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
Hi,
I am new to this web site and I have noticed that most of the dogs have osteosarcoma. My 12.5 year old male Belgian sheepdog was diagnosed with synovial cell sarcoma in early March, 2009. He had his left front leg amputated and will have his last IV chemo treatment with doxorubicine in two weeks. Does anyone else on the site have a dog with this type of cancer? He is doing great, his chest x ray is clear and he has 2 days of not eating or drinking after each chemo. His attitude is wonderful.
It is so encouraging to hear about all the dogs on this web site.
Thanks,
Susan
Welcome Sue! Thanks again for joining the discussion. We're happy to hear your pup has recovered well.
We've had plenty of members duscuss synovial cell sarcoma in these forums. We're not certain, but we believe it to be less agresssive – in terms of recurrance – than osteosarcoma. Don't quote us on that, though. Consider asking Pam. And just by starting this topic, you should hear from others too.
Thanks for the comments about the site. Glad to hear it helps, that's why we maintain it!
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Hi,
Thanks for responding. You are correct that synovial cell sarcoma is less aggressive than osteosarcoma but my dog had a bad lymph node in the leg that was removed. We are hoping that the doxorubicine will slow or stop any further metatastise. He is doing great so far but I am concerned about the risk of heart damage which can be a side effect of the chemo he is getting. The oncologist told me it is usually seen after 8 treatments and my dog's protocol only calls for four. I really trust the oncologist and so far all is well. I am not thuinking about the prognosis but trying to perfect the art of living in the moment. My dog certainly is doing that and he has taught me so much over the years but this is the greatest of all his lessons, to enjoy every day.
Susan and Beacon
Susan, it sounds like Beacon has definitely taught you well. Try not to worry about things that haven't happened yet, if ever. Enjoy the day, and treasure all your moments together. Keep us posted though, and remember if you want to talk, we are here.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
You are so right about how much our dogs teach us. Let us know how everything goes.
Ruth and the 6 pack
Have you had an experience with doxorubicine? Beacon is coughing when excited. It almost sounds like kennel cough. His chest rads were negative two weeks ago so I don't think the cancer is in his lungs yet. I wonder if it is kennel cough since his wbc was low from the chemo.I hate to drag him in for yet another vet visit when he will go this Thursday for his chemo. But then it is a 6 hour round trip drive and I wouild hate to get there and be told he has kennel cough so can't have his last chemo. Yikes, always something! 
Susan
suespin said:
Have you had an experience with doxorubicine?
Sounds like a good question for tazzideog in the Ask A Vet forum. I would definitely get a professional opinion. We eventually gave Jerry Robitussin, which helped but he hated it. And Albuterol had terrible side effects for him.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I will either call the oncologist Monday or my vet tomorrow-he has Sunday hours. Thanks, I just didn't want to face this new development but I really must. It can all be so overwhelming. I thought he was doing so well and now another set back perhaps.
I am sorry your dog had trouble with one of his drugs. Beacon has done well with the doxorubicine but I wondered if it was doing something to his throat He doesn't eat or drink for 2 days after a treatment and is a bit lethargic but it seems a small price to pay. I guess we have to make them sick in order to make them better, aka tough love. But the coughing is odd. I hope your dog didn't get very sick from the doxorubicine and that it helped him. Beacon and I have been so lucky.
Susan
Doxorubricin shouldn't cause a cough. It can damage the heart but that is rare and usually occurs after 5 treatments. More likely it is unrelated, although a low white cell count could predispose to pneumonia. I would have your vet repeat a CBC and chest rads before you make the trip to the oncologist. You could also take his temperature. Normal for a dog is less than 102.5.
Pam and Tazzie
Hi Pam,
The cough is better since I got the harness. It has really helped. I think I bruised his trachea. But now the left side of Beacon's face is paralized as evidenced by his ear flopping, eye drooping and not blinking and his lower lip also drooping. He is scheduled for a neuro exam Thursday when he is to have his final chemo. It could be a mass on a facial nerve or a deep ear infection. I am going to my vet to check out the ear possibility but only an MRI or CT can diagnose a mass. Going from bad to worse here!
Thanks for repyling about the doxorubicine.
I hope all is well with you.
Beacon is beautiful! We hope he's doing better.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you. This is an old photo and it is odd becasue it looks like he is missing his left leg. Happily Beacon was not missing his leg, just holding it up to be cute.He doesn't look so happy now I am afraid. He still has left facial paralysis and vestibular disease, with no improvement. I did not do an MRI necessary to diagnosis a mass on his brain stem because I would not be willing to do the treatment-3 weeks of hospitilization with radiation 5 days a week. He is 12.5, with mild seperation anxiety and intense devotion to me. I don't think he would survive. He also did not have his 4th and final chemo because I was afraid he would not tolerate it. I did have a CT done and it ruled out an inner ear infection. So it may be idiopathic or a mass on the facial nerves. He is not doing well and I know the end is coming. It is very heartbreaking to see him so debilitated after having once been such a grand dog, full of drive, fun and energy.
How can I get his picture to appear on the little icon with my user name where it now says "member"?
Susan and Beacon
I just emailed you an image ready to go, cropped from this picture. In the Tech Support forum you will find these instructions for uploading your profile avatar.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
1 Guest(s)
