Hi.

I have a large yellow Labrador (was 93.6lb), Named Mojo Wizard Big Paw: American Field Lab. The cancer (osteosarcoma) was not diagnosed until he had been limping for awhile, Dr. thought it was arthritis (Mojo is 10 yr old) but X-Ray showed the lump, and into the bone: right front leg, amputated totally. We were food restricting him, and when he was getting sicker from the cancer, he dropped to 79 lb! (We knew something was really wrong, not arthritis). He was in pain, and I put him on a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory way back when it started. After the diagnosis, onto that plus Tramadol (synthetic opiate).

We just amputated almost 3 weeks ago (Dec. 20th). Met with oncologist, after initial diagnosis, we did it pretty fast, within a week of diagnosis.  We were told it is a rapid spreading cancer type. We are starting chemo this week. Four sessions, 3 weeks apart. I am scared to death. He was initially traumatized by the amputation. Mojo is 10.

I initially felt it was a selfish plan, to take a leg. Then I realized it is more selfish not to, that is, to let the animal die in suffering. I almost backed out at the last minute. I love this dog more than anything. He is so sweet, a bit timid, but a "Big Boy", and his favorite thing is to walk in nature, run, swim. I realize he may only have a short life left, but I pray it's a couple of years. It's been about 17 days since the surgery: He is doing really well. He can take carpeted steps just fine: one step at a time. His walking is OK, just have to watch he doesn't trip on sticks until he gets used to his new way of walking. We give him massages regularly, and let him go for rides in the back of the SUV. We lift him in and out of the car though. He eats like a pg, as he loves food!! But I realize we have to keep his weight down. He overall improved greatly form the time we brought him home. It took a few days for the Fentanyl (sp?)patch med to wear off, and he was weary and "stoney baloney" for a few days. He can walk outside to pee, and poop, he just doesn't lift the hind leg to pee. I walk on his right side, where the limb was removed, and give him support with a leash at all times. He's trying to jump up int of the back of the SUV already! (this one thing, he cannot do). He jumps up on the couch, and sort of slides a little to get off the couch. He has mastered alot of skills already. We put rubber runner type (rubber backs) rugs down on the tile entrance and kitchen linoleum (Amazon). Slippery floors may be difficult.

I had trouble looking at him and the incision marks, I had trouble looking at him without the front leg. I just felt so bad for him, and I still do. But I know it was the right thing to do. And never to let him know that I had trouble, I slept with him close and massaged him and stayed with him close (I still do). He is a very sensitive animal, very much so. This helped me too. He and I are very close buds. He still has some days where he wants to be not alone: staying close to me or Mike (partner) and his stuffed animals. I put a tee-shirt on him to keep the area clean (the staples were removed about 5 days ago) and to help me adjust to visualizing the scar where the leg used to be...It was so hard to do this to him. Good Luck, and know that your dog will be healthier without the bone tumor/the pain of that tumor could never be cured or temporarily fixed, it would only get worse, even if you give him strong meds (this is what the Dr.'s told me). Peace and Love, LAS

PS: I wasn't offered radiation therapy by the oncologist. Also, there is vaccination study being done at Yale for a new vaccination against spreading cancers in dogs. Interesting work. Research type study. ($1000.00 to enroll). I'm thinking chemo first though.