Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Hi everyone,
I don't know if this is the right forum, but I have a question for anyone here that has dealt with ugly osteosarcoma. Since my Polly's crappy cancer was a completely different type, I know many of you here had to deal with ugly osteo.......I am pet sitting my most favorite boys this week, ( I love them all, though) and I have noticed my sweet big guy Rottie Rex limping on his right front leg. He is a normally 100 lb hug-fest, but his dad mentioned to me before they left for vacation, that he has lost about 15 - 20 lbs since Christmas, and I definitely can see it. I have seen him several times since Christmas and thought it was my imagination that he was losing a bit of weight. He has limped on his back left rear leg for all the years I have been pet sitting him, which is about 5-6 years from a leg injury, but this front right leg has happened in the last few months. He is now 8 years old, and I found a moderate sized lump on him today. However, this is in his right scapula area, and I am not sure if this would be a common area for osteo. He is still eating very well for the most part, but he is in at least a small bit of pain for right now. I sure as hell do not want to put the cart before the horse, but I am very worried. I love these guys like they are my own and I will have to say something to his owners when they return from vacation about this lump and limping. It is making me a bit nuts to think after everything I went through with Polly this past year, and all of you here as well, that now I might possibly be preparing myself for this ugly disease in my favorite Rottie in the world. Rex's owners are really wonderful people, but very busy, and I am not sure they would necessarily notice something like this as well as I do.
So my question is, can osteo start in a place like the scapula? I know most places in front or back legs can be starting points but this still has me very concerned for him. I do know there is something going on with him and so does his dad, I just don't want it to be this........
Thanks, and love to all,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Oh Bonnie.... I don't know anything about Osteosarcoma but that doesn't sound good. Perhaps it's just arthritis? I know Shelby would occasionally (long before her leg broke) would limp from too much play time or over use. But it doesn't sound good.
Rex *(love that name) is very lucky to have you looking after him and hopefully if it is the dreaded "c", they can get him into treatment sooner rather than later.
Prayers and love to you and Rex and his family too!
Alison & her Shelby fur-ever 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
Bonnie, Ty's Histeosarcoma was in his scapula. He was diagnosed with OSA until biopsy confirmed Histeosarcoma. We went through the mill to get a diagnosis. His tumor was not palpable though. Ty also became more lethargic. I think he was just tired of the pain though.his amp included his shoulder also. Hopefully, Rex has just pulled something and this is what you are feeling.Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Yes Bonnie, it happens there quite often, that's where our Jerry's started. It also presented with on-again/off-again limping and weight loss, including muscle wasting on that limb. I would make sure that sweetie is checked out ASAP. Poor guy, I hope with all I've got that this is something else. Keep us posted, we're sending good thoughts. xoxo
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Polly, I tell uou what, Rex is mighty lucky to have Auntie Polly in his corner!! I think you both are very, very mutually fond of each other!
Every case is so different as far as presenting symptons, althoughmlkmping off and on is fairky consistent across the board for osteosarcoma. My Happy Hannah never "presented" any lumps at her leg and really didm't even show swelling untill maybe a week lr so before ampjtation (if I recall). Many do show swelling and lumps. Happy Hannah didm't lose one single ounce as a "sympton" either. But......Happy Hannah never let "weight loss" enter her mind anyway!!
Yeah, strongly urge then to take Rex to the vet. Even if the leg is just arthritis...and that certainly could br the case.....the weight loss needs to be checked out....that could indicate all sorts of whacky things, and not all "bad"....relatively speaking. The fact that he has a good appetite is encouragjng!
When do they come home? Would they let you take him un for initial blood work, overall check up...maybe even xray?
Keeping all,paws crossed for Rex.!!
Love right back to ya'!
Sally and Happy Hannah and Myrtle 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!
Ugh...just saw Jerry'smpost.......remember, there are optiins often withmgood extended quality time!
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 like your ideas Sally, who knows what it could be, better not to jump to conclusions but good to have him checked out just to be sure.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all for your wonderful insight, and helped me to not worry too much right now......when I went earlier this morning to take care of Rex and his Shepherd/Rottie mix brother Henry who is 10, Rex was not limping as much today and the lump was not as visible, so I am hoping maybe he has just strained his shoulder or something. He still needs to have blood work and a check up to find out why he is losing so much weight, and his dad told me before he left on their trip, that they will take him right after they come home from vacation. I am not going to call them and worry them unless this becomes serious with his front leg.......hopefully one week will not make a huge difference. He is resting most of the day everyday until I go to take care of them, and then they just go outside to go potty and sniff around their property by the woods in back. He is not going up and down stairs inside the house, and the steps out back is only like 4 of them.
I will continue to monitor him, and hopefully his appetite will not be a problem, although honestly, there have been times in the last 6 months he will refuse to eat and seem very out of sorts and not feeling well......but so far, so good......
Thanks again, and Much Love,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
1 Guest(s)
