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 all ~
I have to say we so confused & frustrated
.... Gator our 8yo Shep mix was diagnosed with OSA via MRI on 10/20 and amputation of rear left leg on 10/21. The Amputation went amazingly well and this staples are due out tomorrow 11/2 with Chemo to begin 11/7 (carboplatin IV, 4 session 3 weeks apart). To make a long story short, Gator had a core needle biopsy on 10/5 that was inconclusive and led our Dr to believe it was a rare bone infection and suggested we do an incisional biopsy to get 100% diagnosis which was done on 10/11. We got the results call on 10/17 NO CANCER:):) Dr said that it appeared to be an issue from a previous injury?(no such injury occurred) We kinda let that go since we are CANCER FREE:):), Dr suggested we keep Gator on Rymidal for now and come in for some x-rays soon...Okay, no problem:):) The Dr called us 10/19 and said she would like to see Gator right away for an MRI, she said that after consulting with the pathologist further they both want to get to the bottom of his "issue" and that there would be no cost to us?? Okay?? Asking if it still may be cancer, "no that is not that case, we are just looking for answers as to why this presented this way"(exact quote).. MRI done 10/20.. "It indeed is OSA and we must amputate ASAP!! We missed the tumor on both biopsies, we are so sorry!! Are they kidding is all we kept asking, but we can't change it now....
We decided to go ahead with the chemo protocol I spoke of above that was to have begun 11/7 than switched to 11/3 then back to 11/7 all due to miscommunication within the hospital (this seems to be an ongoing issue with our case)... The call we received today form the hospital was to once again change the start date of the Chemo and to let us know we were misquoted on the price of the the treatment, over double what we were quoted?? Cost is a factor and may hinder our decision on Gator's treatment, we have come so far with this Dr and can't afford (time and dollar wise) start over with another Dr and risk more heartbreak and ups and downs, any advise?? Oh and lastly the Dr felt after the amputation that there was no need to send the leg off for further study, I wish I had now.. We were just so numb after hearing we were cancer free then oops we missed the tumor on both biopsies
Hi Gators Mom & Dad, you poor people! This is enough of a freaking rollercoaster ride without the extra added ups and downs they threw at you!
Just the other day, there was a post on trying to decide about chemo - you might want to check out what everyone had to say there: http://tripawds.....-on-chemo/
It's not an easy decision to make. It's impossible to know what's the best thing to do, and even after you've made your decision, you might not ever really know if it helped or not. For us, we did chemo (see details of what all we've done in my sig) but during it, we discovered a small lung met. Would there have been more if we didn't do chemo? I don't know. Nobody does. If we'd gone a totally holistic route right from the get-go, could we have headed that stupid met off at the pass?? Again - no way to know.
You gotta kinda go with your gut. And you have to factor in the financial side of it all as well. If you don't do chemo, there are holistic things to try, and although cheaper than chemo, they are not necessarily cheap - especially depending on how much you want to do. I've heard of some folks who have their dogs on a list of supplements practically a page long.
Honestly, I don't know what to advise you. I don't regret doing the chemo with Ab. She did well on it, we had the funds to pay for it, and I like to think that it kept other mets from developing.
Anyway, I think reading through those other forum posts will be a good starting point.Also, have you heard of Dr. Dressler's Dog Cancer Survival Guide ? I like it because he takes an approach of combining holistic treatment with conventional treatment, and he does a good job (IMO) of giving an overview of the key supplement/holistic options.
PM me if you have any specific questions. Good luck with your decision and I hope your sweet boy is doing well.
Jackie, Abby's mom
Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!
Does your current vet see a lot of large and giant dogs? Unfortunately these big guys very commonly get OSA and you can usually diagnose it on the xray (unless it is in an abnormal location). I usually skip the biopsy and send in a sample post-amputation, as well as a section of lymph node.
