Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
| Messages 1 - 16 of total 16 in this topic |
cleo
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - Mar 12, 2008 - 06:19pm PT
|
This is way OT, and I apologize, but I know a lot of you are local (bay area or near) and that some of you have pets. Here's the deal: I have a 14 year old mostly healthy, pretty active lab x mutt. A few months ago, he starting growing this soft-tissue thing on his leg. No big deal, old dogs get these things all the time. It didn't seem to bother him, but it kept getting bigger. At grapefruit size, we went to the vet. The vet recommended rapid surgery under the premise that "it would continue to grow and eventually break the skin and cause problems", but also that it might need to be removed again in a few months since it was likely to keep growing. That was all I was told. So, I agreed... 2 weeks ago he had surgery.
Well, the thing was deep and they couldn't get all of it, which didn't surprise me considering they expected it to keep growing. The other thing was, they didn't have enough skin to cover it, so the dog has to grow new skin, hence, he's quite bandaged up. Since there isn't enough skin, and the thing is continuing to grow, the prognosis is that it will never heal and he'll never be able to use that leg again! They are now pushing me into AMPUTATING that leg! WTF?!? Had I know that they wouldn't have enough skin to cover the wound, I've NEVER have agreed to surgery in the first place! And I think that THEY had to know this was likely, but didn't tell me.
I'd have preferred, given the amputation scenario, to have waited until the growth was actually a problem before any kind of surgery. (Now, I agree, it is possible that the growth could've quickly become a problem, but I've since talked to people whos dogs had grapefruit-sized growths that never become problems, and I'd have also preferred to have my dog on 4 legs even if only few months instead of this - after all, he's 14).
So now, I'm being told that amputation is the only solution, and pushed into surgery again. Since I didn't get the full story the first time around and felt like they pushed surgery prematurely, I'm highly suspect of this advice. Hence, I need a second opinion... any of you know of any vets who are both good, and typically will talk DETAILS? I'd like to make an informed decision this time.
|
|
happiegrrrl
Trad climber
New York, NY
|
|
|
Mar 12, 2008 - 06:27pm PT
|
I'm sorry for your poor pups problem.
I can't advise, but hope some vet types see your post.
One thing I can say is - I had a client with an older dog who had his leg amputated. Of course it was tough, but you know what? He recovered, and he gets around just fine. The only thing is that his handler needs to be extra attentive on slick surfaces(ice, polished floors), particularly on steps.
There's another older dog who lives in the building next door, who also has 3 legs. That little cutie runs around with no problem - you wouldn't even notice! OH, and there's a second(not older) dog in that same building - same thing.
Those two have a back leg amputated. The first one has a front leg missing.
|
|
bluering
Trad climber
Santa Clara, Ca.
|
|
|
Mar 12, 2008 - 06:34pm PT
|
I agree that you should get a second opinion. Sorry to hear about your dog.
I take my dog to Santa Clara Pet Hospital but my dog has never had serious problems. They're good people though, whatever that's worth.
I would get a couple of other opinions also, not just a second. Maybe someone has a newer/different technique that others aren't aware of.
Good luck.
|
|
Melissa
Gym climber
berkeley, ca
|
|
|
Mar 12, 2008 - 06:41pm PT
|
I go to Lake Vet on Grand Ave. in Oakland and BAVS for emergency/hospital care in San Leandro.
When my former kitty was dying I had the kindest ER doc in San Leandro. I asked her for a recommendation for who she thought was the best GP vet in the area, and she recommended Eleanor Dunn at Lake Vet. I've been there ever since and very happy.
BAVS has a great team of specialists and seeing them costs plenty, but animals get great 24 hour vet-supervised care when they need to be admitted there.
I've had problems w/ Berkeley Dog and Cat and the place on University as have friends of mine.
Good look finding the right care for your pooch.
|
|
TradIsGood
Chalkless climber
the Gunks end of the country
|
|
|
Mar 12, 2008 - 06:42pm PT
|
Something does not sound right. It sounds like you said he had soft tissue growth under the skin. Cutting out whatever was under the skin should have allowed the skin to join at the incision. Since it apparently does not, it sounds like they cut the skin above it as well.
