Amputation

[badams]

Just 2 days ago our vet gave us some bad news. Our 8 yr old female rottie "casey" was diagnosed with bone cancer. She began limping real bad abot 2 weeks ago, her first joint on her right front leg swelled and she could not support herself very well. A x ray showed swelling around the first joint. After five days of antibiotics the swelling went down, but she still was quite sore. We then took her to a internal medicine vet, who again x- rayed the leg and foundm what she beleives is leg cancer. both vets say the leg has to be amputated. Her blood work and chest x rays are excellent, and there are no signs of the cancer spreading. MY QUESTION IS SHOULD A BIOPSY BEEN DONE TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS CANCER? IF IT IS CANCER HAS ANYONE HEARD OF A 90 POUND ROTTIE MISSING HER FRONT LEG DUE TO AMPUTATION. IS IT WORTH IT? PLEASE ANY ADVICE WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

[Nancy Estes]

The only way you can be sure it's cancer before surgery is to do a biopsy. It could possibly be a bone infection. The skin over the site does not have to be visibly broken for a bone infection to set in. A lot of dogs do quite well on three legs.

Nancy

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von Dorow Rottweilers
doggo1@apex2000.net

[LisaS]

When my 12 year old FCR (about 80 lbs) was diagnosed with cancer in his right rear leg (soft tissue, not osteo) - and we were considering the amputation option, the word we got was that with a dog this old he might adapt or he might not (better chance when younger) but also that generally dogs do better with rear amputations than front, as they carry 60% of their body weight in the front. Unfortunately, we found more evidence of systemic spread and he was put down, so I cannot give you a first-hand report of an older dogs adaptation to an amputation. It's a hard choice to have to make with the older ones especially.
As far as a cancer diagnosis goes, I would think a biopsy would be required to determine what type, likelyhood of metastasis, treatment options, etc.

[This message has been edited by LisaS (edited October 15, 1999).]

[Sandy Caruso]

A large male Rottie (110lbs) belonging to friends was diagnosed with bone cancer of the right front leg. It was amputated at Colorado State University Vet School in Ft. Collins. Although the dog was slower than normal and "hopped" instead of walked, he seemed quite happy and even sired a litter of pups without any help. He was left home alone with the couples bitch who was in heat. Thinking the was no possibility the dog could get the "job" done. Boy were they surprised when puppies arrived 2 months later. This incident took place in the late 1970's or early 80's.


[Note: This message has been edited by ~cosmo]

[damp]

First, I DON’T want to start an emotional discussion.

Every time our dogs get sick, a lot of conflicting feelings run through our brain and heart. The feelings are very individually and tell us, we are normal human beings. We have to listen to our feelings. We have to ask and listen to the vet and other people’s experiences to make the right decision. The decision at last, is always yours and will be the right, if you just don’t forget to ask and listen to your dog.
We have the right to put animals down, but when we have rights we also have commitments and responsibility
When I had to put my first dog down, went crying home, I felt I have done right, but 2 weeks to late.
My second dog died in 50. Min. of cerebral haemorrhage, 21 month old. I sat with his head in my lap in an edge of a ditch. I waited about 15. Min before a car stooped. The driver called a vet to bee ready when we came to his clinic. I told the vet to do everything possible, and he asked me: “For your sake or for the dog’s sake”. I had to confess: “For my sake”. He told me, that my dog was not suffering, and he died.
I still remembered the words: “For your sake or your dog’s sake”, when my third dog got sick and once again I had to confess: I did it to late.
I AND NO ONE ELSE HAVE THE RIGHT TO JUDGE OTHER PEOPLES DECISIONS, but I want, we all will remember:
With rights follows responsibility!
“For whose sake”?
When we buy a dog, we buy a sorrow!


badams,
I wich you all the best.



[This message has been edited by damp (edited October 17, 1999).]

[abelmanalo]

From radiographs alone, the vets would have seen the signs of osteosarcoma, and possible spread to the thoracic area. But, yes, a biopsy will make sure of the diagnosis.
Without amputation, your dog may worsen quicker if there is spreading of the cancer cells. Also, chemotherapy after amputation will double the survival time your dog may have.
take care of your dog... it's too bad some have to go through things like this.

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Abel Manalo ICQ:41470678 abelmanalo@yahoo.com
College of Veterinary Medicine
University of the Philippines

[Lanka2]

Hi Badams,
My girl Lanka was diagnosed with osteosarcoma of a back limb in May of this year. The vet said he was certain by looking at the x-rays. Being paranoid, I wanted to be absolutely sure, so I asked him to do a biopsy. The results came back positive. I had to struggle with what to do next. X-rays of her lungs looked good..and knowing Lanka's peronality and the fact that she has always been quite a fighter...I decided to go ahead with the amputation. Her rear hip and leg were removed and 3 weeks later I began the first trial of chemo. She had very little noticeable adverse effects from the chemo....a few days of diahhrea. She was active and seemed to be in great spirits. After the amputation, she was able to walk on 3 legs within one week. In the beginning I would use a towel to support and help her with balance. Her biggest fear was stairs. Now she is able to get around without difficulty. She jumps much less than before...I discourage it because of the weight it would put on her only back leg. As for front amputation...I don't know what to say. As with any amputation, you also need to make sure you are a strong person for your baby. It was the most difficult thing I ever had to go through. I took a week off from work to be with her. There will be drains and a lot of blood to contend with. My Lanka pulled out one of her drains...and off to the ER we went. I am not trying to frighten you...just know that it is not an easy time for either of you if you decide on amputation. I would do it again if I had to, because now I know for Lanka it was the right thing. You know yourself and your dogs personality best. I wish you and your Rottie the absolute best. Good Luck...Sandi

[badams]

We want to thank everyone for their concern and e-mails of advise. We saw a surgeon today who identified her as having osteo definitly and did not recommend amputation. Osteo is a terible cancer as many of you know, in most cases cancer reappears after amputation and chemo treatments. Her osteo is not in an early stage which also makes matters worse. We have talked to others giving their dogs shark cartledge and IP6, which are found in natural food stores. Human cancer patients with bone cancer have had luck with this. We are hoping it might help Casey live a better quality of life buy removing swelling and reducing the loss of bone mass. We are also giving her demeral for pain. It is very hard to face what will be before us in the next few months. We are very grateful for the responses we have received, because our pain management approach has come from others that it is currently working for. Our goal right now is to maintain quality of life for Casey until we have no choice but to let her go.
We will keep you posted.

Keep us in your prayers,
Bill, Katy & Casey

[Eliza]

Bill,Katy and Casey
I know exactly what your are going through after losing my rotti in July from Osteo. I too considered amputation but like you was told it was pointless. I just managed his pain with medication as his cancer was advanced. I would never have considered chemo anyway. Make the most of your time as you can never be sure how much time you have. We were told 6 months maybe more but it was just one day short of month after diagnosis. We were lucky in a way that he didn't become too bad he seemed like his old self even on the day it came to end it all. He just couldn't get up let alone stand up. You will know when it's time. I will certainly be thinking of you, take care.

Regards

[This message has been edited by Eliza (edited October 21, 1999).]