Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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How sure are they that this is chondrosarcoma? Sometimes biopsies are wrong and OSA can look similar. Some chondrosarcomas can met to the lungs (I think there were some good stats provided by Buster's mom Kim a while back) although a grade I is less likely. If this was my dog I would lean towards amputation since that seems to be the best chance at longevity.
Pam
Karen made an excellent point about the radiation. It does pose ongoing challenges of its own to deal with. A friend of ours did radiation on her dog's leg and it was many treatments, every day, and a large wound that took a long time to head. Cone head for a long, long, time. I'm not saying this is a bad option, just saying it poses more questions to research and understand when making your decision.
Best of luck to you guys! I know how hard this period is.
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.
Hi all, thanks for continuing to weigh in. I'll be brief as I am trying to sandwich in some work between vet appts ....
__ Karen, it does sound to me like you were really thoughtful and made the right decision for Maggie. Ajax is an 8 year old lab, otherwise in excellent health, who gets 3 hours of exercise a day (we live in NYC so off leash time is important and regularly scheduled) - so all said not a big anesthesia risk for him in particular. And from what I can see during biopsies/CT scans, he bounces back quickly from the anesthesia. I would probably not want to put any breed with a propensity for breathing problems under all that anesthesia either, I totally get it.
__ Can't remember who said this - but yes, I have asked every single doctor "how sure are we that it is chondrosarcoma and not osteosarcoma" and they say "very sure." I think based on both how it presents, and the chunky biopsy they took. It was a major question for me too, but this is the one thing they all HAVE agreed on.
__ still weighing in .... fortunately the meds from the minor invasive procedure have worn off and Ajax is feelin' fine today. A rare cool summer day in NYC so if I can finish work we'll go sit in the park under a tree ....
Thanks again - I've got another week or so to decide, so all opinions welcome!
Cometdog - My vet bills are staggering. I think, though, that the CT only ran something closer to $1800-$2000. That being said, the CT plus minimally invasive benign tumor removal plus 2 night stay that we just did was $5,000. And our initial diagnostic visits about $3000.
I would assume these costs are all high just by virtue of the fact that we are in NYC .....
and no, we're not moneybags, but my mother in law loves loves loves her grandpuppy and is helping us out. So a big thanks to her.
.... and one final post b/c I can't seem to get my act together this morning: what all of you are saying about radiation is the same thing we are hearing: first 2 weeks of treatment probably fine, just can't get wet. Beginning on third week, sunburn-llike wound which could get very icky short term (for about 2 weeks), clearing up by 2 weeks after treatment is completed. So I estimate definitely a conehead for 4 weeks. That being said, if the treatment is curative (as they hope), and because doesn't freak out with the conehead, I could live with that. Figure amputation is a conehead for at least 2 weeks as well ...
One word about the "conehead" , no matter which treatment route you take you'll likely need the cone so make sure you get a clear plastic one. They are so much nicer for the dogs than the white plastic ones. Stops them bumping in to sooooooo much stuff.
Ya we all know about how ridiculous those bills are...good thing we luv our mutts.
Laura and Tai
Tai – 9 yr old lab. Diagnosed Osteosarcoma Dec 18/09. Front right leg amputated Dec 21/09. Started chemo Jan 7/10. Lung mets discovered Sept 16/10. Valiant to the end on Oct 26/10 when cancer reappeared in a leg and we made the decision to set her free. Forever in my heart where not even cancer can take her from me.
kazy55 said:
…. and one final post b/c I can't seem to get my act together this morning: what all of you are saying about radiation is the same thing we are hearing: first 2 weeks of treatment probably fine, just can't get wet. Beginning on third week, sunburn-llike wound which could get very icky short term (for about 2 weeks), clearing up by 2 weeks after treatment is completed. So I estimate definitely a conehead for 4 weeks. That being said, if the treatment is curative (as they hope), and because doesn't freak out with the conehead, I could live with that. Figure amputation is a conehead for at least 2 weeks as well …
The thing my friend mentioned about the radiation site was that after the bandage is removed, it is still fragile. Her dog would bump it and reopen the wound. She posted pictures of it in the PitbullTallk forum. Here are the links to a couple of her topics you may find helpful. The first topic is very long - you may want to scan through it and get to the pictures.
http://pitbullt.....38;t=28387
http://pitbullt.....38;t=30341
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.
Hey, thanks for this - I will take a look. We have been busy recovering from our minimally invasive removal of thymoma (all gone and no further issues) while deciding on the leg .... I'm starting a new topic re: stereotactic radiation
kazy55 said:
I'm starting a new topic re: stereotactic radiation
Please be sure to search for existsing SRS topics before you do!
Specifically, consider reviewing these threads and adding your feedback:
Treatment and Recovery
Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS)
Veterinary Specialist Referrals
A Look at Colorado State University's Animal Cancer Center
Treatment and Recovery
Stereotactic Radio Therapy
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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