Jake was at the vet today getting x-rays because he’d developed a limp and a swollen hip. It turns out that it’s bone cancer instead of the arthritis or dysplasia that we thought it might be. He’s only 8. There is no real prognosis, and it appears to be progressing fast - two weeks ago it was just a bit of lameness. I asked about amputation, but the vet didn’t think it would do any good. It’s probably already spread.
StG
Sorry 
Vet here. If I had a patient like Jake, I would x-ray the chest and abdomen to look for signs of the cancer spreading. If it hasn’t, I would recommend the amputation for relief of pain. Your vet may be correct that you won’t save him, as the cancer has probably spread, even if it doesn’t show up. But bone cancer is very painful, and you can eliminate that pain with amputation. Another option is radiation, though it is quite expensive.
In any case, I recommend you ask for a referral to a veterinary oncologist so you can get the most up to date information and proceed from there.
I’m so sorry to hear about Jake. Best wishes to make his life comfortable and keep him with you as long as possible. He is a handsome guy!
Anna
The rads showed that the cancer was right near the ball of his joint, so an amputation would require removing the leg through the joint. Honestly, I know bone cancer has a very poor outcome, and I’d rather put him down when he starts having too many bad days rather than put him through a drastic amputation and recovery, only to lose him in the end.
I guess I’ve watched too many people fight cancer to put my dog through it when it’s not going to be a cure. Thank you for your advice, though. I do appreciate it.
StG
I’m sorry.
He is a handsome dude.
I’m so sorry, St. G. I know you love your furballs and I’m sure Jake does too.
I’m very sorry to hear of this diagnosis for Jake. I know you will make a decision on his treatment that is in his best interest. I also know that it will be a heart-wrenching decision. My heart goes out to you.
My heart goes out to you. Jake is lucky to have such a good human to care for him.
I"m so sorry. I know that your heart is hurting now.
Jake is a very handsome guy, I’m sure that you will do your best to make his passing kind.
While there are no nice things about losing a beloved pet, I’ve learned that once one of mine has a death sentence, it makes me happy to be able to feed said pet forbidden things. My old sick cats get ice cream or tuna or watermelon if that is what they want to eat.
You might find that feeding your handsome guy table scraps in his last days will be a comfort after he crosses the bridge.
I’m sorry.
Very handsome dog - I am so sorry to hear about this.
We lost Malamute Jack to bone cancer back in May. It was in his shoulder joint. He suddenly started limping one day, and we didn’t think anything of it other than checking his paw to make sure he hadn’t wedged something between the pads. His x-rays showed that the entire bone – from joint to elbow – was affected.
He was eight years old too.
Even though he was in pain, he still wanted to go on his twice-daily walks. Still wanted to run, play-slap with our border collie mix (she’s 14 and still going strong) – he was damned if anything was going to slow him down. On his last day we took him around our town pond. We had to stop several times to let him rest, but he made the complete circuit.
I’m so, so sorry.
StGermain, going through basically the same thing now, sucks, just sucks.
Last Sunday, my big dog was a bit under the weather, got worse as the morning progressed. Brought her in to the emergency clinic, she was getting bad, and COLD. (she’s only 6, and I lost her sister at 3 from tiny little useless kidneys)
Long story short, they pulled a tumor the size of a tennis ball out of her, a blood clot the size of a grapefruit, and she was bleeding heavily internally. She went in at 90lbs, they put 12lbs of fluid into her, and she came out at 83lbs the next morning when we transferred her to my normal vet.
Last Monday I was told it’s probably this or that… The tumor was off her adrenal gland and wrapped around her aorta. I was told I’d be lucky to make Tuesday morning, Really lucky to make the end of the week, and Extremely lucky to make the end of the month.
Biopsies came back not as bad as they could be, its only malignant lymphoma, Yeah!! :rolleyes:, still sucks.
Anyways, enough of my sorrow. I think I’m one week past where you are.
Tomorrow is the end of the month, that makes me EXTREMELY lucky. The big dog (Daisy) is doing exceptionally well, and except for the 5 miles of stitches seems happy and healthy.
