Osteosarcoma - Page 5

The dogs do tend to recover very well from the surgery itself.  I think that they don't sit around feeling sorry for themselves thinking OMG I'm missing a leg.  I've seen the surgery done on many a dog and I can't remember any that have had really hard time with recovery.  Like we've mentioned before, just the amputation alone seems to be a big relief to the dogs, as the tumor is the bone is very very painful. 

But you are the one who knows your dog the best.

4pack, I'm sorry for you. Take care of the pup and yourself. The hell with what everyone else thinks

4 Pack;  My heart goes out to you and your family.  It is obvious you care very much for your dog and will make the best decision for him.  I was told by a specialist in 2001 that my dog had a sinus tumor and that without radiation she would be dead within 3 to 6 mos.  With radiation she could live an additional 6 mos, possible a year at the most.  I struggled with the decision - to operate and treat with radiation or to just make her comfortable.  She was 8 at the time of the diagnosis.  When I went back in to pick her up, I told the Vet I had decided not to proceed with surgery and radiation - feeling that the trauma of surgery and radiation would be too stressful on her and I did not want her to spend what time she had left recovering and in treatment, etc.   The specialist gave me a hard time about declining treatment, but I felt this was the best decision for Reno.  What is unbelievable, is that the tumor never spread like it was suppose to and Reno lived 6 additional years.  My vet used to call her "Miracle Dog" every time she would see him.  My wish for you is that he can enjoy whatever time he has left with you and that he surprises your vet as well and lives as long as possible.  As for him knowing he has cancer, I agree with gsdlvr2, that he is reacting to your feelings and is trying to comfort you.   What an incredible dog.  Here is to another miracle!

Cheryl

4 Pack,

I am sorry to hear about your kiddo.  The vet I used to work for, Dr. James Dominy, always said the following when someone was trying to make the final decision to let their loved one go.

"Euthanasia is your last act of kindness for the pet that loves you so much." 

It is a hard pill to swallow but I always found comfort in that thought.  I had a Fero Zeuterner Himmelreich son that passed away of liver cancer Jan.17th, 2005...we tried everything.  And it took me a year and a half to pay off his discounted bill (I got a discount because I worked for him).  I did liver biop's, chemo, EVERYTHING in my power, I spared no expense!  I will never do that again!  I loved Falk but he was truely ready to go, I was just not ready to let him go!  And that was terribly selfish of me, but I loved him!  I still miss him but it was a great relief when I realized what REALLY had to be done!

Praying for you,

Vickie

www.PowerHausKennels.com

I am so sorry 4pack, i send you XXXX hugs for you and your pups.

I have just received the same news in my 8 year old yesterday. It is good to hear all the views. My vet said by the time it is diagnosed, even though it does not show up on chest xrays, the cells are already growing and spreading usually to the lungs. 3-6  months tops.

I cannot let her just be put to sleep today, because of this diagnosis, but i cannot  do the chemo either. The amputation I am still unsure of.

i want to keep her with us as comfortable as possible. I have to talk again to the vet today, maybe i missed another option being in shock, but she is too precious to just let suffer. I will do the pain management for now.  My husband feels let nature take its course, and spoil her until the end. I agree, but am heartbroken about any decision.

too many stories of hope that she will live a longer time without intervention, and too many stories of it is too painful to the dog. I can't decide.

So sorry, Jenna38. It's a tough decision, you will do what is right in the end.

jenna, so sorry to hear your news.

Let me know what your vet has to say. So far, very much the same as mine. I'm opting against the amputation, as it will only add a few months. My dog hates the vet and hates when I leave him anywhere. I will not put him through that, only to wake up minus a leg. I will put him in the ground whole and the way he came into this earth. I am very happy withhim these past few days. The pain meds make him good as new right now and he is acting like a younger dog again.

4pack, thanks for the reply.

I was heartbroken when i woke up this morning to her beautiful caramel eyes, and started again to search on the web for hope.

I found this site. Your post is what i would have written. I am very strongly leaning against the amputation and chemo. Just to take her to the vet for check ups is a shaking, drooling affair. And from what i read, and asked, they keep her for a few days. I too cannot put her through.

I gave her a pill (cap somehting) last night when we got home from the vet, and she seemed comfortable for a few hours. I went to bed and left her on her futon bed sleeping peacefully. I woke up in the middle of the night to check on her and, she had climebed the stairs to sleep in the hall, her favorite place.  Haven't seen her up the stairs in a few days, so I was encouraged. So i hope the medicine will help as much as it has helped your pup.

Thank you again for your response. Please keep in touch.

Jenna38:  I'm so sorry this has happened to your dog too.  You are exactly right about the cells which is why chemo is administered even when the offending limb is amputated .  I hope the pain medicine keeps your dog comfortable for as long as possible.