Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Wrigley has been diagnosed with bone cancer, he is scheduled for a biopsy tomorrow. I have been trying to find as much info as possible and found information that supports a biopsy is not necessary. Is it? I feel a panic as to what to do. Can anyone help?
We are so sorry to hear about Wrigley. When I got diagnosed, I didn't have a bone biopsy, the docs were pretty confident I had osteosarcoma. I went straight from the MRI to the amputation.
My pawrents have heard that bone biopsies are very painful, and some people have told us they would have rather just done the amputation first. How come your vet is recommending the biopsy?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sorry to hear about Wrigley 's dx.
Genie did not have biopsy either. When the x-ray came out, the vet said she was gravely concerned because the top humerus had all the common characteristics of bone cancer i.e. lytic lesion, sunburst pattern. Radiologist's reading also suggested bone cancer. We went ahead with amputation two days later. A couple of weeks later, histopathology report confirmed that it was indeed osteosarcoma.
As Jerry has said, bone biopsy procedure is very painful. Generally this step is skipped if there is obvious evidence of bone tumor growth.
I would agree that a biopsy is not usually indicated unless you are in an area where systemic fungal disease (such as Blastomycosis in the Midwest) is prevalent because sometimes fungal disease can spread to the bone. Still, if it looks like bone cancer it probably is. I did not biopsy the bone on my dog Tazzie until after the leg was already removed. In my opinion it is a painful procedure, can lead to fracture of the leg and delays amputation while waiting for results. It is also possible to get a false negative result if the tumor is missed.
Good luck with Wrigley,
Pam and Tazzie
I'm not sure why she is wanting a biopsy. My husband spoke with her by phone on Fri., I was not home. We were waiting to hear confirmation from the radiologist who looked at the x-rays. I have a lot of questions for her. I will not be doing this step if she can not tell us it is 100% necessary! We have a 8:00 appt. today. This site has helped me tremendously with information and coping. Needless to say there have been many sleepless nights already!
Thank you
So sorry to hear about Wrigley!! We did have a bone biopsy done on Max, but it was done while he was under anesthesia, after his lung radiographs. The orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed was sure that it was osteosarcoma, but also said he always recommends a biopsy just to be 100% sure. At that point we were willing to do anything that would give us a chance that he was wrong. Unfortunately, he was correct. As far as pain with it, I really didnt notice much increase after the procedure with Max. He was already in so much pain that Im not sure I would have been able to tell anyway. His bone was at the point of shattering. We were lucky to catch it before that happened. They did it with a Jamshidi needle and he did have 4 stitches afterwards, but again, he was completely under. They put a rush on the results so the waiting time was only 3 days. We did the amp the day after the results came back. Im so sorry that you are dealing with this. Its a very hard thing to comprehend and even more difficult to make decisions when you are so emotionally distraught. Hang in there and do what you feel in your heart is best. Depend on your vet for guideance and make the decision and dont look back.
Thinking of you both…and lots of Labby hugs your way!
Paula
Paula and Spirit Max
Thanks so much for everyones care and concern. We opted not to do the biopsy today. After a million questions for the vet she conceded (basically) that we will get the info needed, to proceed with treatment, from a CT scan. We will be going to WSU on Thurs. We moved about a year ago so we really haven't established a relationship with the vet. We are seeing our second one. Are there things any of you wished you had known, or questions you should/could have asked before you started down this path? I felt empowered with "some" knowledge today at the Dr's. (normally very quiet and not one to ask many questions) so I will continue to read and gather as much info as possible.
Hopefully you will be fortunate enough to have a vet that will give you information that prompts you to ask questions. Are they suggesting chemo and if so what type. Side effects? Is there a clinical study that Wrigley could be part of to assist in the deference of cost? We were going to have Max participate in one (because at this point there is absolutely nothing to loose by doing it) but after his Thromocytopenia dx he isnt eligible anymore. Where did they find the bone cancer at? I didnt see that in your first post. I know we have all said it before, but Ill say it again...lean on all of us. Some like myself are still new at this, but there are others with so much to share. Im sure you will get some other posts with helpful information and if not...be strong and lead your pack! Wrigley is lucky to have you as a Mom!!
Paula and Spirit Max
HI everyone,
Is this another Wrigley we are talking about in this new post to biopsy or not? Wrigley in CA ( Carmichael CA to be exact) had her biopsy done weeks ago... sounds like there is another Wrigley. I am confused on this post.
Wrigley in CA had her biopsy done to confirm the xray of cancer. Her Dr. wanted to be certain before he recommended amputation, and as you all know it was cancer and we went ahead with the amputation of her left front leg on Dec. 22. They probably didn't do a very invasive biopsy at that time because she really was fine when she came home from that procedure. After amputation they did more biopsies to confirm it was osteosarcoma and not anything else.
Let me know if we have another Wrigley here so I can make sure I keep my stories straight.
thanks
Seanne ( Wrigley's mom)
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
wrigley said:
HI everyone,
Is this another Wrigley we are talking about in this new post to biopsy or not? Wrigley in CA ( Carmichael CA to be exact) had her biopsy done weeks ago… sounds like there is another Wrigley. I am confused on this post.
