Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I am absolutely in shock. My wonderful Old English Sheepdog, Sylvia has been in such beautiful form lately – Hair is growing back and she is so gorgeously fluffy . . . She loves going for walks and had her first post-op experience schmoozing with kids about a week and a half ago. She's scheduled for a visit with her oncologist tomorrow and I've been so excited about showing off how well Sylvie is doing. Then, about a half-hour ago, I had her out for a stroll around the backyard. (We take her on a leash if the neighbor dogs are out so we don't have her running up and down the fence in the water-filled mud path from all the rain.) Her back leg was trembling. Not a big deal; this leg trembles when she gets excited and has done so for the nearly 7 years we've had her. I ran my hand down her leg when she was standing up and there's a huge lump. Right above the knee. The location where the cancer was in her other hind leg.
I've been brushing her and snuggling her . . . How could I possibly have missed something so big? How long has it been there? Why haven't I been more attentive? I've been checking lymph nodes and chest and listening carefully to her breathing to make sure I catch the very first sign of any spread. And it's been right there. When I saw it and was trying to figure out what I should do, I could think of nothing better than to take her for a walk. I got out the harness and leash and she ran into her crate. I coaxed her out and got the harness and leash on her, got outdoors with her . . . and she wouldn't even get off the back porch. What if she never goes for a walk again . . .
I feel sick to my stomach and in shock and am trying to not cry. I don't want to upset Sylvie or the other dogs or my husband (who happens to be sick in bed right now). Mostly I don't want to start 'cause I won't be able to stop. How could I be so stupid as to not check her remaining hind leg more carefully! I read the Tripawds blogs and forums and think how very lucky we are to have a dog who is beating the odds. How could I get so cocky She's only a little over a week from her six-month ampuversary, for God's sake!
I have no idea how to prepare for what I may hear tomorrow. Cancer in the remaining leg means the end. Maybe it's just a cyst and can be drained. Maybe it's a tumor, but benign. (Really – What are the odds that a tumor in a dog who's been diagnosed with osteosarcoma is anything but malignant?) I can't stand the fact that this is my fault. If I'd been better about checking, I'd have noticed it sooner and . . . I am not ready for this. I am not. I would ask you all to pray for my Sylvie, but I'm so very scared that it is too late.
Thank you for listening.
- Karen
Sweet Silly Sylvie, the Old English Sheepdog
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma 11/04/2010 at almost 7 years of age * Left hind leg amputated 11/09/2010 * Chemo on 12/10, 12/17, 01/10, 01/31
Sweet Sylvie's earthly journey ended on Nov. 3, 2011, one day short of a year since her diagnosis and 6 days short of her one-year ampuversary. Her family celebrates her life as a sheepdog – ever the puppy, ever silly, ever sweet – and are grateful for our 7 years together.
It's never to late for prayers!!!
I will say some for the two of you!!!
I dont think you can ever have to many!!
Karen, take a deep breath and breathe. This is scary, for sure, but until you know what you're dealing try your best not to jump to conclusions. Like you said it could be anything...a cyst, a fatty tumor. or some other benign growth. It's good timing to have an appointment tomorrow, at least you don't have to wait that much longer.
Lots of us have had the wits scared out of us like this when it turned out to be nothing and not nearly as bad as we thought. Lumps and bumps can be anything, so please try to relax.
She's definitely not feeling like herself, whatever it is that's bugging her. But tomorrow you'll both find out what it is and hopefully feel a lot better when you have some information. You are most definitely not to blame, you're not stupid or cocky or anything like that. This happens quite a bit and most times it's not cancer.
Hang in there OK? I know it's hard, but the stronger you can be the better it is for Sweet Sylvie. We're sending lots of pawsitive energy your way, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Please don't beat yourself up about not finding it sooner. As vigilant as we try to be, we cannot possibly catch everything. It may be something that showed up very quickly. I know it is hard, but don't automatically jump to the big 'c'. Wait until you know exactly what you are dealing with before you panic.
I know the fear, I've been there. Sending many good thoughts for you and Sylvia for good news tomorrow.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
More thoughts and prayers coming your way!
Gerry had a weird bulge on his remaining back leg earlier this year. I was like, uh, it's not at all hard, maybe it's just new muscle, but it was strange so I asked the vet. At first she looked like she was going to tell me it could be something, but then it dawned on her to ask if they had done a rabies vaccination shot for Gerry recently and they had. That can apparently cause that type of inflammation, temporarily. In fact, Gerry has also had a hystiocytoma (benign tumor) and subcutaneous cysts. (The first needed removal, but the latter could just be left alone). He is a tripawd due to injury rather than cancer, but still he is proof that there are lots of non-cancer causes for a dog's bumps and lumps. So, paws crossed that Sylvia's may yet turn out to be a benign, Gerry-type bump, despite her coincidental cancer fight!
Gerry has been a tripawd since 12/16/2009.
He was a shelter dog with a mysterious past and an irrepairable knee injury.
