Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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My 7 years old beagle was diagnosed with bone cancer. After some x-rays on the bone and chest, the vet found that there are some spots in his chest as well. Sometimes his breathing was quite heavy espcially at night. During the day, his breathing was better. I wonder why. It is a sign of he is at the end of the stage?
Out vet advised us to get his leg amputated and proceed with chemo. We are out of mind now and don't know what to do. Whether we should get him for surgery? Will surgery cause more pain to him? Now he is not eating his biscuit at all. We have to hand feed with other food. Anyone could help us? Please advise what shall we do at this stage.
Welcome to you and your pup. This is a very difficult time for you, many of us have been there and know what you are going through. The pain associated with the amputation is relatively short. The worst part of the recovery is over in about 2 weeks. Some of them are hardly affected at all, probably due to the fact that the pain they have been in is gone, and the pain of the amputation is being medicated.
My suggestion is to get a second opinion. That way you have two professional opinions to weigh against one another. Hopefully it will shed enough light so you will feel comfortable making a decision. What ever you decide, it must be a decision that answers the question "What is best for my beloved friend".
Let me assure you, you will agonize over this decision. The good part is that somone will be here for you every step of the way. This is the most wonderful support group.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
I'm sorry you had to find this site, but glad you did find it. I don't know much about the cancer part of this b/c my girl got hit by a car and lost her foot and will lose the rest of the lleg. But everything I've read on this site and others says that the pain of cancer or a shattered leg will be relieved by an amputation. The surgical pain pales in comparison with the other pain. It can also buy quality time with your baby. I know none of the people here would have amputated if they thought their dog's quality of life would be bad afterwords. Nobody knows how long they can get before the cancer comes back or starts growing again, but to many people even a few extra, pain-free weeks or months is worth the amputation. It's a hard decision to say the least. This group has helped me through everything, even if it's just to express my worry and 'talk' about things. We'll be here whatever your decision.
We are sorry to hear about your beagle's diagnosis but you have come to the right place for support and experience. You will agonize about your decision but you should have the conviction that no one knows you companion like you. In the end, you will be able to make the best decision and you should focus all your energy in executing that decision. Recovery from amputation is normally quick and it will end the severe pain. Cherry started her chemotherapy treatments just hours after the surgery. In Cherry's case the chemotherapy was far worse than the amputation. When I drew close to her, I could often taste the chemicals myself. Thus, it was no surprise that her appetite totally shutdown. I had to literally "stuff" nearly every parcel of food for the duration of the chemotherapy (two months.) Based upon your description of the chest x-rays, you probably will want to be as aggressive with the chemotherapy as we were with Cherry. You vet, and the possible second opinion will help.
However, having said that, I can honestly say that the difficulties of the journey were well worth the results. The sparkle has returned to Cherry's eyes, the inquisitive nature that can get into things faster than any body, and the absolute joy of life have all returned. I have a standard recommendation to treat the spirit as well as the body. We have to give them purpose as you go down this journey. Find something they really enjoy and then exploit that love. In Cherry's case, it was (and continues) her daily trips in the car or truck. It was the first occasion where she would willingly take food offered and you can still see the excitement build as the times for these trips approaches. The journey may not be easy, but as with Cherry who has passed the six month of recovery, the journey will have many rewards.
We all wish you the best and have our paws crossed.
Bob & Cherry
Hi there - we are so sorry you had to find us, but happy that you did. I agree with all the advice given here - a second opinion might be worth it unless you have absolute confidence in the Vet that gave you the first opinion. Unfortunately, time is of the essence especially if your fur baby is in a lot of pain. Unfortunately, there are 2 options, one of which is the amputation and one of which is to let him go when he can no longer take the pain. I was out of my mind when I was faced with that decision. How do you make such an enormous life changing decision so quickly?
