Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I'll be talking to the vet about this in just a few hours; but thought I'd ask on here too.
Spencer's tumor was a very fast growing level 3 fibrosarcoma.
Spencer's tumor grew fast. At removal - 1 week from first noticing it - it was the size of a "jumbo egg" for just the tumor. It looked bigger when in because of all of the swelling around it.
The tumor was in front of the scapula and they removed behind the scapula. They are confident that they got clean margins; but did not send if off for teting because they said that in order to absolutely confirm clean margins on a tumor this size would required LOTS of slides and they still couldn't be sure that they checked all of it. The vet himself did look at the tumor after the amputation and when he opened it up he saw that the entire tumor was enclosed in a membrane and that was all intact. So he is very confident that he got the entire tumor. They removed 2 lymph nodes and both were sent for biopsies. Those came back clean.
My v vet has been consulting with some local veterinary oncologists about Spencer and when I spoke to him last week he was leaning towards not recommending chemo. This was before the biopsy results came in. I'll find out tomorrow if that changes anything with the recommendations. But basically the vet has said that Fibrosarcomas do not tend to spread; but that level 3 tumors do. But... he had also said if the lymph nodes came back clean then it would be likely that this amputation would be a "curative surgery".
So, considering that the lymph nodes were clean and that it looks like they got the entire tumor... will we be likely to need chemo too?
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 opted for no chemo, a big part was that Gus was a very free spirit guy, and if he would have side effects that didn't allow him to enjoy his time I didn't want to put him through that. Several here find the side effect minimal, some find they need to stop after one or two treatments. We did a biopsy and it came back negative, so I never did know for sure what kind of cancer we were dealing with, but it was in the bone. Our vet felt we got it early and would have a t least a year with him, and we lost him 3 1/2 months later, so whatever he had was extremely aggressive. He got a huge lump on his neck starting aboout 6 weeks after surgery, so the one thing I will tell you is there are no guarantees when your on this journey, but I am going to say you need to listen to your vet, and hopefully someone here can give advice from experience. Finances play a part, from what I understand chemo isn't cheap, so if it would put a burden on your families budget, you may need to consider that. Good luck and Paws Up, Spirit Gus and Dan
My buddy Gus had a left front amputation on April 7, 2010 and lived a great life until July 26,2010
With Trouble the approach our vet took was initially not to lean toward chemo, but when the pathology report came back with the oseto contained, and no apparent lung involvement, he changed his mind and recommended chemo. He was consulting with the oncology team at Texas A&M. Chemo was a really tough decision for me. I didn't want to put Trouble through the side effects. He and my husband finally convinced me to do one treatment and see what kind of reaction she had. If it was bad and I wasn't happy, we could stop after that one treatment.
Trouble had minimal side effects, and went on to complete 5 treatments. I don't regret that we did it, but understand it is a personal choice and it isn't for everyone.
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.
We did the chemo weekly for 8 weeks after Skyler had her amputation from the mast cell tumor. She had no side effects, but unfortunately the cancer spread anyway - and we lost her after only 3 months. As Dan said, there are no guarantees with this crap. Whatever your decision is, it will be made out of love - so it will be the right decision for you. Please keep us posted.
Cathy
the vet who has been working with Spencer wasn't in the office today when we went in for the drain removal, so he is going to be calling me to talk after he talks with the oncologist again. The vet we saw today said that fibrosarcomas don't generally respond to chemo as well as other types; but they do respond to radiation if we find that we didn't get all of it. So now I guess i'm waiting until tomorrow to talk to "his doctor".
Thanks guys!
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/
Consider these forum topics for more feedback from others who have done chemotherapy with their dogs:
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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