Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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OK, "might" is a big word and mighty inconclusive. I'm glad they were honest with you and mentioned it but I agree with your plan, stick to 8 weeks and try not to focus on the "might." Otis is doing GREAT! Time to Celebrate!!!
As for the face plant...yeah, they are not fun. But I'll bet even if you had seen it happen, it would have been way worse for you than Otis.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
A bit of a drag that they called you back to add the "might", but I think Jerry is right to be pleased they were forthright and I think you are right to stick with your current plan of 8 weeks unless you notice something amiss!
Hooray - happy dance!
Does Otis have to undergo GA for x-rays?
On the scrape - noticing a bit of a spot on either side of Pofi's nose that looked like a scrape and had me puzzling, but I am now convinced it is him licking his chops and having some chemo in his saliva causing just a little bit of irritation? I am 100% convinced the spots are exactly the shape of the end of his tongue and right where he licks his lips!
Lisa, Minneapolis
On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly. His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.
Sounds like good news!!! Even with the "might" ... could be lots of things and I tend to focus on the pawsitive so YAY Otis!!! Happy relief for your news ... I know how the visits can be (nerve-wracking) ... but glad it was a good one and you are home and happy.
Like others have said ... live in the moment and enjoy each day!
HUGS!
alison with spirit shelby in her heart
Shelby Lynne; Jack Russell/Shiba Inu mix. Proud member of the April Angels of 2014.
October 15, 2000 to April 8, 2014
Our story: Broke rear leg in June 2013 - non-conclusive results for cancer so leg was plated and pinned. Enlarged spleen in September 2013 and had it removed and was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma and started chemotherapy. Became a Tripawd January 8th, 2014 and definitive Hemangiosarcoma diagnosis. Three major surgeries in 7 months and Shelby took them all like a champ only to lose her battle to cancer in her brain. We had 8 amazing extra months together and no regrets. #shelbystrong #loveofmylife
Sounds like that follow up call was a little CYA. I remember getting a somewhat similar call on Happy Hannah about "something" POSSIBLY showing up on her xray..... .a voice mail message...on a week end...after hours! Can't remember the exact details. Just remember I was sick with worry! When I finally got someone a couple of days later, the Radiologist decided that it was blah, blah, but not anything serious. I remember calling my regular vet over the week end (bless his heart)'and he's the one who told me it was probably a bit of CYA. If anything at all shows up in an xray and they don't disclose it, I guess that could be a problem for them.
Okay, let's get back to celebrating Otis! He is feeling GREAT! His vet visit was GREAT! 🙂
Your evaluation of the spots on Otis's lips...the shape of his tongue! OMD!!! Now THAT is a very observant pawrent!!
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!
OK - So here is the excerpt from the visit report (hope this comes out):
******
While there is no definitive evidence for pulmonary metastatic disease, the radiologist does
note that there are possible small (3mm) opacities within the cranioventral lung field on the right lateral view. These opacities
are at the lower threshold of size for radiographic detection of lung nodules and are not seen on any other view. The possibility
of artifact or superimposed opacities must be considered. Recheck radiographs in 1 to 3 months recommended.
******
Not even sure that this rises to the level of a "might."
Pofi's Mom - The x-ray process seems pretty easy. We started with an oncology tech to discuss his behavior, activities, etc. They then took him in the back for the x-rays and blood draw. The oncologist also examined him there. Took about 30 minutes for that, and then he came back and we met with the oncologist to review her findings.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
On whether or not to do xrays at 4 weeks or 8 weeks... would it change anything that you are doing?
If the xray results would change your treatment plan then do them, if not maybe think about passing.
Maggie's mast cell cancer check ups were different than those for OSA, they included abdominal ultrasound instead of xrays. We did them every three months then less frequently. When I got to the point that I would do no further treatment I made the mistake of agreeing to one additional US. Of course after being clear in all previous tests that last ultrasound showed suspicious lesions on her liver, one of the places mast cell tends to go. The oncologist wanted to do a biopsy but I had already decided against further invasive treatment. All it did was give me something to worry about...
