Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi, I'm Kristin. My dog is Matilda. She'll be 13 next month. About 3.5 weeks ago I brought her into the vet because she was limping and had a lump on her knee. Biopsy came back as a spindle cell sarcoma and chemo was recommended at first to try to shrink it. It did not work. She had her left rear leg amputated 12 days ago and is recovering nicely. I posted some photos and a video on your Facebook page.
After the amputation, the vet who did the surgery called us with the pathology report and said there was a 95% chance it was osteosarcoma, or it could be a very rare cancer. Of course it was the very rare cancer.
Apparently hemangiosarcomas are usually found in the spleen and heart but Matilda is special and she has her rare cancer in the less common place: bone.
They amputated the entire leg, so there was 15 cm of clear margins. I was initially heartened by that news because it seemed like we had gotten rid of everything (her lung x-rays were clear BTW) and she'd get to live out her normal lifespan. But everything I find online about this specific cancer is extremely negative and estimates that dogs live only a few months after it is found.
I could really use some encouragement, advice, positive stories, anything.
Welcome to Tripawds, your future posts will not require moderation.
I think we have a long term hemangio survivor here- maybe Barney. I can't remember the name, maybe someone else will. I searched the forums for hemangiosarcoma and found these posts, maybe something there that can help.
My little pug Maggie had mast cell cancer. After her amputation cancer was found in her lymph system and her prognosis was downgraded to 6 to 9 months with chemo. Maggie lived almost 4 years and did not pass from mast cell cancer. I never want to give false hope, but sometimes the stats are wrong.
Around here we talk about quality of life, not necessarily quantity. We also like to say 'Be More Dog '. Live in the moment, appreciate each day. My cancer journey with Maggie taught me that, especially when we faced a second cancer.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Sorry you had to find us here.
Our Abby had osteosarcoma, and we lost our beagle several years ago to hemangiosarcoma - but in the heart. So, I can't give you any direct advice about her rare case, but like Karen said - our dogs teach us that it's really all about quality and not quantity. Our sweet Abby only lived to be 2 1/2 - she had bone cancer for half her way-too-short life. But she didn't know she got cheated in terms of quantity. She just knew she had an awesome quality of life.
Enjoy every moment you have with Matilda. I hope those moments will be MANY.
Keep us posted, and hopefully someone with some advice will chime in.
Hang in there!
Jackie, Angel Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Hi Kristin and Matilda, I'm so glad you came here for support.
Well, hemangio is a nasty cancer, that's for sure. I won't sugar coat it. But when you do your research, remember there are always exceptions to the rule so keep in mind that all of those depressing statistics don't take into account Matilda's specific health or background or genes. Time and time again we've seen dogs totally blow statistics out the water and survive far beyond anyone's expectations.
This hemangio success story will put some hope in your heart:
Bucky Update: Life with Two Cancers
As Karen said, it's all about quality of life, not quantity, especially when you're living with cancer. So try to stay pawsitive, and remember, Matilda doesn't know she has cancer, she just wants to live life now, and have fun with you. Do your best to keep her diet healthy and give her the things she needs to be happy and comfortable, but try not to spend all your time worrying --- that's how cancer steals from those who it affects, and it's the only way that cancer can "win." Be strong. You can do it!
And in the meantime, we'll be here to support you however we can. Please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for sharing your story. Your sweet Matilda (I love the name) is such a fighter! She is lucky to have the love and support of her family.
Jake is 5 weeks post-amp, so we are new to the tripawd community too. The best advise I can give is come here often and read and listen to the stories. Ours is in the forum under "Share Your Stories - For the Love of Jake". Jake also had a lump that turned out to be cancer in his right front knee. The vet recommended immediate removal. We fought infections and a second surgery, but now Jake is doing awesome!
Hang in there, keep the updates coming!
Jake and Lori
There are many exceptions to the rules. Statistics are only numbers that show the averages. I had an osteosarcoma survivor for 27 1/2 months (stats say 12 - 14 months) and there are many others here.
The key is quality of life and to live each day as it is given. Sending good thoughts as you 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.
Hi Kristen and Matilda. The others are right on the money about statistics. They are important to give us some beginning point/average to work with, but they most certainly are not the rule for every single dog. My Zeus was 11 yrs old when diagnosed with osteosarcoma. A CT scan showed a lung met and a suspicious spot on his liver at the time of diagnosis, which gave us a very poor prognosis. Best guess was six weeks after amputation. Zeus lived for ten months after diagnosis! When you are given a matter of weeks, ten months seems longer than you would expect - maybe because you don't take one second of it for granted.
Don't give up hope. Ever. Cherish ever single moment because this instant is all ANY of us are guaranteed - human or dog. Don't let this crappy disease win by stealing one minute from you.
Good luck!
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
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