Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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First, I am new to this group and apologize if I am getting this in the wrong place to ask. As the title states, we have an 11 1/2 year yorkie that had a mass removed from her mouth on Monday October 15th. The report came back to us on Friday that the mass is indeed malignant melanoma. We live in Topeka, KS and would have to be referred to Manhattan, Ks or the Kansas city area for any further treatment. Further tests can be made on the mass if we decide the proceed with further treatment. Our vet has informed us that the first step to treat this, if it has not already spread to anything else, is to remove her lower jaw and then on to chemo and or radiation. We do have to consider the expenses including the travel as well as the stress this would put on our little Yorkie. Has anyone else out there gone through this and where could I find any additional information? We have 4 other yorkies. Our oldest is the momma and she is 13 1/2 years old, blind and in kidney disease. she is on a special diet for that. We have three siblings at 11 1/2 years old. The brother has a stage 3-4 heart murmur and the other sister so far is okay and then we have an 8 year old that is not related to the others and she is also okay.
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not require moderation.
We have had a couple people here who have dealt with oral melanoma, myself included. Most people here are dealing with amputation due to osteosarcoma, but we hate cancer in all forms and will do our best to help.
My Tri- pug Maggie (mast cell cancer lead to amputation) developed oral melanoma later in life. Unfortunately she was dealing with kidney failure when she was diagnosed so I was not able to treat it. The options our oncologist gave were surgery to remove part of her upper jaw, then radiation and then the melanoma vaccine. Have you discussed the vaccine with your vet? It is really a type of chemo which is supposed to be pretty effective after surgery (and rad I think) but without surgery it doesn't help much. It is also pretty expensive, about $500 per shot, with a 4 shot protocol. We had another member her who's Tripawd had oral melanoma on her tounge. The pup had a couple surgeries to remove tumors, and did use the vaccine. I think the dog lived with melanoma for about 11 months.
I don't have any specific references to share, I think I just googled oral melanoma and talked a lot with our oncologist.
Don't feel bad about considering finances and travel time in your treatment decisions. We talk a lot here about quality as opposed to quantity. Sadly cancer diagnosis often limits life span, it is up to us to make every second of that time the best it can be. You have to factor everything in and make the very best decision you can for your pup...what is her name?
Maggie passed 3 months after the melanoma diagnosis, when the tumor broke through her palette into her upper jaw and it became painful, but again she was dealing with two cancers and kidney failure, and I did no treatment. She also did not tolerate pain meds well at all.
You could also post your questions in the 'Ask A Vet' forum here.
You are welcome here even though you have those funny 4 legged dogs! We may not have a lot of experience with melanoma, but we are very experienced with the cancer journey, and can offer lots of support.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
One of the other melanoma fighters was Gayle. You can read her blog here - http://etgayle......pawds.com/
The cancer journey sucks whether they have 4 legs or 3. Sending good thoughts to you as you make your decisions and begin the journey.
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.
I'm so sorry you are coping with this disease. In Dr. Dressler's Dog Cancer Survival Guide, which I highly recommend since he has an entire chapter dedicated to this condition, he talks about how here has been much progress in the way of treating oral melanoma. Much of the success depends on the tumor size and location, but something to consider is:
Radiation therapy is an alternative to surgery if the tumor is inopearable or if you don't want to proceed with surgery. Over 80 percent of dogs can achieve long-term local control over the disease, with complete response rates of 50 - 70% (which means the tumor disappears for a time) and median survival times of five to nine months.
The best place to start? A consult with an oncologist. Just talking to one doesn't commit you to anything, but it will give you all of the information you need to make an educated decision. Knowing all of your options can give you the confidence you need to know you made the best decision for your sweet pup.
Teaching hospitals are an awesome place to begin your search. They can be busy and you'll have different docs on your case, but they have the latest and greatest and your pup might also qualify for a clinical trial that can help offset costs.
I hope that you can get your bearings soon, we know how this news can turn your world upside down! Keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you everyone for all of your wonderful responses. Our little Tazi Dee is happy and comfortable most of the time for now. I do so appreciate all of the support from my new found Tripawd friends. I knew with this many pups all close to the same age, we would be facing several tough decisions in a short time frame. As much as that fact is known, one is never truly prepared when the tough decisions are "in your face". Thank you all so very much.
Hey there - sorry you had to find us here! My boy Clyde was diagnosed with oral melanoma in June. It had spread to the lymph node and was inoperable, so we were not feeling very optimistic, but he has done really well so far (KNOCK ON WOOD!). We did radiation and 4 rounds of the vaccine, and now we are doing metronomic chemo (Cytoxan and Rimadyl). I can't remember exactly what he said, but I do remember talking to the oncologist about how traditional chemo is usually not the first option for this particular cancer, as it isn't always particularly effective. However, he was really interested in trying the metronomic chemo in combination with the vaccine.
