Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'm new to this site, but have found others' postings very helpful.
Our 10 year old lab, Leah, was just diagnosed with PAHS - Peri-articular histiocytic sarcoma in/about her left elbow. Her chest xrays and abdominal ultrasound were clean - and other than some lameness and swelling in that elbow that began in January - she appears perfectly happy and healthy. After working with our local vet, we ended up at Kansas State University's Veterinary Hospital and are thankful that we followed up - we didn't know it was cancer originally - and just thought it was arthritis or degenerative joint disease!
Yesterday, Leah's left leg was amputated. A final biopsy will tell us if the cancer has spread to any lymph nodes. Oncology recommends 5 rounds of chemo - lomustine or CCNU - each three weeks apart. We live a couple of hours from the university, so we have been getting phone updates. Today Leah is up, walking, eating, and doing great! She can come home tomorrow.
It has been quite the roller coaster of emotions as each biopsy/test was completed and results came back. If anyone else has any experience with PAHS I would be interested. There are many types of histiocytic sarcomas. We think Leah's was caught early and hopefully this treatment will give her a few more good years with us.
Any tips for her first few days home or other advice?
Hi Leah. If you are still here I am in the chat room for a bit, stop on by. Scroll down and wait for the box to load. More in a sec.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh haha your dog's name is Leah! Well welcome Leah and family, sorry you joined the club nopawdy wants to join. You definitely sound like you have a great, pawsitive attitude which will carry you very far during recovery and beyond.
We learn something new here every day! I've never heard of the exact term "Peri-articular histiocytic sarcoma" but it does sound like the same condition a few other dogs here have had. Check out these Tripawd Heroes and their histio stories.
Also, you might want to consider contacting this veterinarian who is studying these types of tumors:
Cornell Pathologist Seeks Tumor Samples
Your best bet right now is to stay calm and pawsitive. Remember that Leah needs you to be strong and project a good, happy feeling when she comes home. There may be ups and downs but she sounds like she is more than able to handle anything that comes her way. Stop and check out Jerry's Required Reading List and the Tripawds e-books to learn what to expect, and hang tight, other members will stop by shortly.
Glad that she's on the path to recovery and almost home!
P.S. Are you anywhere near Cedar Rapids? We have a member there, Sassy's Mom Michelle, who also occasionally works with K-State for her doggies.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks! Sorry for the user name confusion - I'm Christy, and our dog is Leah.
FYI - Dr. Miller no longer has a study ongoing for histiocytic sarcoma.
We are in central/western KS.
Hi Christy ~
I'm Donna...Murphy is our retriever mix who just turned 9 and had his surgery almost 2 years ago for histiocytic sarcoma...it was also just above his elbow, in his right leg. It was CD 18 positive and he got 6 doses of CCNU...that part was pretty easy 
They would do a cbc to check his hemoglobin and platelets then give him the pill...he also had to take denamarin
every day to help protect his liver...a week after his treatment he had another cbc at our regular vet. We never really noticed any side effects from the CCNU. He's done really well as a tripawd - he can still chase rabbits & squirrels, dig under the wood pile for mice, jump on the furniture and just about anything else our other dogs can do! The oncologist we started with did a study on histiocytic sarcoma, so that helped me some...she moved from Michigan down to New Mexico, but at least I know he was given the protocols she started. We haven't done any supplements, but we do have him on a grain-free
diet...she explained that grain turns into sugar and cancer feeds on sugar. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions...I love sharing Murphy's story!
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
Thanks for sharing. It's good to hear that dogs can still enjoy life as they did before. Leah loves chasing squirrels! We are bringing her home tomorrow.
Hello Christy and Leah,
Great news on the start of a successful recovery! We can all empathize with the whirlwind you must be feeling right now, but please trust that things will get better.
Tahoe, our Golden Retriever, was 9 yo, when diagnosed with PAHS of the right front elbow in February, 2013. Two years ago today was Tahoe's amputation (hard to believe as sooo much has transpired since that date) and he did very well, for the most part with some ups and down. We waited almost 3 weeks after amp to start chemo, based on our onco's reccomendations and Tahoe's test results, and managed to get 5 rounds of CCNU in. Tahoe responded fairly well to the CCNU, but experienced some very elevated liver enzymes after round 2, so much that we thought we would have to stop but things improved and we carried on.
In conjucntion with the CCNU, I started Tahoe on a homeopathic regime, in consulation with Dr Loops (many people on Tripawds have used him), along with K-9 Immunity and Transfer Factor, along with various other supplements and diet. I threw a lot of crap at the wall to fight the nasty disease.
After the PAHS we ended up fighting a soft tissue sarcoma after 13 months until 17 months. My time with Tahoe was very much one of a journey, and not a destination.
