Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
Tripawds is your home to learn how to care for a three legged dog or cat, with answers about dog leg amputation, and cat amputation recovery from many years of member experiences.
Join The Tripawds Community
Learn how to help three legged dogs and cats in the forums below. Browse and search as a guest or register for free and get full member benefits:
Instant post approval.
Private messages to members.
Subscribe to favorite topics.
Live Chat and much more!
Register
Log In
Members
Add Topic
Offline
Anyone have a pup where the Osteosarcoma biopsy came back also showing cancer in the lymph node? (rare - only 5% of dogs with Osteo have it in the lymph node)
My 6 year old Old English Sheepdog Sadie was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma 2.5 weeks ago & had her front right leg amputated 2 weeks ago. She is adapting so well and I have done so much research that I was determined to fight this cancer by helping boost her immune system
But today when we went in for our 1st chemo (Carboplatin) the onco told me the biopsy did come back as Osteo but unfortunately they also found cancer in the lymph node which is very rare. The wind was taken from my sails. 
Anyone have any info or experience with this? The prognosis given is only 3/5 months with Chemo but I'm hoping to beat the odds. I have her on essiac tea, probiotics, fish oil and a raw food diet.
Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated.
Deb
Welcome! Sorry to hear about Sadie, but glad you found us. You're future forum posts will not require moderation and we have edited your topic title for brevity.
Search these forums above and you'll find lots of members discussing cancer spreading to lymph nodes. You might also search all blogs.
Others will surely offer more feedback soon. Best wishes, please keep us posted!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Welcome! Sadie is adorable. search around here, there are a lot of dogs that have laughed at their "projected survival times". there are also a lot op pawrents here that have used natural supplements (with and without chemo) and had good success. I would check with your vet if they can be used in addition to her chemo, but certainly worth checking out. Sounds like you have been doing your research by what you already are doing. Just wanted you to know, we all understand. We have been or are where you are right now. This is a great group for support. Keep us updated on how Sadie is doing. Lori, TY & the Gang
TY GUY, Best Black Lab ever! Diagnosed and had amp in January, 2014. Kicked MRSA's butt. Earned his angel wings on April 16, 2014. Run Free my boy and don't forget a shoe. Ty is a proud member of the " April Angels". Ty sent us Daryl, a Tripawd rescue in Sept. of 2016. Daryl is 5 +or -. We are also Pawrents to Chandler, a Border Collie mix who is 15 and 1/2, Lucy, a Corgi who is 7, 2 minis, 2 horses, and a feisty cat named Zoe. Zoe had a non skeletal Osteosarcoma removed in July 2015. No Chemo, she was at least 16. She is going strong although she is now completely blind. She is now close to 20 and her hobbies are eating and sleeping in front of her personal heater.
4myty said
Welcome! Sadie is adorable. search around here, there are a lot of dogs that have laughed at their "projected survival times". there are also a lot op pawrents here that have used natural supplements (with and without chemo) and had good success. I would check with your vet if they can be used in addition to her chemo, but certainly worth checking out. Sounds like you have been doing your research by what you already are doing. Just wanted you to know, we all understand. We have been or are where you are right now. This is a great group for support. Keep us updated on how Sadie is doing. Lori, TY & the Gang
Hi Lori, Ty & the Gang,
Thank you so very much for your reply 🙂 Yes, I read so many inspirational stories that I refuse to let the onco tell me what Sadie's prognosis is even though they found cancer in the lymph node. She had her first chemo appt on Monday and had no side effects but I'm still questioning if I want to go that route. Ive done so much research on alternative methods and am trying these as I write so I'll see how it goes. Going to take it week by week. Thank you for caring... sending good energy to you and all your 4 legged furry kids 🙂 Deb
Hi Deb,
Be sure you log in before you post, then your posts won't have to wait for approval.
My little pug Maggie had mast cell cancer, different than OSA, but she also had lymph node involvement. Her prognosis was 6 to 9 months with chemo, she lived almost 4 years and did not pass from mast cell cancer. You never know what will happen- stay positive until there is a real reason not to be.
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 Sadie and Deb! Sadie is a beautiful girl!! Cannot wait to see more pictures of her!!
Okay, here's some positive feedback for ya'! My beloved chunk of a Bull Mastiff had her rear leg amputated due to osteo. The Onco. told me the sirgeon said their was lymph node involvement. Rocked my world! Pathology report comes back and I'm having my regular vet read it to me to help me decipher it. He is so ewhat surprised to read "no lymph node tissue Included". He calls to confirm....no tissue was included.
When the Onco. wuestioned the surgeon she was told that it must have been so eaten up it disintegrated!!.
I decided to dismiss the lymph node involvemnt "theory" and proceeded with four rounds of carboplatin (which she sailed through). We had THE most GLORIOUS one year of two months of living in the moment, laughing, snuggling,loving...and taking thousa ds of lictures!!
