Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I got a call from the surgeon who had performed the amputation and he said that he got the results back from the leg biopsy and that it looks like it's not regular osteosarcoma, that it's some different kind of osteosarcoma (he has an accent and talks fast and was busy so I don't know what kind) or that it is spindle cell cancer. I was wondering if anybody else got a result back from their dog's biopsy which was not what the doctor expected and if the prognosis is different now?
The surgeon said that the spread of the cancer cells was "extremely high" and that he expects Mac to live on the lowest end of the remaining lifespan scale. He said that the types of cancer he might have are not treatable with chemotherapy of any kind. My regular vet commented on the diagnosis and said that he expects we only have weeks with Mac, not months. He said that we should stop trying to give him K9 Immunity because "it won't matter". Anybody else been told unlike regular osteosarcoma, the type of cancer they have doesn't respond to chemotherapy?
Having both doctors say those things is very disheartening and being basically told that there isn't anything I can do but wait for him to die is just...well I feel sick.
Hi Jacki
I am so very sorry for your news. I can offer nothing medically speaking - tazziedog might be the only one who can comment on the veterinary situation unless others have had that diagnosis. Some people contributing to the forums have had dogs that did not live very long post-amp (Wrigley), although I would guess that most people don't participate regularly once their dogs have passed on. Most of us know we are pursuing this treatment and the cancer might show up elsewhere (lungs) in a few weeks, although we hope it won't show up for several months or longer.
The terminology of the pathology reports can be frightening. As is common for OS dogs, Tazzie's report showed a cancer that was "high grade and highly productive with a high probability of lung and lymph metastases". But my oncologist said most of that report (high grade, highly productive) was pretty standard issue for this cancer.
Most of our dogs have a disease that is terminal. I know it is much easier said than done, but it really really bugs me when people view human cancer patients as "dying" when they are in fact "living". The same thing goes for dogs of course! I would just try to find the things he enjoys doing no matter how simple they are - sitting in the shade under a tree, sitting and being petted in your yard and home, going on a short car ride, eating a favorite food.
You have done so much for Mac and alleviated the bone pain, and you will make his remaining time as enjoyable and his journey as gentle and comfortable as a human can do. Even though we know we have to let them go at some point, it does not get any easier as they age - we just get closer and closer to our dogs as they age. It feels so unfair that their lifespans are so very short, even for a relatively long-lived pup like Mac.
We'll be thinking of you and Mac.
Susan and T2
I am very sorry to hear of the result. Could you get a hard copy of it so to understand the detail, so perhaps Pam (Tazziedog) can offer her expertise? or pursue a third opinion?
To hear of the news is sick enough, I was more so to hear that both vets sounded pretty much they had given up and even told you to stop trying.
Giving K-9 Immunity may or may not matter. They said “it won't matter.” I say it won't hurt. How could we give up on our loyal friends on their behalf?
Fight on.
I'm sorry to hear the the vet was so down on the diagnosis! Jack also had "high grade highly productive" cancer, and we are going on 3 months post amputation. Did you have chest x-rays taken at the time of diagnosis? I also agree with Genie, that giving K-9 immunity won't hurt. The way I see it, I want to do everything I can to help my dog feel better and have as much time with him as possible. Not giving him the immunity supplements or other things I have decided to give him would make me feel like I am giving up. We know what the prognosis is, but it depends on how our dog battles the disease. I would like to give him every chance possible to help him during his battle. Do what you think is right, but no matter what please don't have any regrets in how you decide to progress now that you know the diagnosis. Best of luck!!!
<3 Laura and Jackers
I would need to see the exact wording of the report to understand why chemo is not an option. Osteosarcoma has many variants, but all can potentially respond to chemo. If the tumor is another cell line like fiibrosarcoma then chemo might not always be performed.
Pam
Ohh Jackie, I am so sorry to hear that you were given bad news! 
