Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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We got the bad news on Friday that our sweet boy has a high grade mesenchymal malignancy. The pathology report says it is most likely osteosarcoma. An x-ray report from Tuesday was inconclusive as it could not confirm bone lysis. There is about 1.5 inch of soft tissue swelling. A chest x-ray showed no spread to the lungs at this stage. The lump is on his front leg. He has been limping a bit, on and off for about three weeks.
He is a 30 pound beagle type cross and is anywhere between 7 and 10 years old. He is a rescue so we just can't be sure about age. Ever since he got over his bad past and got used to being our sweet boy, he has been a happy, silly, stubborn guy.
We are now waiting for a second biopsy report. If he has osteosarcoma which has not spread, we will immediately amputate, try chemo and hope that he still has a year or so with us.
I am scared that it might be one of the others. The pathologist said the if it were not for the possible lack of lysis on the leg x-ray he would definately diagnose osteosarcoma. But, just on the chance that it is not, other possibilities are fibrosarcoma anaplastic hemangiosarcoma or histiocytic sarcoma.
Even now he is a happy dog. Loves his walks, the dog park , chasing the cats and eating everything he can find. I don't want to put him through extra pain or stress just to have him an extra month or two. I would rather pain manage and then let him go peacefully. Metacam is working fine now.
It is so hard to decide if I am putting off the inevitable for his sake, or mine.
Does anyone have any experience with these other sarcomas? I would truly appreciate your words of wisdom. I can't find as much info on prognosis, quality of life or really anything on these diseases. I am seeing the oncologist next week who will surely tell me all this, but I really would like to hera from anyone with their own experience.
We have been feeding a low carb diet for a while, and I am also using the supplements recommended in the Dr Dressler book.
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Welcome! Sorry to hear about your pup. What's his name?
Regarding prognosis, every dog is different. If yours is otherwise healthy, fit and trim he should adapt quickly and do well on three legs. Check out Jerry's Required Reading List for lots of links to the best tips and advice. More importantly try to focus on quality of life, not quantity. The biggest risk with not amputating is a traumatic pathological fracture.
Jerry lost his front left to osteosarcoma and lived two years, without IV chemo. We started him on metronomics and K9 Immunity after discovering his lung mets. Wyatt lost a rear due to neglect. Plenty of others here have dealt with the other cancers you mention. Use the search button above to find existing topics.
Please keep us posted, your future posts will not require moderation.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you for your kind words. His name is Sparky and he is our very special boy. I have managed to learn how to post his picture as my avatar. Sparky has taught me so much in the four and a half years that we have had him and even today he has made me smile, more than once.
My boy has histiocytic sarcoma, there are a few others here as well. You can find them using the search feature. Anyway, have a look at Tate's blog and I'll be happy to try to answer any questions you might have.
We were unable to get a definitive diagnosis until after the amp, when they could biopsy the leg. His onc gave a prognosis of about a year with chemo. Having said that, you just never know. So make the decision expecting the worst and hoping for the best.
And having said that, Tate's having a great old time and we're just loving him every day.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Welcome Sparky and family!
First off, he's a cutie!
Do what is right in your heart and you won't make a wrong decision. There are no wrong decisions.
And you have to ask yourself this also, if you don't do an amputation as you said, will you regret not having that extra time? Will there be "what ifs" in your mind? You know you are buying time to make him comfortable and pain free with the amputation. How long? Who knows. But he'll be pain free. He's a relatively young guy considering his weight, so you aren't putting a geriatric dog through major surgery. His recovery should be okay.
That's the best advice I can give you. I've only had experience with hemangiosarcoma. If it comes back as that, I'm sure your vet will recommend an ultrasound of his vital organs to ensure it hasn't spread.
Best wishes and keep us posted!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Don't forget the numbers the vets give are statistics. It is their best guess based on past histories. What they cannot or do not tell you is that there is no time/date stamp on the dog's butt. No one knows how much time you will have. Some are incredibly short, a rare few do not make it out of surgery, and there are the long term survivors. Trouble had osteosarcoma and made it 27 1/2 months. We let her go due to complications with arthritis. She departed cancer free.
Her story was an inspiration to many and I hope to be here to keep reminding people never to give up hope for a long time to come. Trouble was a member of the November 5 - there were 5 of us who had surgeries within weeks of one another in 2009. Three of the five were pretty close to the statistics about 12 - 14 months, Trouble made 27 1/2, and Queen Nova, the Dane is still going strong.
No one knows why some are so incredibly blessed, and no one knows which ones it will be. Enjoy each moment you have and try not to but a timeline on it.
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.
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