Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello all!
I just found this forum and although so much has happened recently, I'll try to keep this brief!
We adopted Wookie, a 90lb chocolate labradoodle, from a Poodle Rescue here in Southern California in July 2011. He was only 14 months old and the sweetest dog i had ever met! By the time he was 16 months old, he had developed a mild right hind limb lameness which responded well to an anti-inflammatory (Deramaxx). However, the lameness never completely resolved so x-rays were taken when he was 18 mos old but no abnormalities were noticed. Although he continued to act completely normal... loved to run and play and wrestle with his friends at dog park... the lameness never went away.
In June 2012, it was thought that a partial tear of his ACL was most likely, so knee surgery was planned. However, right before the surgery they took another x-ray of the leg and found a lesion in the tibia. Instead of getting knee surgery that day, the bone was biopsied. It was thought that the most likely diagnosis was going to be a fungal or bacterial infection and we started him on anti-fungal medication and antibiotics pending the results of all the lab tests. At first the biopsy came back as a chondrosarcoma but on further review, it was thought most likely to be an osteosarcoma.
Naturally, we were devastated. In hindsight, it was clear that the tumor had started growing by at least 16 months of age, and now he was almost 26 months old... giving 10 months for the tumor to spread. Fortunately his chest x-rays showed no sign of metastasis and he had the surgery to amputate his right hind limb on July 3, 2012. The final biopsy indeed did show an osteosarcoma.
Of course, he did GREAT after the surgery and was back at dog park 2 weeks later! We started chemotherapy on him right away (alternating treatments of carboplatin and adriamycin IV every 3 weeks) and we're also given him Palladia orally every other day in the hopes that it will help him.
He remains the happiest dog on earth and has had very minimal side effects from the chemo. I'm sure his young age and large size are a big plus in him being able to handle the chemo so well.
I am wracked with guilt that we did not diagnose the problem earlier. But then I look at Wookie and I can't help laughing, he's such a big goof ball. He still acts like a 6 month old puppy.
I just hope he ends up being one of the lucky ones.
Anyway, that's our story!
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
And what a sweet story it is! Thanks for joining us here (your future posts won't require moderating).
Wookie is just adorable, thank you for giving this boy a chance at a great home. It sounds like you are both handling this situation like rock stars, congrats! Try not to beat yourself up over the delayed diagnosis, many of us have been through that too. Be sure to bookmark Jerry's Required Reading List if you haven't already, you may find some helpful tips in there even though you're already past the recovery stage.
Are you in So Cal? By any chance did you have the chemo done at VCA West LA or the Veterinary Cancer Group? They are great folks, we love those guys.
Can't wait to hear more about your Tripawd adventures. We too have our paws crossed that your spunky guy will beat those odds and make cancer look dumb!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi Jerry!
Thanks for responding! We're in Orange Co and for his chemo we're going to Dr. Dhaliwal at VCA All-Care.
I need to read around the forums. I'd like to read about a dog that's had appendicular osteosarcoma and survived long term. I need some ray of hope. I'm pretty realistic and I know what's ahead of us, but I need to hold on to some hope that he'll survive this. It's just been heartbreaking.
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
Hi, welcome. So sorry to hear about Wookie. He is just a baby! There is lots of good information and experience on this site. We are hear to help you whenever you need us. I found it is best to plan for a long future but make sure you enjoy every precious day together, live in the moment. i.e. Be More Dog ! That way, no matter what happens, there are less of those nasty regrets that we humans love to torture ourselves with.
Good luck and please keep us updated on Wookie.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
oooh an OC dawg eh? Well you're in great company. Maximutt (search members here), is an OC pup who I believe got treated at VCA, and survived osteo for about two years (with chemo). His folks are wonderful and if you'd like to meet up with them I'm sure they would be happy to. Just PM "Maximutt" in here.
If you're looking for rays of hope, you'll find tons of them here. Many, many dogs have beaten the odds (I also lived 24 months without chemo). I don't ever want to give folks false hope, but what we have seen is that with chemo or without, many dogs have gone on to live far longer than the stats say they would. There are no guarantees of course, but it's that hope that helps people live each day to the fullest and only focus on the moment at hand. After all,with cancer or without, none of us are guaranteed a tomorrow, right? So as sucky as cancer is, it really does teach us how to make the most of our lives.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Good lord!
So, since I last posted, our 14 yr old Shep mix was diagnosed with an abdominal mass. He went to surgery and was found to have a baseball sized mass on his spleen, which was removed. We were told that the chances of him having a malignant hemagniosarcoma were very, very high and that he would only have ~3 mos to live. I was like, seriously?!? It's not enough that my puppy has osteosacoma??? Now my baby (albeit a 14 yr old baby) has cancer too?!?
