Hi Karen,

First of all let me say "thanks" for doing the incredible work you do as a hospice nurse. I am always in awe of the special people who do this important work.

And Amanda, thank you so much for being here and sharing your valuable insight.

So Karen, I'm glad to hear you found the ortho specialist, that's a great idea. When it comes to x-rays and lung mets, keep in mind that when diagnosing osteo with a prelim x-ray, the mets are usually still there only they are "micro mets" and the x-rays can't  pick them up yet. What will pick them up is a CT scan, which most people don't do because of the cost. But if you decide to proceed with at CT, and mets are discovered, most doctors will not recommend amputation because the disease typically (but not always) progesses quickly afterward and sometimes too fast for the dog to even enjoy life after recuperation. However, if mets are found, do keep Zeus' story in mind: this boy went on to live almost a year after diagnosis:

X-rays vs. CT Scans for Canine Bone Cancer Staging

Senior Dog Zeus Living Large Against All Odds

Other dogs, including myself, lived several months after mets were found, so you just really have to weigh the odds and how quickly you feel your own pup can recuperate after surgery. But don't go there just yet: take things one day at a time and we will do our best to help you through it.

Good luck this week. We are thinking of you both so feel free to post any questions or concerns.