I cried an ocean the first 2 days (Zeus was not at the level of pain that your baby seems to be in) and then realized that there was no way out of this decision - I couldn't wish it away and I couldn't cry it away. Long story short - I got real quiet with Zeus and layed on the bed with him. I explained everything to him and told him I didn't know what to do - I wasn't sure what he wanted. He responded to me by jumping off the bed, chasing his tail, grabbing his favoritive toy and whipping it around a bit (a playful trait of his) and running to the window and started barking...then he looked back at me as if to say with these strong brown eyes, "I want to live Mom". This is a decision that only you and your fur kid can make - listen to your heart and your beagle - he will help you make this decision.
Less than a week after diagnosis, we amputated. The first 2 weeks are difficult and it's a journey full of uncertainty, life lessons, tears, sadness, hope, joy and appreciation for the simple things in life. Through it all, I have never had one regret. Zeus is over one year post-amputation and doing amazingly well and he continues to bless my life in so many ways.
No matter what you decide, take it one day at a time and know that we're all here for you. I wish you peace as you make this difficult decision.
Love Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
Dear All,
Thanks for all the meaningful feedbacks. It really helps alot. Today we are going for another vet for second opinion and see what we can do for him. Will post up the second opinion later today.
As for the chemotherapy, is it possible by having the chemo course, it will able to kill all the cancerous cell in the chest? How long shall the chemo course takes? Hope someone can share some thoughts here. Thanks.
Hang in there. I think you will find if you proceed with amputation and chemo you will not regret it. These doggies teach us so much. Our fears are not their fears, they just want simple happiness and to be with their owners. (except in our case, there's a debate about who owns who!)
Many dogs live amazingly well with questionable areas in their lungs. It's all about quality of life.
Our girl started breathing heavily before amputation/chemo and still does somewhat, but she can out walk me on days when I am having asthma symptoms and she lives a full and very happy life. And yes, we do have 'suspicious' spots in her lungs also.
We were lucky, Tika breezed through Chemo with no problems, and she is now on metronomic protocol which has actually been a little bit more of a problem because all the pills started upsetting her stomach, but we've got her stabilized now and she's her happy, sassy self.
I feel for you so much, I know how scared you must feel. I completely shut down for several weeks when I found out about Tika. Good luck, let us know what you find out!
--Kim and Tika
Kim and Spirit Tika http://www.tika.....ogspot.com
Dear Kim,
Thanks for your couraging comments. Really hope my beagle able to get through all these. Apart from the pain killers and antibiotics from the vet, we are feeding him with Transfer Factor. Ones to believe that Transfer Factor will able to boost up their immune systems. Do you guys heard about it before?
meiyoong,
We are so sorry to hear about your pup. It's such a shock when you hear a diagnosis like that, and like everyone here has already said, there is no easy way to make that decision about whether to amputate or not. All dogs are different, and there are no guarantees, but the best thing that amputation can do is to quickly relieve your pup from the awful pain of osteosarcoma. That is probably why he doesn't feel like eating, his body is saving up its energy to fight off the cancer.
If your vet feels that he is a good candidate for amputation, that's great news. But only you know your dog better than anyone else, and only you can make that decision to amputate, and /or follow up with chemo. Some people do both, others do not, for many different reasons. Everyone's situation is different, but whatever you decide, we are with you 100 percent of the way.
To answer your most recent question: yes, we have talked about Transfer Factor here before. I was on K9 Immunity , and their Transfer Factor, and my pawrents believe it is what contributed to my longevity after amputation (almost 2 full years). Here's one discussion we had about it. Search the forums and you'll see more.
As far as chemo killing any lung mets; it all depends on the dog. Everyone is so different. We just talked to a dog pawrent today who says her pup's lung tumor actually disappeared after chemo. And sadly, many others don't.
An oncologist can give you the odds based on your pup's current situation, but remember, they are just odds; nine out of ten are wrong!
Keep the faith, and take things one pawstep at a time.