I don't know anything about that kind of diagnosis, but I second that you should get the path report in your hands. It may have been sent to Dr. Jim, I know when I asked about you the day after he had the amp, the vet techs said that they got a report from VRCC and that he was doing well. I wouldn't panic until I got that in my hand. In a really quick google search I turned up anything from not good news to really good news: http://www.nati..... It all depends on what is really going on. Also, I would absolutely consult with South Paws again once you have that info. Don't start writing your time with him off! Be positive and focus on enjoying him, not just treating the cancer. Remember that dogs pick up on your mood and emotions, maybe that's why he's not eating well? I know you are stressed, but it could be making him more stressed and limiting the healing, as if you needed more stuff to be stressed about, huh?! And I totally agree that K9 Immunity
isn't hurting!!! Sending you and Mac big hugs ((HUG))
Jackie and Mac,
I, too, am sorry to hear about your scary diagnosis. It is a good idea to get the report in hand since you were unable to understand some of what the doctor said. I don't really understand how it is that your doctors don't think building Mac's immunity is unimportant. Maybe it won't help the quantity of his life but the quality. I know that you want not months but years with Mac so to hear weeks is devastating. I am so sorry. Don't give up though because if you do you won't be able to enjoy each moment with Mac. Death comes to each of us on its own time regardless of what the medical tests indicate.
Debra & Emily
Debra & Emily, a five year old doberman mix, who was diagnosed with an osteosaecoma. She had a right rear leg amputation on May 19, 2009. On November 10, 2009 she earned her wings and regained her fourth leg.
I'm not giving up hope at all, it was just hard to hear “weeks”. I got a phone call from the internist who has been so helpful and she explained a lot to me. She said that the biopsy most likely showed either 1. telangiectatic osteosarcoma or 2. hemangiosarcoma. They're both types of vascular cancer. The first one is a rare form of osteosarcoma and better responds to chemotherapy and has a better prognosis—with all the research I've done on the very aggressive “regular osteosarcoma”, I never thought I'd be hoping for it. The second has a worse prognosis–52 days–and doesn't really respond to chemo as well.
The whole kidney issue has complicated things more so than the average cancer case. She wants to do another ultrasound with their hospital's better equipment to see if perhaps there is another tumor hiding in his kidneys or anywhere in his abdomen. He needs to have his two-week follow-up creatinine ratio urine test anyway so I'm scheduling both for early next week. Hopefully his creatinine will have gone down and his kidneys will be better, because if they're not it's not advised to do any kind of chemo. If he has a tumor in his abdomen she said it's not advised to do chemo anyway. If his tests go well I will be calling the oncologist at the other place to get her opinion.
I think the reason the local vet said it wasn't worth giving the K9 Immunity was because he's stopped eating pretty much and drinking and since we have to shove the pills down his throat by hand and he doesn't want him to have to take more pills than absolutely necessary since it's difficult on him. I'm still hoping that the diarrhea will subside–we have a new medication for it–and that he doesn't have a tumor causing the diarrhea. Hopefully he will get his appetite back since he's no longer on Tramadol. If he does I'll try and give him the K9 Immunity line again. I guess it's been only 8 days since surgery so I'm sure lots of other people have been in the same boat with the not wanting to eat or drink. I've been mixing Pedialyte with water and putting it in a little syringe and shooting about 5 squirts at a time in his mouth to keep him hydrated. I've found that it stays in his mouth so much better when he's lying on his side than laying upright.
Thank you for all your help and wishes. I've been trying to stay strong….I guess it would help if I had something else to occupy my time than just this. I haven't been crying or anything around Mac–I try not to show him my worries. Lots and lots of hugs back to the whole forum. *pretends the forum is a tall, dog loving 30-ish man with an accent* 
Thanks for sharing the details of that phone call ... great info that is sure to help others. Best wishes.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I agree that it is a good idea to look for other hemangiosarcoma tumors prior to treatment. This tumor can invade the spleen, liver, or heart base. However, microscopic disease can respond to Adriamycin (not a cure but just to increase survival times). This drug does not really affect the kidneys but it does commonly cause nausea so I would try to wait until he is feeling better before you start it.
A German Shepherd named Luna on this site had HSA and did quite well after amputation and I am sure that she had chemo but she was younger with healthy kidneys. I would try to track down her story on the forums.
