Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hi,
How long does it usually take to get the biopsy results back? Fergus' amputation was a week ago yesterday and we haven't heard anything.
Thanks,
Tara & Fergus
Huh - I would have thought you'd have it by now. I can't remember exactly with Abby, but I think they told us a week, but we actually ended up getting the results a lot earlier. I think we did the biopsy on a Thur and had the results on the Monday.
I'd call and check.
All the best,
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Tate's took a long time, multiple sections, multiple staining techniques, consultations with multiple pathologists. They really did try to do a good job. I don't remember exactly how long. On the other hand, it could be sitting in your oncologist's inbox.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Bo's took a while too. We were told a week and it was more like two. Sending healing thoughts your way!!
I think we got our back in about a week-10 days. The kicker with Gus' was it came back negative, vet said he had taken samples from 4 differnt spots in the bone, but we did the amp anyway. I think I'd call, Paws Up,
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
Spencer's first one (when they went in to see if it would be possible to remove just the tumor) was sent off on Thursday and we had results on Monday. After his amputation, they didn't send the tumor off for a biopsy. We already knew what it was and it was SO big that they said it would be almost impossible to ever really know if we got 100% clean margins. They did go in at the vet's office and look and were able to see that the tumor had a membrane around it and verified that that was all intact. They also did send his lymph nodes off for biopsy and I think we got those results on Friday, after they were sent in on Wednesday.
We sent some stuff off for another biopsy this past Thursday and they expect to have the results on Monday.
Was his tumor particularly large? Maybe if it was a really big tumor and they still want to make sure of clean margins, it might take a lot longer?
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 got the results back this morning. It is osteosarcoma, as expected. I think you always hope the doctor was wrong, but I was prepared. Next step will be chemo. Fergus had a great day. We went to the vet to get a puncture wound (from the Cone of Shame) repaired, came home and took a "long" walk. We went to the mailbox and back which is about a 1/4 mile round trip. He didn't need the sling and did not lie down for a rest. I was so proud of him and I think he was excited as well. Each day he gets stronger. We are hoping once he gets his staples out, he can start working on steps. Every day gets a little better!! When he came home after the amp it was very difficult and you all assured me things would improve.
Have a great night everyone and thank you for your support,
Tara & Fergus (the Irish Wolfhound)
Well, you're right we all hope and then it is a bit of a punch in the stomach. But my oh my what great news about how well Fergus is doing! 1/4 mile walk already! Gotta like that!
Jan & Tate
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
every day gets a little better - that is great news. hold on to the good and keep enjoying each and every moment. a quarter mile...geesh, i hardly drive that far!!
charon & gayle
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
Good for Fergus! How old is he? I'm too old to walk 1/4 mile without bribery. Keep up the good work!
Shari
From abandoned puppy to Tripawd Warrior Dude, Dakota became one of the 2011 February Furballs due to STS. Our incredibly sweet friend lived with grace and dignity till he impulsively raced over the Bridge on 12-15-12.
Dakota's thoughtful and erudite blog is at http://shari.tr.....pawds.com/
That's excellent that Fergus is feeling good!
So sorry about the Osteo diagnosis. I know you expected it but still...
Lots of pawsitive thoughts coming your way!
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.
There is peace in knowing---either way. Now, give Fergus some time to heal, and you all will have some beautiful memories together! Keep us posted!
Fergus is 5 years old. This morning his 2 year old brother was taunting him, running around him in circles. I think if Fergus had been off leash, he would have given him a run for his money!!
When my 4 year old greyhound Rowan had his leg amputated the vet said it would take 10-15 days before the results came back because they had to dissolve the bone. Which was slightly too much detail.
But she chased it up after 10 days because she said that the labs deal with so many "rush jobs" that they tend to overlook the ones that have been sitting there for a while ... even tho the owners would be as worried as anyone else. I can see that's human nature, to focus on the "emergency" tests, and it's worth bearing in mind.
We were all expecting OS even tho the 6 previous bone biopsies taken pre amp had been inconclusive ... tho they had said it was not an aggressive form of whatever it was. But it turns out NOT to have been any form of cancer, rather a very rare malformation of the blood vessels in the bone ... which would have caused either the bone to fracture suddenly or a thrombosis. So the right decision, albeit for the wrong reasons.
Sorry Fergus had a positive result, but it does sound as if he's learning to cope very quickly indeed. Ro still gets very tired although the jangle of the leash and the word "Walkies" gets him very excited indeed, he can only manage a slow stroll up the lane ATM.
Yowza! A quarter mile? That's really amazing! Where's the Gold medal? Go Fergus!
Yeah, the Osteo diagnosis is a ruff one but knowledge is power. And not everyone is right about those statistics....just check out Io the Wolfie, and there's my friend Finnegan too who made those doctors look so silly with their prognosis!
What a great update, thanks!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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