Born in 2004, Billy has always had a jovial spirit, and is a favorite patient at Gallatin Veterinary Hospital.

Billy first came to GVH in December of 2010 for a consult for a left rear leg injury. His owners were planning to schedule a cruciate stabilization surgery after returning from a trip over the holidays, but those plans were quickly changed. The day after his consult, Billy came back acutely limping on his right front leg, and the owner had noticed a swelling on the area. Radiographs were taken to be sent to a specialist for interpretation.

The lesions were suggestive of neoplasia (malignant growth). The next step was to biopsy the bone and send for histopathology and culture. Chest radiographs were also taken to rule-out any lung metastases (spread of cancer to the lungs), and these were normal.

The culture was negative for any infectious organism, but the biopsy was consistent with osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. The doctors of GVH had a consultation with the oncology (cancer) specialists at Colorado State University (CSU).

The owners travelled to CSU Ft. Collins, CO for a possible limb spare surgery while they were away for the holidays. When they arrived to CSU, Billy was determined not to be a good candidate for the limb spare surgery. His leg was splinted, and he returned home to be boarded here at GVH while they were away. At this point a tentative amputation was scheduled, but a limb spare was still being considered.

The decision was made to first focus on stabilizing the cruciate tear so he could be strong enough to withstand either an amputation or limb spare on three legs. On December 27, we stabilized the knee using a special technique called a Tightrope Procedure.

Billy recovered well from the surgery. At the end of December, Billy began a course of intravenous chemotherapy using Carboplatin, and also Pamidronate-a bisphosphonate drug that inhibits bone resorption. Billy tolerated these drugs well, and the treatment lasted into summer of 2011. Billy was also fitted with a special custom-fit leg splint from Ortho-Pets for the front leg. Both the splint and the drug therapy served to prevent any fractures from occurring through supporting the bone, and also lessening the pain associated with his condition.

Billy was started on an oral chemotherapy drug called Cyclophosphamide. Towards the end of May, the brace Billy had been wearing was becoming more and more uncomfortable, and at the end of July the owners discontinued the Cyclophosphamide because his energy levels were decreased, and he just “wasn’t himself”. His leg was very sore, and he was no longer willing to get up at all.

In the middle of July, Billy’s owners elected to have his leg amputated to help decrease his pain and make him more comfortable.

It has been 6 months since his amputation, and Billy has done remarkably well. He has not shown any need at this time for any further treatment. He has adapted to his three-legged lifestyle very well, and has been a joy since recovering from the amputation. He is now one year from his original diagnosis and is an inspiration to us all. He gives hope to anyone who knows his story.