Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I adopted my Luna 6 months ago. She is just 9 years old and no one wanted her. She is a Pomeranian mix just 22 pounds. She is so happy to have found a home and I have never had a sweeter more affectionate dog. A couple of months ago she started occasional limping. My vet thought it arthritis. But then 3 weeks ago it got worse. Monday I said I wanted X-Rays. They thought it looked like cancer and sent the X-Ray to be reviewed by an expert. He too confirmed cancer. I immediately started preparing for amputation as I wanted her out of pain. The lung X-Ray looked good. The question I have is I wanted to avoid the difficult biopsy. Was I rushing too soon. My vet was very supportive and we found a great surgeon. Should I have gone with a biopsy first?
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Welcome...your post has been approved. You have come to the eight place for suppprt and information.
My apologies for a quick reply tight now, but just wanted address your main concern
X-Ray to be reviewed by an expert. He too confirmed cancer. I immediately started preparing for amputation as I wanted her out of pain. The lung X-Ray looked good. The question I have is I wanted to avoid the difficult biopsy. Was I rushing too soon. My vet was very supportive and we found a great surgeon. Should I have gone with a biopsy first?
Many of us, myself included, just went by xray confirmation and did NOT do a biopsy. Sometimes a biopsy is inconclusive anyway, plus it can be a quite painful recovery and sometimes susceptible to more infection.
Good news on clear Xrays and for acting quickly to get rid of this bum leg once it was confirmed ot needed to go.
Thank you f0r rescuing this sweet girl. Clearly she has been waiting for a loving and safe home like yours furever!
Please stay connected and ask us any questions you may have. Recovery is no picnic for avout two weeks but we'll help you navigate through all of that, okay?
Hugs
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!
Oh thank you for the quick reply. We see the surgeon in the morning and will actually come prepared for surgery in case they want to take her right away. The last week she has occasionally squealed when she lands wrong on her leg. Which is why I wanted to move quickly. I'm not quite as concerned about the amputation as some. I just want her out of pain.and hopefully a little more.time. Thank you for your quick response so I can sleep tonight. I will keep in touch. There is so much helpful information here.
Welcome Cindy and Luna!
We also avoided the bone biopsy as it was clear that our Jerry had bone cancer. When cancer is uncertain that's a good time to do a biopsy but if your entire vet team says it's cancer then it's almost guaranteed they have seen similar cases before and know what they are looking at.
Acting quickly under these conditions means less pain for Luna and a faster road to recovery, so kudos to you for your confidence and good attitude. Please holler with any questions and keep us posted!
I am searching for information on bedding after surgery. Right now Luna sleeps on my bed which we both love. I'm thinking she will be so sleepy a safer floor bed would be better. Luna is going to see the surgeon this morning. There is a possibility they will.do the surgery today. So right now we're dealing with "where's my breakfast". I'm very stressed and keep crying.
Hi Cindy,
Yes it's safer for her to sleep closer to the ground. Lots of people put their mattress on the floor for recovery and sometimes beyond. Pet stairs are a good choice, or anything that acts as a platform so she doesn't have to jump so high to get on or off the bed.
I hope things go well at the visit today. Please keep us posted OK? Stay strong. You've got this!
Ok I'm more confused than ever. I really liked the surgeon. He said waiting one week for amputation would not make a huge difference. I believe he didn't want to give me false hope. He said he wanted to do the needle biopsy and more blood work. There is a small chance she could have a fungus or bone spur. He asked if we ever lived in the desert. Well Luna came from Riverside CA. which is a dry area. Plus Luna is a small dog of 20 lbs. So he just wanted to do a few more tests. He is still leaning towards Osteosarcoma. So the estimate I received was $2200 for today which included another set of X-Ray s the other tests and better pain medicine. The amputation would be between $5000 and $6000. I didn't get a chemo estimate as we are not there yet. She did say it would be more than the surgery. Means the bottom line would be well over $10000. I have the money but I live off social security. I am afraid if I don't do it all ill regret it. Help
I can certainly understand your confusion and frustration.
She has nearby stoma yes, even the waiting a week you are still acting quickly so that wouldn't be concerned about that.
I'm not sure about relying on a needle draw as that can often be inconclusive too. However, maybe it can be more of a confirmation.I would think the x-rays could distinguish between a bone spur versus osteosarcoma . That's just my own unprofessional opinion. in this case.
The only other thing I could suggest would be to get a second opinion from another surgeon who could view the x-rays and, at the most, just require the needle aspirations without going into more expensive test.
Curious what tests and costs are involved for a fungal test?
I'll so curious what kind of pain meds he gave, the dose and the frequency? That's the most important thing right now is to keep the pain and the control until you can continue with a plan.
Trying to take some deep breaths and continue with a positive energy. You were doing everything possible for your girl and you are moving forward, it may not feel like it, but you are!
Hugs
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!