The little lady and I talked it out, we could go for Chemo, but that’s a 4 hour ride each way, plus the BS, and how will the dog take that? She would not be happy with that. She’s not in pain, except for the surgery, and who knows where more tumors are going to pop up, or when, but it most likely won’t be long, and I know this, and it sucks.
If I’m feeling like crap, I can watch a movie or play on the computer or read a good book. A dog wants to go sniff stuff and chase stuff.
No Chemo for Daisy, she’s getting supplements and herbs from the vet and a bit of acupuncture. Quality, not quantity, her happiness, not mine.
You’ve got a lot of choices to make, the hard part is you are making choices for
your buddy, but Jake can’t talk.
I don’t know if you’ve ever been with a critter when they go, it doesn’t seem to bother them like it bothers people. They seem to say “thanx for the good times, see you on the other side”.
Keep him happy and healthy as long as you can. I’m living on bonus time with Daisy, which is great in the short term, with long term suckitude. She’s loving it up, getting the good food with the crushed pills, and lots of attention (need to fit
12-14 years into 7).
This past week has been a roller coaster for me. Much worse at the beginning. Getting some grieving done early here. Getting the news is the second worst part, the end is the worst, putting them down sucks, it sucks bad. I’m not looking forward to that part.
When it does come time, don’t be a panty waste and hand him to the vet and leave, He’d never leave your side.
Sadly, there are lots of pups out there that want to keep you company, one day after Jake goes, you’ll come across a pup that needs a home. I did when I lost my last one, she showed up at the front door, and she wouldn’t leave, she’s still here 3 years later, and she is a whole hell of a lot like the dog I lost, personality wise.
Of course you need pics in a dog thread.
Daisy hanging out at the shop while we are being stupid.
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3346/3572011147_3b816e295d_z.jpg
Daisy and her sister Cleo (gone years ago, in the red collar)
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7103/7066327199_5024b50b68_c.jpg
Daisy with the little dog(Ginger) that showed up at the front door and wouldn’t leave.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5117/7066327197_dc4db32ab5_c.jpg
So sorry for Jake, I know exactly what you’re going through. We had to have Bea euthanized two weeks ago because of osteosarcoma. They amputated a toe last November and she got 11 more months but a month ago she started favoring that leg really badly again. Turns out the cancer had spread around the Achilles tendon, into the knee joint, and into the lymph node closest to the hind leg, which means it was probably in all her internal organs as well.
The day of the euthanasia my Mom called me at 2 p.m. to beg me to call the vet and ask them if we could wait for a few more weeks. I told her I would but I was opposed to prolonging her life unnecessarily and just making us feel bad for longer. The vet agreed; she said pain killers would give us maybe a few more days but osteosarc progresses and spreads so quickly that one of her internal organs might give out or the leg might snap in two if she jolted it coming down the stairs. Better to see her walk into the vet’s office on her own four (well, three) legs than to be rushing in for an emergency euth two days later holding a dog that’s seizing and vomiting because its liver has stopped working or something.
Probably one of the most heart-breaking things I’ve ever had to do, even if at the same time I knew it was the only right thing.
I forgot to add upthread that our vet told us about amputation, but she didn’t recommend it because of where the tumor was AND that it’s much more difficult for a big dog to deal with the missing limb than it it for a smaller dog. It also wasn’t a guarantee that the cancer would return, albeit in a different area. It might have given him another 3-6 months maximum.
We couldn’t put Jack through that. No way, no how.
I’m so sorry to hear y our news. Sending supporting thoughts your way.
Thanks for the condolences, everyone. My vet thinks, based on the changes in the last couple weeks, that the cancer has probably already spread. I’m not going to put him through a major surgery and recovery in what time he has left. I’d rather he get extra food, extra scritchies, and enjoy his remaining time.
StG
I’m sure that’s the right thing,** StGermain**. I’m so sorry you have to experience this.
Damn, the air must be dusty in here, I’m tearing up badly.
So sorry to hear about Jake, I know you will do what is best for him. As Kipling said, we “give our heart to a dog to tear”, knowing this day will come sooner or later.
I’ll give my Nathan extra scritchies in honor of Jake. And come here to vent as needed.
