Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi everyone, first and foremost I cannot believe how helpful this forum is...just found this today.
So let's back up a bit so I can give you the history..... Freddy is a 11.5 year old 80lb black lab. I'm not exactly sure on the age as I rescued him several years ago...and at that point, based on his teeth, they gauged him about 7 months.... which would put him at 11.5.
In January of 2012 Fred had surgery to remove a nerve sheath tumor in his hind left area where the webbing connects from the back into the tummy area. He bounced back like a champ....full mobility and no therapy. We've always been scared this would come back....it hasn't. We also found out during this time that he was in the early stages of kidney disease...over time it got a bit worse 2.8...and happy to report with a food change....saturday came back at a 1.6! Woot woot!
Freddy is highly active, tennis ball obsessed who loves the outdoors. Most people who meet him are shocked he's 11. Still jumps up in the air for the ball...slowing down a tad...but very active.
BUUUUT......We went on a recent vacation for 2.5 weeks and had a friend stay at the house....when we returned, I noticed a swollen/lump area on his front left elbow area. Yesterday, my worst suspicions were confirmed. Our vet (the one that did the initial surgery) said the cells came back indicating a spindle tumor...and given the proximity and it sitting on the tricep muscle that he would like to refer. It's about the size of a golf ball and I can tell as of yesterday seems to be starting to annoy him. We went to the specialist yesterday. Basically:
1) Concern if it's truly a spindle tumor...which means a biopsy. Both the Dr and I expressed concern over putting him through a surgical biopsy and then potentially another surgery to remove it (ie if it needs to come out...do 1 surgery)
2) Depending upon the grade of the results:
a) radiation ....after this was described to me I cannot put him through dropping him off on a monday and a pickup Friday, anesthetic everyday.....for 3-5 weeks. If he were young, absolutely....but to put him through this and be scared, separated...for another year to two seems selfish. Also very concerned on the recovery as this would be a difficult area for the "burn" recovery.
b) Amputation... typically would only be done if biopsy was aggressive
c) Peel back/ removal...the Dr thinks this cannot be resected to get any type of margin, but could be debulked. Odds are it would come right back if truly a sarcoma without radiation or metronomic chemotherapy .
The other option is an incisional biopsy to determine what it is and consider amputation as a curative surgery.
It's also important to know that we did go ahead and have chest X-rays because he is a lumpy guy. All came back clear and we also had the body map done on his lumps - all came back clear. Obviously we wouldn't want to put him through too much just to find out something bigger was going on.
SIGH! Needless to say I did ALOT of crying yesterday and I am struggling to figure out how to do right by Freddy. It's important to me to maximize the quality of his life for whatever time we are blessed to have.
So I'm torn. I do not know whether to have this removed, see what it is and if we can preserve the leg...then while recovering from removal if we find out its aggressive....then look to amputate....OR proceed with a biopsy and go from there.
I also need to minimize the surgeries to the extent possible as anesthetic isn't good for dogs with kidney disease.
My heart about stopped when amputation was mentioned...but I am feeling a bit better after spending time on this forum. I am still crying as I type this. Sorry for the long winded note...but I think the full picture is important as I could REALLY use some advice.
Thank you so much to all of you. I am soooo surprised how "common" these things seem to be and the overwhelming support.
Warm Regards,
Jodi
Parker, Colorado
Hi Jodi, welcome to the club nobody wants to join! Your future posts won't require approval.
We're glad you found us. Although we cannot tell you what the best decision is, we can share our stories with you so that you make a decision you are comfortable with. It sounds like you've been talking to some great specialists, did you go to CSU? (by the way we have many members in your part of the country, so who knows, maybe a Tripawds pawty is in the future?!).
Many of us have dealt with osteosarcoma and unfortunately that's the kind of tumor where, if the dog is a good candidate, the course of action is swift; get rid of the leg because an osteo tumor is nasty and mean. But when the tumor behavior is unpredictable it seems to make things even harder. What I can tell you is, we've seen a lot of folks do the debulking procedure only to have to go back and amputate anyways, sometimes a year later, sometimes just a few months.
I know your decision is compounded by Freddy's age. We have seen many senior dogs here do great, as you've probably seen by scrolling through this particular forum. How does your vet feel about his candidacy for an amputation?
One super duper Tripawd you should get to know is Maggie. She's a mature gal who also has kidney disease, and she's handling things excellently.
