Help... My Rotties has diagnosed with bone cancer....

[Skyblue]

Hi,

I'm new here...

I have got a 5 years old rotties and I just received a shocking news from my Vet today that she has got bone cancer in her righ front limb. The vet said that the only treatment is to amputate her front limb followed by chemo. Then she may have a chance to live for a year or two. Otherwise 3 to 4 months at most. I'm struggling to make the right decision as she had already been through a lots in this past 5 short years, two surgeries to remove demoid cyst on her head, one major knee surgery... I wonder I should let her to go through this again. With her bad left knee, I'm really wonder if amputated her front limb will give her a good life, but on the other hand, should I give her "another chance"??? Will she have a good quality of life if she has got an amputated limb? Is she going to be unhappy? Is she???... There are so many questions in my head and I guess I'm really confused. The last thing I want is to make a wrong decision for her and let her suffer.....

By the way, I have no experience with dogs with disability. Does anybody experience with dogs with amputated front limb? Can they go up & down stairs?
Skyblue

[LavenderRott]

I am so sorry. I lost my rott'n girl to bone cancer several years ago. She was much older then your girl and the circumstances were a bit different - her's was very much advanced and the decision was to euthanize her immediately. She was in agonizing pain.

Dogs generally recover well from amputation. They go on to negotiate stairs and do everything they could do with 4 legs almost without a backwards glance.

We have a member here who has an amputee - I believe the member's name is "Bendyfoot" and she would be able to advise you on having an amputee in the house.

Best of luck to you. Know that no matter what your decision - there are people here who have been where you are and are willing to listen, not judge. You are the only one looking at your dog and making the best decisions that you can based on your dog and the information that you have been given.

[Etown_Chick]

One of my park's regulars has a three-legged dog who does everything the other dogs do. Dogs seem to be able to recover from things like amputation much more easily than humans.

[Winston]

pls read jaidas story and others here! it may help!

http://jaidasjourney.blogspot.com

[chico2]

Lovemypitgirls also has a three-legged pup and I think she's doing great.

[Skyblue]

Thank you for all your support and information. They are very helpful especially jaidas story.

It's funny to say in this kind of situation, but today has been interesting - I guess is a little bit of "sunshine" in a storm.

Today we decided to go to a dog park that we haven't visited for a long long time. I said to my partner that it would be great if I see a three legs dog in action.... And the moment we entered the park, the first dog we saw is a three legs cute little doggie, so energtic and loving life. The owner also told me that her neighbour has a rottie with her front limb amputated, no problem at all...

Well, it seems all things have its own order/cause (if you know what I mean). It may be a very silly thought but I guess it may be a sign to tell us not to give up that easily...

Thank you for listening. And once again, thank you for all your support.

Skyblue

[Skyblue]

After days of struggles, tears and heartaches, our decision becomes clear. My partner and myself decided not to amputate her front limb.

Our top priority is to make sure she is a happy and pain free pup, rather than how long she is going to live. It's a fact that there is no cure for bone cancer, it's a fact that she will never recover (as told it's almost certain that the cancer has already spreaded). We just couldn't think of a good reason to prolong her life apart from us refusing to let go.

Btw, on top of what we decided, I think Cassie is also trying to tell us she is really going downhill. The vet did chest x-rays, blood test and urine test this morning and found something wrong with her kidneys.... Perhaps the decision has already made for us anyway.

It's not going to be easy for us but I guess it's time to move on, make the most of her remaining life until her last breath.

Skyblue

[Skyblue]

And thank you so much for all your support & thoughts from the bottom of my heart.

You may think a little message is nothing, but the messages from you all helped me to get through this tough situation.



Skyblue

[Rottielover]

I am so sorry to hear about her turn for the worse. I also believe in quality of quanity. Please know she will be in my prayers.

[bendyfoot]

You know your pup best and I have no doubt you've made the right decision for her. So sorry you and family are being faced with this...but now that you know how you're proceedign you can just enjoy her and spoil her rotten.

[Sylvie]

My heart goes out to you and your boyfriend. I know what a hard decision it is to make. In the meantime please enjoy her to the fullest. It will help.