Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
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Spencer's tumor was on his left front shoulder. It was large (size of a jumbo egg for just the tumor). When they removed the leg and the scapula they also told me they removed more muscle than normal to be sure they got clean margins. I have started noticing in the past few days that there is a sharp distinction/kind of transition from his neck to his shoulder. The cardiologist we saw today said to make sure I bring it to the oncologist's attention on Thursday; but that she *thinks* it is likely the muscle.
Does anyone's else's front amputation dog have a very distinct kind of break with the muscles where the neck goes into the shoulder area where the leg/scapula was removed?
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
This could occur if they removed a lot of muscle. It would be odd (even for a Grade 3 tumor) to grow back so quickly after surgery especially during chemo. A tumor is usually irregular whereas a muscle border would be more delineated. The remaining muscles often hypertrophy (become larger) after a dog adjusts to the tripawd gait so that is probably what you are feeling.
Also I read your other post about his heart. My Tazzie had a larger than normal heart but it functioned normally. I avoided Adriamycin and used carboplatin but she had OSA. Anyway I gave her Coenzyme Q10 to help support heart function so ask your oncologist and cardiologist about this as well as fish oil.
Pam
Thanks for that advice! I already have him on fish oil. I'll definitely ask about the Coenzyme Q10!
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
We noticed similar firm "growth" after Jerry's recovery (front left scapular amputation), and it turned out to just be scar tissue and muscles getting stronger.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
This is my first post and I am so happy to find others with similar sounding symptoms. Our 13yo terrier had rt. front amputation about 5-6 weeks ago. First dose of chemo drugs knocked her for a loop and her WC fell to 690 within a week and she was in ICU for a day. In the last 2 weeks, she's developed a large knot/tumor looking bump that is read and blistery looking, but not oozy or infected looking. My biggest fear is the mast cell has returned, although the only place it was found was in the amputated leg and on a very microscopic level in the lymph node under the scapula of the amputated leg. Vet says that it sounds like possible mast cell return, but not sure because we are still within the window for the chemo drugs to be working. Anyone else heard of this? Our Oncology vet is 1.5 hours away and local vet is awesome, but in a rural setting. We want to give her the best quality of life possible. We are crossing our fingers that Peach is experiencing muscle change and maybe pressure sores? Any info is appreciated.
shirrabo said:
Anyone else heard of this?
Welcome shirrabo, your future posts will not require moderation.
Please consider starting a new topic so the discussion doesn't get mixed up here.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Shirrabo - Spencer's new lump doesn't have any sort of irritation to it, it is all under the skin and is firm. He didn't have a mast cell tumor though, he had a fibrosarcoma (a soft tissue tumor). Aren't mast cell tumors normally closer to the top of the skin? I'd probably get Peach into the local vet to see if this is something that warrants a trip back to the oncologist.
I know for Spencer, last week he started having problems that were indicative of possible heart issues and we went first to our family vet to find out if it was something to warrant a trip to the larger vet center that we are going to for oncology (they also have cardiologists on staff). Turned out it was. But he also had a large sore come up 2 weeks after amputation on his other side and we went to the family vet for that, it turned out to likely be a brown recluse bite and they handled it there rather than us going to the larger place in Atlanta.
good luck!!
Jac and Angel Spencer. Spencer was 5.25 years old. He fought a grade 3 fibrosarcoma, started on his shoulder. Left front leg amputated in August 2011. 15 weeks of chemo finished 12/22/11 (mytox and adria). Lung mets found on x-rays 12/28/11. Started carboplatin 1/6/12. Went to Heaven on 2/27/12. I miss him like crazy every day. See his blog here: http://spencer.tripawds.com/
Thanks so much for your response. I did take Peach to our local vet today. Peach's mast cell was actually in the muscle in the upper part of her right leg. The oncologist said that mast cell is usually thought of as a skin tumor, but they can occur anywhere in the body from soft tissue, organs, skin, etc and that it can be very aggressive, which was news to me. Anyway, after talking to our local vet and her giving Peach the good once over (and may I add, our local vet is fabulous and has been part of every aspect of Peach's care and very involved with our oncologists and advising in our decisions) she decided that most importantly the area isn't infected. Most likely, it is mast cell again and we could only tell if we did a needle aspiration of the site and we agreed that even with the information, the course of action would be the same...increase prednisone, increase antihistamine, add pepcid and 4th generation antibiotic that, if there is some underlying infection, we could treat that. It also could be pressure sores and scar tissue, but probably not.
So, we will not poke our little girl anymore. She is super happy and otherwise healthy...doing all things that a normal 13yo Rat Terrier would do! We will adjust meds as needed and give her EVERY convenience and spoil her absolutely ROTTEN until the time comes that she is no longer a happy girl. She has given us so much love and we owe it to her to give her the best in her final time on earth...be it a week, a month or several years.
It's so nice to have other people to talk to about this. Any other input is very welcome. Thanks everyone!
Bo developed a large muscle-like spot on the amp site. It never bothered him and the vet said it was muscle/tissue. We tried a lot of gentle massage around the amp area to help the muscles and nerve endings. It relaxed us and Bo!
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