There are some great members here who I know will jump in. I'm at work so I've gotta run but I'll talk to you soon OK? Hang in there and keep poking around our community, I hope it can help dry your tears. Give Freddy a hug from us.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Online
Hi Jodi and Freddy!
Thiss is the place to be under the scarey circumstances you are dealing with.
Crying, sobb!!ing, couldn't catch my breath, wanting to throw up, scared out of my wits.....you name it, we've ALL been there. We understand like o other what you are going trough..
And this is the best advice I was given initially and that is to B R E A T H E......B R E A T H E........INHALE SLOWLY AND DEEPLY.....EXHALE SLOWLY......
Remember that Freddy isn't worried about any old stupid diagnosis. He doesn't know he has any "issues". He is living g every blissful second of his life in the moment k owing ow loved he is by you. He's a very hand so e boy by the way. Absolutely enjoying life and isn't think I g about you g anywhere soon.
Your vet sou D's wonderfule and extremely knowledgeable and cautious about jumping I to a thing.
There's a great book to download here through amazon....actually, I guess order. The Dog Cancer Book.
You have a lot of challenges to factor in and being committed to Freddy's quality versus quantity is what it's all about. Of course, going for BOTH works well too!
Freddy's zest for life is in his favor regardless of what you do. Amputation is a major surgery and some take longer to recover than others . You would be amazed though at how quickly most are up and walking. And once recovery does take place you will see a whole lot of life loss and may from your up!
Again, you have a lot of concerns to deal with..not knowing for sure his age...the kidney thing, etc. All those things are what your vet will he'll you factor in when developing g your plan. And you will develop a plan out of love nd that will be a right decision!!
We are all here for you. You are s strong and so brave a d you will feel so much better once you decide on a plan. Do your research, talk to Freddy......an answer will come.
Ow, go give that beautiful no a great big hug. Say something g to make his tail wag. Did you do it? Is it wagging? Ow go give him a treat and tennis ball!
Surrounding you with calm and supportive energy......
Sally and Happy Hannah
Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!
Welcome Jodi and Freddy-
Sorry about the diagnosis, but know that we are all here to help give support (and often need it ourselves
). Shooter is a senoir citizen and has adapted well to his new normal. We didn't have to choose between all the options you are facing, but you will make the best choices that work for Freddy. I know you are a loving pawrent as you have found your way here so are trying to help Freddy by being as educated as possible.
We'll be sending positive thoughts your way.
Luanne and Shooter
Spirit Shooter was a Miniature Australian Shepherd who was diagnosed with a MCT and had a LF amp 1/28/13 at 13-1/2 years old.
Shooter crossed the Bridge on 8/28/13, his 7 month ampuversary and two weeks from his 14th birthday.
Hi Jodi,
Sorry you had to find this group, but I am glad you did. I am not familiar with what a spindle tumor is, but I can relate my yet-to-be finished story with you.
My Bear had a lump in his armpit that our vets thought was a fatty tumour. We did a fine needle aspiration but we weren't able to get any cells from it. So we took the 'wait and see' approach.
A few months later the lump had grown so large it had to be removed immediately (still under the impression it is a fatty lump). They debulked the tumor (didn't get a very big margin) and sent it off for biopsy.
It came back as an aggressive hemangiopericytoma and amputation was the recommended course of action. It took a lot of time for me to come to terms with it, but the surgery is scheduled for June 11th (yikes, 8 DAYS away).
If you're worried about quality of life with 3 legs (like I was in the beginning). DON'T Worry about that! If this group of people has taught me anything its that any dog of any shape, size, activity level, or personality can persevere and ENJOY life as a Tripawd. It's the humans that have the emotional attachment to that fourth leg!
To be OK with the surgery, if it is the best chance for him to have a long happy life, you need to do some research and reading. Here's what helped me TREMENDOUSLY. I was nearly absent from my life for a week while I read all these books, but I firmly believe knowledge is POWER.
Three Legs & A Spare (ebook through Tripawds)
Loving Life of 3 Legs (ebook through Tripawds)
Check out some of the tripawd videos on youtube, too. 3 legged dogs have more fun 
Good luck and best wishes, keep us updated!
Heather C.
Barret was diagnosed with Hemangiopericytoma May 16, 2013. Front left leg/scapula/pectoral muscle was amputated on June 11, 2013 and we've never looked back. Follow our story on http://barret.t.....pawds.com/ and read my column on That Pet Blog
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