As Lori said, you can still incorporate complimentary therapies (especially mushroom therapy), along with chemo. Check out K9 Immunity Plus also....after checking with your vet.
So, my advice, test results are not always acurate. Nothing has changed in Sadie's world! She feels great a d isn't worrying about a thing!! Stay in tne present with Sadie and let NOTHING rob you of your time together or interfere in your joy!
Take some deep breaths....eat lots of chocolate...go hug Sadie and know that all is well!
Love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
benny55 said
Hi Sadie and Deb! Sadie is a beautiful girl!! Cannot wait to see more pictures of her!!Okay, here's some positive feedback for ya'! My beloved chunk of a Bull Mastiff had her rear leg amputated due to osteo. The Onco. told me the sirgeon said their was lymph node involvement. Rocked my world! Pathology report comes back and I'm having my regular vet read it to me to help me decipher it. He is so ewhat surprised to read "no lymph node tissue Included". He calls to confirm....no tissue was included.
When the Onco. wuestioned the surgeon she was told that it must have been so eaten up it disintegrated!!.
I decided to dismiss the lymph node involvemnt "theory" and proceeded with four rounds of carboplatin (which she sailed through). We had THE most GLORIOUS one year of two months of living in the moment, laughing, snuggling,loving...and taking thousa ds of lictures!!
As Lori said, you can still incorporate complimentary therapies (especially mushroom therapy), along with chemo. Check out K9 Immunity Plus also....after checking with your vet.
So, my advice, test results are not always acurate. Nothing has changed in Sadie's world! She feels great a d isn't worrying about a thing!! Stay in tne present with Sadie and let NOTHING rob you of your time together or interfere in your joy!
Take some deep breaths....eat lots of chocolate...go hug Sadie and know that all is well!
Love!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
Hi Sally!
Thank you so much for sharing your story and for your words! I decided to not think about the lymph node result either and just do what I have to do. Every furry patient is different and I'm not going to let the docs prognosis take the wind out of my sales!
I'm just struggling with the decision to continue chemo or not..it changes day to day! Sadie had her first round of chemo (Carboplatin) and she did great. She didn't eat as much as I wanted but other than that she seemed fine. I have just done so much research on nutrition and other supplements to fight the cancer. ie; k9immunity, raw food diet, fish oil, essiac tea, Mush (mushroom mix for dogs) , Apocaps .. and I worry the chemo could possibly kill all the good I'm trying to do.
In any case, I will make my decision and be ok with it. I have taken so many pics of SAdie and I already. 
We sit in the park everyday, go for car rides, giving good belly rubs and giving her as much love as I can. I will cherish every moment moving forward.
Sally, did your pup have any side effects or seem tired the further along you got in her chemo treatments. Did her white blood cell ever drop super low?
Thank you!!!
Deb
krun15 said
Hi Deb,Be sure you log in before you post, then your posts won't have to wait for approval.
My little pug Maggie had mast cell cancer, different than OSA, but she also had lymph node involvement. Her prognosis was 6 to 9 months with chemo, she lived almost 4 years and did not pass from mast cell cancer. You never know what will happen- stay positive until there is a real reason not to be.
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
HI Karen,
Thank you so much for sharing your story about your precious pug Maggie! Very true words..we don't know what will happen so I'm going to take each day as it comes and enjoy the present.
Did Maggie go through chemo??
Deb
Yes Maggie did chemo, about 6 months worth which was the standard protocol for mast cell cancer. You can read about it if you want to, the link is in my signature below- Amputation and Chemo.
Overall she did pretty well. Some fatigue and one (or maybe two) instances of nausea.
Karen
Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.
1999 to 2010
Hi ~
Murphy had his surgery 4/4/13 (right front leg) and the node they took was also positive. His was histiocytic sarcoma, which is highly aggressive. He did 6 doses of CCNU and then they found a suspected tumor on his left shoulder blade. They tried to biopsy it but it was inconclusive (power for the course for Murphy!) They offered to try another type of chemo, since the CCNU obviously hadn't prevented the spread, but we declined. That was October 2013, and so far the growth has stayed the same size and his lungs have remained clear His prognosis with surgery & chemo was 12-18 months, we passed that awhile ago.
Donna
Donna, Glenn & Murphy
Murphy had his right front leg amputated due to histiocytic sarcoma at 7 years old. He survived 4 years, 2 months & 1 week, only to be taken by hemangiosarcoma at 11 1/2 years 6/12/17
Read about Murphy's Life on Three Legs
MURPHY! You are a true inspiration!!! Prognosis schmognosis as Jerry says!
Deb! As far as my Happy Hannah, she did NOT have any side effects with her Carboplatin treatment. She did sleep well after eaxh treatment, but I think that was simply because the car ride and all the excitement, just wore her out the day of the treatment.
