Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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A few weeks ago we found a lump on our 8 yr old Boston terriers front elbow area, the vet didn't think it was anything and took a needle biopsy. Shocker it came back with cancer cells and he was in surgery the next day. He has recovered well, but the vet was unable to get all the cancer tissue and so the journey continuous to an oncologists office and we now are faced with an option of amputation! I still feel in denial because he is acting normally, but this a real possibility. Do we wait until it starts growing again or amputate to eliminate that option...it's a grade one localized tumour, but can we live with ourselves if it grows back and is more aggressive and we never did anything? I know we really need to get over our own emotions and do what's best for Baxter, but what exactly that looks like is up in the air right now. The oncologist recommended this site and I am glad she did...
Hello and welcome, your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry cancer has brought you and Baxter here, but this is the best place to be when facing amputation.
What type of cancer are you dealing with? Did the oncologist give you a mitotic index? The MI can help determine how aggressive the cancer might be.
My pug Maggie had a mast cell tumor in her knee area which led to her losing her left back leg. When the tumor was diagnosed Maggie was not in any pain, not limping, nothing. She was a drama queen, she always let me know when something bothered her! When I was told that amputation was the best option I was devastated. In our case it turned out amputation was our only option as the tumor was in a place that removing it was not possible. You can read Maggie's story if you are interested- the link is in my signature below.
I think you do have some things to think about, and information to gather. How aggressive is the cancer and how likely is it to return? If it is likely to return and may be more aggressive then amputation might be an option. How is Baxer's health otherwise? Does he have any arthritis? Does your vet think he is a good candidate for amputation?
I know how difficult this decision is- it's something we never thought we would have to face. Lots of experience and support on this site!
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks for your kind words Karen,
i was just looking at the histopathology report and it is a grade 1 soft tissue sarcoma and there are 9 mitotic figures per HPF (not sure what that means).
Unfortunately because of the location the margins were not clean. Baxter is a healthy dog no arthritis. The vet thinks he will do very well with amputation as he's a little dog and only 8 yrs old.
the oncologist we saw said because it's only a grade 1 it has a 10%chance of coming back, but that increases with time...granted I might have misunderstood as we got so much information in one appointment that I need to revisit it.
we did however find another small lump on his neck that she thinks is a lipoma (but that is what they thought the cancerous lump on his leg was), but we are waiting for needle aspirate results.
thanks for the link to Maggie's story I will take a look.
I don't want to overwhelm you with more information... but you might want to read through this thread on STS and Travis Ray.
Travis is already a Tripawd so amputation is not an option. His mom Martha has done a bunch of research which you will find in the thread.
I hope the new lump comes back as nothing!
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks Karen, great info.
Unfortunately the lump came back as a mast cell tumour. Off to the vet tomorrow for chest x-ray and abdominal ultrasound...hopefully they won't find anything else
Baxter and family, welcome. I'm sorry you're dealing with this situation but as you can see, you are in very good company. And yes, Baxter has a LOT on his side and it sounds like he will do fine on three legs. He's getting great care and he has humans who ask good questions and know how to advocate for him. That is such a great thing!
Whatever happens please know we are here for you. Let us know how this week's visits go, we are thinking of you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Geeze, Baxter needs a break!
I do have lots of experience with mast cell tumors, both Tripug Maggie and her little sis quad pug Tani had multiple MCTs. Like Pugs, Boston's are known to get MCTs.
Let me know if I can help at all.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Thanks everyone, gonna take abit of a break here. Your support has been invaluable and pointing me in the right direction for information has been great thank you.
We are waiting for results now and have to figure out what best for our little guys.
ill let you know how it goes
thx again
***an update...mast cell tumour was successfully removed from his neck, he is doing well.
plan it to wait to see what the leg does and go from there.
thx for all your help and support. This is an amazing forum!
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