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.
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Max is an 11 year old mixed breed. He was diagnosed with an Osteosarcoma in his femur about 8 weeks ago. After multiple tests and 4 vets opinions (really didn't want to do the amputation), we amputated on 1/13. He's home as of 1/14 and is adapting remarkably well. We've been incredibly lucky and as of 1/13, the cancer has not metastasized to his lungs or heart. My question is this...He is scheduled to have his stitches removed on 1/24, but how long after that should chemo begin? I know treatment will potentially inhibit his healing process, which I don't want to do. Anyone have this experience and how long post op amputation did your dog begin chemo?
Hi Max and family, welcome! Sorry you had to join our club but we are here to help however we can. I'm thrilled he's doing well! We totally understand your reluctance to amputate, we felt the same way at first.
My question is this…He is scheduled to have his stitches removed on 1/24, but how long after that should chemo begin?
It depends on the practitioner. Many oncologists want to start within two weeks of surgery, but some will wait a bit longer. They will do diagnostics on Max to make sure that his body is up to the challenge, and would never compromise his healing from amputation. Has your vet sent you to a referral practice yet? Who is doing the chemo? If you're already connected with an oncologist, now is the time to make the first appointment if you are considering chemo.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
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For Murphy, we didn't even know for sure what type of cancer we were dealing with for almost a month. After that we scheduled an appointment with the oncology clinic. So his surgery was 4/4/13 and I think we started chemo in June. He had histiocytic sarcoma, so he had 6 doses of CCNU chemo. His prognosis was 12-18 months "if we were lucky." But he lived over 4 years. We actually lost him to a hemangiosarcoma not metastasis.
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 Ranger (also 11), first chemo was almost 4 weeks after surgery. He had to be first cleared by the surgeon. The surgeon would not clear until the stitches were out and the wound was basically fully healed. Although I was anxious to get started, this made sense to me as I had your same concerns. A good oncologist will not rush to treatment, I'm sure.
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