Caring for a Three Legged Dog or Cat
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I found a mass under the skin on Wookie's neck on Friday (he's a rear limb amp from OSA), did a fine needle aspirate, and it came back as osteosarcoma.
It seems the harder I try, the worse he gets.
I have emailed his oncologist, he's out of town this weekend so I hope he gets back to me soon.
I'm sure I'll remove it, but I'm afraid of what is going on internally. The single pulmonary met he has is unchanged. I'm doing x-rays and blood work on him every 10 days, and he's good in all other respects. I should do a CT scan or PET scan, but I'm afraid of what it will show.
I'm just venting, I guess. Feeling a bit defeated.
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
Oh, Kelly, I'm sorry for this discovery. I know how it can make you feel deflated.
Everyone is different, but I am glad that we did not do a CT scan. As you know, we did do lung x-rays and Zeus' single lung met stayed single the entire time but eventually the cancer showed up in his belly. I'm sure that we would have found it earlier in a CT scan we would have worried ourselves to the point that we wouldn't have enjoyed those last few months. There is something to be said for the joy that comes from being blissfully ignorant.
My heart goes out to you. But, you know the drill - plaster on a smile, give Wookie a hug and go do something special because you have today and that is something to celebrate.
Zeus was a Husky mix diagnosed with Osteosarcoma at age 11. A visible lung met and suspicious spot on his liver meant a poor prognosis-six weeks was our vet's best guess. We decided to fight for our boy and his right front leg was amputated on 12/1/11. We did six rounds of chemo, changed his diet and spoiled him completely rotten. We were blessed with 10 great months after diagnosis. Against the odds, the lung met remained a single met and grew very little over those months. A wonderful furbaby with the most gentle spirit, he fought with a strength that we never imagined he possessed. We have no regrets...
http://zeuspod......pawds.com/
Oh Kelly, I'm so sorry to read this. Wookie is on carboplatin and something else right? Good thing you found that early on so it can be removed. And vent all you want. When you joined this group, your clientele must have doubled or more overnight and we care about you and Wookie. Hugs and prayers for both of you.
Harley is an 8 year old Golden Retriever. Amp surgery for an infiltrative lipoma canceled due to two masses in chest. A rescue, he found his forever home on 3/18/07 and left for his eternal home on 1/09/13. His story and medical history are at http://myharley.....pawds.com/
I am so sorry to hear about Wookie's new development. Just wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Helen,
Dylansmom
I'm sorry you found another met.
On the CT or PET scan- would the results change the treatment path you are on? It must be hard for you as a doc not to want to know all that you can- but like you said, what are you going to find? If the results would change your treatment then maybe it is worth doing. If the results won't change anything other than to make you worry then leave it alone. Spend the time with Wookie at the park, or beach or wherever.
We did an abdominal ultrasound on Maggie (mast cell cancer) as part of a regular check up after I had decided that we were not doing any more aggressive or invasive treatments. Of course that US showed lesions on her liver. Might have been the mast cell, might have been age. All it did was give me something to worry about because I wasn't willing to put her though another procedure to maybe find out.
I know it is hard when things keep going wrong. You are doing the best you can for Wookie- it's all we can do, it is all that matters.
Karen and Spirit Maggie
Sorry to hear the bad news about Wookie. As you know all too well, this disease doesn't play fair. I think Karen has the right idea, if knowing the results would change your plan, then go ahead with it, but if not - I'd try to go the "ignorance is somewhat blissful" route.
I hope you have a lot more quality time with Wookie. He's such a gorgeous boy.
Jackie, Angel 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!
I'm sorry to hear about Wookie - Diesel is a few weeks behind him with a rear amp July 19 and has developed a number of (what I hope are) benign lipomas in the last few months. Was Wookie's mass hard? I haven't pursued any diagnostics yet, not sure what it would mean for life expectancy if they were not lipomas. I thought I would take a wait and see approach and possibly do a pet scan if he stays free of lung mets through the carboplatin.
The main benefit I see in favor of a ct or pet scan now for you would be to help you adjust his treatment plan and hopefully give you some peace of mind. Here's to hoping Wookie's new met is an isolated finding-
Darn! Stupid cancer, I'm so sorry. You can vent here anytime, it's most definitely allowed and encouraged. And we are sending lots and lots of hugs out to you, I know this feels devastating. Remember though, look at Wookie; he doesn't know any different, he's still the same dog and he's still here with you, loving life. That's what matters most right now (uh huh, easier said than done, I'll try to shut up now).
So in the meantime, do what feels right to you. If you don't want to know, then don't do the scan. I'm sure that's gotta be hard for you though. But I do agree with Zeus; sometimes being blissfully ignorant is better than knowing if there is something worse going on that medicine can't do anything about.
I do believe that when Dr. Wiltzius' dog Tazzie was showing spinal issues that indicated metastasis to the area, she chose not to do a MRI and instead went with her gut feeling. Since you both have so much in common, it's something that you might want to ask her about if you'd like, I'm sure she would be OK talking about it.
Kelly, hang in there. You are doing everything pawsible to give him a fighting chance. Remember, he's still the same dog he ever was despite this bad news.
