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Dear Nanny Fran,
My dog is limping, why doesn’t she
heal more quickly?
Most soft tissue injuries take a good long
time to heal. However, if you have not had an x-ray taken of the
area I would highly recommend one. For the past few weeks I have
been caring for a 90 lb. rottweiler who was limping. Originally it
was assumed that the limp was caused from her jumping down from the
family’s SUV and pulling a ligament, muscle, etc. After
several days of treatment with anti-inflammatory medication she was
no better.
Nearly two weeks after the injury the
family called me to ask why I thought this dear one was not healed.
I asked if an x-ray had been taken and the answer was
“No.” I suggested that it was needed. I took this dear
one to the vet for the x-ray as my vehicle is much lower to the
ground; therefore, more easily accessible. The x-ray showed
osteosarcoma, bone cancer. Immediately an appointment was made at
Florida Veterinary Services in Tampa. This facility is the major
oncology center for the entire southeast. Its specialists are
angels and I thank God each day for their presence. We are blessed
to have this fine facility in our midst.
I again took this dear one and her mother
for the first appointment. The x-ray of the front leg showed the
cancer, at this point, to be contained in the leg. An x-ray of the
lungs was done. This is standard procedure as bone cancers usually
start in one of the front legs and then metastasizes to the lungs
very quickly. The x-ray of the lungs showed no evidence of cancer.
We breathed a huge sigh of relief.
The usual treatment for this type of
cancer is amputation of the leg and doing radiation and
chemotherapy. This dear sweetheart had her leg amputated this past
week. After a time of healing, about two weeks, radiation and
chemotherapy will be done.
Dogs get along very well with three legs.
They are very unlike us humans. They live in the now! They have no
concept of “looking unusual, not being ‘perfect,’
etc.” Most people who do not want to amputate are projecting
their own feelings onto their dog. Dogs are absolutely fine with
who they are. They very, very wisely “live in the now.”
No grudges, no regrets, no “what if I had done this or
that,” “what if tomorrow…” They move on
and continue to give love and receive love.
I will not go into the statistics
regarding the cure rate or life expectancies after treatment, which
can vary tremendously; however, I personally, know of one standard
poodle who is still with us, two years later, after this diagnosis
and radiation.
In most situations a change of diet is
recommended and weight loss is suggested. When you need to bear
weight on three legs excess pounds need to be shed. Unfortunately,
because of all the poisons and chemicals in our lives, cancer in
animals is no more unusual in them than it is in us. Never assume,
get x-rays, CT scans, blood tests, whatever is needed to discover
the cause of any limping, vomiting, lack of appetite, weight loss,
difficulty breathing, etc. Never assume also applies to the vet in
charge. He/she can assume; however, you never should. Unless your
vet has x-ray vision or is highly intuitive, you need x-rays, blood
tests, CT scans… whatever is needed to diagnose properly.
Quick and proper diagnosis can save your pet’s life.
© 2007 Francene Mattucci. All Rights
Reserved.
Francene Mattucci founded Never Say Good
Bye Pet Sitting Service in 1994. Call 727-512-3206, visit
www.TampaBayPetCare.com or email
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with
questions for this column.
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