Hi and welcome. We are sorry you found yourself here but hope to make your decision easier no matter which path you take. And we will support you no matter what, even if you don't amputate. First though, tell us more about your dog: what breed type? age? size? And of course her name 🙂 She is so lucky to have a parent who cares so much for her well-being.

We totally understand your confusion and worries, many of us have been there too. This is not an easy decision, especially if the cancer may return (that it often the case for many people's Tripawds). In many cases, amputation won't get rid of the cancer but what it does is buy quality time with a dog or cat, time that is pain free because the cancer is gone.

Although your dog might not seem like she is in pain, the chances are very good that she is. Dogs are just so good at hiding pain signals . They will do anything not to show their weakness and that occasional limp is a sign the pain is breaking through at different times. Plus, try to put yourself in her paws: how would you feel if you had a tumor wrapping around your leg muscles? You would probably not take it as stoically. I don't know any human who would.

It's good you have gotten multiple opinions. Are any of them vet oncologists? If not, that should be your next move. Sometimes a diagnosis just isn't possible until the leg is removed. And while it seems insane to remove a leg without knowing what the cancer is, if your dog's leg is already beyond saving with the tumor attached to it, then there is no reason to keep it any longer than necessary.

If you decide to amputate, there is no guarantee the cancer will -- or won't -- return. But really, do we ever have any control over events in our lives anyways? You just don't know what cancer will do, sometimes a dog will beat the odds, sometimes they will not. Cancer is a reminder that life is so precious and we should live every day to the fullest, with or without it. 

I hope this helps a little. Stay tuned for feedback from others and tell us more about your dog so we can help you better.

Aww what a pretty name. She is so young! But that is good, between her breed and her age she has everything it takes to bounce back from surgery.

So you have the appointment set for tomorrow? OK, now is the time to be strong and pawsitive. She will look to you for guidance and the more you reflect optimism and believe that she can come through recovery without a problem, the more she will show you that she can!

Have you seen Jerry's Required Reading List or the Tripawds e-books yet? We have tons of information! Here are some other What to Expect articles to check out.

https://tripawd.....to-expect/

I will be in the Tripawds Chat tomorrow if you want to pass the time waiting for news about her surgery!