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
I'm so sorry to hear this news about Wookie. As others have already said, this is a disease that just doesn't play fair. I know it's hard, but try to stay positive around your boy. That was one of the hardest things I had to do when Max was going through his cancer journey. You and Wookie have a lot of support here, so use it when you need it. We've all been there. Sending hugs, positive thoughts, and many many prayers to Wookie (and you).
I am so sorry to hear this latest new on Wookie. Sometimes too much knowledge can be a curse.
I also think Karen has the right idea. If doing more tests would change your treatment plan then do them but if they won't then maybe don't?? You need to do what feels right for you. The sad reality is that you are not going to beat this horrid disease. BUT with cancer you can never be sure just how much time you have got together. What I learned with Magnum was to live each day together, to the full. That way, no matter what happened next, I knew that we had made the most of the extra time we had been given.
Sending you lots of positive thoughts and prayers.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Magnum: 30th May 2002 to 5th May 2012. Lost her back left leg to osteosarcoma on 5th Sep 2011. Lung mets found on 20th Mar 2012 but it was bone mets in the hip that ended her brave battle. Magnum's motto - "Dream as if you'll live for ever, live as if you'll die today" (James Dean). Loyal, loving, courageous and spirited to the end. My beloved heart dog, see her memoirs from Rainbow Bridge ...... http://princess.....pawds.com/
Sorry to hear you found a lump and you know it's a met. I have found lumps and bumps (probably some imagined even) on my Rizzo that I know are probably not good.
I think everyone has to have that line where you say we've done all we can and now we are living each day for us. The joy that our dog gets from us and gives to us is what is important to us now. At times I think maybe I should go have a scan done to see where the cancer has spread. Then the cancer is the focus AGAIN.
My dog is my focus from here on out.
I hope your Wookie can get that removed and you guys are good for a long time after that. Wookie being so young....you need to do what's right for you and Wookie.
All our Best,
Suzie and Rizzo
Jack Russell born in 2001. Mast cell cancer found Dec 2009 and right rear amputation. Five rounds of chemo done before all treatment stopped. Living life to the fullest!! Read my story at http://rizzo.tripawds.com
So sorry to hear this news. Thinking of you today. I fall into the "ignorance is bliss" group. Unless it's going to change your course of treatment, it's better for your stress levels to just bury your head and pretend all is well. After a few months, you really BELIEVE all is well, and you can forget that your dog is sick (assuming they are not acting sick of course)
Scout: January 31, 2002 to November 7, 2011
Scout's diagnosis was "poorly differentiated sarcoma"; amputation 1/11/2011. Scout enjoyed 9 fantastic years on 4 legs and 9 glorious months on 3 legs. If love alone could have saved you…
I am sorry you and Wookie are facing this. I wasn't going to reply, but thought the example you set for us all shouldn't go unnoticed.
We all feel defeated at some point in the journey. Some of us sooner than others. There will come a day when we all will face something we may not really want to know all the details of. To know you are a vet and feel the same as all the rest, just reaffirms how human those treating our special ones are.
Thank you for all you do, and for allowing us to know you have the same feelings we do.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
You are all so kind. Thank you so much for the thoughtful replies, I truly appreciate it.
So, I took Wookie in and did the surgery last night... removed the mass on his neck with wide margins. It was in the muscle, so I had to remove quite a bit of muscle with it. I brought him home after the surgery because I can give him IV pain meds at home. Oddly, he had a much rougher night last night than he did the night of his limb amputation. Just a lot of whining. I put an entire pharmacy in him, but he still couldn't sleep, lol. If I layed with him and pet him, that was the only time he could rest quietly. So neither of us got much sleep last night. I went to work this morning and my fiance said he's been sleeping soundly all day and doesn't seem painful at all, so that is good.
Tomorrow morning I'm going to talk to Wookie's oncologist and have an abdominal ultrasound done on him to see if there is any organ involvement. If the ultrasound is clear, I think we'll proceed with the inhalation interleukin-2 therapy for the lung met. If the ultrasound does not look good... I'm not sure what I'll do. I'm guessing we will stop the chemo, but I don't know.
The problem with doing a CT or PET scan is that if I found metastasis to another bone, I know I would be crushed. That would remove all hope for me. And although I think it would be useful information as far as his chemo treatments go, I just don't think I can handle it. I'm a firm believer in having all the necessary information to make the best informed decision for one's pet... but I guess I'm still floating down the river of Denial thinking that maybe, some way, some how Wookie will live for a few more years, that there is something I can DO to make him better. I'm just not ready to have all hoped removed yet.
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
Oh, and to answer your question, Diesel, Wookies mass was very firm and did not feel anything like a lipoma (fatty tumor). If your dog's lumps are lipomas, your vet should be able to do a fine needle aspirate in the office and tell you right then, if that would ease your mind a bit.
Right hind limb amputated 7/3/12 for OSA, started on alternating cycles of Carboplatin and Doxorubicin and oral Palladia. Single lung met 9/1. Met in the neck muscle removed 9/30. Large mass in sublumbar lymph node 10/2. Rescue chemo with ifosfamide 10/6. Mets to the rib and axillary lymph node 10/21. Started Leukeran and Pred 10/25. Wookie left this Earth for a far better place on 12/4/12. I miss you, Boo, you were my heart.
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