Good luck. Let us know what the other vet says.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Dear Meiyoong:
I think you are doing the right thing - asking for help. That's what we did - it helped so much! We were against amputation - I tought it wouldn't be the right thing if it didn't cure Sam. As the days passed, his resistance to the pain killers meant they were losing affect. We went to a wonderful Oncologist for Palliative Radiation - but that was more or less a waste of time because Sam was in more discomfort by the day - finally I met someone with her 3-legged Chocolate Lab (Sam is a Black Lab) and we got talking about surgery - and she told me about this website - That's when everything changed -
It was a difficult 2 weeks after surgery - but it's worth it - I was on this site daily receiving help and encouragement. Today (3 weeks after the operation) I look at Sam and he's my same good boy with a wonderful smile and a wagging tail - I can not believe how lucky we are to have made this decision. Before, I was holding my breadth every time he took a step because I thought his leg was going to shatter.
So good luck to you and your sweet Beagle - we will think of you and send you good thoughts.
Sally and Sam
Hi All,
As mentioned earlier, we are going for second opinion from other vet. Today we brought along the x-ray films and blood test result to another vet and according to the vet, he rather think that it would be kinda of an bone infection / fungal /bacterial infection rather than osterosarcoma. We are kind of suprised to hear that feedback from him . The reason the vet gaves such comments is because the x-rays shows that there are swelling / suspected tumor at the knee bone of my beagle and the leg bone connected between the knee joint was completely look bristle. According to the vet, osterosarcoma will not spread among two bones.
He suggested us to do a biopsy to confirm the real cause behind all these. Whichever the cause of it my poor beagle's leg has to be amputated as the whole stretch of his leg bone already bristle based on the x-rays. If it is not an osterosarcoma, then we have to worry another thing as his lung x-ray shows a small lump.
What do you guys think about this second opinion? Really worries me.
If you are saying the leg has to be amputated regardless, I would have the biopsy done when the leg is amputated. There is no need to put him through the pain of a biopsy if the amputation is a given. I would be concerned about the place on the lung, but there are therapies that can offer more time even if it is a lung met.
There are two key things to remember here. Take one decision at a time. Get the biopsy results to be certain whether or not there is cancer present. Then you will know whether the lung is a met or maybe something else.
If neither of the consulting vets are oncologists, choose your treating vet and ask him/her to consult with an oncologist. Our vet used one of the closest available veterinary schools as his consulting team. He did all the chemo treatments on their recommendation.
This is the difficult time for you, but trust me you'll get through. Lots of hugs to you as you make those big decisions.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
Please consider asking Tazziedog's opinion in the Ask A Vet forum. Pam is a vet. I don't know what she can offer withous seeing the x-rays, etc. but I am no vet at all. I woud recommend proceeding with the amputaion ASAP though, as it is the only way to eliminate the pain. The specific diagnosis can wait and help you determine if chemotherapy is necessary. Best wishes...
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I don't have anything to add - I would have said the same thing as Shanna - but I wanted to let you know that we're thinking of you. One thing at a time, one day at a time...sometimes one hour at a time and breathe. We will keep you in our prayers...please keep us posted.
Love and cyber-hugs,
Heather and Zeus
Heather and Spirit Zeus - Our life changing journey…from the earth to the heavens…one day at a time…always together
It's been a while i did not update my beagle news to the forum. Last 2 weeks when we was about to go for amputation, last minute the vet called us at night before the surgery, to ask us to send our beagle for biopsy first rather than straight to amputation. She said the amputation surgery is a radical case for them and if it is not done properly, my beagle might having problem in the bowel and balancing. She suggest we go for biopsy first to determine the swelling behind the leg. Although 90% chances will be cancerous cells and 10% chances of bone infection, maybe we are lucky that we strike the 10%.
However things seems does not work that way. Today we receive the bacteriology result from the vet. It says that" A few numbers of Gram-positive cocci organisms were seen on direct smear from swab example. However no bacterial growth on blood and Mac Conkey's agar after 48 hours of incubation at 37 celcius". I think that clearly summarize that it is unlikely the swelling at my beagle's leg would be a bone infection since there are no bacterial growth in the blood. Higher chance of getting cancerous cells, am i right?
I'm so down now. Before i was praying hard that it would turn out to be bone infection. Hope miracles will happen.
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