Cancer in leg
Has anyone have any experience with this situation? Thank you. |
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| I can't offer you any help other thatn to say I'm very sorry for your situation, and you'll be in our thoughts for the next week or two. I know you'll make the right decision; just the fact that you're already working on that makes it clear.
I'm hopeful that someone will post some experiences with perhaps dog carts for large dogs or a rear leg amputation. |
| Most dogs will do very well with back leg amputations. He is probably not actually using it now if there is pain involved. There is a company that custom makes wheels for dogs at a very reasonable price:
www.eddieswheels.com Try to keep positive thoughts, not easy I know. So much can be done now to save the dog and keep the quality of life. Please keep us informed. |
| My Pumpkin, whom I lost at age 13 last November, lived the last seven years of her life without her right rear leg. She suffered an accident when she was six years old and it had to be amputated. I understand your grief at having to make such a choice. But, like you, the alternative simply was NOT an alternative for me.
She managed very well. In fact, most of the time, it took people a while to figure out what was different about her when they first met her. She still ran and played like always. I had to be very careful about her weight and making sure she got adequate excercise. Because, of course, added weight only made it more difficult for her to get up & down. In her later years, she did have some nerve problems which the vet attributed to the additional pressure put on the nerves that ran along her spine. Because of the way she had to position herself getting up & down, there was a pivotal point which took the brunt of the pressure. Eventually, that was the reason I lost her. The nerve was completely compressed and she was paralyzed. Of course, I still can't talk or write about this without choking up. I miss her terribly. She was a wonderful & devoted companion. But, please realize, she was 13. Any dog that age can have health problems. So, I never regretted the decision to have her leg amuptated. (Even though I cried buckets of tears the day I got the news!). It gave me SEVEN more years with her and I'd do it again in a minute given the same choices. I tell you this, not to make you sad, but for you to realize he can live a long and productive life with three legs. Within a couple of weeks after the surgery, he'll be up and about and acting like himself again. I am deeply sorry you're faced with this situation. Your positive attitude will go a long way toward helping your companion recover. I do hope things go well for your both. Please keep us informed and feel free to PM me if I can answer any questions for you. |
| One of my cats Ralph had his leg amputated at age 10 and lived for another 9 years until he passed at 19 last year with only three legs.
I ran into someone at the dog park recently whom had a Great Dane who had just had the surgery as short as 2 wks prior (also back leg) It's amazing how these guys cope. I'm so sorry to hear about what you are going through. You're in my thoughts. The site you have been given regarding wheel chairs is very good and may be something to consider as well. Good luck to you and hugs to your furballs from me. Marianne and the boys |
| I'm so sorry to hear those news... We're wishing the best of luck to you.
Lennon was incapacitated for two months 2 years ago after he broke his shoulder bone when he hit a park bench. He was doing great on 3 legs and learned to climb up and down the stairs. It's amazing how easily they can adapt. |
| My previous dog CeCe (in the avatar) was found to have OSTEOSARCOMA
Memorial day a year ago. I allowed the amputation and it was a very very heart wrenching thing - especially the few days after. This was a front leg. She OVERCAME IT - until around Labor Day and the cancer came back in another form in her body, and we put her to sleep. At the time of the discovery of the cancer in the joint the vet offered to put her to sleep at that point. I know the remaining 3-4 months was tough on her, but also she wasn't ready to go and it was God's gift for the summer to keep her. We had a great time still and I'll always feel blessed for those few months. She was not in that much pain till the very end. If it is the same cancer, you can do chemo after the amputation may buy 2 years for about $5K but really not worth it. The one option you don't have is not to do the amputation, becase that is when they get into so much pain from that bone almost exploding. They started practice walking her at the vet's a day or so after the surgery, that was tough to watch. Later I worked with her using a towel to hold her up. Eventually she was good to go, maybe a little help here or there. Why do they get it? I've read possibly that the dogs grow so quickly that there are micro fissures in the bones that can evolve to this. They don't know really. My vet says there has been little progress in this cancer. Let's pray its not bone cancer, my heart goes out to you though if it is. Best wishes, and be strong, it will pay off. |
| I have no experience with this but I do want to say that I am so very sorry that you and Mac are going through this terrible ordeal. But it does sound like dogs can manage. I am in obedience class now with a puppy born with only three legs (not my puppy) who is also blind and it amazes me how he adapts.
The very best to you and Mac. Keep us posted and stay on the forum, its a great place for support and information!!! |
| I am so sorry to hear of the news you received. Although I do not have any experience with this, I also have met dogs that have 3 legs and they get along just fine!
We are sending you all the positive energy we can muster! Colleen and Gucci George |
| Our last sheepdog, Shakespeare, developed Osteosarcoma in his back leg and needed to have it amputated. He was up and hopping about within a few hours after the surgery. All I can say is that it didn't slow him down a bit! He could still chase (and catch) any of the local squirrels who were dumb enough to come within his sight. He was also able to make it up and down stairs easily (although as paranoid parents we made sure we were around to monitor him whenever he went up or down the stairs)
Our vet also wanted us to keep his weight down to make it easier for him to get around (he ended up at 70 pounds). Good Luck Jennifer, Baxter, Cassiopia and Sharkey |
| Any news about Mac yet? We are all hoping for the best for him. |
| You know, it is believed that many of these cancers are caused by vaccines, osteosarcoma, synovi sarcoma, etc.