Going to pick her up shortly from Animal hospital. As you say I think needle aspiration is more to confirm osteosarcoma. The fungus diagnosis comes from a blood test. White blood cells were normal - I believe that means no infection? They also took more and better X-Ray s. Surgeon didn't see anything in lungs but is sending off to X-Ray doctor to confirm. I don't know about the bone spur. I do live in a very expensive area Orange County Ca. I had set my budget at $10000. But I'm concerned that means no chemotherapy. My oncologist appt is Jan 22 so I guess that will be a question then. I'm just so afraid if I don't do everything I can I'll have huge regrets.
Hi Cindy,
You're just up the road from me, we spend winter near Indio. I totally understand about the expensive care out here. The cost for amputation surgery is about right for the area, it's not unheard of, as much as it's painful for the wallet.
So, the tests are pretty routine to confirm whether or not it's cancer or valley fever. Almost every time it's bone cancer but with the rise of valley fever cases in the west (both in pets and people), it doesn't hurt to run that extra test. But, if the bone is beyond saving, there really is no point. If it has to come off, it has to come off, for a better quality of life. So the question to ask is "Is my dog's leg beyond saving? Is there a chance it can be saved if this is valley fever?"
I do like that Luna is getting good pain control right now, and my guess is that if you do the surgery there she will be in good hands and get great care. What clinic are you going to for the surgery, and the oncology consult? Just curious, as I'm pretty familiar with the clinics out here.
When it comes to chemo, remember that is not a requirement. If it won't be out of your budget to cover the cost, and it won't stress you or her out, then follow your intuition and do what feels right for you both. But if it's going to cause more stress and worry then you might want to rethink that level of treatment. Keep in mind that chemo doesn't guarantee longevity. Statistically a dog has a better chance of living longer without the cancer returning but we have seen cancer do what it wants over the years. Some dogs will live longer and some won't whether or not they had chemo. Our Jerry lived two years without chemo, and other dogs have gone longer. THe new cancer immunotherapy vaccines are boosting the odds of longevity but again, it's still a bit of a crap shoot. You have to do what feels right for you both. And if you opt out, that is totally OK, nobody will judge you for that decision.
Let us know how today goes!
This is very very helpful. I am already committed to leg removal. I see this as the best possibility for removing her pain. The doctor said she's a good candidate as her other 3 legs are good. The chemo was the only part that bothered me. Would I regret not being pro active if I didn't do chemo. I know chemo in pets is better than humans. But there is still no guarantee and it seems it is not comfortable. Besides the cost. So I think I've made my decision. Amputation for the pain. Holistic help including a Keto diet will help me feel proactive. And lots and lots of love. Any thoughts on supplements?
The hospital I took her to was in Laguna Hills. Rise Pet Health. When my sister had a pet emergency we took her dog there and I really appreciated the care. Dr. Simon (the surgeon) said I could see if my own vet could do the surgery but the problem with that is they do not have overnight care. If she needed it they would transfer to Rise for the night. The cost was not a big enough difference that I shouldn't choose to have everything done in one place.
The medicine she's on is Gabapentin and Codeine for pain. Plus Meloxicam I tried to give her first dose this morning . She had been sedated yesterday. But l learned a lesson - don't put the pills in her food. If she doesn't eat all her food you don't know how much if any of the medicine she got.
Coming here and seeing so many stories helps so much.. Thank you
I'm so glad you find everything helpful!
Chemotherapy is a very personal decision and nobody makes right or wrong choices. You sound very confident in your decision to opt out and I totally get that. There are plenty of great ways you can support Luna and give a good quality of life! I always recommend starting with the Dog Cancer Survival Guide so you can get a good baseline education of what you are dealing with and the different ways you can help her with whatever route you take.
The clinic looks great! And I love love love Dr. Simon's background. As a Colorado State grad he's been through the best vet training possible and Luna is in fantastic hands! I'm well-versed with the school as we are based in Fort Collins and big supporters (check out all of our CSU vet interviews!).
And you are right! No hiding pills in food. Dogs are so smart, they know the pills are there and get turned off from eating regular meals when we do that. Here are some appetite tips you can check out.
Thanks for the valuable input. And thanks for the support of Dr. Simon's. I really liked him with my interaction. I will go read Dog Cancer Survival guide now.
I am glad you have gotten a lot of good support and advice.
I worked in the veterinary oncology department for the last 1.5 years. One of my primary duties was giving chemo. It's not for every pet, nor does it work for all of their humans. There is nothing wrong with saying it doesn't work for you. Quality of life is the goal. You are already doing more than so many people would. Also, most decisions you make now can be changed. This is a process that you, your dog, and your medical team are in together.
Topher
Vet Assistant (in school to be a licensed vet technician)
1.5 years Oncology department, moved to rehab & sportsmed December 2024
Tripawd Angel, Cora the Determined <3
Thank you for your support. It feels like such a roller coaster. Luna is a Velcro dog. So I'm trying to keep her off her leg. It seems to be really bothering her lately. Could the needle aspiration from Friday caused some soreness. Luckily I'm retired so I can focus on Luna. We watch television - well Luna sleeps. Go for a walk. I bring the stroller so when she slows down. She really seems to enjoy it. I am so hoping when her leg comes off she perks up a bit. I just want her not to be in pain.
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