Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hey, everyone! Madalena is a front-leg amputee, had the surgery last August due to a neurofibrosarcoma, or a soft tissue tumor.
Back then we learned that neurofibrosarcoma was aggressive, non-responsive to chemo, unlikely to metastasize, so we hoped that after taking the big tumor out with a good margin (hence the amputation), the prognosis would be better.
Shortly after, we discovered a mass pressing her lungs, causing cough. We did a biopsy, but it was probably an infection, so she was fine after treatment with prednisone. The following X-rays (which we re-do every three months also to check on possible cancer relapse) showed no sign of that mass.
About the same time, we found 3 little tumors on her leg, not bigger than M&M's, had them biopsied and they came with possible neurofibrosarcoma as well.
At the time, she was starting on K9 Immunity , homeopathy and we had just started cooking for her, grain-free and everything. I think all of that, combined, made these small tumors magically disappear (crazy, huh?).
She proceeded to be on her best form throughout 2016: no tumors, no cough, even her urinary incontinence was controlled, until mid-August when the coughing came back. We tried the prednisone again, but it was more persistent. We re-did the Xray (that she had just done the month before) to check, and the mass had returned. As of now, she has a recurrent cough, dry, mostly at night.
The really horrible thing is that in the last 5 days I counted 5 new small-ish tumors. They start the size of lentils, but the first ones I found are already bigger, growing a little every day. This scares me because it was just like that that the first tumor grew (the reason we had to amputate her leg for), very very rapidly.
We have a vet appointment on Monday and I know this won't be like the first time, because we are already doing everything we can, supplement, vitamin and therapy-wise. So I am preparing for the worse, since I can't start shredding this poor dog to get these tumors out (on her neck, thighs and ribs).
Has anyone ever been through this? What can we expect next and how can we make her comfortable? Is there something we still haven't tried? We are really going through a hard time...
Thanks for all the help, you are truly amazing.
Augusta and Madalena
Hi. So sorry to hear there appears to be a recurrence.
We also are dealing with nerve sheath tumor STS. Pofi had a front leg amp 4 months ago and our margins were unfortunately not good. They graded his very, large, poorly encapsulated tumor as grade 3 of 3.
Were you given radiation as an option? My onco agrees that IV infusion chemo has not shown good results for this, but was more positive about low dose oral chem (Metronomic Chemo) and radiation treatment post surgery to clean up the surgical site. The radiation is expensive and involves repeated, daily sessions under GA each time. For that reason (the GA), I can't seem to talk myself into it.
But we are doing Metronic Chemo alternating Cytoxan and Palladia. For dogs with Mast Cell Tumors, Palladia (which is expensive) does show great promise and it also has shown success for STS tumors. Per our onco, it creates a sort of stasis for a while when it works.
Has Palladia ever been mentioned?
Best thoughts for you and Madalena!
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Oh Madalena I'm so sorry to hear this. You are such a fighter, and have done so well, I'm sorry the cancer is being so aggressive.
Others here will have more ideas for you about dealing with the tumors that are popping up. As for her lung mets, this post might help give you some holistic-minded ideas:
http://nutritio.....lung-mets/
Let us know what ideas the oncologist has OK? I hope they come back with some good alternatives that can help her beat this latest occurrence.
Sending all our love & support your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hey, everyone! Thank you for you support!
As for Palladia or other types of treatment, the oncologist seemed very resigned and when the little tumors came back positive for neurofibrosarcoma as well she just shrugged and "meh", like we had no other option available.
She got worse on Friday, weak on the legs, just really tired and in pain. I have started her (on my own) on tramadol and rimadyl for 3-5 days, and so far she really showed some improvement.
I'll be searching for a new oncologist this week. The one who had been treating her doesn't respond my messages on time, no proper assistance, etc. I'll probably will go for someone on her team, because it's the best here in town, and I hope they accept changing doctors because we have a reason, she left us hanging all weekend long after Madalena got worse (and has still not responded!), and it's not the first time...
Online
Just catching up in the amazing Madalena! And she..And you...are both amazing!
Good for you for being such a strong advocate for your sweet girl!! And good for you for not givi g up and for staying focused on ways to help her!! Yiur "self doctoring"'. To think they wouldn't "allow" you to change Oncos would be soooo wrong!!
Let us know how it goes and how we can bettrr support you.
In tbe meantime, continue to spoil and love and spoil a d love! Stay focused on the present a d let NOTHING rob you of your time together! Extra treats everyday and a scoop of ice cream every now and then!
Lisa gave some good input. Clearly Pofi's Onco is a lot more optimistic a d open!
Love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
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!
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