Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi
Just hoping for some advice and peoples opinions.
After a biopsy was taken on a lump on my 10yr old Lab he has been diagnosed with a grade 2 sarcoma on his upper right front leg. Have had a chest x ray, MRI and lymph nodes above the area tested and it looks like it hasn't spread at this stage. After speaking with a vet its basically come down to three options.
First option is to have the lump removed followed up by radiation therapy. Unfortunately in Australia there is only 1 place you can have this done which is located about 2000km away and the cost for just the radiation therapy and associated boarding is about $12,000, basically ruling out this option.
Second option is have the lump removed with as much margin as possible, there may be a high chance of it growing back. Can try chemo drugs to reduce the chances and see how it goes with the possibility of having surgery again in the future.
Third option is for amputation of his leg. This is a pretty tough pill to swallow because even with the tumor his leg is functioning normally without bothering him.
Any advice that would help me make the best decision will be much appreciated.
Thanks for your help.
I approved your post, and hoping one of the vets, or someone with a similar experience will jump in with an opinion. Your future post will not require moderation.
Sending you good thoughts as you weigh the options and make a decision.
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 Patch, thanks for joining us, we're sorry that you've found yourself in this situation, it's definitely a tough one.
I have no personal experience with soft tissue sarcomas, but many members here have had to cope with making this decision when their dog isn't showing any signs of pain. I would say that just as many have come here after repeated surgeries trying to get rid of the tumor, only for all of the to result in amputation. I'm also hoping that some of them can give you their input on their experience. In the meantime if you search the forums and blogs for "soft tissue sarcoma" you can read all about these amazing pups.
Oh, it's nice to have another Aussie member, thanks again, we hope to hear more about your pup.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi there,
My tripawd had a soft tissue sarcoma on her left knee. She was amputated and really by the time she was amputated the growth was so large and diffuse, that really was the only option to do. Maggie's was also very painful.
I don't have much advice other than to say what Jerry said...it seems when people try to save the leg in some fashion, inevitably, they have to end up amputating at some point down the road.
Good luck with your pup...
Tracy, Maggie's Mom
Maggie was amputated for soft tissue sarcoma 10-20-09
Maggie lost her battle with kidney disease on 8-24-13
My Spencer had a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, which I'm pretty sure is a soft tissue sarcoma. His was up at kind of the shoulder area. It grew extremely fast and went from we had thought something was off in his gait so we took him to the vet; but nothing could be found, in June. to in August I was walking him on a leash (down to the bus stop on the first day of school, during the summer we rarely had him on a leash, so I hadn't been at the same angle) and I saw a huge knot. Took him right to the vet. We pretty much decided that day that we would likely be amputating; but left him overnight to have surgery in the morning for a biopsy.
We had his leg amputated a week after first seeing the tumor. I wish that Spencer's had been a grade 2. Our oncologist told me that if it had been a 1 or a 2 that the amputation would likely have been a curative surgery. Unfortunately for Spencer, his was very aggressive and even with the amputation, 15 weeks of weekly chemo and an otherwise healthy dog the cancer still moved to his lungs.
About a week post amputation for Spencer I knew that I had no doubts on the amputation. At that time I was still optimistic that he was going to beat the surgery and I saw that the missing leg was just not a big deal.
Spencer never showed any signs of pain (other than that one day in June when we took him to the vet; but by the next day he was fine) with his tumor. And when we went to the vet the day we found the tumor and the vet told me that he was almost positive that we would need to amputate the leg I was heart broken. Spencer was a big guy - over 80 lbs before amputation. I just couldn't see how he would get around on only 3 legs. But he did with NO problem.
We have another dog now and I know that if we are ever faced with something like Spencer had that I will go the amputation route with out a second thought. Even though Spencer didn't beat the cancer, we had 6 wonderful months with him after his amputation. He had a couple of bad days after amputation; but then had nothing but good - great days until the day we had to put him to sleep (the cancer had moved to his lungs and something went wrong, he started bleeding out into his chest).
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
It sounds like you, Maggie and I had similar situations. I have my blog link in my signature box down below and you can read from the start, February 2011, to see what Dakota's cancer journey was like if you want. I'm not sure but I think I may have posted a photo of his leg with the tumor.
Dakota had a grade 2 STS on his left front leg, the equivalent of his forearm (if you can envision that). There would have been no remaining tissue to sew him up so amputation was our only choice. It was about the size of a baseball if you squished it into an oblong. It extended from knee to wrist, whatever that's called in a dog.
I asked our vet what would happen if we did nothing, not that I was considering that. He said it would keep growing and cause the skin to rupture and become necrotic and then turn to gangrene. So I knew it would continue to grow and I wouldn't allow that. Since that wasn't an option, removing his leg was all that was left.
Dakota had clear chest films and lymph nodes and we were not expected to do any followup after 6 months since soft tissue cancers are usually considered contained after that period.
We did lose Dakota 3 weeks ago, after 22 months as a tripawd, and we will never know for sure if it had to do with his STS or not. He had a mass on his spleen that began to bleed and he went very quickly. Because of his cancer history, it was considered very likely that the mass was also cancer, but that does not mean your dog would go that route. And even so, Dakota lived for almost 2 years more and got that much more out of life, and we got to enjoy the pleasure of his company. I have no regrets and would do nothing differently.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
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