It might help if you at least got the original diagnosis and posted that.
Find out if the veterinarian is board certified in surgery.
|
|
Phil_B
Social climber
Hercules, CA
|
|
|
Mar 12, 2008 - 07:12pm PT
|
When Mafic T. Wonderdog was still in this plane of existence, I used to take her to the El Sobrante Vet Hospital. The vet there was really good and I trusted her.
According to Bay Area Consumers' Checkbook, it's a pretty good place to take your animal:
Checkbook
You might try other vets on that site to see how they rate too
|
|
cleo
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 12, 2008 - 07:33pm PT
|
Regarding the vet - he has come highly recommended around here, and although I haven't checked Checkbook, my guess is that they would rate high (claremont vet). The main vet/surgeon has been around for a long time and there are a few younger vets in practice with him. The vet who recommended surgery and the one who performed it are not the same vet, which is probably part of the communication problem. Nevertheless, I'd like to hear another opinion, and I'm wary of being rushed into amputation if there's a chance that he'll recover. Breaks my heart to think of not taking this dog on hiking and skiing trips. I'm feeling quite glum...
|
|
perswig
climber
|
|
|
Mar 12, 2008 - 08:25pm PT
|
sent you an email. Dale
|
|
Gimp
Trad climber
Grand Junction
|
|
|
Mar 12, 2008 - 08:32pm PT
|
Did he say what diagnosis. Locally aggressive soft tissue tumors in older dogs are often hemangiopericytomas.
These can sometimes be radiosensitive.
Definitely seek opinion from Boarded Veterinary Oncologist, Surgeon or Dermatologist.
If you are in southern California would recommend Stephen Bilbrey, great guy and good Doc.
Steve
|
|
cleo
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 12, 2008 - 09:04pm PT
|
Bingo - didn't have a diagnosis this morning, but just called back, and yup, hemangiopericytoma. E.g. some sort of nasty soft tissue cancer that slowly (if ever) metastasizes but keeps spreading and eventually becomes disfiguring. I talked to a 2nd vet there, she was a little more talkative, and I'm feeling a little better about the whole thing since I think they were expecting something more benign, like a lipoma. She also happened to see the leg this morning and said that it looked bad.
Looks like I'm about to have a 14 year old Tripod Dog. I'm already scheming up sled designs...
|
|
SteveW
Trad climber
Denver, CO
|
|
|
Mar 13, 2008 - 12:23pm PT
|
Cleo
I hope things go okay with your pup. Our pets
are members of our families.
|
|
cleo
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 14, 2008 - 12:58pm PT
|
Cool!
I also found a website with doggie wheelchairs and harnesses (and lots of other tripod pet owners). For those who like photo essays, I wrote one about Joey-dog over there (therapy for me!)
http://www.handicappedpet.net/help/viewtopic.php?t=10948
Thank you everyone - will let you know how things go...
|
|
nita
climber
chica from chico, I don't claim to be a daisy
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 - 01:38pm PT
|
Cleo, Thanks for the pics, and the story. Beautiful! Off-- to hug and kiss my *sweet old doggie.*
|
|
Count Chocula
climber
Choclovania
|
|
|
Mar 14, 2008 - 01:48pm PT
|
Cleo - is it a front or rear leg? if it's a rear they adapt to it pretty quickly, my dog has already tackled a 2 or three mile approach and he lost his about 3 weeks ago...
Older dogs will take a little longer to adjust, and if it's a front leg they may take a few months to learn how to walk again. don't be discouraged, it's just like rehab for people...sometimes it takes a while.
Plus it's always entertaining to watch a dog with one back leg poop. that is always the highlight of my mornings. good luck and I hope for a quick recovery.
|
|
cleo
Social climber
Berkeley, CA
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Mar 14, 2008 - 02:00pm PT
|
front leg, although his bad leg is completely bandaged and useless and he's already going up and down the stairs ok. first try going down was a bit of a disaster - skittering everyplace and a few broken plant pots :).
dunno if he'll hike... i'm thinking of getting a harness with a handle so i can pick his front up like a suitcase and help him up stuff.
|
|
| Messages 1 - 16 of total 16 in this topic |
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!