Hi, my name is Alice & I have a 10 year old Rottweiler, Dakota, that was diagnosised with osteosacroma last Tuesday.  I have made the decision to have his leg amputated on Wednesday, July 7 after reading all the positive information on here.  This past week has been a very painful one, I didn't know my heart could heart as much as it has.  I'm not sure if I am going to have chemo on him yet. I just wanted to "thank you" for this awesome site. I never thought I'd be in this situation but I am glad to have the information from here to help me make my decision.

Dakota's mommie

Alice

Welcome to the family, this indeed is the best place to be. Gus had his front left amputated in Arpil, at the time we did the first x-ray he was clear on his chest, but he started getting a lump on his neck and when I took him in we did a second x-ray and found some lung mets, that was about 5 weeks ago. at the time we did the surgery we felt we had caught the cancer early and decided to not do any chemo since quality of life for Gus was our main goal.  Even the vet was surprised at how fast it had progressed, so at that time metronomic therapy was suggested from some people here which we started three weeks ago with cytoxin , doxycycline and mushrooms. I can't say if it has helped,  Gus is a very active dog, lab-rott mix and very strong, so he handled the adjustment with no problem and by 4 weeks was back to pretty much normal, but I am noticing the last week he seems to be hopping different and has started a cough like he has eaten to fast once in a while, so I am starting to wonder if the cancer is still as agressive. This is a sucky road to be on and it always has you wondering what is next, but this site is a Godsend for all of us, and there is so much support here that it makes this journey SO much easier. Some of the dogs react different to certain drugs, Gus had trouble with Tramadol but several people have had good luck. Phantom pain might be an issue, Gus had it, it makes the ride a little rougher but they get over it, it's usually the parents that have more problems than the dogs themselves. Don't be afraid to ask anything here, experience gives the best answers, Good luck, Paws up, Gus and Dan

Alice and Dakota,

First, let me say how sorry we are to hear of Dakota's diagnosis, but you have found a great community filled with wonderful people who will share their collective experience, give excellent advice, and provide support. One would get a near unanimous agreement regarding the amputation because it eliminates the pain. Normally, after two weeks of recovery, they will amaze you. The chemotherapy is a different story since there are numerous personal issues. For Miss Cherry, the chemotherapy was far worse than the amputation, but considering her condition at the time of diagnosis, the chemotherapy was clearly the best choice for US. We know that when the time comes to decide on chemotherapy or not, you will be making the best choice for you and Dakota and this community will totally support that decision.

I have a set of "standard" suggestions that I post that may help you throught the amputation recovery.  Unfortunately, I have attempted to post these suggestions ten times and as of yet they do not appear. So PLEASE LINK to a previous posting of these suggestions.

Sending Positive Thoughts,

Spirit Cherry's Dad

Hi Alice…welcome to a great group of people with lots of knowledge.  Sorry you have to be here but you couldn't be in a better place for friends and knowledge.  Keep us posted!  And our prayers and thoughts.

Pat & Spirit Ruthie

 Welcome Alice,

  I am sorry to read of Dakota's diagnoses.  My dog Tasha, also a Rottweiler had her left front leg amputated 9 months ago due to osa. The first two weeks were hard but then things just got better and better everyday . Today Tasha does almost everything she did before. She can run so fast, loves to go on walks, car rides heck she is just a normal dog, except that she lives her life on 3 legs.

 We will be thinking and praying for you on the 7th.

 Jo Ann & Tasha