Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My mom just found your site and is very concerned about me. She needs help. I have a mast cell tumor. My mom found a lump three weeks ago and was very concerned that the walnut sized growth on my left front leg was a bee bite. She looked for the stinger but never found one. After a week this lump started to visibly grow larger so she immediately took me to visit my favorite doctor. He performed a surgery to remove this lump that what was now the size of a lemon. The bad news was that he was only able to remove 90%. The pathology report came back today and although none of my lymph nodes appear to have been affected, the remaining tumor had a growth rate index of (13) I guess 5 is normal. She prayed for help to make the decision and the doctor agreed that an amputation would be the best approach at this time with chemotherapy to follow.
I look healthy and find it hard to believe this is growing so rapidly. My surgery is scheduled for Tuesday October 14 and I know she is much more upset than I. The doctor also told her that if I was unable to stand, or walk around and ambulate it would be a problem that the alternative would be to let me sleep in peace. I don't think my mom is ready for that but it hurts to see her cry. Please let her know that these videos that she is watching on your site are 'Survivors' with loving parents who want only the best.
She promised to alter my diet with favorites but I know she's not really sure what that means..protein, eggs, fish ? I could do that.
Please let her know what she could expect when I come home. I really like it here and I know my family likes me here also. I'm an eight year old sharpeii/mastiff (big with wrinkles) and I want her to know that I agree with her decision.
Thank you in advance.
Molly and her mom
dmpellow said:
Please let her know that these videos that she is watching on your site are ‘Survivors’ with loving parents who want only the best.
My people did the absolute best thing for me by amputating my leg with an osteosarcoma tumor the size of a mango. The best thing your people could do for you is to remove your entire leg, quickly.
Cancer will spread. That's a sad truth. But I was given four months to live after my surgery. I lasted twenty three. Without surgery, you are doomed to a short painful life. With it, after a brief recovery, you will be loving life once again.
Browse or search these forums or the blog for plenty of advice, answers and support for preparing your home, diet concerns and much more. Best wishes and thank you for joining the discussion.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Molly and Mum! I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis but I know that once your leg is off, you'll be back to living the high life in no time at all. Your Mum may feel worried and anxious about making the decision and once your surgery is over and you come home, she may still have a short time where she is concerned about whether her choice was a good one but she'll soon be smiling again when she sees you making a great recovery.
I can imagine that you are quite a big or heavy dog. That's OK. There are a number of happy big twipawds here!
Chemotherapy isn't really anything for you to be too concerned about either. Most dogs sail through with very few side effects and if they do have a side effect, there are medications available to help. Darcy is one of the few who lost her hair after chemo (but if anyone is going to do anything slightly unusual, you can guarantee that it will be Darcy).
Wishing you all the best Molly (and Mum)
Bev & Darcy
x
Darcy – tripawd since 16th October 2007.
***Darcy would love to be your friend on Facebook - just search for Darcy Deerhound***
Hi Molly and your Mom.
We know how hard these decisions can be. But given the rate of growth of Molly's tumor (scary) an amputation at this point is definitely the right decision. Molly will be out of pain after recovering from the surgery. That in and of itself is a great gift you can give her. She will be able to be her happy self again and that is success.
After the surgery - the first couple of days will be the most worrysome. Molly will need to figure out her new mechanics of getting around. You may need to put runners down on slippery floors to help with this. Many dogs have some appetite issues initially and you may need to get creative about finding things she will eat. Some dogs do not tolerate the pain medication well and this could make the appetite problem worse. Once she gets her stitches (staples) out she will be much more comfortable and can be on the road to being herself.
Our tripawds are utterly amazing and teach us how to love, laugh and enjoy the moment. I'm sure Molly will come through the surgery with flying colors. Please keep us posted on her progress.
I would love to see pics of molly - I bet she is absolutely adorable with all her wrinkles.
Hugs
Connie & Radar
Hi Molly!
Did the vet say which grade of mast cell tumor you have? Amputation is definitely the first step and that may be curative for grade I or II MCT. If the tumor is Grade III there is a chance that chemo or radiation can slow it down. Shar Pei are prone to this type of tumor but can do well if caught early!
My dog Tazzie is an English Mastiff and weighs 170 pounds and is doing very well without her front leg. (Jerry put her picture in the giant-breed photo gallery)
We wish you the best...
Pam and Tazzie
You sound like you are on the right track on your new journey together. These forums and its participants will be here to lend a helpful paw and hand. We can all sympathize with the shock you're going through now; it is a very rapid decision-making time, but amputation is the best way to a future of a painless and happy time together. You will also be amazed at how quickly Molly will get back to herself, and you will be inspired and comforted.
Good luck!
Dearest Molly & Mom,
I may become very unpopular by saying this, but you need to find a new vet. Why this veterinarian removed a tumor before biopsying it is beyond me. I would highly recommend that you find an oncologist who can give you the proper advice to deal with this and time is of the essence, as everyone knows that once you remove part of a cancerous tumor, the remaining cells will spread. I am not trying to upset you and I absolutely agree that amputation is an excellent choice, but any vet that tells you that you should perhaps "let your dog sleep in peace" without giving Molly a fighting chance, obviously hasn't heard how well dogs do with three legs. Again, I am not trying to upset you, but this is something for you to think about.
