Finally got the call from my vet - surgery went well. He was last on the surgical schedule, so didn't go in until around 3:30. Vet said that he x-rayed the leg again before the surgery and it showed even more clearly the tumor, and its pretty clearly osteosarcoma. But we will still be having a biopsy done. I get to pick him up tomorrow - I'm so happy and nervous at the same time.

Clyde's home! And stoned out of his doggy mind He came home with a Fentanyl patch and antibiotics (he already has Tramadol and Rimadyl - the vet lowered his dose of Rimadyl because its really just for inflammation at this point, and I'm only to give Tramadol if needed). The vet techs helped him to the car - he really didn't want to move much. When I got him home, I couldn't figure out how to get him out - I ended up kind of pulling his hind end out and gently getting each remaining paw on the ground. It then took me about 15 minutes to get him from my car to the steps to the house (we are talking a very short walk) - he really wasn't interested in moving. The steps (there are just four) were also a challenge. I got him in and had him lay down  and went to get some stuff set up (my housekeeper came today so I wasn't able to really set up until I got him home). I turned around and he was back up on his own and hopping around on the hardwood floor without a problem! So I think he just didn't know how to try to move while being helped. He's now resting on his bed in an x-pen in my living room and I'm sitting in a chair by him. He came home with an Elizabethan collar but they said I didn't need to have it on him while I'm with him, so he's not wearing it now.

They said he ate a little this morning, I'll be giving him dinner in a few hours. Its hard to look at his wound - its not covered, but really does not look bad at all. My vet likes to let it be open to the air. It's just hard for me to get used to his new look. But he seems really okay so far. He definitely does not want me out of his sight, so I'm glad I already had an x pen and that he's really well crate trained.

And for those wondering about cost of this surgery (I know I was) - it was a little over $3500 including the two biopsies they will do (a lymph node and the bone biopsy). I consulted with a friend of a friend who is a veterinary oncologist at a specialty hospital in the general area, and he quoted me $4500 to $5000 not including biopsies, so I'm good with the cost. I'm in Southern California, so overall I'm happy with the cost and I know he received really good care while there.

I'll be having wine tonight for sure. And likely will be sleeping in the recliner by the x-pen.

Clyde's mom

His surgery was done at Huntington Veterinary Hospital in Monrovia, Ca (which is a few miles east of Pasadena). Very pleased with the care he's received so far. He just ate some dinner; earlier I took him out and he peed forever - I think he's been holding it for awhile, he really doesn't like to go anywhere but our backyard. He's still really dopey and not to worry, I am watching him like a hawk! His collar will go back on when I try to sleep. He's also wearing a t-shirt now - somehow (probably while I had the front door wide open trying to get him into the house) a fly showed up and kept landing on him. I think I killed it but just to be safe, popped on the t-shirt. He's too stoned to care