Two Best Dogs! Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Has anyone done one of these? we still have no answer on funky X-ray results with cancer and bone infections remaining a contender alongside an old healing fracture. Our options are: xray agahn in a few weeks. See if any changes ct scan (have booked this) bone biopsy (pros: rule things out or in. Cons: if she is actually fine be introducing invasive infection or fracture risk?) not sure if should go biopsy straight up alongside the ct scan. Or do ct then follow up X-ray then if changes do biopsy? Presumably I need to take time off to make sure she doesn’t damage the biopsies leg? Also am I rushing into invasive procedures out of fear of the unknown? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 I don’t know, Thistle. Thinking of you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazm Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Hard decisions to make. I honestly don’t know what I’d do in your situation but I feel you go with what your gut instincts tell you. In the course of owning 4 legged friends my gut is usually right even though sometimes I have gone the opposite way. Only to regret it down the track. Good luck with everything though and whatever happens at least remember you’ve done the best for her. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 When my 1st grey's xray pointed to osteosarcoma my vet said we could do a bone biopsy but they are often false. So we didn't bother. That was in 2004, maybe they are more accurate nowadays. I'm sorry you are going through this and I can't be more help. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KJ Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Assuming the CT would be done at a specialist clinic, what about doing the scan and then if the specialist is still unsure they can go ahead and do the biopsy if needed. That way there is only the one anesthetic. When my Lab, had a rib chondrosarcoma last year, she had xrays and biopsy at the same time at my local vet. Then once the results were in she had a CT scan and then the tumour and 4 ribs removed by a specialist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted October 10, 2018 Author Share Posted October 10, 2018 (edited) The X-ray were done at my usual vet but today’s visit was at a specialist clinic. They will also be doing the CT and biopsy. I guess I’ll do both, since CT cannot say for sure and it will minimise the amount of times I drug her up and take her into a vet. Hoping no changes since the X-ray. It will be 1.5 weeks between X-ray and ct. shes not in pain and doesn’t know why sudden reduction in exercise past few weeks. I’ll hsve to separate the dogs after the biopsy so they don’t play and damage the site. Edited October 10, 2018 by Thistle the dog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted October 10, 2018 Share Posted October 10, 2018 Ohhh..worrying times for you & your gorgeous girl . You will do what's best . Thinking of you all ...hugs for you, and Thistle and Thyme 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted October 12, 2018 Author Share Posted October 12, 2018 (edited) Thank you. Have cried a lot in fear. I haven't even had her 4 years yet. Nothing is fair. I'm alternating between upset and angry. I don't want much to do with anything except my dogs. Here is some info on bone biopsy care for anyone who may come via google research. Quote In terms of exercise restriction post biopsy, it depends on what bone is affected, how big the lesion is and how they biospy it (and sometimes you need to take a couple of samples). You will be given specific aftercare instructions after the biopsy, but a general instruction would be no walks for a week then slow on lead exercise with no unsupervised play for a couple of weeks. Poor Thyme is going to be so upset on his sudden isolation. I'm keeping a careful eye on the two, as my best indicator that Thistle is feeling under the weather is if she gets grumbly at him and toy/food is not in the picture. The CT and bone biopsy are scheduled on Monday, so I will be working from home to allow for travel. The next four days I will likely be working from one of the offices, so Thistle will be confined to the dog room and Thyme confined to the backyard. Might be able to have someone pop by and check in on them. The week following that, I actually have scheduled off for a holiday. So can be present to slowly re-integrate them back together and observe the leg. Seems takes up to a month for the bone biopsy to heal (hopefully assuming it's not something requiring an amputation of said limb). Here is our atypical xray that has had one vet and three xray specialists so far go "hmm not sure, could be old fracture, could be bone infection, could be bone cancer". Just sharing for info, not requesting diagnosis on it. Xray was taken October 3rd 2018. I got in touch with her old foster carer, and they're not aware if she had any leg injuries on intake to the pound. Edited October 12, 2018 by Thistle the Best