Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi, I posted over the weekend that my dog Shelby had just broken her leg and was going to have it amputated today due to possible cancer - despite no clear evidence of cancer from 2 aspirate tests. While I realize these can sometimes be unclear, my vet (who is quite well renowned in Los Angeles) is very confused. Also that her spleen and liver aspirates are not presenting cancer. She is now testing and suspecting that Shelby might have some kind of fungal infection that caused the bone to break and is planning on plating and repairing the leg (Shelby is in surgery right now). Has anyone heard of this? Or can anyone shed any light? As you can imagine, this roller coaster of "it's cancer"/ "it's not cancer" has been so horrifically painful and confusing to me. I am holding it together but I am feeling very unsettled and freaked out as I want to treat Shelby the best that she can.
BTW - Shelby is 12; had no symptoms of anything and all weekend acted like a total love and normal dog (in her splint). She is eating well, wants to play and seems to have no clue as to her limitations. It's baffling to me.
Thank you!
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
San Joaquin Valley Fever or Valley Fever can present as bone lesions--and really, it's the other main non-cancer thing that looks like OSA on radiographs.
It's limited geographically, though...so for those of us up here, for example, unless we've travelled, if it LOOKS like OSA, then it generally is. You being near the southwest (where the fungal infection occurs)...well, it's a more possible possibility, I guess.
"Let us think the unthinkable, let us do the undoable, let us prepare to grapple with the ineffable itself, and see if we may not eff it after all."
-Douglas Adams, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
"May I recommend serenity to you? A life that is burdened with expectations is a heavy life. Its fruit is sorrow and disappointment. Learn to be one with the joy of the moment."
-Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
When I took my Daisy to the vet due to sudden onset of limp/non-weight bearing (on Thanksgiving Day no less) on her left front leg the vet x-rayed it as best she could (Daisy could not be anesthetized at the time) and there was a questionable spot on her bone. She gave me antibiotics to start treating her in case it was a bone infection (never knew there was such a thing until then) and had me come back on Monday to sedate her for better xrays. Monday she went and had a good set of x-rays done and an aspirate of the joint. The x-ray showed the typical moth-eaten lytic lesion for OSA. The aspirate also had questionable cells. Based on that I had Daisy's leg amputated as I didn't want to put her thru a painful bone biopsy.
Well, lo and behold, the path report came back on her amputated leg and it was NOT cancer. PHEW! It was the worst case of arthritis that the pathologist had ever seen and she too observed the characteristic lytic lesion. The arthritic damage was so severe with so much bone loss that Daisy could have never used that leg again so amputation was still the best course in our situation.
I guess what I'm trying to explain in my ramblings is it could possibly be something else including an infection.
Best of luck!
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit 
and Spirit Daisy 
Thank you both so much! I did a quick Google search and saw the Valley fever and thought that could be possible. While we do live by the beach, certainly we are in LA and it is a dry climate (for the most part). It does make a lot of sense, especially since the cancer is not clearly presenting itself.
@ Daisy's Mom - that is a crazy story! Sounds like you made the best decision for your girl.
Shelby had no symptoms - ever, no limping, no favoring. IN fact, a week before she had run with me. The day of she was running and jumping (which is how she ended up in this state). So I am cautiously optimistic that it is not cancer and some other issue. Shelby is having her surgery right now to fix her leg and doing a bone biopsy. Since she had no lameness prior to this, I feel like I should give her every option to keep the leg. But this website and this group has been such a sense of comfort and support to me. I know I will continue to come back and hopefully be able to extend the same level of support to others.
Thank you so much!
Alison
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
Oh yes leave it to my Daisy to come up with extreme symptoms for the mildest things. I came home one day after work and Daisy had white gums and lips. The vet had me rush her over since that usually means they are bleeding internally. By time I got to the vet (10 minutes) her gums/lips were the prettiest pink! Turns out it was just tapeworms.
I really hope the bone biopsy gives you some definitive answers. It's hard dealing with unknowns. I would not want to take her leg before knowing exactly what you are dealing with since it has been so questionable up to this point.
Marla and Daisy
My Two Tripawds...Biscuit and Spirit Daisy
Alison......we are here for you o matter what!! I have no "knowledge" to offer on this scenario, but can certainly offer you my support and the support of everyone e here! There's no better group!
Keeping was crossed!
Shelby s adorable and she will be fine regardless. She's a tough strong girl with a tough strong momma!
Please keep us posted!
