Dog question (Bone Cancer) - Dallas Cowboys Forum

Rack Bauer · 03-26-2012

My dog got diagnosed with Bone Cancer and had to have her leg amputated.

I was wondering if any of the dog experts out there can give me some advice on how to acclimate her to using a "Sling" or a dog cart, etc..

Also what could I expect her life expectancy to be? She's going to have to undergo chemo (5 treatments every 3 weeks) once she's recovered from the surgery.

Faerluna · 03-26-2012

If she's only losing one leg, she won't need anything like a wheelchair, etc. Dogs and cats do really well with only 3 legs and acclimate very quickly.

I'm not sure about the ins and outs of the cancer, but I hope she has a speedy recovery.

Dallas · 03-26-2012

I hope your pooch has another 10 years of awesome life left them in RB.

My friends dog went through this and she lived a long life afterwards. Happy little dog she was. It didn't slow her down a bit.

Dogs are resiliant.

Rack Bauer · 03-27-2012

Update:

Willow is back home, and already seems to be feeling better. She's knocked out most of the time due to the anesthesia (sp?) and pain killers but she seems to be doing ok so far.

Hoping the doc got it all and I'll have ALOT more time than the 6-9 months the doctor said I had with her.

Sam I Am · 03-27-2012

Damn, I'm sorry to hear that. Good luck and I wish you and your pooch the best.

Rack Bauer · 04-17-2012

Update:

Well we got the lab results back from her leg, and it wasn't bone cancer. It was a very rare fungus (for these parts) called "Valley Fever". Common in Arizona, I'm sure Hos knows what it is.

It is often mistaken for Bone Cancer. So I gave the go ahead to have my dog's leg removed and it wasn't necessary. The doc said "95% sure it's bone cancer".

And now the fungus meds she's on are making her very nauceous (sp?), she has no appetite, and is very weak.

I thought we were gonna have to put her down yesterday cuz she couldn't even stand up to pee/poop. You have any idea how it feels thinking you're gonna have to put your best friend down due to a bad decision you made?

Well they took her off the meds (it'll just be a few days) and she's already looking WAY better. She's able to stand to pee/poop now and she's moving around a bit better. Appetite isn't quite what it was, but it is vastly improved. We do have to put her back on the fluconazole though, but we're gonna start her off at lower doses this time.

And on top of this (oh and btw, one of our cats died 2 months ago), one of our other huskies tore a cruciate in his knee and is having surgery tomorrow.

Don't know what kind of karma is coming down on my family (pets), but I wish it would f off.

Faerluna · 04-17-2012

Man, what terrible luck. On the bright side, I'm so glad it wasn't cancer.

Hope the pet issues calm down soon!

Yeagermeister · 04-17-2012

Was it necessary to remove the leg for Vally Fever?

Heisenberg · 04-17-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rack Bauer

Update:

Well we got the lab results back from her leg, and it wasn't bone cancer. It was a very rare fungus (for these parts) called "Valley Fever". Common in Arizona, I'm sure Hos knows what it is.

It is often mistaken for Bone Cancer. So I gave the go ahead to have my dog's leg removed and it wasn't necessary. The doc said "95% sure it's bone cancer".

And now the fungus meds she's on are making her very nauceous (sp?), she has no appetite, and is very weak.

I thought we were gonna have to put her down yesterday cuz she couldn't even stand up to pee/poop. You have any idea how it feels thinking you're gonna have to put your best friend down due to a bad decision you made?

[View Full Quote]

That really sucks man, but you had your dog's best interest at heart regardless of whether the doctor screwed up the diagnosis or not. Since it's not cancer and it's only one leg, getting around shouldn't be too big of a deal. She'll get used to it and be moving around just fine before you know it I bet.

dexternjack · 04-17-2012

Wow, just wow. That really bites. I think I would have a "conversation" with the vet on his diagnosis. Even if it was bone cancer, im sure your dog could have waited a few more days to get the lab results back? The vet should have known to wait for the results and not recommend amputation. A similar thing happened to my mom's dog few years back and I am still fuming over the inept vet. He told my mom her dog had kidney failure and needed to be put down immediately, something did not feel right about that diagnosis. This particular vet was known to rush to euthanize pets, speculation was for monetary reasons. She did not call me until it was over or I would have put a stop to it because (yogi) has had a few bladder infections in the past that caused false lab reports.

Anyways, glad your best friend is feeling better and has many more years ahead

Rack Bauer · 04-25-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeagermeister

Was it necessary to remove the leg for Vally Fever?

No, it wasn't. At the time I thought it was Bone Cancer (I explained all this already).

Update: Willow was really struggling with the Fluconazole, but we took her off it a few days, then started her back at half dosage (for now). She's doing ALOT better and her appetite is just as healthy as it was before. She's even starting to do her pre-meal "Happy Dance" again (which is a sight to see on a 3 legged dog). She's playing again, etc... So things are looking way up with Willow.

Update on Kody: He had his knee surgery and isn't progressing as fast as most "normal" dogs, but Kody has never been "Normal" (he's a big wuss). He did have a more extensive surgery then just a regular TPLO so that could be a factor. His appetite is ok, but he's being a big baby and will not eat his dry food (that's normal for him at time though, whenever he's in one of his "Moods"). He is starting to toe tap a little so I'm guessing he'll start trying to put pressure on his leg in about a week. Honestly I'd rather him take it easy for awhile, lessens the chance of reinjury.

Faerluna · 04-25-2012

So glad to hear they are both on the road to recovery. It must be a huge relief to you and your family.

CanadianCowboysFan · 04-25-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rack Bauer

Update:

Well we got the lab results back from her leg, and it wasn't bone cancer. It was a very rare fungus (for these parts) called "Valley Fever". Common in Arizona, I'm sure Hos knows what it is.

It is often mistaken for Bone Cancer. So I gave the go ahead to have my dog's leg removed and it wasn't necessary. The doc said "95% sure it's bone cancer".

And now the fungus meds she's on are making her very nauceous (sp?), she has no appetite, and is very weak.

I thought we were gonna have to put her down yesterday cuz she couldn't even stand up to pee/poop. You have any idea how it feels thinking you're gonna have to put your best friend down due to a bad decision you made?

[View Full Quote]

you didn't make a bad decision, you made one based on advice given which the vet believed to be true.

Chocolate Lab · 04-25-2012

So what did the vet say about that? I'm surprised you didn't kick his butt.

And I didn't know they did surgery on dogs' knees.

Hate hearing about the problems and hope everything goes well from here on out with both of them.

Rack Bauer · 04-25-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanadianCowboysFan

you didn't make a bad decision, you made one based on advice given which the vet believed to be true.

Yeah I know, but ultimately it came down to my decision. I'm just glad she's doing well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocolate Lab

So what did the vet say about that? I'm surprised you didn't kick his butt.

And I didn't know they did surgery on dogs' knees.

Hate hearing about the problems and hope everything goes well from here on out with both of them.

Oh when I got the news she didn't have cancer I was too happy to even think about her leg. And right now she doesn't even realize she's missing it.