But lo and behold, his biopsy came back as a BENIGN hematoma!!! I'm still doing a happy dance. It's been about 2.5 weeks since his surgery and he has made a complete recovery. He's back at the dog park being the "police man" to keep everyone else in their place (or so he thinks).
Just wanted to share some GOOD news!!!
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
Oh! I also meant to mention that Wookie gets to go to Dodger Stadium on Saturday! They have "Bark in the Park" every year, where people can take their dogs to the game. Before the game, they do a parade of the dogs around the warning track, so that should be a lot of fun for him... people are his #1 favorite thing and dogs come a close second!
Go Dodgers! Go Wookie!!! 
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
What a scare! Wow! I'm sooo glad to hear it was nothing! We've had a few members here who have dealt with cancer in two different dogs at the same time, and it's ruff. You are so lucky it was B9!!!!! Yaaaay!
Hey you'll have to share those pics of Wookie at Dodger stadium, that sounds so fun!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Wow, I'm not sure how I missed this post the first time, but welcome Wookie and family! We are in Orange County too. In fact, our Max also had his surgery and chemo at VCA All Care in Fountain Valley. Dr. Dhaliwal was our oncologist also, with Celina as his assistant. I hope Celina is still there, she was very proactive for us and always available for a phone call when we freaked out about something (which was about every 5 minutes!)
I'm glad to hear your latest scare was just that, a scare. Osteosarcoma is enough to be dealing with, you definitely did not need anything else on your plate. Please give Wookie our best, and if you do want to meet up at some point, please send a PM. We'd love to meet Wookie!
Diane & John
Good grief-- what a scare. So very happy to hear it's benign-- that's one of our favorite words! I meant to post after your original entry-- we had a very similar experience to you-- misdiagnosis (strain, arthritis, etc) which led to a lengthy delay in amputation. Massive guilt, etc-- if only I'd known then what I know now. As you can't go back and can only move forward, our MB Tom is going to benefit from all I've learned-- no regrets this time around!
Looking forward to seeing the pics of Wookie at the ballpark-- what fun!
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
Hi, what great news!
And the Dodger outing sounds like fun. We'd love to see pics of him there!
Have a great time - you have a lot to celebrate!
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!
OK, I was feeling a little guilty about missing your first post but this took care of it:
Go Dodgers!
I am a native San Franciscan 
.
Seriously though- I am very glad to hear that your 'baby' is fully recovered and is fine, and that Wookie is doing well. And welcome to Tripawds too.
One week before Tri-pug Maggie finished her chemo for mast cell cancer I found a lump on her little sis Tani. Of course it was a mast cell tumor so I know a little how you've been feeling. Maggie passed a couple years ago, but Tani is still creaking around at age 12.
Karen and the orange and black pugapalooza
wookie524 said
I need to read around the forums. I'd like to read about a dog that's had appendicular osteosarcoma and survived long term. I need some ray of hope. I'm pretty realistic and I know what's ahead of us, but I need to hold on to some hope that he'll survive this. It's just been heartbreaking.
Welcome! I am not sure how I missed this entire thread, but I apologize for being so late to welcome you. As for long term survivors, they are all over this site - Jerry, Nova, Cemil, to name a few. I can't claim that Zeus has survived long-term in the grand scheme of things as it has only been nine months since his amp and unfortunately the cancer has spread to his belly and he is declining quickly. However, he had a lung met and a suspected liver met at the time of diagnosis which lends itself to a very poor prognosis (possibly only weeks to live). Instead, he thumbed his nose at cancer and just kept living - happily. My point is that every dog is different and there is always hope! Dogs are incredibly resilient.
Lisa
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/
Welcome Wookie and family! I'm glad to hear that Wookie is doing well and going to tear up the diamonds! Pictures are definitely needed.
I know this is easy for me to say, but try not to get too wrapped up in what-ifs and if-we'd-onlys and how-long-do-we-haves. There are dogs here whose vets had them singing in the heavenly choir years ago, and there are others whose flame burned intensely and way too short.
Nobody has any guarantees. The only guarantee in life is that you get no guarantees. So we figure we either mourn them while they're here, or we get on with the business of living. Somehow, the acceptance that we don't know can be awfully liberating. You can get out there and live as big as you want with absolutely no regrets. So go for it! Just take lots of pictures and share them. We really love success stories and living large.
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
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