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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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Logan's Story Advice needed
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Member Since:
3 November 2012
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1
3 November 2012 - 3:58 pm
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Hello,

 

We are new to the forum. This looks like a great resource for people like us from people that have been where we are now. Logan is a 12 yr black lab. He has a history of some allergies and newly diagnosed hypothyroidism but otherwise he is healthy for his age. 

About 5 weeks ago, he lost a nail on his back right paw. A week or so later it appeared infected to me and we made the trip to the vet. We started antibiotics but after a few days there was no improvement. So, back to the vet we go. The vet said that since the toe will not heal that we should remove the toe and send for pathology since occasionally large black dogs can get cancer in the toe. The pathology report comes back that it is a squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The margins were not clean. The toe was completely removed so further surgery to the toe is not an option. It has now been 3 weeks and the area were the toe would have connected is swollen. We go back to the vet hoping it is an infection but know that it is probably the remaining tumor cells multiplying. I could tell immediately that the vet had the same concern that I had because her demeanor changed instantly when looking at the foot. We increased his prednisone (on small dose for the chronic allergies) and started the antibiotics. We spoke about treatment options if the antibiotics did not work. She was concerned that due to his age that amputation could be challenging and would get some information on radiation therapy. 

We have an appointment for Monday and know that we have some decisions to make. Logan is healthy appearing and happy. He continues to play and act his normal self. I am curious if any of the members have had a similar experience with having to choose radiation and limb salvage vs amputation in a senior dog with SCC. From the research I have conducted and the vets information, SCC typically remains localized and mets is rare. Any information from the group would be great. 

Thanks

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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3 November 2012 - 8:35 pm
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Welcome and thanks for joining. We're sorry to hear about Logan, but glad you found us. Your future forum posts will not require moderation.

Be sure to search these forums and the blogs for feedback from others with SCC treatment experience.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Orange County, CA
Member Since:
28 November 2008
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4 November 2012 - 8:14 am
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I don't have any experience with SCC, but I just wanted to welcome you and Logan to the site, and wanted to say we'll be thinking of Logan at his appointment Monday.  Good luck, and please keep updating!

San Diego, CA
Member Since:
29 October 2010
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4 November 2012 - 9:39 am
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Hi, I don't know anything about SCC in dogs either but wanted to say welcome and sorry you had to find us here.

It sounds like great news that mets are rare!
Jackie, angel Abby's mom

Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!

krun15
5
5 November 2012 - 1:22 pm
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Welcome to Tripawds, I'm sorry you are dealing with cancer.

We have had a few pups who did limb sparing treatments, but I think in most cases it was due to osteosarcoma.  And there are several here who have done radiation treatments.   Are you looking for info on limb sparing and radiation in general or specifically to do with SCC?    

We have also had several senior pups here who have done with amputation if that becomes an option.

Sorry I'm not being more helpful...

 

Let us know what the vet says today.

 

Karen and the pugapalooza

Rock Hill, SC
Member Since:
28 November 2011
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5 November 2012 - 6:35 pm
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Hi,

We were here because of Osteosarcoma, so limb salvaging wasn't an option for us.  But I can speak to the topic of older dogs and amputation.  Zeus was 11 years old at the time of his amp and he amazed us at every turn although I do think the older dogs take just a little more time with recovery.  Most of our bumps in the road were due to chemo side effects more than the amputation and living with three legs.  Good luck!

Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11.  A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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7 November 2012 - 11:30 am
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Hey Logan, how did your vet visit go on Monday? 

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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