Linda, I'm sorry to hear the news about your boy.  Everyone here knows what a punch in the stomach it is and we'll give you whatever support we can.

As far as the surgery goes, most dogs recover from an amputation in about two weeks.  Tate took between three and four weeks and he had to stay in the hospital for an extra night or two.  The surgeon told us it was similar to hip replacement as far as where they make the cuts.  It's a big deal but not so big that it is not recommended.  So if you are deciding against the surgery based on what your vet said, then get a second opinion.  In my opinion, the first step in fighting canine cancer is to remove it with surgery and that means amputation.  I know, it's a shocking to think about it, but that's the way I see it.

I'd also see an veterinary oncologist about the lymph node, and I'd do it soon.  Tate's x-rays and ultrasound came back clear so that is why we decided to go ahead with the surgery.  That, and his prognosis was about a year.  But if it had already spread then we would not have done it.

On the other hand, not doing anything but pain management is a good plan too.  You won't have him with you as long but you will cram more love and bonding into his remaining time than you ever thought possible.

I don't have experience with fibrosarcoma but if you do decide against treatment, it's all about pain management .  Veterinary hospice can help you but really, just let him do as much as he wants and keep him loaded up on Tram.  And get your head wrapped around this because when he starts to suffer, you want to be able to let him go responsibly.  Have plan, will you take him to your regular vet or have someone come to your home?  Tate let me know when he was finished fighting, I was worried about knowing when it was time but he gave me a look that said, "Mom, I'm done" and I hear that from a lot of people.

I'm sorry to be so clinical about this but I know you're an emotional wreck right now and I think you need someone to tell it to you straight.  Believe me, I know, this is probably one of the worst experiences of your life.  You can get through this, we're here to help.  The main thing is, love your boy...but I didn't need to tell you that, you already knew.

Linda, here is a link to some folks who can help you make your decision: http://csuvth.c.....ort/argus/

The Argus Institute is part of Colorado State's teaching hospital, and they deal with folks all over the world who need help figuring out how to treat, whether or not to treat, when to stop, everything you can imagine. They are not trying to make money because they exist through donations, and if your dog's vet can communicate his findings with Argus, then you may find some clarity. Don't hesitate--call them Monday morning and call your vet and ask him to either give you your dog's records or be available to talk to them.

Shari

Linda,
So sorry to hear your pup (name???) has had such a ruff diagnosis. Cancer sucks. But dogs are such amazing, resilient creatures. And even to have the last remaining months without pain -- that would be worth the trouble and expense of the surgery (at least in my book). Plus, dogs don't have the same reaction to the survival times that us people do. The doctor tells us they have six months and the dogs, (bless them) they hear "good dog." Which, I think, is why so many dogs survive so much longer than their vets think they will. Rio was given "six months to a year" with her first diagnosis. She lived for more than four years after that initial prognosis. (You can read more on our blog...)

Whatever you decide to do, rest assured, we will support you -- you know what's best for your dog, your life, your finances. etc. These decisions have no easy, black and white answers. You can only do the best you can. We've all been there, and we know how hard this is... We're here for you.

Rio's momma, Micki

I'm so sorry to hear that you are going through this.

Our 5 year old doberman, Spencer, was diagnosed with a grade 3 fibrosarcoma in August 2011 and had his leg amputated a week later.  His tumor was large; but they were able to get everything by going just past his scapula.  His lymph nodes did come back clean, so between that and doing 15 weeks of chemo we had hoped that he had beat it.  But, just about a week after finishing his chemo he hurt another leg.  While they were doing x-rays they went ahead and checked his lungs.  His leg was fine; but the cancer was in his lungs.    At this point we are doing more chemo just in hopes of buying him more time and it seems to be working.

Through all of this, I have constantly had to adapt my thinking.  At first, the thought of amputation seemed unbearable; but when they told me he had NO chance without it, and when I looked at him and that he didn't seem sick... well, I was a-ok with doing the amputation just one week after finding the tumor.  And I haven't regretted it for a second.  His tumor was growing so fast that they estimated it might have broken through is skin in as little as 2 weeks.

Next was the thought of chemo.  At first I just wasn't sure.  But then the oncologist told me that if Spencer's tumor had been a grade 1 or 2 we could assume that the amputation had cured him (since the lymph nodes were clean).  But since Spencer's was grade 3, we had to assume it had spread at the cellular level.  He gave Spencer a few months of quality life with no chemo.  6 months to possible cure with chemo.  I thought about it for a bit and realized that if there was a chance, I had to do it.  So we did the 15 weeks of chemo.  And through it Spencer did great.  

The oncologist even thought that it was likely that Spencer was cured.  He planned to followup with chest x-rays 8 weeks after finishing the chemo.  But then we found out almost right away it was in his lungs.  This time they told us again, probably about 2 months with how aggressive this is.  Trying a different chemo might buy him 6+ months.  Since I now knew that Spencer does well on chemo, I decided to go with it.  

At this point, we are just over 6 months past finding the tumor.  It just hit me that today is his 6 month "ampuversary"!  And if you hadn't seen his x-rays, you wouldn't even know he is sick.  Last week the oncologist said that he still can't even hear the cancer in Spencer's lungs.

So... there can be time after a diagnosis of aggressive fibrosarcoma.  It is depressing to read all of the information online.  And it can be depressing when I think about him not being here in the future for things; but he sure is enjoying life now.  He has never missed his leg.  While chemo isn't his favorite thing to do, he has made it through each visit with minimal side effects.

If I were you, I'd definitely go see an oncologist and get a real feel for what you are looking at.  good luck!!