Our 7 year old shepard/lab mix, Callie, was just diagnosed with osteosarcoma in her hind leg this past Sunday.  She had been limping for a few weeks, but we figured she had just pulled a muscle (she does it pretty frequently) so we didn't do anything right away and just gave her some leftover rimadyl we had, which seemed to make it better.  Once that ran out, she was back to limping and wouldn't put any weight on the leg at all last Friday & Saturday.  Since we were leaving for vacation on Monday, we took her to a weekend vet, who diagnosed by xray and the swelling above her knee.  She gave us more pain mediciations to give her until we could see our regular vet to get more information.  We left on Monday for a short vacation, and had to put her in the kennel.  I felt terrible about it, but the weekend vet said the pain mediciations would be all we could do to make her comfortable anyway.  We got back on Thursday and when we picked her up from the kennel, her foot was (and still is) VERY swollen.  We took her to our regular vet right away.  He confirmed the cancer diagnosis by the xrays we had done and told us amputation is the best option.  He said the swollen foot is very common because she is not using the limb.  He said we could try chemo with surgery, but that surgery was the main thing we need.  It does not look like it has spread anywhere according to the xrays and our dog is healthy otherwise. 

So we have scheduled the surgery for next Thursday, the 14th.  The vet said he didn't see any reason she wouldn't live normal life once the leg is removed (unless the cancer has spread and does not show up on the xrays yet)  He did not give us an expected timeframe…"could be 6 months, could be 6 years" was his answer.   My brother had the same thing happen to his golden retriever several years ago, who was 4 at the time and lived another 7+ years with surgery alone.  So, obviously we are hoping for the same outcome. 

Does anyone have more information on life expectancy with surgery alone?  Recovery expectations for a "middle" aged dog?  Any and all information is helpful as we wait for surgery and research our options a little more.   

Welcome to Tripawds. Sorry that your pup has to have the surgery, but you'll see in no time just how well Callie will do on 3 paws. As admin said, focus on the quality of life. There is no way to determine how long a pup will live post surgery, but you can at least provide quality to her.

Make sure you get lots of rest, as the first 2 weeks post-surgery is really tough. And do lots of reading here, as all of us can offer lots of great info and answer any of your questions.

Our dog Skyler had both surgery and chemo afterwards. She had a mast cell tumor on her hind leg. Unfortunately, the cancer spread and we had to set her free after only 3 weeks. We have no regrets, and would do it all again. Those 3 months with her after the surgery will be cherished in our hearts forever. She had quality of life, and showed us such strength – and loving life moment to moment.

Please keep us updated, and post some pics of Callie when you can.

Sending you many golden hugs!

Cathy

Hi and welcome.

My 7 year old golden, Shelby, had her right front leg amputated last July 2.  She had a soft tissue sarcoma in her right elbow.  Xrays showed no evidence of metastasis, so we went for it.  It's been just over a year and up to now, she's been cancer free and a wild child on 3 legs.  She doesn't hurt any longer……she runs faster than my other golden and lab…..and she is loving life.

Best to you on the 14th……as the folks here will tell you, the first couple of weeks post-amputation are the toughest but once the stitches came out, Shelby embraced life and hasn't slowed down since.  I wish the same for you and Callie!