Your friends, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Vicki T
Molly...only a few days to go. We're thinking of you. Woof woof and sniff. Good luck!
And in response to the last post: I beg to differ, however on a friendly level of course. Lalla's leg was amputated before the biopsy for the very simple reason that the vet was able to diagnose the osteosarcoma tumor running up her leg like wildfire via a very high grade level x-ray. I never doubted his experience and expertise for a moment, and sadly, he was right. Although I'm not a professional, it only makes sense that the tumor was removed to prevent the potential of it growing.
Hey, I'm easy!
I would rather see a vet amputate a leg before a biopsy, than to cut into a tumor before a biopsy and amputation. I'm not a vet either, so that's just my personal opinion and what I have learned about cancer (having had it myself).
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Vicki Tankersley
Molly's Update...from her mom
Molly was readmitted to the hospital this week, not because of problems due to her biopsy site but because nobody told her she was sick. She came home and thought running up stairs and running thru the yard was part of the immediate recovery period. She didn't think the stitches were necessary so (even with a dog cone around her head) she managed to maneuver around the cone and remove two staples.
The doctor has her caged for part of the day and allows us to come and visit her anytime we feel the need to give her hugs and loves. She really needs to be rested, recovered and strong for her surgery Tuesday.
I want to thank all of you for your kind words and helpful hints. Every memo I read from you makes me feel that the decision I made for MOLLY is the right (best)one. I now wish they would do it NOW not Tuesday (I so worry the cancer will spread). I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers and hopefully the next Post will be from Molly herself.
Molly's got the spirit alright - too bad it landed her in hospital. That energy will be her best medicine after the amputation surgery, just you wait and see. Take this time to refresh yourself physically and mentally for Tuesday. We look forward to admiring Molly's keyboard skills.
We see it time and again - these kids of ours refuse to "act" like anything is wrong with them. That is why they recover so well after amputation. Dogs don't know the meaning of the word handicapped. I agree with Lalla that Molly's spirit and drive will be a definite plus in her recovery. But the same thing will keep you on your toes watching that she doesn't hurt herself. We'll keep Molly in our prayers. Let us know how the surgery goes.
Hugs
Connie & Radar
Dearest Molly's Mom,
Molly seems like a great candidate for this surgey and should recover quickly. Please keep us updated with how she is doing. We have our fingers and paws cross in prayer that she does well in her surgery tomorrow.
Love, Blazer, Kitty Kimber & Mom (Vicki)
Hi, Everybody. My name's Brian and I'm Molly's original owner. My mom started this thread. I just read through your comments and they are very kind and optimistic.
I rescued Molly from an animal clinic when she was about a day away from being euthanised, so I've always had a closeness to her. When I bought my first house, my parents and I decided that she should stay with them because they have a very nice sized yard for her to run around. Ever since that day, she became my mom's spoiled little girl.
Last night we had to make the very difficult decision to put Molly to sleep.
My mom spent much of her time the last 7 months making sure Molly fought a good fight. The vet originally removed the mast cell tumor from her left leg, but she showed signs of re-growth, so we had her left leg amputated in the middle of October. The doctor told me that she had a 90% recovery rate as long as he caught the cancer in time before it spread. She was up and walking on 3 legs within 4 hours of surgery…amazing everybody.
She did well over the next few months.
She went through a few months of chemo and was always patient with the staff (who in turn fell in love with her) while undergoing her treatments.
Unfortunately, around New Years', she started showing signs of more tumors in her right leg. The cancer was not contained and it had begun to spread.
The doctors maintained these tumors with steroid treatments, but by last week, she had upwards of 2 dozen tumors (big and small) growing on her entire right leg. She had gained at least 15 pounds since beginning chemo (she would eat 5 to 6 times a day), so the extra weight did not help her ability to walk on 3 legs.
She looked tired and sad yesterday, but we all got a chance to hold her a little longer before the vet came to the house to put her to sleep. I saved her once and my mom tried her best to save her a second time. It just wasn't in the cards.
She was my buddy and she was my mom's girl. We'll all miss her very much.
I just wanted to let everyone know how Molly did with her surgeries and treatments. I just wish we could've bought 7 more years instead of 7 more months.
Brian & Family:
We are so deeply sorry to hear about Molly's passing. Thank you so much for letting us know how she did. What a hero she was, and will always be, in our hearts. Her courageous, stoic look in the photos says it all. She fought this disease with all her might, and will forever be a role model for others who find themselves in this situation.
You are in our thoughts at this heartbreaking time, we send our love and condolences. May you find comfort in the wonderful life you two had together. Run free Molly, and say hi to all our awesome Tripawd pals.
With sympathy,
Rene, Jim & Spirit Jerry
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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