Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi Guys,
I need some advice…
My 4 year old Rottweiler, Tyson, was recently “diagnosed” with osteosarcoma. The reason why diagnosed is in parenthesis is because we haven’t amputated his leg yet to find out 100%. We did a needle biopsy and the results came out inconclusive when we took him to a specialist. The specialist says she’s pretty sure it’s osteosarcoma and thankfully, it has not yet spread to anywhere else on his body.
My primary vet, says he’s about 95% sure… we’ve already spent about $3000 just on trying to get him diagnosed.
My husband wants a third opinion… but I already know that the third vet will tell us the same thing because we haven’t amputated his leg yet to know 100%. Here’s the thing I’m struggling with…
My dog acts COMPLETELY normal even with his fractured leg (he currently has a cast on). He’s still happy. He wants to play outside and play tug. He wants to go for a walk. He wants to kiss everyone who walks in the door. He’s COMPLETELY normal and this is what makes it even harder for me because I don’t feel comfortable putting him down when I feel like he’s okay. My vet on the other hand, just tells me that he’s in a lot of pain.
What would you guys do? Just put him down? Amputation? Amputation AND chemo?
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
If Tyson is otherwise healthy then amputation might be a good option. Dogs are very stoic and hid their pain very well, is he on any pain meds? Anything to do with a bone injury like a break or a bone cancer is very painful.
Since the leg is broken and the vet is pretty sure it is osteosarcoma then a biopsy probably isn't necessary. Many here have amputated without one. Bone biopsies are also very painful.
Here is a question- whether or not it is OSA why did the bone break? What damage is the vet seeing? If there is no chance the bone will heal on its own then amputation is really the only option.
We are here to help and support you no matter what decisions you make. As long as you are doing the best for Tyson you will make the right choices.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Oh gosh, I wouldn't put him down! Tyson sounds like he's a perfect candidate for amputation. He's young & otherwise healthy, he'd probably do very well on 3 legs. Murphy was 7 when he had his surgery., and the reason we opted to go ahead was exactly that ....he had no other health problems. He also had a biopsy that was inconclusive, which unfortunately is pretty common.
If there's a etching hospital near you, that might be an option. They're often less expensive than a private hospital. The first 2 weeks after surgery were the hardest, but Murphy's done well for 2 years now.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
midnighter94 said
If there's a etching hospital near you, that might be an option.
Teaching hospital? Here's a good directory...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
yep, teaching! oh boy, I'm becoming Sally! lol stupid ipad
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
My dog broke her leg and it wasn't diagnosed as cancer despite testing so we fixed the leg. And yet the leg had to come off many months later due to hemangiosarcoma (not osteosarcoma) so it is possible it is cancer that caused the leg to fracture. Looking back, it would probably have made more sense to amputate when it first broke but hindsight is 20/20.
That said - I wouldn't consider putting him down! He's a young dog and if your vet thinks it is a good option (and yes, I know it is very $$$) then perhaps it is worth a good look at that option. Rotties do well on 3 legs - we have quite a few here and I am sure others will weigh in.
as far as chemo - that is a very personal decision. We did it and it helped us but others have chosen a different route with similar results.
Please keep us posted and know we will support any decision you make!
Hugs,
alison with spirit shelby 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
Dogs are very stoic and to show pain in the wild puts them at a huge disadvantage. That's inbred in them so they have to be in a tremendous amount of pain to actually show it. There are many of us that proceeded with amputation without biopsies. We all know how devastating this diagnosis is. It's a punch no doubt. You asked what we would do? Well we too didn't have a biopsy and after our family vet and the UW In Madison vet school both said 95% chance of it being osteosarcoma we decided to proceed with amputation. That was over 10 weeks ago and our big guy Max is doing well. He's six and a 110# German Sheperd. We are following up with chemo and his last one is in a few weeks. I don't know how long we have with Max hopefully many more but no matter how long we have the things I have learned are to take one day at a time and live it fully just like Max does. Don't worry about tomorrow because to do that robs me of today. To love Max in his new "normal" and not grieve the dog he was. He's still the same Max just sometimes has to do things a bit differently. He's happy with his life so I am content too. Max and the beautiful supportive people here have taught me life lessons I will carry forever. I'm sorry you have to be here but there's no better place on earth for love and support through this journey. So welcome and please know we will have your back!
Linda & Max
Most biopsies I read about here are not conclusive but I have yet to read of a dog whose leg was amputated and it didn't turn out to be some form of cancer. We in fact did have a pre-amp biopsy, which was conclusive for OSA but our situation was a bit unique. The surgeon went in to do an ACL repair and didn't like what he saw. He was very suspicious of the bone (he called it soft) and so he took a sample and closed her back up. We've always assumed that the biopsy was able to confirm OSA since he sampled the exact area he was suspicious of. I think needle biopsies are less definitive because they take a smaller sample and they may not hit the right spot.
As others have said, dogs are very stoic. We were floored when we got the OSA diagnosis. Until Ellie tore her ACL (because the underlying bone was diseased), she took long walks, chased squirrels and ran up the stairs two at a time. She gave no indication at all that bone cancer was eating away at her leg.
If Tyson has fractured his leg and the vets think it was because of OSA, then unfortunately the point will come where the pain becomes unbearable for him. OSA is just a very very painful disease and in the end there is nothing that will dull the pain. That is why most of use chose to amputate, to relieve the pain. It doesn't cure the cancer but it does mean that they can enjoy the time they have left. Unfortunately, with an OSA diagnosis we all know that time will not be as long as we want, but after amputation we at least know that most of it will be quality, pain-free time.
Denise, Bill and Angel Ellie.
Active 10+ Pyr mix suddenly came up lame with ACL tear in left rear leg. Scheduled for a TPLO but final pre-op x-rays indicated a small suspicious area, possibly OSA, which could have caused the ACL tear. Surgeon opened the knee for TPLO but found soft bone. Biopsy came back positive for OSA. Became a Tripawd 9/18/14. Carbo6 with Cerenia and Fluids. Pain free and living in the moment. Crossed the Bridge on 7/12/15 after probable spread of cancer to her cervical spine. A whole lifetime of memories squeezed into 10 months. Here's her story: Eloise
Just echoing what the others have all said....we had 4 biopsies done and only 1 came back "sarcoma, fibrous variety". Our Dobe Nitro was 8 1/2 at the time and way too full of life to let go. It was one of the hardest decisions we've ever had to make, but knowing what we know now, we'd do it again in a heartbeat! The first couple of weeks are usually pretty rough, but we got through it and now we are 17 months post surgery and he's doing great. We followed up with IV chemo and are now doing a low dose, daily oral chemo. This community will help you with whatever you decide to do...they are the greatest! Good luck and keep us posted.
Paula and 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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