Meg, our 8 year old jackchi has had a lump in her back leg for around three months.
We took her to the vet when we discovered the lump, they did a needle aspiration and although the cells didn’t look normal, they didn’t look like “anything nasty”. This was a massive relief to my partner and myself. Meg went on some anti inflammatories and some antibiotics, as the vet seemed to think it was some sort of infection or injury. The lump went away, and we stopped worrying. Even though the lump came back, it was always after strenuous exercise or stress, so I (stupidly) put off taking her back to the vet. We got on with everything, Meg continued living a happy life, now with her new sister Dotti.
About two weeks ago Meg had a bad few days, she didn’t want to eat, she didn’t want to get out of bed. She trailed behind on walks and stood by our feet at the dog park. She would hop around, keeping her left rear leg, the one with the lump, off the ground. This isn’t uncommon given she has a knee problem and the cold had made it worse all winter. I thought her heart condition had gotten worse, or old age had slapped her in the face hard, and her knee had gotten worse. In the end I think it was simply she went a kilometre too far on a walk and was very worn out. ANYWAY, the vet suggested we biopsied the lump, just to be sure, but he was “fairly certain” it wasn’t cancer, because it shrunk and grew with exercise.
Five days or so later Meg went in for her biopsy, and I thought that would be the most terrifying experience of the leg lump mystery. The vet was confident it wasn’t cancer, therefore I was confident. We were both wrong. On Friday the 26th I got a call from the vets, which started with “unfortenately the news isn’t what we hoped for…”. My heart sank as the vet went on to say Meg had a Mast Cell Tumour, and our four options were radical surgery to get clean margins, less radical surgery with radiation, amputation, or letting the cancer eventually kill her and doing what we could for pain etc. My heart was broken into a million pieces, as I tried to figure out what to do, and how we could afford any of the treatment options. Ironically, moments before taking the phone call I saw a tripawd walking past, missing its left rear leg. Seeing how well the lil guy hopped along was probably the only thing that helped me that night.
After speaking with the vet in person, and finding out Meg’s tumour was low grade, we were fairly certain amputation was our best option. Although its unlikely to have spread, we aren’t getting ahead of ourselves this time, but we will deal with any news of it spreading when it comes.
We went home and I found this site. It has been amazing and reassuring. I’ve gone from being wrecked about the decision to semi-ok about it. I’m still terrified about recovery, the surgery, but I know we’re doing the right thing for Meg. Her surgery is booked in for the 21st of September, so for now we are letting Meg enjoy her last few weeks of having four legs.
Meanwhile I am trying to read and learn as much as possible about tripawds, and making a list of things we need, new harness, new bed, rugs and yoga mats, a fence to keep the dogs apart while Meg recovers.
Any tips or advice would be appreciated, I know none of us want to be in this situation, but it is very comforting to know that so many people have faced this before me and now have very happy puppers continuing their journeys.
Hi and welcome. I’m sorry you are dealing with MCT. My pug Maggie lost her left rear leg to a MCT, you can check out her story here:http://maggiesjourney.tripawds.com/maggies-story/. Mag crossed the Bridge more than 6 years ago, but not before she hopped though life for almost 4 years. Mag’s little sis Tani also had MCT- recurring cutaneous tumors. Tani has also crossed the Bridge about a year and a half ago at almost 15 years old. Neither of them passed from mast cell cancer.
I would suggest you go to the forums for more information and support- there are many more people there routinely.
My current pack is a 10 year old quad pug, and a 1.5 year old pug mix rear Tripawd (car accident).
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
Thanks Karen!!
I had a read over Maggie’s story yesterday and was inspired by her story, what a little fighter! I’m glad both of your girls lived long and happy lives in spite of MCT, hopefully Meg will be as lucky! I’ve been diving into the forums over the last few days, the information and advice is invaluable.
Best wishes to you and your current girls!
Katie xx
Don’t beat yourself up, many of our babies were misdiagnosed prior to surgery. Our Murphy was, and it was over 5 months from the time he started limping to the time he had his surgery. We have 3 dogs in our home & didn’t really keep them separated … the other 2 just sort of let Murphy have his space. Meg will feel so much better after this is all over!
Donna
Thanks Donna! I’d be beating myself up a lot more if it was a worse prognosis, but given an amputation would’ve been our only realistic option at any point in the last three months, I can handle the misdiagnoses and leaving it longer than I should’ve. Meg and Dotti aren’t the best of friends yet and still have fights, so keeping them separated (when meg is resting or unsupervised) to start with post surgery is our current plan, but we’ll see how they go. Once Meg has recovered enough to bash her sister up again it’l be fine haha, hopefully a missing limb will help them bond.
Looking forward to a few months time when all of this is behind us 🙂
So true on missed diagnoses and red herrings – we had a slew of them. My best advice is to be proactive about a pain management plan. Know ahead of time what meds will be prescribed and ask about multiple modalities if that isn’t part of the plan. Different meds work in different ways and often are more effective in combination. Tramadol, Rimadyl, and Gabapentin are a common combo. Fentanyl patches are sometimes used. Staying ahead of the pain will keep Meg quieter and help her heal!!
Lisa and Pofi dog
Thanks for the advice Lisa & Pofi <3. I'm planning on making a pain medication plan before the surgery with the vet. I've seen a few people on the forums had better pain management if they start gabapentin before the surgery – will be sure to ask about that!
We are in that camp of dogs that took Gabapentin before surgery (for 2 weeks prior) and picked up with it after and we had an easier recovery than some. Pofi was taking all three of the meds I mentioned before and after – he was only on Fentanyl in the hospital and though I am sure he needed that in the short term he was much better and happier as soon as we could switch back to that combo.
Will speak to the vet about it when Meg gets her biopsy stitches out next week, she is such a sook about pain (and even taking drugs), so getting her used of it all is a must! Hopefully it helps her through the day 3-5 crash.
Sorry you find yourself here but, as you can see, there is no better place to be for support, understanding and information. You’ve already gotten a lot of great advice.
As hard as it is, just try to stay in the moment and not worry about tomorrow, make sure isn’t! Once recovery is over and her Sparkle starts to come back you will be so glad you have taken away her painful legs period stay connected, recovery can be full of ups and downs. We are all here to help see you through that time and to celebrate in all her upcoming victories.
Sending lots of hugs
Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie too!
Appreciate your kind words Sally! You’re right, I was just rolling about on the floor playing with Meg and her toys, thinking to just enjoy the good days and push through the bad ones. Being more dog like haha! It is also so reassuring to know there is such a supportive group of people out there for the more worrisome days, and who will also celebrate the good days. I’m already looking forward to celebrating her first poop post surgery!
Hugs to you and your crew, Sally xx
My Gizmo had his rear, right leg removed at the age of 10.5. Seeing how far he’s come & seeing his quality of life improve after the amputation, confirmed that my decision was a good one. The 2 weeks post-surgery were the toughest, but you & your sweet Meg are in great company via this website. There will be sort of an adjustment period as she adapts to her new body structure & you adapt to having a tripawd baby. Take it one day at a time & in spite of it all, enjoy spoiling your tripawd! Meg will not even miss the leg. Dogs are truly amazing. Gizmo & I will be cheering you on!
Thank you! I’m glad Gizmo has had such a happy life post amputation, it makes me hopeful for lil Meg! I’m worried about the two weeks recovery, but I keep reminding myself that meg sleeps a lot of the time anyway, so as long as we can keep the pain under control than it won’t be too bad. Hopefully more of an adjustment for me than meg! Appreciate the support xx