Dog 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted October 12, 2018 Share Posted October 12, 2018 How long for the results to come back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted October 12, 2018 Author Share Posted October 12, 2018 (edited) Said could be between 4 and 10 days to get results depending on complexity. And result might be inconclusive but best way at current to ID if a tumour or infection etc Edited October 12, 2018 by Thistle the Best Dog spelling 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted October 15, 2018 Author Share Posted October 15, 2018 (edited) CT done and biopsy sent off! Cautiously optimistic? CT results are as weird as the Xray, but nothing is screaming "cancer!". Just....weird... (her spleen does have two little bits of hmmm in it, but odd are benign for that location? watchig them) CT results will be sent for international vet forum thing (like DOL but for vets? i love it!). Biopsy ETA is in about a week. Her incision site is super small, so no running for FOUR weeks but calm walks and rallyo are okay also the odd jump here and there isnt a death sentence but try to avoid. Blood and urine back tomorrow I have house split so the dogs will not play when i am not present (and to avoid the sore dog crankieS) Go pick her up in an hour and a half. and pay the bill. ouch. almost fully body CT scan on a big dog OUCH go back in a month for another scan (xraY?) and see if anything changes good or bad. Edited October 15, 2018 by Thistle the Best Dog tired cnat spell 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papillon Kisses Posted October 15, 2018 Share Posted October 15, 2018 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted October 16, 2018 Share Posted October 16, 2018 Worrying time for you T .. but you've started on the journey now, and so far, it sounds doable. The restrictions doun't sound quite as tight as you were fearing. You'll manage this just fine … especially with the hive power of DOL behind you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted October 16, 2018 Author Share Posted October 16, 2018 Bloods and urines in. Nothing flagging as alarming except slightly high cholesterol....feeling optimistic maybe it is a super old injury or something funky but ultimately harmless and not cancer? More optimistic than this past week of extreme stress that is. I have never been so upset . Biopsy results due next week I have a cheat sheet on how to care for a bone biopsy dog, although its a bit of a copy/paste that assumes the bones are weak and her leg bone in the CT appeared strong. No running for 4 weeks! Minimal jumping! Have split the house for the two hounds and Thyme is the most upset over it. Poor little guy, not used to being a solo dog and this upset. Lots of learning for him to do. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted October 22, 2018 Author Share Posted October 22, 2018 Interim biopsy report in: "unremarkable and nothing of note". That is promising??? They have some more tests to run but hopefully find out over next few days and definitely by friday (our free after-op consult and stiches removal) Fingers crossed for funky leg/super old funky injury. The stress! I am hemorrhaging money but I truly hope it's all for "nothing". And as vet said: "it'd be shame to amputate a perfectly fine leg" lol! There is a chance it may also remain a "watch and see". The dogs are practically re-united at the hip, I have to keep stepping in to stop them playing. Still separate when I am not around tho. Wouldn't want any hurt or offence caused over the leg which is a little tender. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 That does sound better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted October 23, 2018 Author Share Posted October 23, 2018 (edited) Final bone biopsy in! It didn't bring up any signs of bone cancer, bone infection or reactive bone. Just...bone. The sample was taken from dead center of the biggest abnormal areas so not concerned it was missed. So it is seeming though something very unusual about the leg, it is possibly of a benign nature and NOT a cancer or infection! About the only idea is that it could be a super old fracture that is still healing. We are to wait and see and keep an eye on it. I'll do an xray next month to see if any changes be they good or bad (and ensure biopsy site is healing). Watch out for limps/signs of pain. Stitches out on friday and i assume i get to see her CT then/ask all the questions im sure i will think of. Breather for now Not in immediate realms of sudden death. Edited October 23, 2018 by Thistle the Best Dog 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 That is truly good news @Thistle the Best Dog... must take such a weight off... Give the crazy beast a get well cuddle from me please... T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted October 23, 2018 Share Posted October 23, 2018 BREATHE !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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