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.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Well, bad news keeps getting badder. We got the path report just as I was starting to meet with the oncologist (Dr. Kelly) and to our shock, it isn't osteosarcoma at all. Hemangiosarcoma in the bone. Apparently very rare and even more aggressive than osteo. She's not even recommending chemo, says it doesn't work. She has mentioned the metronomic protocol and tyrosine kinase inhitibors (Paladia) as being possibilities down the road, but even then we're still only looking at 3-4 months tops. We can't get started with anything because Tshuvah's kidney levels are elevated, which the vet thinks accounts for her lack of appetite. So today I'm sitting in the cancer care center with Tshuvah while we flush her kidneys with saline. She has a catheter and I think I'm going home with more saline to flush her again tomorrow. This is just for quality of life, to try to get her eating again. We don't know why her kidneys are malfunctioning, whether it be an acute issue related to surgery or the post-amp meds, or if she's in early kidney failure. I guess we'll know based on her reaction to this flush-out.
I know nothing about hemangiosarcoma since I've been researching OS all this time, so I'm off to poke around on the web. I know its bleak, though, the vet said as much.
Thanks for listening and caring about my girl,
Beth
Beth with my beloved Tshuvah, 10 year old "TaosDog". Provisional diagnosis osteosarcoma on 6/10/10, amputation of left foreleg same day, firm diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma 6/24/10. Set free on 9/9/10. Treasured forever.
http://labrador.....ipawds.com
Oh Beth, I'm so sorry.
Yes, hemangio is a nasty cancer. It doesn't pop up here very often. Here is a discussion that Toto started back in October '09, when Toto was diagnosed with a link to another pup's story, Luna. The good news is, Toto is still doing OK and Luna beat it for almost a year I think.
Here is what our favorite vet, Tazzie has to say about it in this discussion:
"There has been some success treating HSA with surgery followed by 5 doses of Adriamycin 2 weeks apart. You can then give metronomic chemo a try or I would consider the new drug from Pfizer (Palladia). It is
marketed for mast cell tumors but may help with other metastatic cancers. It is an oral med that you can only get from an oncologist at this time.
This is a rare location for this tumor and unfortunately cancer is more aggressive in younger dogs but that doesn't mean that you can't fight!"
The battle will be tough but it's not hopeless. Try your best to stay pawsitive, and we'll do our best to be there for you and Tshuvah. Many, many hugs going out to you.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
beth, sorry to hear of this turn for tshuvah. you are right to consider her quality of life first - hopefully you can get those kidney #s back down, and she will start enjoying her moments more. paws crossed that she improves.
gayle & charon
Life is good, so very, very good!!! Gayle enjoyed each and every moment of each and every wonderful day (naps included). She left this world December 12, 2011 – off on a new adventure.
Love Never Ends
OH BETH!!! This just hits me so hard! I've gone through hemangiosarcoma. Not the rare bone kind.
I'm so, so very sorry about Tshuvah! Did they do an ultrasound? I hear that best way to see if it's in the vital organs.
Hemangio is common in german sheps. It's a blood type cancer which is why it's so damned aggressive. From my understanding, it makes it's own blood vessels of tumors and they rupture, then bleed. My vet said they are so fast growing that it's usually only about 2 months from when they rupture.
I'm not going to write my experience because it may not be the same as hemangio in the bone. And I don't want to scare you.
My heart goes out to you. I'm so sorry.
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
I am so sorry to hear this news about Tshuvah; this sucks. Your poor girl.
Have my fingers crossed the kidney flush helps and her appetite is restored and she will feel better.
What a shock this must have been to hear. I am so sorry.
Catie -
Birthday – November 4 2003
Amputation – January 13 2010
Crossed the Bridge – June 2 2011
I'm very sorry, Beth, the news was not better. Don't forget, statistics are only numbers. No one knows how long we really have. Good thoughts for you and Tshuvah and ((hugs)) for you.
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.
Oh Beth, I'm sorry to read this latest news. We'll keep fingers and paws crossed for Tshuvah that the kidney flush works and that she starts feeling a little better. And we're sending healing thoughts to her, too. We're here for you... and will hope for the best. Like Shanna (Trouble's mom) said, stats are only numbers...
Hugs, hugs, hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
I'm sorry to hear your news. Shows how much cancer sucks that OSA would be good news. I'm praying for you and Tshuvah.
Debra & Angel Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
Beth,
Certainly not the news you were ready for- I hope the flush helps her feel better.
I know you are dealing with a lot right now so maybe tuck this away for later- a helpful site to learn about kidney issues in dogs.