If I can provide any sort of advice, and many other alumni on here can attest, ….live each day with Leah and just immerse yourself in a bond between Leah and you whihc will be one you never thought possible!! There will likey be some rough days but fingers crossed, the good days far outweigh the bad ones.
If I can be of any further assistance, don't hesitate to PM me.
Wishing you both the best for a speedy recovery and fun times ahead.
Stirling and Forever Tahoe
"Tahoe" - Our Amazing Superman and Best Friend.
Dec. 01-03 to Aug. 19-14
Diagnosed with Periarticular Hystiocystic Sarcoma Feb 14-13; Amputation March 18-13, and diagnosed with STS April-14. Tahoe touched so many people while visiting us, leaving a massive void in our lives. Always Missed, Never Forgotten!!
We brought Leah home yesterday and she is doing great. She seems to tire out easily, but we'll give her a few weeks to get her strength back. She has some edema around the front and back of the bandage. I guess this is fairly normal? We were told it was ok unless it was very large or very warm to the touch. We aren't supposed to take the bandage off until her re-check on March 30th.
She also will start chemo March 30th.
Her final biopsy was negative, too, so the cancer wasn't detected in her lymph nodes. We were thrilled and are very hopeful that we caught this very early and have given her every chance to have a great rest of her life.
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR THE HOMECOMING!! Now the reovery can begin!
Stirling gave some great advice nd from first hand experience. And yes, it is about the journey, not the destinstion..well said.
Some swelling ins normal. Just watch it as the vet said. Glad her reports came back in a positive way. Good job Leah!!
The first two weeks or so can be pretty rough sometimes. Just let Leah rest and keep her on her pain meds.
Let us know when she jas her first poop! Yeah! Really! We celebrate anything and everything around here!
Keep on spoiling and loving like crazy...it makes everybody feel good!
Hugs to all!
Sally and Alumni 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!
That's wonderful news that it hadn't spread to the lymph nodes!! Just live each day in the moment with Leah and spoil her rotten!!
Like others have mentioned the first couple of weeks of recovery are tough. There will be ups and downs but hang in there. One of the main things you'll want to focus on is Leah's pain management . There's several different types of pain medication and combinations of pain meds used. Every dog is different and what works for one may not work for another. Stay connected here (there's a ton of knowledge here and what helped other member's furbabies) and with Leah's vet. You'll want to stay ahead of Leah's pain management and not play catch up.
And we'd love to see some pictures of pretty Leah....we love pics around here!
I'll be keeping Leah in my thoughts that she has an easy recovery!
Sahana and her Angel Leland
November 17, 2009 - June 30, 2014
May you finally be healthy and running free at the Rainbow Bridge. Until we meet again my sweet boy!
Wow that's terrific news! Glad she's having a smooth transition home. The swelling is likely a seroma (click on the link for inf), which is a normal fluid build up. The pressure bandage should help the fluid to reabsorb into the body. Keep an eye on the area, if the drainage is excessive, or smells funny, or more bloody than watery, call your vet. Most dogs don't have issues, it just seems scary at first.
Tiring out is really normal, rest is a good thing. Keep up the pawsitivity, you're doing great.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
The day before Leah's surgery they did an abdominal ultrasound and then a needle biopsy (I think) after they saw spots on her spleen. It turned out to be normal cells.
But tonight we noticed a welt/bump in that area. Her belly is shaved so you can see the swelling about the size of a quarter. It's movable and doesn't seem to cause her any pain. We just didn't notice it before.
Could this be from the biopsy? I'll call our vet tomorrow to ask, I guess.
Ok...the "I'm no vet" disclaimer! But that certainly makes sense that it could be a tiny sweilling from the biopsy site. I wouldn't worry st all. Of course, it's good that you double check with your vet tomorrow.
How is Leah doing oversll? Eating, sleeping, pooping, leeing, drinking, etc?
Keep us posted! And really, no worries, okay?
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni 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!
I think overall Leah is having a good recovery. We've cut her pain pills in half (half tab 3 times a day) after our vet said to give it a try - that the pain meds might also make her restless. It seems to have helped. Sometimes she rests well and sometimes she's up and down a lot, especially at night.
It's clear she'll have to build up some strength again, but it's only been one week. I let her walk to the barn with me yesterday and it might have been too much (but she really perked up for awhile). She's a pro at the 2 - 3 stairs we have into the house and has figured out she can 'shake' all over without losing her balance. Today she took an attempt at stretching her front leg out like she always used to do. Slowly returning to our normal Leah.
Good! She really seems to be ahead of the curve! So glad to hear she's doing this well this early on!
My Happy Hannah tokk almost three weeks before I felt like I could really relax and say I'd made the right decision!
Bets now say it takes about two weeks to recover from just the surgery itself, and then about a month to adjust joints, muscles, etc. needed for proper mobility.
Would love pics of her when you can. Keep on rockin' Leah! You're doing great..and so is mom!
Hugs!
Sally and Alumni 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!
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