Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi all,
I have a 10 yr old Olde English Bulldogge. Two weeks ago we had to take her to the emergency vet because she suddenly quit walking on her right hind leg. Her ankle was swollen. After the vet x-rayed her leg they found that her tibia had a "moth eaten" look to it and the vet told us it could be either Osteosarcoma or Blastomycosis. We opted at the time to test for the Blasto first and also had them x-ray her lungs. Lung x-ray was clear. The results of Blastomycosis was negative so that left Osteosarcoma. So we decided to have a biopsy done on the bone to confirm. The vet let us know that she took two decent samples of bone, a fine needle aspirate and she also took a sample of bone marrow. I got the call today that the histopath results were basically inconclusive. She is responding really well to the pain medication (gabapentin and rimadyl) even after the bone biopsy. We have the option of either having someone else do another round of biopsies or do a wait and see type of approach. I don't really know what to do at this point. Do we just do the amputation regardless of an official Osteosarcoma diagnosis or do we wait a month and x-ray again to see if there are any changes to the bone. I am just baffled as to the reason why all of those samples that were sent to the lab came back as inconclusive. Thanks in advance.
Hi Sophie and family, welcome. I'm so sorry, it's really tough when you don't get answers right away. Unfortunately that's not unusual, we've seen it happen quite a bit here.
If the bone is already destroyed and there is no chance of saving it even if it isn't cancer, then the best thing is usually to proceed with amputation. Another biopsy can be done after the leg is off.
What did your vet recommend?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
BULL DOGS. Love them!!! What's your boy's name?
Ditto Jerry. Regrettably bone biopsies come back inconclusive. And usually they are quite painful so kudos to Bull Dog Boy for having his pain managed.
The concern would be ofm9t's "moth eaten" that there is a likelihood of a fracture. So if you decide to continue with the pain meds and keep his activity moderated, that can help hopefully avoid that. Not say 9t will happen, but it can.
So it does aort of fo back to Jerry's point. Regardless of the biopsy, os the leg is compromised and can only get worse, then discuss with your Vet amputation as a path forward.
Also, for your reassurance and for the best possible surgical outcome, try and get an appointment with an Orthopedic Surgeon to confirm Bull Dog Boy os a good can....and it sounds like he is. And YAY for clear xrays!!
One more thought, a Radiologist or Ongologis could maybe take a look at the xrays. Often because they've seen so many xrays with "moth eaten" appearance, they may be able to spot "things".
Stay connected! We are here for uou with whatever path you take!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!
Im going to put an extra paw into this thread and add that although i haven't seen bone samples, I've been around tons of fine needle aspirates. Enough to know that if per chance the correct sample isn't obtained, you can get a false negative. The sample is only as good as the area it's taken from.
And ditto Jerry and Sally.... if that bone is that compromised, there really is no decision in keeping the leg. And it's a lot less painful to just send out a leg post amputation. Then they can take all the samples they want/ need with no ill effect on your furbaby.
Im also a huge bulldog fan❤ I hope this helps you even a little.
Hugs,
Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry 
My Dobe had 4 biopsies, 3 of which were inconclusive, and the 4th came back sarcoma, fibrous variety. We had his leg amputated; it took 5 weeks to get the leg biopsy results back, which they finally said "Osteosarcoma".... deep down I don't believe it was, I feel it was fibrous. He lived 3 1/2 years post amp, and his cancer never did return - old age took him from us.
The decision to amputate was the most difficult one we've ever had to make, but we don't regret it for an instant. Good luck as you move forward, listen to your heart. We knew our boy wasn't ready to leave us, so we fought.
Paula and Warrior Angel Nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
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