Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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It has taken 2 days for the news to sink in, but the biopsy results have come in following Anjing's front right leg and shoulder amputation. The surgeon said it is not the best nor the worst news but the biopsy came back as FibroSarcoma Stage III. He said that he got as good margins as he could possibly get during the surgery but there is no way of knowing if he got everything. Anjing is doing great, I think he is feeling a LOT better without his painful leg, we are taking one day at a time and getting our boy better. Today is day 8 and though he is sleeping a lot (mostly due to the heavy does of tramadol) he is eating, peeing and pooping on a regular schedule now (First poopy at 5 days) - he is getting balanced on his 3 legs and seems much more confident even though the nervous mother I am is still "assisting" with a sling when we venture outside.
Now we need to consider the future. The surgeon said that typical follow up is a chest xray every three months to monitor him OR we could look into Chemotherapy. As a preliminary step we have made a consult appointment with an Oncologist at the center where the surgery took place. The appointment is next week. I would like to prepare a list of questions so that I remember to ask all of the right things when I see the Dr. Does anyone have suggestions? My basic questions are how aggressive is this type of cancer? What is the realistic expectation? What does Chemotherapy involve? We love our dog and want him to be comfortable.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments.
Hello Anjing's mom, welcome to Tripawds. Your future posts will not have to wait for approval.
I'm sorry cancer has brought you here, but this is a wonderful community of people with support and information to share.
It's good to hear that Anjing's surgery is over and he is doing well.
Here is a Blog Post about questions to ask your oncologist.
I hope this helps- I'm sure others will have some suggestions for you.
Keep us posted on the path you choose.
Karen and The Spirit Pug Girls
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi and welcome....I think there is a place on this website for questions to ask your oncologist ; maybe in one of the e-books. We did chemo with our Dobe, Nitro, and chose not to do X-rays. After his amp surgery, 6 doses of chemo, and now metronomic therapy (low dose daily oral chemo) I feel all that can be done for him IS being done. So we are just living and loving life. This place and the people here are the greatest! We will be with you every step of the way.
paula and nitro
Nitro 11 1/2 yr old Doberman; right front amp June 2014. Had 6 doses carboplatin, followed by metronomic therapy. Rocked it on 3 legs for over 3 years! My Warrior beat cancer, but couldn't beat old age. He crossed the Bridge peacefully on July 25, 2017, with dignity and on his terms. Follow his blog entitled "Doberman's journey"
"Be good, mama loves you".....run free my beautiful Warrior
Thank you so much! This is perfect. There is so much love and sharing here.
Wait! We have some things to celebrate!! Pooping after FIVE days??? YAAAAAAAAAY FOR POOP!!
Eating well already and getting along pretty good on three legs already?? YAAAAAAAAAY FOR ANJING!!
My Happy Hannah had osteo and I did opt to do chemo. She sailed through four rounds of chemo (Carboplatin) without any cliches whatsoever. Some dogs on occasion experience a little nausea, but you are sent home with Cerenia should that happen ad that usually takes care of that. Some dogs may experience a couple of days of being tired, but that also clears up pretty quickly too. I know this sounds crazy, but I actually thing Hannah's first chemo treatment even made her feel better!! Her recovery was a little rough and I didn't start her chemo until the third week so she could be in good shape prior to the treatment. Her recovery really took off after that first treatment!!
In Happy Hannah's case, each chemo appointment was over and done within thirty minutes ish! She didn't mind car rides and didn't mine visiting the vet. I also knew I could stip at anytime shuld she have problems.
Your Onco. will give you "statistics" and "prognosis". We've all learned here that statistics and prognosis don't mean much around here. Some dogs beat the odds whether they do chemo or not...some get less time whether they do chemo or not. As far as xrays, I think I did them maybe ince during her chemo...after that, made a decision nkt to do the anymore unless there was a real need. Like Paula, I jad pretty much done all I could do so we just made sure we treated each day like the magical gift that it was.
We are all jere for you. We certainly understand the intensity of this journey like no others can!
Take some deep breaths...eat a bag of chocolate..., or two.....and know that all is well in Anjing's world!! You are doing a great job!
Sending love and a kot of hugs!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
One thing we all know..any day our dogs have without pain is a GREAT DAY!! Quality is what this whole journey is about. That, and living in the moment and letting NOTHING interfere with your time together!
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!
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