Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello, this news has led to so much confusion and I would love some advice.
Yuki (11 years old japanese spitz, with no comorbidities) had a lump growing on her right arm for about a month, which we thought was just a benign tumour since it was soft. It was painful for 3 days when we first noticed it and assumed it was a sprain, but when the pain subsided and it still didnt go away, we went to the vet to check it out at the soonest appointment which was about 1month in. The vet did a biopsy which took 2 weeks for the results to come, I live in asia and they needed to ship it to canada. The biopsy came back and these were the comments.
High suspicion for mast cell tumour. Very poor to well granulated mast cells, with few fibroblasts.
There was no grading or other information like mitotic index with regards to the biopsy, hence it was difficult to get a better understanding of prognosis.
Upon receiving the results friday, we went in for consultation on monday (2nd vet visit) where the vet suggested that we amputate. He palpated the lymph nodes of yuki and felt that in his professional opinion it has yet to metastasize, hence was a good candidate for full limb amputation. But he did not do a biopsy of the regional lymph node nor any further scans (perhaps its because the vet had no such scanner and the results of a biopsy would take too long). He said that we had to catch it before it metastasized as the tumour is very aggressive, having grown to about 8cm in the first month (there had been only small changes in the 2-3weeks after the first vet visit in our opinion). He said we had to do the amputation this week and suggests a full leg amputation to remove the nearby lymph nodes as well.
From my research, I am willing to conduct the amputation but the biggest problem is that my family and I will be flying to Japan from 16th-26th December, hence if yuki were to be amputated, there will be no one she knows to take care of her in the post-op period.
Will it be possible to wait to conduct further investigations and seek second opinions, and operate only when we are back, or will it likely be too late?
Thank you so much for any help and sorry if the story seems jumbled. happy to answer any questions :")
Hi Jia and Yuki, welcome. I'm sorry you are dealing with this, it's a tough situation in the best of circumstances.
if at all possible it would be good to have a CT scan or X-rays so you can know for sure if the cancer has metastasized. Did your vet recommend any diagnostics like those?
Mast cell cancer can be very tough to treat without amputation but many people medically manage it for a few years before having to decide about amputation . Sometimes they don't get that long though because the cancer is too aggressive. It would be good to know if Yuki's is so that you can make a decision you feel comfortable with.
If you chose surgery, maybe you could board her at the vet clinic while you are away?
I need help deciding.
I have a senior cat with osteosarcoma and suspected spreading to liver and lungs. The vet strongly suggests amputation.He says my cat will be in excruciating pain from the affected limb if I don't. Please help me...
Hi Edward, welcome. Your future posts won't need moderation so post away.
I just realized you are the Tripawds Helpline caller today, so glad you found your way here!
Please start a new topic so we can help you better. Otherwise your situation will get confused with Jia and Yuki (above). If you want help doing that just let me know. Thanks!
Meanwhile yes your vet is correct, bone cancer pain is terrible. For some examples of other cats with osteosarcoma see
Hello. I need help starting a new thread. surgery is tomorrow. I am so worried and unsure that I have made the right decision
Hi Edward,
Click HERE which will take you to the Three Legged Cats forum.
Scroll down a bit until you see the list of page numbers on the left hand side, then look to the right hand side and you will see a box with a plus sign and the words 'Add Topic'. When you click on that box a new topic box will open for you.
I'll be looking for your new post there.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls and Boy
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Edward_1 said
I need help deciding.I have a senior cat with osteosarcoma and suspected spreading to liver and lungs. The vet strongly suggests amputation.He says my cat will be in excruciating pain from the affected limb if I don't. Please help me...
Edward,
True, my 8 y/o Maine coon, had his hind leg amputation 12/15. He was in a lot of pain prior to his surgery. Today 4 day post op he is pain free, romping around on 3 legs, eating, purring and back to himself. I was so scared for my kit before his surgery, now I am glad to have him home romping and stomping and back to his old self. I gave him one dose of pain medicine the morning after his surgery, and he did not need any more. He still is on antibiotics and doing great! Friday, he goes back for his checkup. I hope this helps you make the right decision for your kit. I'll check back if you have any questions. This is hard decision for me to make, neither he nor I was ready to call it quits.
C
cherylawendt said
True, my 8 y/o Maine coon, had his hind leg amputation 12/15. He was in a lot of pain prior to his surgery. Today 4 day post op he is pain free, romping around on 3 legs, eating, purring and back to himself. I was so scared for my kit before his surgery, now I am glad to have him home romping and stomping and back to his old self. I gave him one dose of pain medicine the morning after his surgery, and he did not need any more. He still is on antibiotics and doing great! Friday, he goes back for his checkup. I hope this helps you make the right decision for your kit. I'll check back if you have any questions. This is hard decision for me to make, neither he nor I was ready to call it quits.
C
Hi Cheryl, thank you for chiming in. You can hop over to Edward's new topic, and heck why not make an all new one for True as well? We would love to be able to support you in your journey. See you there!
P.S. Be sure to get familiar with pain signals in cats and dogs, so you can watch for True's pain levels. Animals are generally on pain control for at least 10-14 days. They are really good at hiding pain, cats especially.
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