There is also a yahoo group called K9kidneys- not quite like this site, but they do offer some help.
Maggie was diagnosed with stage 1 kidney failure back in February, so we dealt with that in addition to her 2 cancers over her last three months. Mag's kidney failure was manageable- but getting her to eat was frustrating- its why I was syringe feeding her for most of three months.
Please let me know if I can help with anything. I can share more of my experiences with dealing with kidney failure and cancer (Mag had mast cell and melanoma). Send me a PM if you want to.
Karen and the pug girls
cometdog said:
OH BETH!!! This just hits me so hard! I've gone through hemangiosarcoma. Not the rare bone kind.
I'm so, so very sorry about Tshuvah! Did they do an ultrasound? I hear that best way to see if it's in the vital organs.
Thanks. Its a terrible time.
X-rays and ultrasound were clear so its good we amputated to get the primary tumor. but the kidney thing is a big problem, I can't start anything until we see if Tshuvah's kidneys will clear or not. i've just done saline sub-Q 200cc as instructed. After her lunchtime zofran I'll syringe feed her if she won't eat willingly.
If her kidneys don't clear by tomorrow, after one more sub-Q, apparently we are in early kidney failure. Between that and the HA diagnosis, we'll have to say goodbye to Tshuvah quite soon. Her quality of life right now is quite poor, she clearly doesn't feel well.
What an awful day…and its my birthday to boot. One of those birthdays best forgotten.
Beth
Beth with my beloved Tshuvah, 10 year old "TaosDog". Provisional diagnosis osteosarcoma on 6/10/10, amputation of left foreleg same day, firm diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma 6/24/10. Set free on 9/9/10. Treasured forever.
http://labrador.....ipawds.com
I'm a bit speechless...I want to say that's great about the lack of tumors but then you still have the kidneys to worry about.
And then I want to say Happy Birthday to you! I know you don't want to celebrate but maybe you'll be granted your birthday wish. Be sure to make it.
Will you please let know what happens tomorrow? Do the vets think the kidneys is a secondary problem unrelated to hemangio?
I wish we could reach out and give you a big hug. We all were cheering Tshuvah's recovery and were sending out such good energy. We'll keep that up.
And just remember, we are here for you.
Comet's mom
Comet - 1999 to 2011
She departed us unexpectedly January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.
She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.
Oh Beth I am so sorry...but please please don't give up yet....if you can bring those kidneys around (OJ was in kidney failure since November, and I got him six months by doing the sub Q fluids) maybe you can still get a rally....I don't know anything about that cancer but I do know about aggressive....good luck with the appetite and you might try Miss Cherry's miracle biscuits...Hills Prescription Hypoallergenic Biscuits...Magic HATED the regular treats they put out but those hypoallergenic ones...some days that was what he ate. I would suggest tri tip and the cooked chickens from the store that worked for us for quite a while, but that is a lot of protein..only protein and I don't know what that would do with the kidney problem....know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Well, Tshuvah has decided that elk jerky is the best thing going, so she is eating at least that. I'm not worrying about too much protein now, we just need to re-establish her appetite. I just came back from our local health food store with elk, buffalo, ahi tuna, turkey, and venison jerky. gosh, what an animal rights advocate and vegetarian won't do for her dog!
Thanks for your prayers, we need and appreciate them. I'd hate to be going through this without y'all.
Beth
Beth with my beloved Tshuvah, 10 year old "TaosDog". Provisional diagnosis osteosarcoma on 6/10/10, amputation of left foreleg same day, firm diagnosis of hemangiosarcoma 6/24/10. Set free on 9/9/10. Treasured forever.
http://labrador.....ipawds.com
Dear Beth,
We're keeping the prayers and healing thoughts going for you and Tshuvah. We're all here for you, and are all hoping the subq fluids (not to mention the elk jerky!) work for her. We're hoping for a happy birthday for you... with a happy Tshuvah to make you happy! Please keep us posted.
Hugs, hugs, and more hugs,
Holly, Zuzu and Susan
Holly joined the world of tripawds on 12/29/2009. She has a big little sister, Zuzu, who idolizes Holly and tries to make all of her toys into tripawds in Holly's honor. And she's enjoying life one hop at a time!
http://anyemery.....ipawds.com
Hi Beth,
I did the same thing with Mag- didn't worry about the kidney diet- just fed her what she would eat, and for her it was mostly syringe feeding- although sometimes after I got some food in her with the syringe she would eat on her own. Mag had a good quality right up to the end- but she had a different type of cancer, and was way past her amp when the kidney problems started.
Ongoing positive thoughts coming your way.
Karen and the pug girls
1 Guest(s)
