Hind limb amputation for presumptive appendicular osteosarcoma in a domestic cat

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor in cats and most often affects the appendicular skeleton. This case report describes the diagnosis and surgical management of presumptive appendicular osteosarcoma in a domestic cat. A seven-year-old male domestic cat weighing 2.6 kg presented with a progressively enlarging mass and a moist open wound on the left hind limb. Radiographic examination revealed an aggressive osteolytic lesion, suggestive of osteosarcoma. Hind limb amputation was performed under premedication with atropine and acepromazine (0.02 mg/kg BW each) and general anesthesia with zolazepam-tiletamine (5 mg/kg BW). Postoperative therapy included oral antibiotics, analgesics, and vitamin supplementation. The patient remained clinically stable after surgery and recovered well. By postoperative day 18, the wound had healed adequately, the sutures were removed, and the patient was discharged. Hind limb amputation provided a favorable short-term outcome in this cat with presumptive appendicular osteosarcoma.