Anyway, sounds like overall that Otis is doing very well!
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
If there really is a met, clearly visible in 4 weeks, then there is a next step in his treatment plan, BUT, I could use that logic to take him in for X-rays every week. The oncologist gave me a clear list of symptoms to watch for in her report. It just seems like he is much happier limiting his vet visits (duh) and I don't want to feel like the search for cancer is overwhelming our lives.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
Murphy was going for x-rays every 3 or 4 months, then they did an abdominal ultrasound the last time he went in which showed a very small amount (maybe 5ml) of free fluid and a tiny cyst on one kidney. We made the appointment for his next follow-up x-rays, but I ended up cancelling. He's not showing any symptoms of any problems, and the visits run at least $300 each time we go, and since we're now 3 years out it really adds up...when they add in the ultrasound it's way more. And really, it doesn't change anything in our plans for Murphy. We figure that if he does start showing symptoms we can take him in for x-rays and see what's going on. I would get so worried each time we went in.
I'm so glad that Otis is doing great! Murphy face-plants once in awhile, too! He just gets up & keeps running lol
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
For whatever it's worth category.....Think I did one follow up xray fairly early on for Happy Hannah then opted out. For me, and this was just me, I was able to Be More Dog by just getting on with living in the moment free from vet visits, poking, prodding, etc. When symptons did eventually show up, she had xrays then to confirm is she had met. At that time, I needed to know because I could lrovide her additional treatment to keep her symltons at bay and keep her quality good.
Happy Hannah and I had a glorious o e year and two month bonus time of more lovi g and spoiling and fun and laughter than I ever thought possible! And some of that was even after et was discovered.
You are doing an EXCELLENT job of making each MOMENT count! Your love and devotion to Otis and Tess show through with every post! Isn't it amazing how beautiful bei g fully present with our dogs can be? 🙂
Love znd 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!
Hi there Otis and Mom
Sorry not to have sent you any encouragement but my daughter came to visit for a few days so didn't check Tripawds for a while.
Uffff ... what a relief Otis lip was nothing to worry about 
and yes, we are all in the same worry boat but at least when we have the good news we all share a good laugh at ourselves 
As for the recent X-ray it is probably nothing much as well, if he gave you the option of waiting four or eight weeks, right?
Sending you a big hug and cuddles to Otis
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
Eight weeks was what the oncologist originally requested. Once she got the radiology report, she said that I could bring him in at 4 weeks for new x-rays. So, my choice. I think so much of this is about balance. We want to be appropriately vigilant so that we can give them the best chance possible, without going overboard and causing too much stress for them or us in a never ending cancer vigil. And Otis has his regular check-up with our family vet on July 9, so nice opportunity for a second opinion - if he feels that I should take him for x-rays sooner, I can. (Actually, I can at any time between week 4 and week 8 - just need to make a phone call
). Otis just seems supremely happy right now (and since we finished chemo), and I want that to continue for as long as I can.
Otis - 106 pound lab/Dane mix, lost his right front leg to osteosarcoma on Febuary 9, 2016. Four rounds of carboplatin completed in April, 2016. Lung mets August 25, 2016. Said goodbye too soon on September 4, 2016. Lost his adopted sister, Tess, suddenly on October 9, 2016. likely due to hemangiosarcoma.
Wherever they are, they are together.
I hear you ... you are wise and know your dog inside out, also your eagle's eyes never sleep, hey?
As you say, it is hard to control our thoughts and actions sometimes and get down to earth. Everything and anything can be connected to the horrid disease they suffer from so very important to try and keep our sanity in place. Easier said than done, of course ...
Well, you are seeing your vet soon enough and he will give you a second opinion so that's good and you can go and check it out anytime so you are definitely on top of things there.
I am so glad Otis is happy I bet you are a happy Mom too!
Sending you lots of love and cuddliest your gorgeous boy
Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-)
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