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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Harrisonburg, Va
Member Since:
29 July 2009
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9 August 2009 - 12:20 am
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Hi.  I just saw your story and wanted to say how sorry I am that you are too going through this, especially with a dog so young in its life.  My dog was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on July 21st so I'm fairly new to this too.  I wanted to address some of your questions with what I've been learning but a lot of great information has already been given out by the others in this forum.  First, your dog is a large breed, but most of the dogs diagnosed with bone cancer are.  Amputation is almost always suggested because bone cancer gives dogs horrible pain and it's the only way to really get rid of it.  Most dogs recover fairly quickly and go back to doing all the things they were doing before, except in smaller amounts usually(shorter walks, playtimes, etc).  For the bone biopsies, my dog's was scheduled right after the x-rays but was cancelled because the bone was already fractured and eaten away too much so the vet was afraid the biopsy (which they drill into the bone) would shatter it.  A lot of people have the biopsy done after amputation to confirm it and also they sometimes biopsy the lymph nodes around it.  I'm sure your vet has x-rayed the lungs, which the cancer spreads to eventually, although most lung xrays are clear at the time of diagnosis but it shows up later on. 

They say younger dogs have more aggressive osteosarcoma, so if he's healthy otherwise, and if you can afford it, I would definitely do chemotherapy.  The statistics say that amputation alone gives the same amount of life left as if you hadn't amputated, with about 2-6 months.  Adding chemotherapy gives a 50% chance that they will live up to a year, but like many of the people have said on here, you can't always go by statistics and he could live much much longer.  Some dogs with chemo even live up to 4 years later!  Some people have regrets choosing chemo, and it definitely can take a toll on your dog, so have a nice long talk with your speciailist about it and weight it all out before you decide.  I would definitely start him on the K9 Immunity /Transfer Factor/Omega fatty acids.  They seemed to help my dog feel better, and look at it this way, it doesn't hurt them so if there's a chance it can help, why not.  I would also go ahead and ask your vet or specialist about a cancer diet, which is a high protein/low carb diet  because cancer feeds on carbs.  While he's waiting for amputation, it would help to have him on some kind of painkiller too.  All the luck and best wishes to Bailey.   

Member Since:
26 November 2008
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9 August 2009 - 6:52 am
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We were lucky(?) in that we went from real limping to amputation in less than one week. Our local vet made the initial diagnosis on Friday, Monday we were at the specialists, and Wednesday the amputation. Quick and the pain of the cancer was gone. No one here suggested a biaopsy of the cancer pre-amputation and the post-amputation biaopsy confirmed osteosarcoma. I am so glad that we did not continue the pain and add an additional procedure to confirm the diagnosis pre-amputation. Two good doctors, two great sets of xrays, and ultrasound were all we needed to move forward.

I opted for a very aggressive chemotherapy that started just hours after the amputation. It was much harder on Cherry than the amputation but TLC carried the day. We now approach our nine month ampuversary and she is doing great. No one know how long after such a devistation diagosis we have with our companions, but we wanted to restore the quality of life that had defined Cherry and our combined treatment provided us the best chance for that. Two similar diagnosis at our local vets since Cherry either could not or would not take that path and they are long since gone.

Again, good luck and hope that you can move on with your treatment decision quickly.

Bob & Cherry

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5 August 2009
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9 August 2009 - 8:14 am
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Thank you all again for your helpful support. I am just trying to remain hopeful that they will offer her some choices and not just say there is nothing to be done. I should hear something within a few days. Most of the comments I have read say that they went with amputation and not radiation and chemo. Is there a reason for that choice, does it have a better survival rate than radiation and chemo or was it just the only choice given? I just want to be as aware of the information as possible so that if I go to the specialist and they have choices I can make the best one.

ashley shafferman

Northern CA
Member Since:
23 December 2008
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9 August 2009 - 8:41 am
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Hi Ashley,

Hang in there. Even if they tell you there is nothing that can be done, I would recommend a second opinion. If that is not an option I would ask your vet to lay out very specifically why they feel that nothing can be done. Then take those reasons and evaluate each and every one of them. IF it is because he's a large breed... well you know many large breeds have done just fine. IF it's because you will only really gain a few more months... well a few more months of a happy dog is better than nothing, and few months may turn into a few years.  For me there is ALWAYS something that can be done... For us with Wrigley amputation was the ONLY way to eliminate the pain she was in. Her cancer had eaten away her bone ( scapula). On the xray it looked like little moths had chewed a little bite out of it. As I mentioned before they did do some sort of biopsy prior to the amputation, I think it was just of the area because it was not the painful bone biopsy that is often mentioned. Her bone biopsy was done after the amputaion to confirm it was osteosarcoma. Our surgeon was also 99% sure this was cancer just from looking at the xray. So for us amputation was an easy decision to start with.

