Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Hello to all,
My 6yo male bullmastiff was diagnosed with synovial cell sarcoma about 3 weeks ago. Since then, we have had a biopsy and consulted with 3 oncologists in Los Angeles. The consensus is amputation for the best odds of recovery. At this time, the lungs looks clear and I'm told it is very slow growing, i.e. very slow mitotic rate. So...his amputation is scheduled for this Thursday, Feb 12. The sarcoma is in the joint capsule of his rear left leg. Unfortunately, he's had this for at least 6 months already. He developed a small, fluid-filled lump on his ankle last September. His vet said it was just a cyst, and to come back after the holidays and have it removed. Lesson #1: never ignore your gut - I should have requested an aspirate at that time. Ok, back to the present, the oncologist wants to follow-up the surgery with chemo just to be sure we've gotten any 'stray' cells that aren't showing up on xray or ultrasounds. My concern is that he also has a heart murmur and I know chemo is very hard on the body, especially the heart. Does anyone have experience with chemo for a dog with a heart condition? I'm afraid the chemo wouldn't be worth the potential risk to his heart, but I also want to do everything I can to give him many more happy healthy years. Any advice you have is appreciated. Thank you, Jennifer and Titan
Jennifer and Titan it's so nice to see you here, thanks for coming over and posting.
Sorry to hear you're faced with this ruff situation, it's not easy that's for sure. I don't have direct experience with chemo and a hear condition but who is your vet in L.A.? Just curious because we know a few there and I'm nosy 
So what were their recommendations for the type of chemo they would be using (as in which drug)? A good onco will take all of Titan's health issues into consideration before recommending any kind of chemo. Some drugs are harder on certain organs than others. In general the side effects are rare but there is always that chance.
My best recommendation is just what you said, follow your gut. Chemo isn't an absolute, you don't have to do it. But, the good thing is that if you think you want to give it a try, you can always stop if you don't like the side effects. Your onco will know right away if there will be any issues and steer you in the right direction if there are any. I haven't met an onco yet who doesn't place quality of life as their top priority in treating patients.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hello Titan and Jenn!
Sorry you have to be here. but under the circumstances there is no better place to be for support, understand and first hand knowledge...knowledge that can only come from those of us who have been on this crazy journey!
And yes, I am a dog lover AND have been owned by several Bull Mastiffs! I want to jump through the screen and snuggle with Titan!!
My Happy Hannah's avatar is how I saw her pretty much 24/7......walking around with her food bowl in her mouth, just hoping I would fill it!!
My beloved Happy Hannah was a rear leg amp. due tto osteosarcoma...s different "diagnosis" from your Titan, but similar in many ways.
My Happy Hannah was 125 lbs. and somewhat "fluffy"...okay...chunky! She was 8 1/2 at the time of surgery. As in your caxe, and the case of many of us here, the actual "diagnosis" was several months after the first limp or first bump. In Hannah's case, she was treated for a strain or arthriw that seemed to clear up after a little Rimadyl...at first anyway!
This is major surgery and recovery is no picnic. Some dogs take longer to recover than others. Happy Hannah was one of "those". For the first two or three weeks I was xecond guessing my decision and wondering what the heck I had done TO my dog!! But boy oh boy...once recovery took place and her sparkle came back bigger and brighter than before, I knew I had made a great decision FOR her!! She handled mobility on three legs beautifully! I did build a ramp fornher as she had stairs shenhad tonise to go outside. She had no lroblem going down, but many rear leggers have trouble going up.
Oh, and if you have hardwoods, put lots of non slip scatter rugs around for traction .
In her case, she did four rounds of Carboplatin and sailed through with no issues. Some dogs do get nauseous or a bit lethargic for a few days, but they give Cerenia to help with the tummy and their enerw comes back in a day or so. I'm not sure what kind of chemo is being suggested for Titan, but I don't believe Carboplatin is known to harm the heart, but I think some others may have that issue. I'm certainly no vet!
Cannot wait to see more pictures of Titan! Bull Mastiff pictures...nothing cuter! Looks like your Titan is tan and fawn. So was my Happy Hannah. She put on her Angel wings this past April. In June she sent me a five month old Bull Mastiff, Merry Myrtle, for me to love and to be loved back...as only a Bull Mastiff can.
Remember, Titan isn't worried about a thing and could care less about any ole diagnosis! Titan lives in the moment and loves all the loving and spoiling he's going to be getting!! Ohhh yeah...you think you spoiled him before.....the spoiling bestowed upon a tripawd is like no other!!!
Stay connected to us. You are not alone, okay? Let us know how we can help. And stock up on chocolate, it helps!!
Hugs to you and that wonderful Titan!!! Give him a big smooch for me!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
HELLO...I'm in LA also and my girl Shelby had a heart murmur when she had her amp done. Where are you having the surgery? And who might your oncologist be? I am nosy too but I also went through all this last year for a different kind of cancer.