Surrounding you with calm,
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
Alison, nobody can blame you for wanting to try to save her leg, so we send all our best for a speedy recovery. Valley Fever is in your part of the country and I recently heard a story on the news that it's quite rampant in people in SoCal. If that's what it is, I hope it gets treated and knocked out quickly.
You are always welcome here. Anyone who has been through the ups and downs of deciding on amputation has a lot to offer someone who is brand new to it. Please keep us posted on how she's doing, and we'd love to see a pic too! Good luck.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all again for the encouragement and support. We did save Shelby's leg (pins and plate) and she did really well yesterday. They also took a chunk of her bone and liver for further analysis but they are exploring possible Valley Fever or other fungal infections, especially of how Shelby's leg broke since it looked weird and not like a typical pathologic fracture. So basically ... I still have no news other than my dog still has all 4 of her legs, she is in the hospital till tomorrow at least, but she is doing really well and eating well (that's my girl - never misses a meal and she is getting her money's worth out of her stay). I am going to visit her tonight (they have visiting hours) so I will serve her dinner and snuggle and kiss on her. I miss her so much but it was nice to get one night of uninterrupted sleep.
Shelby is the pretty dog in my profile avatar. 
She is the true love of my life and this website has been an amazing resource for me and great source of comfort!
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
Allison that is great news. I hope they get great news back on both biopsies. Speedy recovery to Shelby. She is a beautiful dog.
hugs
Michelle & Sassy
Sassy is a proud member of the Winter Warriors. Live long, & strong Winter Warriors.
sassysugarbear.tripawds.com
07/26/2006 - Sassy earned her wings 08/20/2013
05/04/2006 - Bosch, Sassy's pal, earned his wings 03/29/19 fought cancer for 4 months.
"You aren't doing it TO her, you are doing it FOR her. Give her a chance at life."
I'm glad surgery went well. Make sure to keep us updated! Give her an extra snuggle from me
Heather
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
Shelby is, indeed a pretty girl.....let's step that up a bit.....she's aBEAUTIFUL girl with an incredibly sweet face!
Glad she's out of surgery and will get a visit from her mom tonight. She knows she's loved and, if pos single, she's about to be even more loved and.more spoiled! That's the benefit as far as Shelbyis concerned!
Keep us posted nd we do look forward to more photos! Hint!
Sleep well tonight,. Job well done!
Sallh and Happy Hannah
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!
Yay for Shelby! I'm thrilled she's in recovery mode. Keep us posted on what the docs find out. I think we've only had maybe two cases of Valley Fever here since we've been online starting in 2006. I hope whatever it is it can be easily taken care of. Till then, spoil your girl rotten! She is a pretty one indeed.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you all for the support with Shelby last week and the weeks prior. So the update is that Shelby did keep her leg. It is pinned and plated in there. She is recovering so well *(keeping her still is our biggest challenge because Shelby thinks she is all better because she isn't in pain and wants to run, jump and play).
The vet got the biopsy back from the bone and it was still inconclusive for bone cancer - she cautioned me to be cautiously optimistic because in her experience, rarely does a bone break like that and NOT be cancer. Also Shelby tested negative for fungal disease OR cancer anywhere else in her body. Bottom line, Shelby is a medical mystery right now and dodging bullets right and left.
We feel very blessed to have been given this opportunity and I am going to explore some holistic medicine/food choices for Shelby to live her best life. I believe perhaps her broken leg was a blessing in disguise because if she does have cancer within her, it is still so minor and we can re-direct the course with proper food and diet.
A total 180 from where I was 2 weeks ago - thinking my dog was dying and was going to have to lose her leg. I am finally starting to eat and sleep again and rest (and she's 25.5 pounds of heavy carrying up and down my apt stairs) but I love her with all my heart and I think we are finally on the mend. Thank you for the support I received here. Everyone was so kind and compassionate. I know you don't know me (or Shelby) but I wanted to give you an update for what it's worth!
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
Wow, I know how hard it is to be caught in limbo and not know, but at least his is a more pawsitive update than saying it's for sure cancer. We don't know you that well but we know what it's like to be afraid that we're dealing with this nasty disease, so you're a part of this big family now.
I'm so glad to hear that things are looking so good. Whatever you have questions about, Tripawd or not, you can always turn to us. Yay to you and Shelby!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the wonderful update! so often people DON'T comb back with progress reports and it always leaves us wondering what the heck!
The relief in your "voice" is exhilarating You can just spending time loving ad spoiling your Sweet Selby and how delightful is that??
Looking forward to more wonderful updates.
We are always here for you and, as Jerry said, we're all family now! We care! We understand!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
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