Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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8yr old boxer with completely clear blood work, clear chest xray, and ctscan. Tumor has clean defined edges, is just under the skin, and has not invaded muscle or anything else. Biopsy shows a 2 of 11 in metastasis scale.
My local vet says the only way she can get enough margins is to amputate, but said I should see an onco. I was lucky to find a preeminent onco that uses electrochemotherapy within a 3 hour drive, they looked at all my boys labs and he and his team said to get him in, they want to save his leg. The consult is a month away.
I'm terrified in taking his leg, and I'm terrified that waiting 30 days could risk his life, which isn't acceptable. My only solace is that both my vet, and this team of doctors have seen all the test results, and aren't worried in waiting 30 days to make a decision.
Hi there, welcome. Your future posts won't need approval so post away. What's your pup's name?
Good for you for insisting on an oncology consultation. You are an excellent advocate!
That is wonderful you live near a vet who does electrochemotherapy ! May I ask who it is? We are huge fans of this technique and wish more oncologists were doing it so more limbs can be saved. Click the link to see our interviews about it with Dr. Jeannette Kelly in New Mexico.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that this treatment tends to be mostly palliative, and may still result in amputation later on down the road. Generally, it's used for animals who are not good candidates for amputation surgery (geriatric cats and dogs, giant breeds, etc). But there are many cases where the tumor never came back. Your oncologist can fill you in.
Have you seen our Questions to Ask Your Veterinary Oncologist yet? Take those along with you.
As for waiting the 30 days. Yes that's a long time, make sure you're on a cancellation list. It does sound like a slow moving tumor which is great, so try to hang in there!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Boys name is Ghost.
The location is Guardians Vet in Brewster New York.
As far as the electrochemotherapy is concerned, I'm looking to just reduce the tumors size so we get more room to play with for removal of the cancer itself, without having to remove the leg. That's my goal anyways.
Wow they are a fantastic clinic! Just looked them up: https://guardia.....alists.com
Every single vet is board-certified and you get to work with Dr. Impellizeri? He is world-famous, lucky dawg!
Yes that sounds like a reasonable expectation for this type of cancer therapy. We want to follow along with Ghost's treatment so don't be a stranger.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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