Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Our Gizmo is a 10yr old Shih Tzu. She had a small lump the size of of a pea on the back of her left leg just above the pad. We thought she may have gotten a fox tail embedded in there or bitten by something. We took her to her vet and they did and x-ray and found nothing. They did a biopsy on a Tuesday, by Friday we got the results and she was diagnosed with MCT in her lower left leg and paw. Mast cell tumor, grade II. The following Tuesday we saw the oncologist who recommended amputation of her leg. Meanwhile with in the week the mass has grown to the size of a golf ball and has now started to bleed. I am worried about infections and worried that waiting for her surgery that it has spread further. She is scheduled for amputation of her leg this Monday morning. I am worried because it grew so fast. This has all happened with in a two week period. She is on pain meds and antibiotics.
Hi Gizmo and family, welcome. Your future posts won't require approval.
I'm so sorry to hear about the diagnosis, I know it's very difficult and emotional to go through, and we will be here to help you cope. Have you checked out Jerry's Required Reading List or the Tripawds e-books yet? Also do a search for "Mast Cell Cancer" or "Mast Cell Tumor" here in the forums and you'll find lots of examples of folks who have dealt with it.
It's not easy, but your job right now is to be a strong pack leader, and know that things will be OK. The good news is that you have a great team on your side, she's getting fabulous care and her smaller size will make it easier for her to get around once she recovers. Losing a leg and cancer, as scary as it is, is not the end of the world, and it can be the beginning of an incredible journey that will bring you even closer together. I know that's hard to imagine right now, but you'll get there!
What kinds of questions do you have for us? How can we help you?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Gizmo and family...my Jake was diagnosed with a MCT grade II. MCT's are generally very slow growing but after Jake had his biopsy, the cells inside the MCT went crazy. Monday isn't too far away but I would give your onco's office a call to let them know.
There are a few of us on here who have dealt with MCT's. We are kind of the rarity on here since most seem to deal with osteosarcoma. Please ask us anything, we will help as much as we can. Getting through the diagnosis and amputation is pretty scary but we're here to help you through it.
HUGS
P.S. You may notice that the bottom of my post says "Angel Jake", but just so you know the MCT is not what he passed away from. He kicked the MCT's butt like a champ. Once they remove the leg/tumor, the pups feel SO much better. You will be so amazed.
Mom to Tripawd Angels Jake (2001-2014) and Rosco (2012-2015) and Tripawd Tanner. “Whatever happens tomorrow, we had today; and I'll always remember it”
Thank you Jake's Mom! I am just crazy with worry at how fast the mass has grown in a weeks time. Yesterday it started to bleed pretty bad. Called the vet and they said to keep a wet cold towel around it. Sometimes Gizmo will jump up as if something poked her. I just want to keep her calm. Giving her meds is a difficult task as well.
Hi Gizmo and family,
So sorry you are dealing with cancer in your little guy, but glad you found us......we have all been there, trust me.
My Polly also was diagnosed with Grade ll mast cell tumor when she was 6 years old, and after back to back surgeries, we never dealt with it again. Hers was situated on the side of her abdomen, and after her second surgery, her one marginal side was even questionable. So she was still able to beat this first cancer she dealt with. Unfortunately, like Elizabeth's Jake, Polly passed away this past February, but not from MC cancer. She lost her leg, and her life to hemangiosarcoma.
I hope Karen joins in later....she had Maggie the Pug and dealt with MCT very successfully.
Our fur babies actually do very well with amp, and if you can ease their pain and possibly extend their life, it is the best decision to make. All of us here, are certain we did the right thing with amp surgery.
Keep us updated on Gizmo, and keeping you in my thoughts,
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Welcome to you and Gizmo, sorry you are dealing with mast cell cancer.
Maggie the Tripug lost her left rear leg to a MCT that was in her knee. It was her second MCT but not her last tumor. Mag lived almost 4 years after her amp and did not pass from mast cell. Mag's little sis Tani, who is now 14, has had mast cell for 7 years. You can read Mag's story and about her amp and chemo in her blog, the links are in my signature below.