I thought about that too, what a funny coincidence! Byquist, where on this planet do you and your Wrigley live?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Yes, there is another Wrigley, but he's male( a choc. lab). We'll call him WrigleyII
. We live very near Spokane, WA, as I said, we moved about a year ago from Puyallup WA. Another coincidence since I saw that someone posting is from there. Yes, when I saw the post with "girl" Wrigley I thought what are the chances of that?! She must have a husband that is a baseball fan too.
His tumor is in his wrist. His limp is getting worse by the day. We have some pain meds for now, I hope they help some until we get to WSU and do what needs to be done to help him. Something I didn't think to ask the vet and she had not addressed(waiting for a return call) - Is it dangerous for him to be running around? I read something about the possibility of the tumor fracturing! His limp is terrible but take him outside for a walk and he goes crazy! You'd never know anything was wrong. Ths seven feet of snow we have probably helps the impact of running
A daily walk is the only thing that makes him happy so of course we feel guilty not taking him out. I would hate to do more harm than good!
Thanks for all the encouragement and prayers. I would be a basketcase had I not found this site! The posts I read really make me think and ask a lot of questions. Wrigley is everything to us! We have no children, he is our baby. We lost his sister last Feb. We have barely gotten over that and now this! I know as a family we can, and will be strong!!
Welcome Wrigley ll - this is the other Wrigley's mom (yes, big baseball fans in our house- our other dog is Rookie)
I don't know how long your Wrigley has been limping. Our Wrigley limped off and on for a couple of weeks before we made our first trip to the vet. Our first set of xrays didn't really show the cancer in the area that it was ( the scapula) and Wrigley was not as lame at first. It was after about a month that she got to the point she would not put any weight on it at all even on both meticam and tramadol for pain. Up till then she was also very excited to go for her daily walk. I too was worried about hurting it more so we went for car rides instead of walks.I took her everywhere I could. That made her happy too.
I am glad you found this site. It will definitely help in this difficult time. We see the oncologist tomorrow and because of this site I have a stack of information to take with me to hopefully help with our decision and next step.
One thing you know for sure is that everyone of us here loves our dogs. Please know we will all be thinking of you and sending good thoughts your way. Good luck.
Seanne and Angel Wrigley
Spokane Wrigley,
We live in Puyallup with our dog Tazzie. I am a veterinarian. WSU is a great place to go for surgery and oncology. There are several different chemo plans for osteosarcoma, but most oncologists use carboplatin every 3 weeks for 4 or 5 treatments. Side effects are rare and usually involve nausea or a low white cell count. Tazzie had her last treatment about 3 weeks ago and her only reaction was a picky appetite and mild diarrhea for a few days after the first two treatments. I put her on probiotics and the diarrhea went away. Carboplatin is now generic so is much cheaper than in the past. I do not personally know any vets in Spokane but I would ask WSU who they might recommend. I would pick someone who is familiar with chemo and its side effects.
Any questions let us know!
Pam and Tazzie
Hi Tazzie and Wrigley's mom,
When we think back Wrigley II has been limping off and on for about eight weeks. Funny, but I had taken him to the vet before that, for a check-up and I was concerned because he seemed to be panting a lot. I told the vet he "just doesn't seem right", couldn't explain it, but I could sense it. The vet did x-rays on his chest. She did not see anything alarming, some normal aging spots (he will be 9 next month) and he has a slightly enlarged heart, blood work looked fine. (When WrigleyII was about three he went into kidney failure due to a antibiotic he was taking, we almost lost him then! I don't know if that is the cause for his heart? ) Weeks later we took him in for his limp, she checked his leg, the lump was very small then. It didn't bother him when she poked and prodded, she heard a click in his wrist, but thought maybe arthritis in his shoulder. Wrigley has bad hips and some arthritis in his back(takes Metacam). Take shorter walks, take it easy she said. Went back again with the intent to get x-rays done, saw different Dr., talked me out of it said it was a sprain, but if the lump got larger he would want x-rays to look at it. Finally got them done a week later because his limp was worse. They sent to the radiologist and here we are
.
Thank you for all the helpful information. I haven't gotten to all the info for chemo yet, I feel so overwhelmed with just these beginning steps. My head is spinning. Family and friends asking so many questions. I'm trying to relay all this info to my husband, he works, I don't. I know I will have to have faith in the Dr at WSU, I have always heard good things, tomorrow can't come fast enough!
Thanks All- I'll keep you updated and I'm sure I'll have more questions!
Good luck tomorrow. Tazzie's right, you are in very, very good hands over there.
The way they discovered the lump in Wrigley is so classic, I think just about all of us have gone through that process of first it's a sprain, then it's arthritis, then it's....
My Mom and Dad felt the same way you did about me when I was showing little signs. Something just wasn't right but nobody could seem to figure it out. You've done everything right by following your Dog Mom instinct, and you will condinue to do so, so hang in there.
Tazzie, how come vets don't seem to catch it as fast as we'd like? Is it because they dont' want to assume the worst?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
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