My cat had a vaccine related sarcoma at the site of the vaccine, which back then was always given in the shoulder for cats. If I had known of the risk then I would have insisted he be vaccinated further down his leg, so that the leg could be amputated and he could have survived. Because of how high up it was though, I had it removed twice and each time it came back larger and worse and the third time it spread putting pressure on his spine, so I had to have him put down. He was only 6 years old. Cancers in the joints are thought to be caused by the distemper vaccine. Not a vaccine you can do without, but I certainly won't be having my dogs or cats vaccinated every year. |
| We just heard from the vet. It turns out he only has some sort of infection in his leg that can be treated via anti-biotics. We are thrilled. The vet never gave us any indication other than cancer so it was a surprise. 1% of me is a little annoyed the vet put us through this heartache.
Thank you to everyone for your thoughts. |
| Hooray!! That's terrific news! It does seem strange that the Vet didn't suggest there might be alternative explanations to cancer. I'm very happy for you and Mac. |
| Joan, Mulligan and I are dancing with joy for you!
Yay! Yippeeeee! Mulligan is doing the Snoopy Happy Dance! Great news! |
We are so happy for you! 
I would be upset with the vet too! I agree that it is important to be prepared for the worse but having ALL the facts and some hope certainly seems like a much better way to go! Well, thankfully the vet was wrong! 
Colleen and Gucci George |
| This is the best news ever!! I'm SO happy for you and Mac!
Chris |
A BIG sigh of relief from Daisy and the boys  |
| Awesome!! |
| Spectacular!!!!!!! |
| Oh, I'm so happy for you! Having lost 3 dogs to that d___ problem, the latest one just last April, I know exactly the heartache you were going through.
I couldn't offer suggestions if it had been cancer. None of my dogs were in the position to have amputation......body weight distribution, previous orthopedic surgery, etc. I just know when I see the swelling, I swallow hard knowing the time remaining time together will be short. |
| hi my dog is 9 and he has a cancerous lump on his leg! he dose not reect well to anersetic so that is not an option. Is there any way and would the vet do this numb the leg and cut out the lump? can some one help please as he is starting to eat the lump which is not good at all!!! he is still up for walks and still likes to play!!
i would be very greatful thanks |
| I am very sorry you and your dog are going through this.
I would hope that a vet would be able to give you the best advice here about what is possible and what isn't. I would call a few vets around for second (and third) opinions. I wish you the best and I'm sorry for your pain. |
| Which leg is it? If it is a back leg, perhaps an epidural would work with an oral sedative to relax him during the removal of the mass. The catch is that the dog has to remain still during the surgery.......
Has a biopsy been done on the mass? If it is a benign mass, they may be able to just remove the external part of the mass - a less invasive option. Good luck and lots of positive thoughts headin your way. |
| First, I am very happy to hear about Mac. It is one of the wonderful things about this community that we are sorrowful at everyones losses and joyful at everyones triumphs.
As for the second dog... My old Lab Max had a lump removed from his elbow joint (front) when he was 11. It was an expensive operation and it got him another 3 years. He began to develop cancer in other parts of his body and ultimately went to his brain. He was no different after the operation. I recommend the lumpectomy if possible. I suggest a surgical vet rather than your vet. It is your pet, pay the extra for the best. As for amputation... I have a relative that had a lab that was hit by a car. They amputated the right front leg. he lived many more years and still jumped six foot fences. That was how he got hit in the first place. |
dmcilroy wrote: We just heard from the vet. It turns out he only has some sort of infection in his leg that can be treated via anti-biotics. We are thrilled.
That's great news! Our Winnifred developed bone cancer in her right rear leg. Due to a prior injury, by the time it was detected the cancer had spread to her lungs. She was given 4 to 6 weeks to live. In just over a month she was gone. I am so happy that your dog is going to be fine. |
| We also found out the our 5year old dog bogart has bone cancer.we were treating with pain meds.now one bone is broken so we have to amputate the leg.this is a very difficult decision.we don't want him to be in pain.the vet said he most likely we get up to one more year if we are lucky.the cancer is agressive and may get into his lungs. |
| Poor Bogart. I hope it goes easy on him and on his family too. |
I'm so sorry about Bogart  Never give up hope, my Beau had synovi sarcoma (a fairly rare soft tissue cancer) diagnosed at age 6. He was given a maximum of 6 months; probably less but lived happily for 2 more years. I won't tell you it will be easy because it's not , there will be days you will question every decision you've made. Some things I did for Beau : milk thisle for liver support (pain meds are tough on the liver) and an immune support with mushrooms and things to boost the immune system. My best advice is to treasure every day for whatever time you are given and don't let him see you upset or crying  |
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