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6 Posts
Our sweet Penny was diagnosed with a soft tissue sarcoma in January, 2021 and it was surgically removed. In December it recurred, and after visits with local vets and specialists we were told she had no options, that she was not a candidate for amputation, and at best we could do $4k radiation that would stall tumor growth for 6-12 months.
I started researching clinical trials and came across University of Missouri. We took the trip out there and they asked if we had considered amputation - I told them what had been relayed to us, and the surgeon recommended she be evaluated by a neurosurgeon and orthopedic specialist, which they had at their disposal at the hospital. They took a look at her and determined not only was she a candidate, but a great one! So two weeks later we took another 6 hour trip out to Missouri, and Penny is now two days post amputation and doing fantastic.
So far, and this may be selfish to say, I think it’s more traumatizing for my husband and I than for her. It’s very hard to watch her stumble and struggle as we use a sling to help her walk and use the bathroom, but she hasn’t complained once and is already showing some major improvement. The vet said within 3-5 days they can typically walk without assistance, and judging by how well she’s doing already I believe she’ll be right at that 5 day mark. She has to take it easy for the next 14 days so we have to be very diligent as she’s already showing signs of wanting to jump on furniture and climb up the stairs, but I think in a few weeks time it’ll be like she never had a 4th limb.
It’s difficult to find Tripawd Basset Hounds online, and I think the reason is because most vets are going to say based on body composition and potentially age, they’re just not good candidates. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I strongly recommend you meet with an orthopedic surgeon and have your pup evaluated - if you’re within reasonable driving distance to University of Missouri, I cannot recommend them enough. We had a choice between weeks or possibly years left with our sweet girl, and although I’ve had some doubts these past two days I wouldn’t take back the choice for a second.
I started researching clinical trials and came across University of Missouri. We took the trip out there and they asked if we had considered amputation - I told them what had been relayed to us, and the surgeon recommended she be evaluated by a neurosurgeon and orthopedic specialist, which they had at their disposal at the hospital. They took a look at her and determined not only was she a candidate, but a great one! So two weeks later we took another 6 hour trip out to Missouri, and Penny is now two days post amputation and doing fantastic.
So far, and this may be selfish to say, I think it’s more traumatizing for my husband and I than for her. It’s very hard to watch her stumble and struggle as we use a sling to help her walk and use the bathroom, but she hasn’t complained once and is already showing some major improvement. The vet said within 3-5 days they can typically walk without assistance, and judging by how well she’s doing already I believe she’ll be right at that 5 day mark. She has to take it easy for the next 14 days so we have to be very diligent as she’s already showing signs of wanting to jump on furniture and climb up the stairs, but I think in a few weeks time it’ll be like she never had a 4th limb.
It’s difficult to find Tripawd Basset Hounds online, and I think the reason is because most vets are going to say based on body composition and potentially age, they’re just not good candidates. If you find yourself in a similar situation, I strongly recommend you meet with an orthopedic surgeon and have your pup evaluated - if you’re within reasonable driving distance to University of Missouri, I cannot recommend them enough. We had a choice between weeks or possibly years left with our sweet girl, and although I’ve had some doubts these past two days I wouldn’t take back the choice for a second.