Osteosarcoma

Becky, I'm sorry to read that Maddi isn't doing well. I don't have any advice to offer except to try not to beat yourself up - you are doing the best you can for her.

As a side note, many members have left this forum. When the format was changed to what you see now, many members were unable to log on, or they found it too difficult to post or find the posts.

Keep advocating for Maddi and take care of yourself, too.

Tina

Becky, I've not had direct experience with osteosarcoma in dogs, but several years ago our friends' dog was diagnosed with it.  He was a very large, upper middle aged Boxer, and they didn't want to amputate either.  They removed what they could of the cancer in his leg, and he did very well for about 2 years.  He was about 9, I think, when his quality of life really began to decline.

It's horribly frustrating to feel you're not getting the best care from a vet.  I hope things can improve with the new perspective of the second vet, even if the news isn't what you'd hoped.  Sending lots of good vibes for Maddi and for you at this very difficult time.

Thank you both for your kind words and encouragement. I sometimes feel at a loss but am very grateful to have had such an awesome dog in my life. I only want what is best  for her and for her not to be in a ton of pain. I have had her the entirety of my adulthood and the thought of her not being with me is difficult to deal with.

I have been looking into the limb saving surgery that your friends' boxer went through and am going to talk to the vet I am now working with about it since it seems like a viable option, especially with chemo.

On a happier note, yesterday was her 10th birthday. I am hoping that, in the not too distant future, we can get her feeling better so that we can properly celebrate.

Thank you again,

Becky and Maddi

It's good that you're looking into the surgery.  Even if you ultimately decide not to move forward with that option, at least you can gather as much data as possible to feel like you're making a well-informed decision about whatever route you decide to take for Maddi.

As you said, the most important thing is to minimize her pain.  I forgot to mention before that our friends also tried a little bit of swimming (in a special warm therapy pool for dogs) to help their dog after the surgery.  It was a way to keep some muscle strength without any weight-bearing issues.  The vet also suggested their dog lose some weight so there was less strain on his other legs.  They weren't very successful with that (they didn't try very hard -- that's a topic for another thread!), but the swimming time did seem to help.

Give Maddi some birthday belly rubs, and keep us posted.  Facing the possible loss of a beloved dog is truly heartbreaking, as so many of us understand.  Take care.

Thank you Tacran for the kind words and sorry I sort of disappeared. Unfortunately, things got even worse. About a week after I  last wrote, Maddi fractured her "good leg." X-rays revealed that another tumor had started to grow in that limb. My vet says this is very rare. The sad news is, due to the bone cancer, the fracture is not healing. The leg is splinted and she appears to be, for the time being,  reasonably comfortable but we are very concerned about the other front leg also fracturing. I am trying to find a walking splint that will fit her but am having a difficult time with that. I ordered the largest size from Handicapped Pets located here in NH, but the location of the bone tumor inhibited her leg from sitting in the splint properly. My vet is currently  exploring other options for walking splints. We are, also, concerned about cast sores forming on the leg with the fracture since it must remain splinted.

Unfortunately, she experienced tummy upset this past week and, as a result, has had to go off of all of her medications except her liver medication. We will be slowly reintroducing, but I can only imagine the pain. For now, her eyes are bright and she still gets excited about a good many things... she's so much stronger than I am.

At this point, we have decided to pursue pain management (hopefully her tummy will straighten out) and not directly treat the cancer. Having a fracture limb and cancer in both front limbs has really limited our options. Depending on how things go (i.e. if the other leg fractures), I might only have a few weeks left with my baby girl. I will keep a close eye on her until then. I know she'll let me know when that time has come to say our goodbyes.

So, thank you for your kind words and for any thoughts and prayers for my sweet girl. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me and I have been so blessed to have her in my life.

Becky

After my last post, Maddi had gotten better for a while... it was almost as if she wasn't sick, minus the trouble walking. She still had so much joy. Then, two weeks ago, things started going down hill again. The sarcoma on her right leg (the one she broke) started to grow extremely fast. Her leg didn't fit in the splint properly. Her pain meds were starting to no longer help her. I always had to give doses hours before they were due. She had lost her mischievous spark. All her joy was gone... even her love of food. I think she was only eating because I wanted her to. It was all she could do to go to the bathroom on the pee pads and, especially at night, she couldn't get comfortable. It all happened so fast... she was vibrant and in less than 10 days, she was a shell of her former self. Then, she looked at me and I know that she loved me but she was tired and wanted to be free of her pain.

Yesterday, I helped my beautiful baby girl cross the bridge. My heart is broken to a million pieces and the void in my heart and house is overwhelming. We shared so much. I hope she is running free and whole and that I will see her again. I miss her so much.

Oh I am so sorry.  This is never easy ... but helping them avoid pain is the most loving thing you can do.  When she lept over Rainbow Bridge and met friends (and new friends) at the bottom ... know what she 'said'?? --- "My Mom loved me SOOOO much .... she helped me here!"  *hugs*