What I can tell you - is that for us - and Shelby was a 24 pound terrier mix, was that it was nerve wracking but she sailed through three surgeries and chemo with her issues. I would talk to your onco and get their advice. I always said I would stop chemo if Shelby didn't tolerate it and aside from some limited upset belly stuff right around treatment, she did great!
Feel free to ask me anything else ...
hugs
alison with the spirit of shelby fur-ever in her heart (and little jasper too)
PS - Shelby has since passed on BUT it was due to the cancer spreading ... not the heart issues or the chemo.
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Jerry, Sally, Alison,
Thank you so much for the information! Sally, Titan would love any and all snuggles. He is a huge marshmallow 
I have also had Bullys for most of my adult life. He is my 3rd rescue and the first ever with cancer 
I ordered the AST get-a-grip harness to help with recovery, and the nice person who took my order recommended I sign up for the forums. I'm glad she did!
I first went to see Dr. Sue Downing at ASEC and another associate of hers (but I can't remember her name at the moment). Dr. Downing is great and she didn't tell me anything that I hadn't already expected to hear based on the research I had done before my appointment. She recommended biopsy to confirm, and then amputation as the only potentially curative treatment. Dr. Polidoro at ASEC did the biopsy to verify the initial diagnosis from the first aspirate. He was also wonderful and will be the doctor doing the amputation this Thursday. Dr. Downing's associate also happens to work at Animal Specialty Group off of Colorado blvd. She mentioned that Dr. Ayl at ASG was using a new technique called Electro Chemo Therapy for some cases of Synovial Cell Sarcoma.
I went to see Dr. Ayl yesterday. He said Titan was not a candidate for ECT because the cancer is in the joint itself, and there is no defined mass to focus the treatment on. He was the doctor who recommended follow-up chemo and recommended I ask ASEC to request a staining of the original biopsy tissue (I guess the lab keeps the specimen for 6 months). The staining will tell us if it is histiocytic (super aggressive) or not. Based on the timeline so far, and the fact that he is in no pain what so ever, my gut says it's not. Dr. Ayl wants Titan to get an echocardiogram before he considers which chemo drug to use.
Thank you again, from Jennifer and Titan
titansmom said
Jerry, Sally, Alison,I first went to see Dr. Sue Downing at ASEC and another associate of hers (but I can't remember her name at the moment). Dr. Downing is great and she didn't tell me anything that I hadn't already expected to hear based on the research I had done before my appointment. She recommended biopsy to confirm, and then amputation as the only potentially curative treatment. Dr. Polidoro at ASEC did the biopsy to verify the initial diagnosis from the first aspirate. He was also wonderful and will be the doctor doing the amputation this Thursday. Dr. Downing's associate also happens to work at Animal Specialty Group off of Colorado blvd. She mentioned that Dr. Ayl at ASG was using a new technique called Electro Chemo Therapy for some cases of Synovial Cell Sarcoma.
I am familiar with ASEC (they are very, very good). We were treated at City of Angels or Advanced Critical Care for our amputation and chemo at Veterinary Cancer Group right next door. You know that compound on Jefferson Blvd in Culver City. Our onco was Avenelle Turner.
It sounds like you have a good plan of action and things are in place!!! Now is the time to surround Titan with tons of positive energy and love ... it definitely helps the recovery!
He looks like a snuggle bug .... we will ALL be thinking of you ... stay close to us. I am so glad they recommended these forums. They were a lifesaver for me as well. Hugs!
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Sounds like you nave a GREAT support team of Specialists. It really appears that they are looking at Titan as an individual, not a number, and addressing his specific needs.
When my Happy Hannah came home, I tried using a towel sling to help support ner. In her case, she just decided not to move at all if I had that on her! Her mobility never was an issue from the get go, but some definitely need harness/sling help for a few days.
Keep us updated when you can. Looking forward to Titan being home and getting on with the recovery process!
He'll be a little druggy when you pick him up, but he will be so happy to see you! I didn't even look at her incision. I just looked straight into her eyes and told her how much I loved her and what a good girl she was! She was just eager to get home, get her treats and get on with being loved and spoiled!!
Just one more "for whatever it's worth" suggestion. Titan's dog bed needs to be supportive enough thst he can stand without "slipping", and comfy enough that it properly supports his joints. I cannot say enough about The Big Barker Bed ! It IS an investment, but you will not be buying replacement bed for years!! No shifting, lumping, etc...it really is the Tempurpedic of dog beds. I really believe it helped my Happy Hannah become so mobile right off the bat and with no further joint issues during the glorious one year and two months bonus time we had together! Click on the "Amazon Smiles" link her and search the Big Barker Dog Bed.
I know you'll be anxious during the surgery. Just remember, Titan will be high as a kite and not feeling a thing!!
