First off, I love the name Bruno! (that was my dad's name) I'm am really hoping that you get some more encouraging news with a second opinion. I absolutely realize that it's Quality of life that must be the determinant, but as a member of the "not an option to amputate club", I can tell you that this is not the club you want to join if possible.

Without amputation, you need to be aware and prepared that Bruno might only have a matter of weeks at this point. We had to let our girl go after only 31 days from diagnosis. I think with Kate's dog Jack, it was only 3 1/2 weeks. Every dog is different of course.

But,I also want to add that with our girl, we were able to manage her pain so that I know she was still enjoying life for most  of that short time. I knew her well enough that in the last days when I saw the inevitable decline in her spirit that it was time. It all happened pretty fast at that point.

Sending you and Bruno pawsitive thoughts for the best outcome.

Anita, mom to Xena & Roger, and my angels, Spammy & Chloe

Hi Bruno and Char -

My Holly just had her amputation a week ago today.  She is about 9, so a little bit younger, but she does have mild arthritis in her back hips.  The decision was excruciating for us, especially because, like Bruno, she was doing really well on pain meds and didn't seem to be in the severe pain that some of the other dogs around here have experienced.  In the end, the fear of such a short time left with her, thinking about her pain increasing, and the fear of the leg breaking were just too much to overlook.  It's only been a week, but I am really happy with our decision so far.  The first couple of days were really rough - she seemed so confused about how she was supposed to get around.  I was terrified that she wasn't going to figure it out.  Fortunately, as the folks here had predicted, she bounced back very quickly and started to get the hopping down within a few days.  As of now, she's on less Rimadyl than she was before the surgery and no Tramadol (we were able to ditch the Tramadol pretty quickly).  I am of course still watching her like a hawk and nervous about our next steps, but seeing her in what appears to be no pain and feeling pretty optimistic that she will be able to run and play again makes me incredibly happy.

It sounds like you've pretty much made up your mind to go ahead with the surgery, but just wanted to give you the perspective of someone who is pretty much still in the thick of adjusting to this.  Any surgery has its risks, but I couldn't disagree more with your friend that the surgery is too traumatic...I imagine that living with the pain is far more traumatic, so you are improving quality and quantity of life at the same time.  Holly had a bladder stone taken out a few years ago, and that surgery was far more traumatic, painful, and harder to recover from.  Logically, it makes sense that it is more invasive and so was more difficult, but obviously the psychological impact on the human for something like that isn't as great, so it is surprising to see how much easier this is for her...as surgeries go, this isn't nearly as traumatic as some!

Good luck!

Holly & Alex

For naysayers: "I know you say you wouldn't amputate, and I hope you're never faced with that decision, but I've made the best decision for Bruno and we both really need your support." Then hopefully they learn by example and if their day ever comes, they remember Bruno. We've had more than one conversion here.

Stairs: Dakota is a front amputee and has no choice but to descend 15 stairs to go out to pee. Then he has to come back up. He does it all with no help. I just get the heck out of the way because he's so fast. So it will happen in time.

You will want to ease into it but Bruno will let you know when he's ready. I remember writing in our blog the day that Dakota went out the dog door on his own and then walked around the outside of the house with me (I was outside). I think it was about day 5. I wasn't ready; he was.

Flooring: You can go to the thrift store and buy a bunch of throw rugs. Somebody here said their house looked like a clown threw up or something similar. It can be true, so make the best of it and decorate with lots of color! I went to Target and spent $20 on 2 yoga mats. They're long and rather narrow, perfect for the area I needed to cover for him. They're non-slip and easy to vacuum. Trying to confine to a couple of rooms after recovery is over is really hard if the dog isn't used to it. Just go for color and remember it's temporary and an outward sign of Bruno's second chance.

Coping: The online chat here is always open. Sign on and put it in the background if no one's there. Wait awhile. (It barks when someone comments.) Just make sure to say "here I am, let's talk." The forums here are wonderful, as you've found. You WILL get answers right away. We have an "ask a vet" forum and Dr. Pam is amazing.

Guarantees: You get none. Bruno may not do well at all. He may have difficulty during surgery or early recovery. HOWEVER, he will not have cancer pain (hideous). He will likely do great. He will be given the chance to keep living the best life he can live. YOU will not second-guess yourself. You will never say "if we'd only amputated." You will get to keep loving Bruno for however long you get to keep loving him! You get to keep getting offers to scratch ears and rub a belly. Bruno gets to try again. 

Now go get ready to welcome your dog into the new phase of his life, the one where he feels well again and knows you didn't give up on him! Keep us posted and take lots of pictures for us.

Shari

To answer your question, we think Dakota was having his 9th birthday and his amputation within days of each other. He was probably about 6 months old when he found us, so we gave him Valentine's Day for a birthday. Other dogs have been older (like Mr. Zeus) so that should give you encouragement!

And we do love pictures, so we always bug newcomers to post them. We want to see your handsome and beautiful pooches. Goofy, serious, whatever. Just so we can see who we're talking about! I'm talking about these two:

We will be thinking about you this week, because we've been through it and understand. The only thing you have to promise to do is let us know right away how Bruno's doing, because we'll worry if you don't. Bruno just inherited a whole bunch of nervous Nellie godparents!

Shari