My Happy Hannah NEVER...and I mean NEVER missed a meal!! However some dogs do experience a lack of appetite for a day or so. The Oncos usually send you home with Cerenia in case there is lack of apletite due to nausea. And some feel tired maybe around day three for a day or so. My Happy Hannah did not experience a drop in her white blood count but, again, some do! If this happens it's no biggie...just delays the chemo a week until the count goes up. There's actually a theory that a drop I. Blood count means the chemo is workkng!
One reason I proceeded with the chemo was I coukd stop at anytime if she had any bad side effects.
I completely uderetand the indecisiveness about whether to go just"natural" or chemo. For me, I did a combiation and that felt comfortable to me. Some of the supplements you have mentioned are somemof the same ones I used. I didn't go the raw food diet. I did a lot of home cooking and I used The Honest Kitchen a lot, as well as some kibble like EVO and Orijen. And I did give her a scoop of ice cream every now and then!! It was good for her soul!
You are doing an excellent job with your research and clearly know Sadie better than anyone. You will be guided to the best decision for her...she knows that. And any decision out of love for Sadie is the right decision!
Sending you lots of love and hugs!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
midnighter94 said
Hi ~Murphy had his surgery 4/4/13 (right front leg) and the node they took was also positive. His was histiocytic sarcoma, which is highly aggressive. He did 6 doses of CCNU and then they found a suspected tumor on his left shoulder blade. They tried to biopsy it but it was inconclusive (power for the course for Murphy!) They offered to try another type of chemo, since the CCNU obviously hadn't prevented the spread, but we declined. That was October 2013, and so far the growth has stayed the same size and his lungs have remained clear
Donna
Hi Donna!!! Wow! Go Murphy!! Thank you so much for sharing Murphy's story with me..with the positive node and osteo the onco gave Sadie a 3-4 mo prognosis even with chemo. I refuse to believe that and I will do all I can to prove that onco wrong Her lungs are clear as of now and her second dose of chemo is in 2 weeks if I decide to do it. Your story helps sooo much!! I'll keep you posted and Murphy sounds like a fighter!!!!
Deb
benny55 said
MURPHY! You are a true inspiration!!! Prognosis schmognosis as Jerry says!Deb! As far as my Happy Hannah, she did NOT have any side effects with her Carboplatin treatment. She did sleep well after eaxh treatment, but I think that was simply because the car ride and all the excitement, just wore her out the day of the treatment.
My Happy Hannah NEVER...and I mean NEVER missed a meal!! However some dogs do experience a lack of appetite for a day or so. The Oncos usually send you home with Cerenia in case there is lack of apletite due to nausea. And some feel tired maybe around day three for a day or so. My Happy Hannah did not experience a drop in her white blood count but, again, some do! If this happens it's no biggie...just delays the chemo a week until the count goes up. There's actually a theory that a drop I. Blood count means the chemo is workkng!
One reason I proceeded with the chemo was I coukd stop at anytime if she had any bad side effects.
I completely uderetand the indecisiveness about whether to go just"natural" or chemo. For me, I did a combiation and that felt comfortable to me. Some of the supplements you have mentioned are somemof the same ones I used. I didn't go the raw food diet. I did a lot of home cooking and I used The Honest Kitchen a lot, as well as some kibble like EVO and Orijen. And I did give her a scoop of ice cream every now and then!! It was good for her soul!
You are doing an excellent job with your research and clearly know Sadie better than anyone. You will be guided to the best decision for her...she knows that. And any decision out of love for Sadie is the right decision!
Sending you lots of love and hugs!!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!
HI Sally,
Thanks again for sharing Happy Hannah's (love her name) experience! So glad to hear she had no side effects except maybe a little fatigue. I did get some nausea medicine but Sadie is just finicky its funny! Any other dog would jump at raw chicken mix, etc yet I hold it up to her nose and she snubs it. haha But eventually I have a talk with her and then she gobbles it all up! I do use Orijen as well to supplement the raw an also have some Orijen treats which she loves. And yes, I need to give her her ice cream treats too! She loves them!
I still change my mind each day on the route to take but like you said, if she has some bad side effects I can always stop and just keep doing what I'm doing now! A little bit of both traditional and alternative may be good. I'll keep you posted!
Keep sending the good vibes and hugs...we'll take them! Thank you Sally, Happy Hannah & Merry Myrtle!!
Deb
A d you've got the whole Tripawd Universe cheering for Sadie!!! The noise and applause are so loud you may have to wear ear plugs, but it's worth the i inconvenience!!
YAAAAAAAAAY FOR SADIE AND YAAAAAAAAAY FOR DEB!! Pawsome pawsitivity goes a long way!
LOVE!
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle 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!
krun15 said
Yes Maggie did chemo, about 6 months worth which was the standard protocol for mast cell cancer. You can read about it if you want to, the link is in my signature below- Amputation and Chemo.Overall she did pretty well. Some fatigue and one (or maybe two) instances of nausea.
Karen
Thank you so much Karen!!! I would love to read Maggie's story!
Deb
1 Guest(s)