Pam and Tazzie
Jack has been given Adriamycin as his chemo protocol, and has had no side effects - no diarrhea, nausea, etc. In fact, he always seems to have more energy on chemo days and the the couple days following, but I think that's because he loves going to the Oncologist (no joke). I do give him his anti-nausea pills as precaution, so I'm not sure if he is not having any effects, or if the medication is masking the symptoms 😛 Adriamycin does, however, affect the heart and has a lifetime cap on how much can be given.
This seems a bit off-topic (apologies to Mac), but with Adriamycin, I don't think you can expect to have no side effects like superdog Jack. Tazzie 2 had Adriamycin for his first chemo, and he did suffer side effects, although they were mild and manageable. He had nausea (loss of appetite, drooling) and the blood cell counts became too low 7 days after treatment - that is the time you would expect them to be most lethargic. Both of those issues (appetite and blood cell counts) would probably not be a good thing for Mac.
Surprisingly the blood cell counts rebounded and were too high to permit chemo this last Monday! That could be for a few reasons. In any case, Tazzie is on his second round of antibiotics in 2&1/2 weeks, one to prevent infection when the counts were low and one to fight a possible infection when they are high. Seems like too many antibiotics to me - I wonder if they will work when truly needed. In any case, the counts were down by Tuesday morning so he had Carboplatin yesterday (the vet is alternating the two drugs). No sign of side effects to carboplatin yet. Tazzie has also been losing A Lot of hair following the Adriamycin.
tazziedog said:
A German Shepherd named Luna on this site had HSA and did quite well after amputation and I am sure that she had chemo but she was younger with healthy kidneys. I would try to track down her story on the forums.
Great advice as always Pam, thanks so very much.
Here's the story about Luna. Her Mom, Sandra, is very kind about answering questions so feel free to PM her.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Jackie and Mac,
Needless to say, we are very sorry to hear of the diagnosis. We always hope for the best, but such words like “weeks” would be devistating. I was crushed when Cherry's initial diagnosis was in terms of “a year” and since she was turning eleven I know that I was on “borrowed” time purely upon her age. You willingness to fight is inspiration and well worth the title “hero.”
Two things: First: The medical specialists who did Cherry's amputation and administered her chemotherapy said that she had kidney damage and wanted to do exploratory surgery to determine the extent of any growth on her kidneys. We did not opt for this surgery because of all the insult of the initial surgery and all the chemotherapy. Also, the main treatment for any cancer on her kidneys would be the continuation of the chemotherapy. It did not appear to us to be necessary to determine if there was a secondary benefit to the chemotherapy that was alread scheduled. Second: Cherry lost all appetite during the duration of the chemotherapy in spite of not having nausea. I had to stuff nearly every morsal and her appetite is still very spotty. The oncologist wanted to reduce the dose to reduce this side effect but since a small reduction of dose would have significant reduction in effectiveness, we were adament that we would not support such a reduction.
Point here is that we too never gave up on Cherry and today, nine months after amputation, we are blessed with an active little girl who has a very good quality of life. We support fully you desire not to give up and want to wish you the very best.
Paws crossed and all the pawsitive thoughts possible. We truely do salute you for your effort!!
Bob & Cherry
Jackie and Mac:
I'm new to this site also but taking in as much advice as possible. Cosmo had his LR leg amputated on 7/24. After his first round of carboplatin we found a lump under his LF shoulder. He was due next week for his first round of adriamycin but we found ANOTHER lump on his neck Sunday night. My Oncologist wanted to see him first thing Tuesday morning and recommended that we go ahead with the adriamycin a week early. I elected not to do the EKG but to just do the most aggressive thing. My point is that she said that this isn't our only option! If both chemos don't work there are experimental drugs that we can try. She recommended we try Palladia if we have to. At this point I'm willing to try anything. Unfortunately, I know what the outcome will be for Cosmo but I'm not giving up hope on that he is that one miracle. My heart goes out to you and Mac. Hopefully you will find an opition that will work or possibly work but know you are doing the best you can do for Mac.
Joyce and Cosmo
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