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Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat

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Knotty skin etc around the direct surgical wound of a back leg amputation.
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Member Since:
18 September 2020
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18 September 2020 - 4:33 pm
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Hi all,

This is my first post and am doing so with incredible anxiety in my heart. Our lovely Schnauzer, Kira, 11 years old, incredibly fit and lean was diagnosed with an incredibly low grade Mast Cell Tumour in March this year. The tumour, whilst an incredibly low cell division rate and very minimal metastasis in her popliteal lymph node, was in perhaps the single worst position ever, between her Achilles Tendon and her ankle bone. We tried to cut off most of it and use chemotherapy, which seemed to work, but one of its legions recently grew, fully surrounding the tendon so we knew it was time for the leg to go. We get the biopsy of the tumour back and are informed that it was a low grade tumour which was very well defined around the tendon. With our first surgery, we removed the lymph node as well and the chemotherapy most likely cleared up any that could be in her body. 

The amputation was on the 27th of August, so around three weeks ago. As expected, Kira is doing great! However, now that she is letting us feel around the wound, I can definitely feel some lumps underneath the skin near her nipples and groin. They feel almost rubbery, with heavy heart, I dare say that it felt like what the SoB cancer felt like when it was under her leg. However, ever since that surgery, the skin on the right side of her stomach has been droopy, I'm guessing it's because the surgeon had to do something under her leg. 

This all being said, around 2 weeks ago, she did get her post op check up and the doctors said they could feel nothing wrong with her and that we should just keep an eye on her to see if any lumps appear. So I was wondering, is it normal to feel something like that under the skin after an amputation? Could it just be some knotty skin or muscle? Any help or input would be much appreciated. The doctors said that there is a less than 10% chance that it could have spread and I refuse to believe we would be so unlucky again...

Much love, Andy.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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18 September 2020 - 6:57 pm
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Hi Andy & Kira, welcome! We are sorry you had to join our club but glad you posted. It sounds like her recovery is otherwise behind her and she's doing well? YAY!

OK so here my thoughts on this:

the doctors said they could feel nothing wrong with her and that we should just keep an eye on her to see if any lumps appear. So I was wondering, is it normal to feel something like that under the skin after an amputation? Could it just be some knotty skin or muscle? 

While it could possibly be scar tissue that you are feeling, it is impossible to tell exactly what's going on there without taking a cell sample. Did your vets do a fine needle aspirate on the lumps? If not, have them do it. The old "keep an eye on it" advice for lumps is not something that's done anymore, especially when a dog has been dealing with cancer. Hopefully it's just nothing at all but it will pay off with peace of mind by getting it aspirated.

Here's a quick video that explains why we take this position:

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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18 September 2020 - 8:52 pm
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It sounds like Kira is doing realky well and  handling  life on three like a Champ.

Those umps coud be so many things that aren't  a big deal atl.  As Jerry said, could cert be scar tissue, or muscle/skinthat was stitched up in such a way it left some"lumps",etc.  An aspirate would help clarify for you, or even a second opinion.

Uodate when you can.  And congrats for being such a good advoc6 for your  Kira👏

Hugs

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!

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