Isn't Bull Mastiff slobber the prettiest strands of glistening silver ever!?? (Until they wipe it on you or sling it on the walls!)
Smooches to Titan!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
Just a quick clip showing you how three legs didn't slow Happy Hannah down at all!
VID_20140127_163736.3gp: http://youtu.be.....1Sz7Jf9Ktw
VID_20140127_164007.3gp: http://youtu.be.....zyxiWCX-kY
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!
Hi Alison,
Yes I am familiar with Vet Cancer Group. They were next on my list if I received any conflicting information from the other oncologists. I was planning to see Dr. Mary Rosenburg (I believe) if need be. It is comforting to know that Shelby did so well with her treatment plan, and that you had some quality time with her because of it. That is so wonderful. I can't quit thinking about how angry I am that this cancer is going to steal my healthy baby away from me! Even after feeding him like a king for the past 5 years with raw, homemade meals, filtered water and good supplements, this is still happening! It's heartbreaking. I will definitely keep showering my big sweetie with lots of love!
Hi Sally,
WOW! LOOK AT HER GO! That is awesome! Thank you so much for the videos. Right now I have Titan and his 'sister' Athena sharing a twin-sized inner spring mattress (for humans). It sits in my bedroom next to my bed, and gets moved to the living room whenever they are recovering from anything and I don't want them trying to use the stairs. I just push it up in front of the couch so I sleep on the couch and they are right there next to me. They seem to be very comfortable and since it is about 5 - 6 inches deep, they can get up from it pretty easily. If he seems to have any trouble, though, I will definitely check out the bed you suggested. And yes, the slobber is something to love. We call him 'catfish' when he gets some good strands hanging from both sides I especially love when he shakes his head and the slobber gets glued across the front of his face. Then he looks at me like 'hey mom, could you fix this please?'. His facial expressions are true language to me!
Any time a giant breed has a heart murmur I would check it out since they are prone to cardiomyopathy. I assume his heart was a normal size on the chest xray but that does not tell you how it is functioning. Adriamycin is the main chemo drug to avoid in case of heart problems since it is cardiotoxic but carboplatin is fairly benign. I would try to get an echocardiogram done prior to surgery if possible since amputation on a dog that size can take several hours.
Pam
Hi Pam,
Thank you! I have just called and left a message with the surgeon to verify the echocardiogram. They may have done this before his biopsy two weeks ago, but I will make sure. His type of murmur is called pulmonic stenosis, and I don't believe his heart is enlarged, but I will verify.
Take care, Jennifer and Titan
Pawesome Jennifer, you are getting some great care at the clinics and do you love this community or what?! Dr. Pam is our Fairy Vet Mother, who taught us a Lot about giant breed Tripawds through her experience with her beloved English Mastiff Tazzie. You can see her videos here.
Video Interviews with Dr. Pam Wiltzius
and her helpful post, here:
I was also reminded that one of our earliest members was a Tripawd named Titan!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes Jerry!
I am so thankful for the help and support from everyone that has commented. I am scared, but seeing and hearing about the success of others is helping to ease my fear. I am an engineer, so the more data points I have for comparison, the more comfortable I feel about the decision. Thank you for the support and encouragement! I will continue to post on the outcome of his surgery and recovery.
Jennifer and Titan
Hello All,
Titan made it through his surgery on Thursday. The procedure took about 3 hours and the surgeon said his heart was monitored the entire time. Thankfully there were no issues or any sign of abnormalities such as arrhythmia. I went to sit with him for a couple of hours today because he cannot come home until tomorrow at the earliest. They seem to be managing his pain well with IV doses every 4 hours. They are also injecting a pain killer into the wound site through a diffusion catheter. The wound looks very swollen but they assured me this was normal and partially due to the fluids injected into the catheter. I received his AST get a grip harness today, and it looks like it will be very helpful and supportive when I pick him up tomorrow.
I'm wondering if 2 days in the hospital is enough time or if I should ask them to watch him another day. Where we live is at least 45 minutes away from anyone who could help him if he hemorrhages. How long did the hospital keep your dog for monitoring post-op?
I will send some pictures when he gets home
Thank you everyone!
Jennifer and Titan (aka Tri-tan)
Oh what pawesome news! Best Valentine's Day ever!
Most dogs recuperate at their vet's office anywhere from overnight to a few days. Those in need of extra help, whether it's due to their size or age or pre-existing health conditions may stay longer depending on how fragile they are. I think that if it makes you feel better to leave him there another night, just for your peace of mind, then by all means do it. His homecoming will be off to a better, more relaxed start if you feel confident when he comes home.
Oh, I understand your concern about being far away from vet care. If it's any reassurance at all, I can't think of a single case right now where a dog needed to be rushed to the vet at a moment's notice because of post-surgery complications. When something does happen, which again, isn't always, it usually develops over a day or two with plenty of notice to get to care. Hope that makes you feel better!
Glad you got the harness
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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