Amputation is the first step in treating this disease. When we met with Wrigley's oncologist, those were her exact words. When we discussed treatment with her she said, you have already done the first step by removing the cancerous limb.

Just remember each dog is an individual case. You are the only person that knows Bailey like no other so take in what all the vets say and then ask yourself what is best for Baliey as you know Bailey.

We're sending lots of good thoughts your way.

Seanne and Angel Wrigley

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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9 August 2009 - 9:27 am
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We didn't do a bone biopsy with Jerry because the doctors were certain of the osteosarcoma diagnosis based on presentation of the tumor. My best advice is to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. We're glad to hear you find support in these forums. That's why we started and maintain them! Thanks to everyone for all the kind words!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
26 November 2008
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9 August 2009 - 3:39 pm
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One can always count on Seanne and Angel Wrigley as well as Shanna and Trouble for getting there with quick, pointed, and accurate help. Our local vet provided us with a copy of an article discussing Osteosarcoma and you can link to that article at http://www.vete.....038;A=1035. As discussed by others and in the article, the amputation is the first step of any aggressive treatment and is employed to stop the pain. This cancer IS very painful. Radiation can also be used to control the pain, but does not work on 1/3 of the cases where amputation removes the source of the pain. Radiation will also slow the growth of the tumor but amputation removes the tumor. After that, it is more a choice of how agressive one wants to be. For us, there really never was any choice, only an agressive chemotherapy treatment would provide the chances for a return to the quality of life I wanted for Cherry. She did loose all appetite and I had to stuff nearly every morsal of food during the treatments. However, when the oncologist wanted to reduce the dose by 25% to ease these complications at a cost of 50% of the effectiveness, I made it very clear that my fingers could suffer but Cherry was going to get the best chances possible. I have never regretted the direction we took. You can see for youself with photos that I have posted on Cherry's Journey website: http://home.com...../index.htm

Stay firm on Bailey's behalf. It always bears repeating – no knows Bailey like you and once you make your decisioin regarding the treatment and can implement that decision be assured that it is the best for Bailey and your family. We know that you will make the best choice – now you just have to know that as well. You are doing great, getting all the information together. We wish you the best.

Bob & Cherry

PS: The photo of my latest TriPawd sweater for Cherry is included in the photos I mentioned. Yes, I modified a dog sweater pattern and knit the latest version in anticipation of winter.

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5 August 2009
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14 August 2009 - 4:29 pm
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Hello everyone...so today I took Bailey into the vet to have a surgery to save the leg. They told me on Wednesday that the results showed new bone growth and they thought they could just remove the tumor and send it off and get better results as well as keep her leg. So they did a xray this morning and told me that the cancer didnt appear to have spread which I felt was good news. They then called back about an hour later to tell me they couldnt get the tumor as it was too big and if they removed they were worried they wouldnt be able to get it all and the cancer would come back within a few weeks and she may not even be able to walk on the leg removing that much bone. So they gave me 10 minutes to make a decison to go ahead with survery or do amputation. I made the difficult desicon and you each had to make and chose amputation. It just sounded like the best choice for her but going into today i wasnt expecting that so it was tough. They just called a little while ago and she is doing ok so far. I dont get to bring her home until monday but I was hoping you all could share with me ideas about how to get the house prepared for her return. I have stairs in the aparmtnetn that she will have to climb to get up so is there anything i could do to make it easier? Has anyone tried the harness on this website, is that worth buying? Any ideas you guys have would be appreciated. I will also check online here in the recovery forum but wanted to update everyone. I don;t know how I would have made a decison today without you all and your kind words. Thank you so much for sharing and helping me through this. I know the first time I see her it will be extra hard but I also know that she needs me now more than ever to be strong and help her through this. Thank you all so much and any ideas I would really apprecaite so I can make this as easy as possible for her.