So far, his tumor and the lymph node have shrunk significantly, and there is no sign of any additional metastasis (we did chest x-rays when he was first diagnosed and again when he finished radiation/before we started chemo). We are planning on doing another vaccine 6 months after his last one - so that should be sometime in February. We have been VERY focused on quality of life over anything else - he wasn't having any problems or symptoms due to the cancer, so we definitely didn't want to do any treatments that would cause side effects and make his life less enjoyable. Many folks around here will agree with me when I say that you have far more control over quality of life over quantity - you can't guarantee how much longer you have with your Tazi Dee, but you can guarantee that it is quality time! Luckily, Clyde has had no real side effects from his treatments and he LOVES going to the vet (seriously, I think he would move in there if he could), so fortunately that has not been a stressor for him.
Like Karen, I did a lot of googling oral melanoma for info., and I did like Dr. Dressler's book ...as Jerry suggests, a good oncologist is a wealth of support and information.
I know what you mean about knowing that you have lots of similarly aged folks in your pack and trying to be prepared for lots of decisions in a shorter time frame...but you're right, no matter how prepared you are, you just aren't...and you always think you will have more time before you get to that point. Clyde was diagnosed less than two months after our Holly was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, so we got hit pretty hard all at once. Now I'm a paranoid crazy mom - two of my cats have been to the emergency vet in the last two weeks (to be fair, tripawd pawrents will understand one of them very well - my kitty woke up one morning and out of nowhere was just holding up his front paw and limping/hopping around...you can only imagine my panic and how quickly we were at the vet getting x-rays!) and my other pup who is about 9-ish now gets dragged to the vet to have every little lump looked at. But you've come to the right place for lots of support and advice! Good luck with your decisions and make sure to keep us updated on how it's going!
Alex, Angel Holly, and Clyde
Thank you Hollybeans for your heartwarming note. Tazi Dee is doing pretty good today. She is eating pretty well. I think she gets tired of me looking in her mouth all of the time. We give her some of her favorite foods and lots of walks. Missy Momma, Tazi Dee's 13 1/2 year old momma has decided rides in a baby stroller is pretty fun. She just can't keep up with the others like she used too. We try to keep all of the stressors to as much of a minimum as possible. They like Dr. Cook when we run into him outside of the office, but the office is not one of their favorite places. Last summer Tazi Dee had a ruptured cornea and had a button sewn to her eyelid for about 8 weeks and worn the dreaded cone so she wouldn't scratch at the button. But we did save both the eye and eye sight in that eye, periphial vision anyway as there is a scar left behind. Tazi Dee is my higher strung pup of the group, my alpha dog. Missy Momma reliquished that position probably 3 or 4 years ago. Missy is blind and has kidney disease controlled with a special diet. She likes to sleep more than the others, so Tazi Dee took on the position of being the boss, which she does very well. Today Tazi Dee is good and Missy Momma is slowing down. On to another day... thank you all for being so supportive and understanding.
5sillydogs said
On to another day... thank you all for being so supportive and understanding.
Yep when it comes to cancer, it's all about taking things day by day, and appreciating those seemingly mundane moments. They all add up to a very special time.
Glad to hear Tazzi Dee is doing well today! Paws crossed for continued good times!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Tazi Dee is being her bossy self today. She continues to eat, sleep and do her outdoor business as usual. We did have a discussion earlier in the week with Dr. Cook and had decided to have the mass examined more thoroughly more for piece of mind than anything else. When we got home today, Dr. Cook had left a message for us that what we are actually dealing with is an oral anaplastic sarcoma. So, we may have more time if I am understanding my google search. We will have to call him Monday to get the rest of the story and even he said he would be consulting with Dr Heab at Kansas State University for further clarifications. Again, IF I am understanding what I am reading, this is a soft tissue cancer so that would lead me to the conclusion she may not have to have her lower jaw removed as a first step of tretment. Treatment still looks expensive, and unfortunately that is something we do have to consider. Dr. Cook told us not to get our hopes up, but I think even if it gives us a little more time that alone is all we can hope for. Cancer is still cancer, some just act quicker than others. I'll chaulk this up as a pretty good day.
Great news all around! It's always a good day when your pup is able to be her bossy self. 
Welcome to one of the few places where we get excited about cancer - any time you hear that you may be dealing with a less aggressive cancer is a cause for celebration! 
5sillydogs said
Dr. Cook told us not to get our hopes up, but I think even if it gives us a little more time that alone is all we can hope for.
This is so true - any extra time is wonderful - even five more minutes...I truly believe that. Sounds like you're already getting good at "being more dog"! Congrats on a good day!
Oh fantastic news! Yep, we always say that if cancer happens, better it be a less aggressive one. YAY!
We have our paws crossed that the news continues to get better.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks for the congratulations on the less agressive form of cancer. I'll be talking to Dr. Cook in the morning to see what all he has to say, plus I have to go pay for said additional tests. Plus he will be consulting with Dr. Heab tomorrow too. She did the additional tests and is an oncologist - as I understand. Hopefully more good news to come. Thank you all for keeping those paws crossed. I appreciate it. Miss Bossy Tazi Dee is certainly getting used to being totally and completely spoiled.
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