I too will pipe in with my support towards amputation. I can't even imagine waiting for my dog's leg to break! Shooter does not have OSA and was not at risk for a break, but the tumor on his leg caused so much pain he didn't even want to take a short walk and this is a dog who ran everywhere. Sincehis amp he is back to being excited for walks and once again runs. I will take this enjoyable time with him over the way he was no matter what.

my 9 1/2 yrs old lab was JUST diagnosed 2 days ago I am in the same boat and VERY VERY CONFUSED

I am even MORE confused on what to do. So before I was sure I would NEVER put my dog thru amputation and chemo. BUT now I don't know anymore at all what to do.she had told me we caught the cancer VERY early. lungs are not effected yet! supposedly according to x-rays however she did say microscopic lesions you cant see. so I asked her what are my OPTIONS and I told her explain all the good and bad and ugly.

so here is what she pretty much told me.  don't do surgery/amputation don't do chemo I might get 4-5 months with Bogi but it will be towards the end a VERY VERY painful ordeal for him. she said this is one of the most painful cancers osteosarcoma. 

she said he is a otherwise healthy boy and at 85 lbs he could handle the amputation. she said it would take a few weeks for him to adjust BUT that would take all his "pain" away at least and then treat him with carboplatin chemo therapy which is more tolerable for the dogs and has less side effects. she just did it on her dog for the same cancer and she said except throwing up a few times he managed the chemo pretty good.

now that would give Bogi approx. another 12 month (she said that are "statistics" and she cant make ANY guarantees. some dogs go even longer some less,  she got 8 month with her Doberman but she didn't do the amputation. what scares me the most now in making this decision she telling me if I don't amputate the pain will be REALLY bad. can be controlled with pain meds but he will be very drugged up. so that's my biggest cncern. She also told me without a BONE BIOPSY the VET will NOT amputate but I told her I don't want that done. She said they will NOT amputate a leg if they are not 100 % sure and they can only be sure with a biopsy!!! NOW WHAT I don't want this biopsy I read so much bad things about that.so that's another thing I am trying to deal with. WHAT to do?

I know I said always I would never put my dog thru chemo and amputation but I am second guessing myself.  I know no one can help me with this decision but maybe someone who went thru the same cancer can give me advice? guidance? Bogi is only 9 1/2. and the cancer is in his proximal right humerous.  HELP? I am devastated. and I don't want to waste too much time because she said with this cancer time is of the essence. she did say we caught it in its VERY EARLY STAGES nothing is in his lungs yet on the xrays but that doesn't mean microscopic hasn't spread yet and she said even with chemo it will eventually spread????  I want to do whats best for HIM not what buys me more time with him I DO NOT want to be selfish I want whats best for Bogi!

@jamiebogi64

I feel your confusion, especially about the amputation part. Chemo is not an option for my Bear and his cancer was not bone, so no bone biopsy.

If you have some time to think about it and consider it, please consider downloading and reading The Dog Cancer Survival Guide and the Tripawds ebook Three Legs and a Spare . A combination of those books and gaining more knowledge about my pets cancer, the bumps along the road that MIGHT happen, and becoming a member of Tripawds... All of those things led me to decide on amputation as the best path for us.

The Survival Guide has some great insight on chemo. It's generally much easier on dogs than humans bc of the lower dose.

It's your decision and this community is definitely a GREAT support system. I would consider adding a new forum topic just for you to make it easier to find. Those with more experience will hop on too. Bear was only diagnosed about 1.5 weeks ago, and amp is scheduled for June 11th.

Good luck on your journey, we're all here to help you
heather and bear

Yes, read the book. It will help immensely.

My Zoey had her surgery exactly two weeks ago this afternoon. I was suppose to bring her home that night but she had a horrible reaction to the sedation (long story) and we picked her up the next morning.

Those first couple of days and nights were hard and I came here with each and every question. Zoey whined, cried and panted a lot and I couldn't do anything to help her. As members here pointed out, many of her actions were as a result of the medicine used for surgery, so just be aware.....and have some wine handy.

Yep, flat bed. Nothing puffy as right now it's too hard for a new Tripawd to balance on a flat surface much less a puffy one. I also kept the bed covered with a towel that I would change as needed.

I kept a fan going on zoey as I knew that with her thick coat (even though half was shaved) she was hot with her tshirt on.

Stay ahead of the pain. Did the vet send you home with a good supply of pain meds?

If your dog doesn't want to eat, try mixing in low fat, low sodium chicken broth into some rice (which we up gave her for the first few days) or kibble.

It may take a few days before your dog is able to defecate. Zoey finally pooped on day 3. She started urinating within 24 hours of being home.

Those are my first suggestions, all gotten from this forum, the members and the book.

Good luck. You can do this.