Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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Foxy has been doing well these last few months. Friday we took her in for her checkup and wanted an X-Ray of her back since it's been sensitive in one spot.
The X-Ray showed a bit of disc compression and a some spondylitis in her hip. It also showed an enlarged mass where her spleen should be.
Results were sent to radiology…the pain medicine given for the back had her running around the house like a puppy.
Sunday we got the bad news. They predicted Hemangiosarcoma at the Spleen. This morning she had surgery.
The good news was in the end it's looking more like Lymphoma…bad news is that's not common around the spleen as much so it may be a secondary tumor. The spleen had to come out but it looked like everything was well encapsulated so nothing had 'spread' around the site.
She's doing well. She was craving food and pretty active when she got home…now she's sleeping away.
Pathology will determine what type of cancer we are really looking at and the true prognosis. Being we caught it early and she wasn't showing signs of it is a good thing.
She's about 12 years old so she's had a good life so far. Hopefully we can get a couple more years for her, I am not going to do anything that will deteriorate her quality of life to suit my own desires.
Anyone have experiences with this?
Foxy | Golden Ret./Corgi Mix | Born on Date ~1999 | Tripawd mode – 10/02/2009 | RIP - 03/05/2012
Sorry to hear about that, but glad to hear the procedure went well.
The only experience we have with such matters is the splenic hemangiosarcoma tumor diagnosis video we did with Dr. Pam.
Good luck, please keep us posted.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh, I'm so sorry to hear about Foxy. Foxy was my Comet's somewhat twin!
Comet didn't have any symptoms and when she died, she had suspected hemangio in her spleen. Since she was 12 1/2 years old and tired, I couldn't do anything but let her go. It all happened so fast (within a couple of hours). But the vet agreed it would be too much on her since she was bleeding internally.
Comet's companion of 8 years had died of hemangio of the heart. And he, too just collapsed and was gone a couple of hours later before we could get it diagnosed.
So, I sure hope Foxy doesn't have hemangio. It's a nasty blood cancer from my understanding. It grows tumors on vital organs. When one bursts, it sometimes won't stop bleeding and therefore they are bleeding internally. I guess it is fairly common in geriatric dogs. I don't know, that is just what I'm told. But I've had it happen twice within two years of each other.
I don't want to scare you or anything. I just thought I'd tell you my experience, which could be totally nothing like Foxy's.
I am sending you all my best for Foxy.
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.
Hi, and welcome back.
I couldn't remember Foxy's story so I looked up your original post.
Are you asking if anyone has had experience with those particular cancers or treating cancer in general?
I know some of us here have dealt with more than one cancer, and many of us have experience juggling multiple health issues in tripawds.
As with all cancer diagnosis you have to do your research and decide what is the best option for Foxy. You sound like you are aproaching this the right way- putting Foxy's quality first.
Its good to hear that the meds for her back have her bouncing around again. Let us know when you get the path report back.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Hi Foxy,
I hope you don't mind but I moved your post here, since we're talking about treatment for cancer and not necessarily the really sad stuff. I hope that was alright.
It's so good that you came through the surgery. Sounds like you have a great doctor to help you right now. I wish I had some wise words to say about hemangio or lymphoma but right now I don't. I just hope that whatever it is you have it will be gone for good! Your pretty smile really makes our day.
Keep on keepin' on and let us know how you're doing OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thanks, no problem on the moving of this...I wasn't sure where it goes.
I have done my own research/know the cancer types. While I have a long zoology background and have worked directly with a veternarian while interning...I am not a doctor, nor have had a lot of cancer experience.
I am telling my story as well as looking if anyone has had a dog with a splenectomy based on lymphoma rather than the more common hemangiosarcoma and how they treated it and the outcome....quality of life and lifespan.
I know in the end my experience could and probably will be very different than others, but I am trying to get as much information even if just anecdotal.
Foxy | Golden Ret./Corgi Mix | Born on Date ~1999 | Tripawd mode – 10/02/2009 | RIP - 03/05/2012
Was the entire spleen enlarged or just a mass on the spleen? I have treated many dogs with splenic lymphoma and the prognosis depends on cell type (B cell or T cell) and if the cancer is elsewhere in the body.
Pam
The whole spleen was enlarged and twisted. We haven't gotten pathology back, but it didn't look like a hemangiosarcoma to the vet.
The good news was she wasn't showing any signs of problems from it and it didn't look like it had spread. Although her one lung showed a suspicious area which could indicate this was a secondary tumor site.
More good news is she has been really active and has a good appetite. She came running to the door when I got home like normal and was begging for food.
Foxy | Golden Ret./Corgi Mix | Born on Date ~1999 | Tripawd mode – 10/02/2009 | RIP - 03/05/2012
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