ashley shafferman

Harrisonburg, Va
Member Since:
29 July 2009
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14 August 2009 - 6:04 pm
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I think the amputation decision is best in the long run. Ours was done only a few days ago so I'm not yet to the point where I'm not second-guessing myself but with all the encouraging stories on here it really seems the best for most cases.  As for preparing the house, it helps to put down rugs/runners on any slippery floor like hardwood or linoleum.  We got a few at one of those cheap overstock stores.  Old towels or sling to support underneath her body to help get her up and support when she walks is needed.  As long as a harness doesn't hit near the wound it's helpful.  We're lucky that Mac doesn't have to use stairs but if I were you I would try a halter on the front and a towel underneath the middle and kinda support both ends a bit.  I'm not going to buy the Ruffwear harness until he's healed because it looks like it would go over right where the wound is.  My dog has had a few accidents inside since he didn't feel well enough to go outside at first so we bought some puppy piddle pads just in case.  Oh, and they are probably using a flat gel cold compress on her right now so having one of those helps if she'll let you use it.  Good luck….I hope she has an excellent recovery.  Stay strong.

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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14 August 2009 - 6:50 pm
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jackiandmac said:

... they are probably using a flat gel cold compress on her right now so having one of those helps if she'll let you use it. 


All great tips, thanks! If you haven't already, check out out the demonstration video we did for the Bella' Hot/Cold Pain Relief Pack for dogs. We found it worked well for Jerry's aching bones as he tired, and it can be heated to help assist healing. The elastic staps help hold it in place.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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14 August 2009 - 6:53 pm
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baileysmom said:

It just sounded like the best choice for her ...


It is. And a tough immediate decision indeed. Congratulations on taking the first step to happy healthy three legged adventures. Best wishes for speedy recovery.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Winnipeg
Member Since:
13 July 2009
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14 August 2009 - 7:40 pm
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Hi Ashley and Bailey

You have come so far in so short of time. To backtrack to some of your pre-amp questions (big caution I am NOT a vet and only started to learn about OSA one month ago when my dog's leg was amputated), my vet and articles I read indicated that bone biopsies were often inconclusive, so there was little gain by having one done before the amputation. Second, as for radiation, my vet indicated that was normally done for older or ill dogs who could not handle amputation and was done for pain relief. Radiation of course does not eliminate the tumor which is the source of those nasty cancer cells. And third, I considered limb-sparing surgery, but it seems that recovery time and potential for complications are greater. I did not want my dog to be recovering for 4-5 months if he might only have four months to live, or even if he has 1 or 2 or 3 years to live. As I said, I am not a vet, and might be giving horrible information. Tazziedog should feel totally free to correct me.

I asked the vet for a sling and they gave me a nice towel sling, which helped on stairs and elsewhere. It gives insurance that your dog can walk home if you walk far away from home. But otherwise you can use the towel trick (under the belly). I laid down lots of matts on the floors, although I'm not sure how important it is. Great if you can carry your dog up or especially down stairs at the beginning. However, two days post-amp, my dog's bruising was too painful so he no longer let us carry him up the stairs. (Then it was time to sleep on the kitchen floor - I guess sleeping in the entrance of your apartment block is not an option 🙂 .

It has taken me longer than most to come to terms with the amputation. My dog was supposedly superdog at the vet post-amp. But he was underdog once he got home, for about two weeks. He now has his 'mojo' back so I think I can finally say I am happy with the decision. Even thought serious pain had just started to appear, I know he would have been in serious trouble by now (or no longer with us) if we hadn't amputated the leg. His best and most crazy friend will visit this weekend (4 wks post-amp!!), so this will be the acid test.

