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
We got the histopathology report back on Jersey Girl's leg a few days ago. Not good news so I guess that's why I haven't mentioned it until now. It's definitely osteosarcoma, no surprise there, but they called it "highly productive" with metastasis to the lymph node. I suppose the good news is they appear to have gotten the entire lymph node out. Her prognosis is listed as guarded. I looked online and there are a lot of different definitions but they all seem to point to roughly the same thing - 'after the primary tumor is removed, additional treatment can be effective but really it can go either way'. Lol. I think that's pretty much what everyone on this site has said. JG may fall into the median of 4-8 months or she may outperform it. Here's hoping. When we got the diagnosis our vet pretty much said amputate but that's it, don't do anything else. We haven't talked about it since that day, now 3 weeks ago. I'm sure we'll revisit the options tomorrow and then next week we also have an appointment with an Oncologist (Dr. Turner at Veterinary Cancer Center) and a holistic vet (Dr. Mark Brittan).
If anyone has any recommendations on what to ask about in our appointment tomorrow, of course I'm all ears!
Claudia
You're in LA, right? Definitely see Dr. Turner. She is Shelby's oncologist for her spleen blood cancer. I would definitely explore chemo - Shelby has done exceptionally well on it. She started it about 2 weeks after her blood cancer diagnosis while she still had all her legs. I have no regrets about this course of treatment for her.
I also read all the online things and there are so many variables about cancer and different cases. I have learned to really focus on the positive and hope for the best since that's really all we can do. Please keep us posted to your appt with Dr. Turner.
Lots of healing love and energy to you all!
Alison and *pyscho Shelby
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
Me again - clearly I didn't totally answer your question (you asked what to ask) - that's what 2 hours of sleep will do to a person!
I would ask about (and they will tell you) but what possible side effects she might have. Shelby had minimal - after about 3 days of treatment, she will get slightly nauseated which is normal and then it levels off. You can ask about what kind of diet to serve her. They didn't seem concerned with Shelby's diet. Shelby did get slightly anemic after her 4th treatment. They are really good about going over everything with you. Feel free to mention me (Alison) and Shelby - Dr. Turner knows Shelby really well.
Good luck!
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
I'm so sorry, I understand how you feel. Even when you know it's coming it's hard to cope with.
OK this is the thing: No matter what stage or whether or not the cancer has gone to the lymph nodes, we've seen dogs beat the odds and make their vets look silly. Please don't focus on the negatives; this is the time to learn to Be More Dog.
Dr. Turner is fantastic. She's been a guest of ours on Tripawd Talk Radio :
Best of Tripawd Talk Radio Veterinary Cancer Care Oncologist Interviews
As for what to ask, here is a list of questions to ask your oncologist.
And if you haven't already, do pick up a copy of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide. It's an amazing resource that we feel is indispensable when you're dealing with cancer.
Good luck at the appointment & many hugs coming your way.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Oh gosh...jist swa this. DITTO Jerry and Shelby!
The horrible bone painis gone.....the lymph node is removed.....and it realy makes no difference in the prognosis whether the lymph node is involved or not. Many on here have said te lymph node wasn't even tested. Now, where it may make a difference is that chemo may be so ething you might want to re-visit.
I'll try and make this succnt......When pathology report came back, Onco called (probably just jad a vet tech call me) and told me lymph node was involved and she sent the report to my regular vet. I met with my vet and we went over it...and over it...and over it. Whenever there was reference to lymph node, the report said "no tissue presented", or included. So how could she possibly give me tnat prognosis. I call her...she says...."Yeah' she noticed that too so she went to surgeon in same building. surgeon says, yeah it was mailed in...mjst have been so eaten up it dissolved...or so e ki d of crap li,e that.. If you get bored, go back and read under psts I've started and you'll f d it.
ANYWAY, my vet called Pathologist, and they co firmed no tissue whatsoever was i cluded and they thought that was odd too s ce the cover said it was ncluded.
At four months ampuversary, same onco. tells me she's "surprised she's made it this long". Happy Hannah st finished celebrating her ten month ampiversary and movng forward (knockng on wood)!!
Sooooooo, EVERY dog is different! No sngle prognosis or statistic fits every dog!! Some dogs dn't make it very long with an excelle t prognosis. Sme dogs mae it years with an awful prognosis. PUG MAGGIE was given one r two months and lived SEVERAL YEARS!!
As Jerry said, it's Be More Dog time! Jersey Girl does not care about any report or statistics t all!! A report isn't going to change her love of life and joy at beng by your side!!
I'm still waiting for you to post a picture of Jersey Girl "dong a roach" greyhound style!
We are all walkig by yor side on this journey! We're part of 'The Bear Clan" and we are strong!! Jersey Girl and her Bears!! What a team!
Love!
Sally and Happy Hannah
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!
1 Guest(s)