Videos and pics of Gerry's pawesomeness can be found at: http://gerry.tripawds.com
Karen, been there, when I found the lump on Gus' neck it was about golf ball size, and I was always petting him, I too wondered how could I have missed something where I rub everyday. Take it from everyone here, we've all been where tyour at right now, wait and see what the vet says, yes, it might be cancer, and it may not, you've got to think positive, I know, hard to do on this journey, but regardless, until you know, try to relax, and whatever you find out tomorrow, then you deal with it the best way your vet advises. Unfortunately, this crap is ruthless, and it makes us spastic everytime we see something that looks wrong, but lets hope for the best, and we wish you luck tomorrow, paws up to you guys, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Thank you so very much, everybody. Of course you are right. There is no point in freaking out when this could be a variety of things that AREN'T the "big C". I am so grateful to have the support the Tripawds family provides . . . Just want to be on the giving end, not the receiving end, if you know what I mean. Right now all the dogs are spawled out around the living room, just as they are every night. In fact, Sylvie is "belly-up" and looks so peaceful. With your caring words and thoughts and prayers we can make it through the night and the morning. And when we meet with the doctor, we will deal with whatever it is with every ounce of fight we have.
All of our love and gratitude -
Karen, Sylvia, and our whole family.
Sweet Silly Sylvie, the Old English Sheepdog
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma 11/04/2010 at almost 7 years of age * Left hind leg amputated 11/09/2010 * Chemo on 12/10, 12/17, 01/10, 01/31
Sweet Sylvie's earthly journey ended on Nov. 3, 2011, one day short of a year since her diagnosis and 6 days short of her one-year ampuversary. Her family celebrates her life as a sheepdog – ever the puppy, ever silly, ever sweet – and are grateful for our 7 years together.
Sending you lots of pawsitive thoughts & prayers, as well as many, many golden hugs!
Please keep us posted!
Cathy
we're sending our best ET juju to sylvie and you - hoping for the best possible news from the vet. just remember sylvie doesn't know anything different - she just knows she loves you and you love her. keep breathing!!
charon & gayle
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
Please, please, please don't let yourself feel guilty! Had you found it 2 days ago, would it really make a difference? And at least you saw it now! Plus, it may be nothing.
Let us know for sure!
I'm with my pups every day, 24 hours a day and I could have told you when a hair was out of place! But yet, I missed internal cancer in both of them! So, please don't get upset at yourself!
Keep us posted!
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Brandy had a bump that grew in a 24 hour period. I give her massages daily and noticed the lump had come out of no where overnight. Brandy also had Osteosarcoma originally so we were positive the cancer had come back. It turned out to be a small hair line fracture. This was the second lump that showed up and it turned out to be nothing. We have learned not to let these problems run our lives. We used to constantly look her over and analyze her mood daily. Is she eating enough? Does she seem herself today? Why is she sleeping on that side? I think she is limping!! I think I heard her cough/sneeze!! Does her poop look healthy? Our days were all about looking for something wrong with her instead of concentrating on the positive. I think she was starting to think we were all crazy because she would look at us like we were nuts! We used to turn loading her into the backseat of my truck into a major issue. One day when my father and I were about to pick her up she just leaped all the way into the back seat on her own then turned around and looked at us with attitude.
Please try not to worry and I hope you get good news from her doctor. We will send you many prayers, god bless you.
Teresa, Brandy's Auntie
HURRAH FOR FATTY TISSUE!!! 
Let's hear it for tissue that's fatty!!! 
All hail fatty tissue!!!!! All of you who were thinking "fatty tissue" WERE RIGHT!!
Sylvia's leg lump is nothing other than fatty tissue, and her doctor says she looks GREAT!! It was a tense drive and a long wait for all the normal checkup stuff and THEN the Tech came out to double-check where the lump was and told me the doctor was about to aspirate it. Then - finally - Sylvia's wonderful doctor came out to tell us that it was NOT a cancerous tumor and that she was very pleased with how well Miss Sylvia seems to be doing. I had to choke back tears of relief!
Another lesson learned about balancing care and meticulousness with not jumping to wild conclusions . . . Thank you again - All of you who offered level-headed and caring advice and support!
We do have a bit of concern over a bit of anemia, but the oncologist is having the lab "hand-check" the blood sample again. Sylvia's poop is normal-colored/textured; her gums don't look unduly pale . . . The doc is also checking to see whether there is any possibility of anemia being some sort of effect of the gabapentin. THIS time, I am NOT freaking out. Her doctor says Sylvia looks really good and there is certainly no other sign of bleeding anywhere.
I hope Zoe's trip to the vet to start chemo showed that her mom's concern over the "collapsing" rear was, like mine, not warranted. I'll be looking forward to checking the "Hopping Around" forum for her update. I pray that it is as positive as ours!
Our house is, once again, a VERY happy (and much mellower) place.
- Karen and Sweet Sylvie
Sweet Silly Sylvie, the Old English Sheepdog
Diagnosed with osteosarcoma 11/04/2010 at almost 7 years of age * Left hind leg amputated 11/09/2010 * Chemo on 12/10, 12/17, 01/10, 01/31
Sweet Sylvie's earthly journey ended on Nov. 3, 2011, one day short of a year since her diagnosis and 6 days short of her one-year ampuversary. Her family celebrates her life as a sheepdog – ever the puppy, ever silly, ever sweet – and are grateful for our 7 years together.
Go Fatty! Go Fatty! Go Fatty!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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