Not every soft tissue sarcoma is the same. Only your dog's vet can tell you what prognosis is like for Milly, but it's just a guess based on numbers that are not Milly. Sometimes we have to have faith and leap.

My dog had a grade 2, spindle cell-type cancer on a front limb. His chest films were clear taken a month apart. The cancer was likely not going to kill him. HOWEVER, the burst skin and gangrene from leaving the tumor there would have.

I am attaching a photo at the end of my post that shows you just how huge his tumor was. He was a very furry dog with feathering along his legs, so it was impossible to see how big this thing was until they shaved his leg. Then I was horrified.

I did inquire about what would happen if we did nothing. As you can see, the tumor would have burst through the skin and he would have had an open wound that would not heave healed. I was told he would die from gangrene most likely. Again, Milly's vet may tell you her path would be different; I was told to expect an unhealing, open sore and months of suffering. No way would I do that.

I was told that Dakota would be considered cancer-free if he did not have a recurrence within 6 months. That was based on the lab results of his leg after amputation. Dakota died a month ago, 22 months after his amputation. He was almost 11. He had a horrible puppyhood and likely had a weakened immune system from his neglect. He did not have the benefit of a healthy upbringing with good food and medical care. If Milly has had those things, then she's already got that on her side.

Dakota likely died from a separate, internal cancer that could not be predicted. I have struggled with wondering if his death was due to his original cancer. I have had 3 local vets and our 2 Tripawds vets here tell me no, it was likely not anything to do with that. Genetics have a lot to do with cancer in dogs, and Dakota had a lot of Golden Retriever in him. Goldens are unfortunately cancer magnets in some ways. But I would never write off a Golden with cancer, either; I have no crystal ball.

My advice to you, since you're asking, is to get Milly's leg off ASAP. You won't know till then what her life expectancy is like, but it is a soft tissue cancer and not a bone cancer, so her chances of survival are greater. If you amputate, she PROBABLY will have a great life and live longer. If you leave the tumor alone, she WILL die from it, though it would probably come from an infection due to the tumor bursting. That's no way to go.

If you want to talk more about STS and how it behaves, many dogs here lost legs to it. I have a blog that started in Feb. 2011 and you could call up that month and read about Dakota's beginnnings. Others can chime in with their experience, but you already have the benefit (if there is one) of not dealing with OSA. You are dealing with a devil, but not the worst devil. 

Shari

See this huge sucker? I was told it would be an ulcerated, oozing mess within 6 months, most likely followed by gangrene. But taking the leg would fix it!

I completely understand what you mean about taking a leg that is causing no pain. Dakota never was in pain, either, which made it hard for me in some ways. It made it harder for him, too, because he was still using his leg fully. The dogs that hurt begin to limp and favor the hurting leg. Many of them have been hopping on 3 legs long before their amputations, so they are already adapted to that. Dakota was not. He had a steep learning curve and it took him a lot longer to adjust. But adjust he did, and he was fine.

I also understand about the nature of the tumor with all its tentacles. Cancer is a nasty thing, and imagining it with tentacles seems about right! 

Good luck with whatever you decide. You will find us all to be very supportive. Give Milly a hug and a belly rub for me.

Shari

HI milly'smom...

My dobbie who turned 9 January 9th, 2013 had his front right leg amputated on Nov 26th 2012...he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma on Sept 25th 2012. I am sorry I waited so long to do the amputation!! His recovery was instant and it is very very true what everyone is telling you...that she will be GREAT in just a few weeks. I was told by more than one veterinarian that by the time the cancer is diagnosed..there are other microscopic cells throughout the body that may not register..but that it will come out/back eventually...and unfortunately I know that is the case. I'd go through with the amputation as soon as possible so that she's pain free and loving life for as long as she can.

Emmie, I don't think what you did wrapping Tilly's leg was a bad thing at all. I wish I'd had the foresight to try it. Unlike a lot of people, I did not agonize over the decision. That's neither bad nor good, it's just me. Once I knew what was in there, I wanted it gone. And when I knew it wasn't OSA, I felt better about prognosis. 

Dakota was not an easy adjuster. He liked things his familiar and comfortable way. Taking his leg was difficult because he was such an old fart about it. He and I butted heads a lot the first couple of weeks, and I said a fair share of bad words directed at him. He reminded me of my insufferably stubborn grandfather. But once we figured out how to "do the dance" together, we were fine. Never looked back.

Milly, I think it would be a great idea to see you do with 3 legs! Tie it up and see what happens. 

Shari, Dakota's tormenter

After my experiences of the past week, if the dog is walking - I'd leave her alone as long as she is not in pain, and the chance of metastisizing is low.  There are possible complications from amputation - from any surgery for that matter.  My dog had grade 2 fibrosarcoma in her front ankle.  We let her go until she started limping badly (which was 2 weeks after diagnosis).  After surgery - she couldn't walk at all.  She still can't, and it's been just over a week.  She appears to have suffered an FCE - causing neurological paralysis in the hind legs.  The vet is hopeful that she will be able to walk in 4-8 weeks.  But everyday, something else seems to go wrong (wound site infection, urinary tract infection , colitis)  She was a very healthy 6.5 year old dog the beginning of December.  

I also tried to tie her leg up, and get her to limp beforehand.  That is a good suggestion.  My dog was able to hop over to treats.  She tended to hop for treats anyway.

It's a tough decision, but as long as you have your dog's best interest at heart; it will be the right one.