Best of luck to you and Bailey,

Susan & Tazzie 2

Member Since:
5 August 2009
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25 August 2009 - 12:57 pm
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Hey everyone..I wanted to share an update. Bailey had her amputation about a week and a half ago. She is doing so well. She is almost getting up and down stairs without tiring out. She is walking all on her own and seems to be feeling pretty well. I am so happy, I was so worried she would have such a hard time but she is a strong headed doggie and she seems determined, imagine my relief 🙂 I found out today that the results from the amputation were what we thought, it was osteosarcoma. They checked her lungs before the amputation and everything looked clear and they sent lymph nodes off and they came back clear too, so hopefully that means it hasn't spread yet. We start her chemotherapy on Monday. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions as far as diets, vitamins etc that helped their dogs do better with chemo?  I can not tell you thank you all enough. Finding this website and talking with everyone here has helped me make the best decisons for my girl and I want to keep that up so she has a fighting chance. Thank you all!

ashley shafferman

Kirkland, WA
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2 June 2009
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25 August 2009 - 1:38 pm
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YAY!!!  I'm glad Bailey is doing so well!  And now you know what you're dealing with, so that hard waiting part is over…phew!  Since I'm on summer break still, I spend my days researching supplements and cancer treatments (I should be doing housework, but whatever).  Here is what Jack gets:

Morning:

2 Astragalus tablets

2 IP6 and Inositol tablets

1 Shark Cartilage capsule

Evening:

Same as morning except he also gets 2 pau d'arco capsules and a flax oil caplet emptied over his food

ASTRAGALUS: 

In the United States, researchers have investigated astragalus as a possible treatment for people whose immune systems have been compromised by chemotherapy or radiation. In these studies, astragalus supplements have been shown to speed recovery and extend life expectancy. Research on using astragalus for people with AIDS has produced inconclusive results.

IP6 and INOSITOL:

A striking anticancer effect of IP6 was demonstrated in different experimental models. Inositol is also a natural constituent possessing moderate anticancer activity. The most consistent and best anticancer results were obtained from the combination of IP6 plus inositol. In addition to reducing cell proliferation, IP6 increases differentiation of malignant cells, often resulting in a reversion to normal phenotype

PAU d'ARCO:

Pau d'Arco tea or tincture concoctions have had beneficial effects for cancer victims, anywhere from alleviation of chemotherapy symptoms to complete remission of tumors.

SHARK CARTILAGE:

Laboratory and animal studies have looked at whether bovine and shark cartilage products can kill cancer cells, make the immune system more active against cancer, and prevent the body from making the new blood vessels that a tumor needs to grow (see Question 5).

As far as I understand it, it is important for doggies to have a functional immune system.  We had Jack on K9 Immunity and Transfer factor and he had no problems with his blood counts or any side-effects (I do give him the anti-nausea pill the doctor provided as a “just in case” type of thing). K9 Immunity is expensive, though, so we have to find a different option.  Tazzie 1 is on power mushrooms and another supplement for bio-availability (there was a post recently about what she is on, but DARN IT!!!  I can't find it).  I hope I do find it, because I would like to put Jack on those in lieu of K9 Immunity .  Before you start anything, be sure to talk to your vet or oncologist to make sure that the supplements you choose won't have adverse reactions with the chemotherapy.  As far as diet, I think a lot of dogs here are using grain-free foods.  We had Jack on Hill's n/d, but our oncologist said it mainly provides the extra fats that some cancer dogs need, and that if we were giving him Omega oils or flax oil, we did not need the fatty food as well.  Now I'm trying to pick a high-protein low-grain or grain-free food that doesn't make our dog's breath smell like rotten fish (yuck!).  I mix a some dry food with a wet dog food (a little scoop of beneful entrees so I can mix in the powdered supplements) and slice some all-natural meat thing on top cuz Jack loves it (seriously, I took him to PetSmart and while walking through the aisles he actually picked the tube of food up with his mouth…)  Good luck!  There's a lot of stuff out there for you to pick from :P  

On The Road


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24 September 2009
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25 August 2009 - 7:45 pm
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It's great to hear bailey is doing so well. Thanks for the great update.

Be sure to check out the Eating Healthy forum for diet tips from forum members and don't miss our post with complete details about Jerry's canine cancer diet and supplements before and after his metronomic protocol chemotherapy.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

My heart lives at Rainbow Bridge
Member Since:
28 November 2008
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26 August 2009 - 3:11 pm
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Great update, Bailey.  Keep getting stronger every day, you can do this!

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.

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