I was on here before and my computer crashed so I had to register again.

In Feb 09 we found out that Wilson (golden) had bone cancer. Took him to Auburn Unv. They removed his back right leg and told me he had Fibrosarcoma and sent me home without any protcol. I went nuts for two months searching on the web to find out what to do for my Wilson. One of my golden friends told me about Dr Steve Withrow at Colorado State Unv.

I contacted Dr Withrow and the next day I got a phone call. I sent all records from Auburn to them. My Wilson did not have Fibro, he had Oste. We started chemo and he last chemo was the end of August 09. Wilson did wonderful through his chemo and I have kept up with his CBC and lung xrays.

Last week Wilson started having problems with he left back leg (weight bearing). Took him to my vet. He told me that he had a mild case of hip dysplasia. My vet put him on 1/2 pill of Deramix for 7 days. Wilson was still able to get up on that leg then I could tell he was in pain from panting. The vet put him on Tramadol 50mg twice a day. Then last Sunday I noticed that his left eye was blood red and his eye was moving.

Monday we took Wilson back to the vet. They gave me eye drops and took him off Tramadol. Put him back on Deramix and Phycox. Things were not any better on Tuesday. We went back to the vet. They ran bloodwork and his CBC was tops. Then told me Wilson had a very low nystagmus in the left eye. I asked for xrays. They found a spot on his left lung. They could not tell me if the cancer had spread to his brain. That since I went over Auburn's head and contacted Dr Withrow I would need to contact them. I did contact CSU and they told me that I would need a MRI and Bone scan. I tried to get assistants to have the MRI  & Bone scan. I don't have the $$ to do this. My heart is breaking.

There are two vets at my local vet office. When one is not there I see the other. One tells me that she would do chemo because the spot in his lung is from Oste. The other one tells me this is the end and to make him comfortable. So, you all know how I'm feeling right now.

Since Wilson has been off the Tramadol for a week. The left eye is not longer red and you have to look really hard to see the eye moving. With my vet telling me about the mild hip problem. Wilson has been up walking, eating & drinking water, going outside to do his business until last night. He would not put pressure on that leg. We even got a beach towel under him to help get  him up this morning and he will not go outside.

I don't know if Wilson is playing head games with us. Anyone have suggestions of getting him up and outside? The other is going to be heavy on my heart. Wilson is happy, wagging his tail and alert.

I'm with Pam on this, if you haven't already, get his rear leg x-rayed.  We were looking for lung mets with Sadie, and were so happy there were none. Then, she would not put weight on her back right leg (she had a front right right amp due to osteosarcoma).  I took her to the vet and after an exam, he did x-rays of her back leg and found what seemed an obvious tumor inside the knee.  X-rays are certainly less expensive than an MRI.  It helps to know what you're dealing with for sure.  Whatever the diagnosis, it's all about Wilson, so as long as he seems content and can eat, drink, and relieve himself, enjoy every tail wag! I hope he can go outside soon.  We'll be thinking about you and hoping for the best.

Sorry to hear about Wilson. I have seen a couple stories lately that makes me wonder about some of the vets out there. I am sure they are telling you what they feel is the best way to address the situation, to bad your getting different recommendations.  I didn't do chemo with Gus because I didn't wat him to have to deal with any side effects and I don't regret it, quality of life for him was my objective. I can't believe Wilson is playing head games with you, sounds lilke getting that back leg working again is priority no. 1 which would mean trying to find out why he won't us it, that might help you in making decisions. Best to you, Paws up, Spirit Gus and Dan