Mast cell tumors are notorious for rapid growth and sometimes rapid shrinking. Tani's tumors have been quite reactive, they don't get as big as Gizmo's, but sometimes they are quite large and sometimes I can't find them. It is not uncommon for a tumor to really grow when an aspirate or biopsy is done, your vet should have warned you about that. In fact in more than 18 tumors between the two pugs the only biopsies we have done are after the tumor is removed. Our oncologist said that a very reactive tumor is SOMETIMES more aggressive than one that isn't, but there is not always a direct correlation. Another common practice is to put a pup on Benadryl and something like Pepcid after disturbing a tumor- you might ask your vet about that, the Benadryl might make the swelling go down a little. Mast cell can react sort of like an allergic reaction- which causes the swelling.
Did your vet give you the mititoc index of the tumor? It's called the MI and it helps predict how aggressive the tumor might be. A grade two can act like a one or a three so the MI is helpful.
I know how frightening and overwhelming this can be. Remember though, Gizmo doesn't know he is sick, he just wants the pain to go away. Maggie was not an adaptable pug, she hated any little change in her routine. She was unhappy for several weeks after her surgery, waaaay longer than most pups and kitties here. But she came around and hopped happily for almost 4 years.
I'm away from home right now, but send me a PM if I can help at all. It may take awhile to get back with you. Good luck on Monday and keep us posted.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
I don't have experience with Mast Cell, my Ty had Histeosarcoma. I just wanted to chime in with a few suggestions for slipping her those dreaded meds. Pill pockets, they can be gotten at most vets and some pet stores. When the novelty of those wore off, we used cheese slices, just enough to conceal the pill, then cream cheese and also peanut butter. I also had bought this pill shooter thing, but found it to be a waste of $3.95. Keep us posted on how Gizmo's surgery goes on Monday. Lori and Ty
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
Just came across this thread and don't have any info to add, but wanted to say I hope surgery went well today and we look forward to an update <3
~Melinda and Tri-Kitty Angel Kender
Follow Kender's story here
Checking for an update on Gizmo...
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
We were so happy when Monday came along. Gizmo was so miserable, the mass was about as big as a plum and bled for 3 days! Gizmo's surgery went well and of course she is in a lot of pain. We had her leg sent to the University of MI pathology and will be about a week before the results are back. She came home the next afternoon after spending the night with her Dr. at her home so she could be monitored. (I was extremely grateful for that!). When she came home she ate, did her "business" one and two! Found the combination to giving her meds., lunch meat!, she loves turkey. She is so smart though, once she figures out there was a pill in it she would not eat that type of lunch meat again! Yes, we have a deli in our fridge now! She had her catheter removed today and is now down to 1/4 of tramadol and 1/2 Rimadyal. She started wanting to follow me everywhere I went in the house and found it best to keep her quiet and laying down. Had to bring in her pen so I could get some things done. That proved to be a big mistake, she hates it and would just bark and whine. Needless to say, I have her on my lap and nothing got done. (its okay) Today is a tough day, she has been panting all day and every so often she will let out a whep. The panting worries me. Dr. said she's doing fine though.
Hi,
Glad Gizmo seems to be doing well after her surgery. It's always a great thing for them to eat, pee, and poo as soon as they come home. Funny how she learns so quickly about which lunchmeat has her meds in it!!
Yes, it is a VERY good idea to keep Gizmo as quiet as possible while healing......no extra activity at all. And her panting is quite normal after surgery, mostly from pain meds.....so don't worry too much about that.
Continue to keep us all posted, especially her biopsy results......sounds like she will get through everything just fine.
Bonnie & Angel Polly
Eating and both 'businesses'!! Way to go Gizmo!
The panting could be a sign of pain, it could also be a side effect of the tramadol. I know tram can make dogs wacky sometimes, but don't back off the pain meds too soon. Maggie was on tram for two weeks after her amp surgery, including tapering down a bit on the last couple of days.
Maggie was just like that with hiding pills! Once she found a pill in something she wouldn't eat it for weeks, even if it was a fav like chicken or cheese.
Overall sounds like he is doing well. Hoping for the best possible path report.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
GIZMO IS HOME!!! YAAAAAAAAAY!
GIZMO HAS PEED.AND.POOPED! YAAAAAAAAAY!
I know recovery is soooo tough! The symptons you described sound a whole lot like pain. How manynhours apart are you giving the Tramadol? You may ask your vet about either increasing the dosage a touch, or giving it more frequently.
Gizmo is clearly a very loved pup and could not be getting care. And what a great vet! Taking Gizmo home overnight! Love that!
Keep us updated when you can. We are right by y i ur side, okay?
HUGS!!!!
Sally and Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Aww that is GREAT news, Gizmo is really doing wonderfully! How is the panting today? Did it subside at all?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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