Now, although this may be insanely expensive, is there a way to try all three? In other words, if there is a window that may be too long in terms of waiting for amputation ( and I am not certain what that would be as the window varies greatly from dog to dog), could you try SRT, then amputate and complete chemo as needed based on further testing?

The reason I mention this is, sometimes, as you have found out, there is not a clear picture. or path forward But not being able to do anything at all is generally the worst option.

Would your vets consider the trifecta option (SRT, amputation, and then chemo)? At least then you would know you were moving forward...

Personally, as hard as amputation may be initailly, after a few weeks, and given Bree's exuberant nature, she is likely to recover well and bring her full Bree self back to the beach, chasing waves, dragging sticks, and in general, being happy, happy, happy! 

(Have had experience with SRT but it is not an easy protocol as there are - generally-five sessions, each requires anesthesia, and depending on where it is done and where you are located, staying at the facility throughout the week is not uncommon.) 

Best wishes, hugs, and PyrPaws all around!

Will PM with more info. One of my WonderBears just completed hers 2/3!

This is an interesting read from Dr. Sue, the cancer vet.

http://www.dogc.....-option-2/

I know one person that did SRT.  5 months after the treatment, the leg did fracture and was amputated.  Taylor is still going strong even though he has lung mets and has for quite some time.  He's 22 months post amp and I guess 27 months post diagnosis.  I forgot when the mets were found but it was last summer I believe. 

I'm also looking at SRT for Tex as he doesn't appear to be a good candidate for amputation.  We still don't have a diagnosis so everything is still up in the air.  

NC State now does SRT.  My husband and I would just have to get the courage to let them touch one of our dogs again.  They've had too many accidents with our dogs and friends dogs for us to feel confident in that the students have enough knowledge to safely take care of the animals given to them.  

Taylor, the dog in FL with SRT, had a hairline fracture.  One thing that his human did was make a very nice set of stairs out of insulation foam for Taylor to get in and out of the car with.  I have always used dog ramps but the stairs Taylor has are really amazing.   Let me see if they'll post here:

Mark Fletcher:  "I built some Styrofoam steps.  To be used if and when Taylor, my 88 pound Greyhound can't hop in and out of my Tuscon, and they both LOVE/DEMAND rides 2-3 times a day.

That is a 2013 Hyunda Tuscon, with a rear cargo area height of 30".
It can be made to any width, height, depth.

I bought 4' x 8', two inch thick sheets of Styrofoam at Home Depot.
They cut to size, too, which was REALLY helpful since cutting that stuff makes a mess.

Glued together with 3 cartridges of Liquid Nails.
The edges are all wrapped in 3" wide duct tape.
The carpet is a remnant, and glued down with spray adhesive.

Build time? Less than an hour.
Probably doesn't weigh 10 pounds"

Maybe you could build something like this just in case something DOES happen and your wife has to take Bree to the vet without you.  A front leg lameness will often still be able to climb stairs.  Once at the vets, they'll have to assist to get Bree out but at least Bree would have a way to get into transportation.  

When it comes to amputation, I don't think you'll find someone more pro-amputation than me.  If Tex didn't have this severe lameness on the right leg, I'd amputate even though we wouldn't do IV Chemo because of his fear of the vet.  If Tex does have Osteo, this will be the third dog in a row I've had to make such a decision with.  The first dog had a laundry list of things wrong on why she was not a candidate for a rear leg amputation.  The 2 largest issues were her severe incontinence, and that she had spinal stenosis that was managed with physical therapy but she had no clue what her right hind leg was doing most of the time and just dragged her right leg around with the toes knuckled over.  She was also 14.5, just diagnosed with dementia, and was in early kidney failure.  She would have been an ideal candidate at 7 or 10, but not at 14 when she was getting confused and angry at the front and back doors changing the way they opened (they didn't, she just had dementia).   We obviously amputated with Nixon.  He had already gone through a horrific injury where it took 6 months to recover and I knew what kind of dog he was when faced with adversity.  He refused to ever give up.