I would ask your vet if he/she is comfortable with chemo drugs. Carboplatin (6 doses given 3 weeks apart) is a popular protocol and is generally well-tolerated but some side effects can occur and your vet needs to be able to manage that. Costs can vary depending on if you see an oncologist or a private practitioner. I am a veterinarian near Seattle and the current cost of chemo plus cbc blood test and anti-nausea drugs for a dog your size would run between $300-400 per treatment but some here have paid much more.
Chemo is a personal choice and I admit I am biased but in general I think that chemo does increase survival times for most dogs and as I said carboplatin is well-tolerated by the majority. Some long-term survivors here have not had chemo but statistically dogs that have amputation alone without chemo do not survive past 1 year. If you do not pursue chemo there are many other options. I tend to combine chemo with other drugs such as mushroom supplements and fish oil as well as herbal remedies.
Every dog is an individual and there are no wrong choices here but you need to find a vet that you are comfortable with so no, it is not too late to change vets.
Pam
Do you live near a major metropolitan area where there are choices? I'd look for another oncologist if you have the mental space for itx. It's not unusual to be unable to get a definitive diagnosis, so that is forgivable. But the way they have treated you is terrible. You are going to be on this road, and it's rough, and you don't need any added stress. If you can get a good recommendation, ups and downs should not be a concern. As far as "starting over", if the new onc is competent, that shouldn't be a problem either.
When we were in the depths of decision-making about Tate's amp, I called Colorado State University. They said a few days wouldn't make a difference but a few weeks would. And Tate's oncologist did not press us to start his chemo immediately, we were going out of town and he said, "Just come in when you get back." Obviously, you want to act quickly but I think you have some time...if you are comfortable with that. I know, it's another $$$ but at least you'll have confidence in the facts.
Best of luck to you! And remember - whatever you decide, is, by definition, right.
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
Gosh, I'm a bit surprised that they have not used UF as a resource since they are fabulous and not too far away. Our vet was on the phone to them the day she saw Bo's x-rays. They also gave her pricing options to have the amp and chemo done there. Apparently, UF would have made the chemo dosage recommendation and sent the meds to our vet had we chosen the chemo route. We didn't go that way, but Bo's "mass" was sent there for a complete pathology. If there was an extra charge for that, I never saw it…
I know it's scary to think about getting a second opinion this far into the process, but if you are not satisfied with the quality of care you are getting, you may want to consider it. Bo limped painfully for 2 months. Our vet kept telling us to make him rest…it was a muscle/tendon strain and it would take time to heal. We finally decided to get a 2nd opinion. Best decision we have made. She took one look at Bo's x-rays from the other vet and made her diagnosis.
You could probably call UF and get some advice on where to go in your area or they could give you a quote for chemo there. Maybe they would give you a discount since he is named after their mascot?! 😉 Keep us updated…we're thinking about Gator!!
Thank you all for the advise, after much research and deliberation we have decided to forgo the Chemo. At the end of the day this seems to be the most natural choice for our family. This is the second OSA doggie we have had, Gator's sister Samantha passed away just after her first Chemo treatment and devastated us. Gator's will, spirit and otherwise great health at this stage will be his wonder drug
. Grain free diet here we come along with K-9 Immunity
Plus and Dasuquin w/MSM as our "protocol"
Again thanks everyone
There is no better feeling than going with your instinct. Trust it, move on and live life to the fullest! We'll be with you every hop of the way.
P.S. I'm SO sorry you are going through this again. I can't imagine.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Sounds like you are confident with your choice and that is soooooo important! Go forward with confidence knowing you made the right decision for Gator and your family.
If I may suggest- take a moment to write down your reasoning so you can refer to it later. I made several decisions for my pug Maggie during her cancer journey- including the decision not to treat a second cancer. After she passed I occasionally would think "what if I had tried X then maybe she would still be around..." When I would go through my reasoning for not treating it would reinforce that I had made the right decision.
Keep us posted on Gator's progress.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Good for you. Decisions are great, they allow you to move forward and do something constructive! Consternation is so draining...
http://tate.tripawds.com/
August 16, 2006 to November 28, 2011
TATE ~ Forever in our hearts.
1 Guest(s)
