it was due to arthritis)... and so his cancer was probably already spreading to his spine.
We do not regret doing the amputation, as that bought him some extra pain-free and quality time with us... but we just wished he had lived a little longer. There are many other dogs here with cancer that are around for many months... even years. I hope and pray that your Aspen is one of the lucky ones too!
Sending you a big hug! Looking forward to seeing some pictures of Aspen!
Angel Jake's Mom
Jake, 10yr old golden retriever (fractured his front right leg on 9/1, bone biopsy revealed osteosarcoma on 9/10, amputation on 9/17) and his family Marguerite, Jacques and Wolfie, 5yr old german shepherd and the newest addition to the family, Nala, a 7mth old Bengal mix kittie. Jake lost his battle on 11/9/2009, almost 8 weeks after his surgery. We will never forget our sweet golden angel… http://jakesjou.....ipawds.com ….. CANCER SUCKS!
Wow...
The support on this board is amazing! Thank you each and everyone of you for sharing your stories and the kind words of support.
Aspen had her chest x-rays this morning and they came back clean. She will be participating in a cancer study this afternoon under general anestesia. They will be shooting electricity directly into the tumor. This is a clinical trial at CSU and is being tested as a possible treatment for humans. Aspen is then scheduled for amputation surgery this Thursday.
We are going to keep our fingers crossed and hope for the best with the amputation. At the very least, it should buy her some time pain free.
One more time, thank you everyone. This board has helped ease the heartache.
Forrest
P.S. I think I got Aspen's picture up as my Avatar. Isn't she cute!
Cute? Aspen is beautiful!
Best wishes for a speedy recovery, we'll be thinking of you both Thursday. Aspen is in good hands at CSU. Please keep us posted with any details about the shock treatment study.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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