Hey all,  I apologize that it's been too long since our last pupdate.  We are now a little over 10 months since the initial diagnosis and almost 9 months since the amputation.  We just had our second follow-up visit with Mizzou, which are scheduled in three month intervals for the nine months following completion of the treatments. They checked vitals, ran xrays, and did the usual poking around stuff that docs seem to do.  All tests came back clear and there is no evidence of spread of disease!  We are so very thankful that we were able to give our sweet Beastie a second chance.  I just wanted to make sure that you all know there is some hope when the initial outlook can look so very grim.

Thanks all for your support.  You all are doing amazing things.  

It's no easy task getting a good picture of a Beast in motion so here are a few pics of her doing what she does best...

Hi Tripawd community.  It's been too long since I've given an update, but this time I come looking for some support/guidance.  Sweet Beastie is still hanging in there with us - 5 years past amputation!  Arthritis and muscular atrophy have taken their toll over the last couple of years.  After a bout with some leg pain, leading to no walking we started her on adequan injections a couple of years ago.  This worked well but eventually she started to lay around more and lost some strength on the three remaining corners.  This led to some more strains this past spring and more walking issues.  It started out as a once every couple of months and now about once every few weeks she'll have trouble walking (hopping).  Each time she has issues the wife will use her harness to support her and I usually carry her around the house, outside, and into bed at night.  She does have one growth about the size of a baseball on her side/belly that started to develop around 9 months ago.  It's too late in her life to worry about that as we would not treat it and it doesn't seem to bother her. She is currently on Gabapentin 300mg Capsule and Galliprant 100mg Tablet to manage inflammation and pain. 

Other than that - she eats, she poos, she pees, no accidents in the house, she hops up and is still full of wiggles whenever ever grandma or a good friend comes over (even when her leg is bothering her), no sleeping issues beside the occasional request for some water or to go outside for a break if she/we forgot to before bed.  Most days she is hand fed or her food and water is brought to her.  She still is happy with her joint care prescription Royal Canin diet, but of course she is spoiled more and more with some people food.  Her weight is not a problem at all. 

Where I need support - due to the more recent bouts of walking issues we are considering what is in the best interest of her quality of life.  We currently have a euthanasia appointment for Monday morning.  I'm half convinced that my wife scheduled this because I was having back issues last weekend and she's more worried about me taking care of myself.  Is it too soon?  I'm not worried about me and my back is fine.  She's our first baby.

Input greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Thank you so much for your response and the helpful links, Karen.

Yes, a 12 year old Mastiff!  We've been on borrowed time for ages.  

I would like to add one more bit of detail that may figure into the equation that you provided.  My wife and I are back to mostly working in the office now so we're usually only home a couple of days a week and grandma is usually visiting a couple of days every other week. For the most part, Beastie lays around and occasionally barks at the passing walkers, but this has been pretty typical for the big girl her whole life - our lazy protector.  Would you count this laying around time a neither good nor bad in your good/bad hours?

Thanks,
Mike