Tripawds Three Legged Dog & Cat Forum Archives
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Our Max is an 8 year old, 100 pound Golden Retreiver diagnosed with osteosarcoma
Our vet is afraid he won't do well as a tripawd because of his size but agrees that it will elliviate his pain for now. We also know that the cancer has already started to spread and I haven't read any stories similar to his in that the cancer is spreading. If anyone has a similar situation please help!!!! I'm soooo confused. I want to make him as comfortable as I can in the short time that I am now accepting is leftThe cancer is in his front right shoulder. The vet explained that dogs use 80% of their front legs and 20% of their back legs so he would have to really work that front left leg and he is such a big guy. I love him dearly. He is my 3rd child but we lack the funds to take drastic measures such as chemo, radiation, etc. I have read about several supplements and have learned alot about cancer diets for dogs so I think I'm somewhat prepared for the road ahead but just wish I knew what the right thing to do is....dang! I really wish he could talk and tell me what he wants me to do:)
10:32 am
28 November 2008
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I'm so very sorry to hear about Max. I really don't have a similar situation, just wanted to offer my support. I know how I felt in the beginning and the support I found here and through others gave me the strength to make the decisions as they came based on the quality of life for Trouble. Hugs to you and Max.
Shanna & Spirit Trouble ~ Trouble gained her wings 3/16/2011, a 27 1/2 month cancer survivor, tail wagging. RIP sweetheart, you are my heart and soul. Run free at Rainbow Bridge.
The November Five - Spirits Max, Cherry, Tika, Trouble & Nova. 11/2008 - 3/2013 An era ends as Queen Nova crossed the Bridge.
10:32 am
Team Tripawds
Administrators
25 September 2009
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Hi there, we are so so sorry to hear about Max. Thanks for joining us here and becoming a member, we'll do our best to help you through this ruff time. You're right, it is very confusing.
So it sounds like you took x-rays of Max's lungs? Are there mets? If so, how bad are they?
Now, what about a second opinion? It can help to have a third party take a look at him. Are you able to take Max to a veterinary teaching school hospital? Med schools are light years ahead of regular vet practices, and can give you a better idea of his ability to cope with the surgery. If you can't take him to a teaching hospital, a board certified surgeon would be another good bet.
Right not, Max can benefit the most by having you be his strong pack leader. It's hard, but remember that someday in the future, there will be plenty of time for tears. Today, you can help him by trying your best to stay calm and doing all the research you need to feel comfortable with any decisions you make. Remember, there are no rights or wrongs, you have to do what is right for you and Max.
Many hugs going out to you. Please let us know how things are going OK?
Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet
Thank you so much for the support. I'm so very appreciative and touched that so many people are reaching out to one another.
We have taken Xrays and the vet says that they are "suspicious" and that since the biopsy came back with microscopic spreading he suspects that the spots could be mets but doesn't know for sure. We are going this afternoon to sit down and speak with the doc further and hopefully come up with a solution for him.
I'm definetly not against a second opinion but it's pretty hard for Max to get around and he is sporting a Fentynol patch along with Tramadol so he's kind of out of it and I hate to ask anymore of him right now but again, want to do whats best for him so it's definetly a possibility.
I know that these special creatures of ours sense our energy and react so I'm holding it together the best I can until someone asks how he's doing or wants an update. Maybe I should avoid answering the phone:)
11:52 am
Vet Expert
Vets
Members
23 August 2008
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Is your dog overweight? How are his back legs? My dog Tazzie is a Mastiff (190 #) and lost her RF leg 8/26/08 due to osteosarcoma. She had both of her knees fixed prior (for ruptured ACL) so I was unsure how she would do. Well she gets around great! I would be more concerned with lung mets but some dogs (see Jerry) have even lived a long time with those. Amputation will relieve the pain, so I would get a second opinion.
Pam and Tazzie
Hello! Welcome to our Tripawd family. I think you will find a tremendous amount of support and advice here to help guide you through tihs difficult decision. So sorry to hear about Max's diagnosis. My dog Shadow is a 11 year old Labrador Retriever, who weighed 102lbs before amputation. Not really "overweight" because he's taller than the average Lab, but he was probably a little huskier than he should have been. The bone cancer was located in his front left shoulder. We were a little concerned as well before we did the amputation on how well he would get around, considering his age, weight and the he has arthritis in his hips. But Shadow was a very energetic and active personality type dog before his diagnosis. We knew that once we got rid of the pain from the bone cancer, he would recover fine. We are coming up on our 3 month amputation mark, and he's doing great! The first couple weeks or so after the surgery was very trying, but we got through it and have had no regrets. Max is 8 years old, still fairly young. I think you should definitely get a 2nd opinion. Best of luck and let us know how it goes!
Tina and Spirit Shadow
Hello everyone!! Wow....you guys are great!! Your responses to my posts' are so positive and encouraging
Max doesn't look overweight. He's all fur and just tall and big! We just came back from the vet and he reiterated his concern with amputation but doesn't rule it out but suggested that we meet with an oncologist in Ventura, Ca. who has specialized in the field for 20 years. This same oncologist saved our Lab mix years ago when she came up with a serious fungal infection and went blind from it so I am going to schedule a visit with him.
The doctor is not sure if the spots on the chest xray are mets. He said he can only assume that they are from knowing that the cancer has already started to spread. I guess we'll get a better answer on the lungs from the oncologist.
Max hasn't shown any signs of arthritis in his back legs. He's just a great big teddy bear that loves his family.
I'm so glad to hear that all of your dogs have recovered well and are back to them selves. It gives me a tremendous amount of hope and gives me reassurance that I need to fight this!!!
I will keep you posted
Hi there...it sounds like you're pretty on top of this with research and have a good vet team. So good on you!
My Cooper is also an 8 year old, 100lb dog - Rottweiler. (Actually his ideal working weight was 96-98lbs, not that I'm anal about keeping my dogs thin or anything LOL.) And his cancer was also in his left front leg, in the elbow joint. He was amputated Feb 13. <a href="