Sadly I don't have very good luck with dogs
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Nov-07-2014 05:00 PM
Now the little boarder collie I again rescued from a shelter in Kansas City has been diagnosed with bone cancer primary in her left hind leg. It developed as a slight gimpiness that I had my vet look at. It was then diagnosed as an ACL problem and was told she MAY recover from it with rest and drugs or she might need surgery. It was decided to give her a chance to take pain meds and keep her as calm as you can keep a border collie to see what happened. After repeated trips to the vet and continued treatment for three months I finally took her to another vet (my original could not do the ACL surgery and I wanted to have it done locally. When the xrays came back it was clear there was no ACL damage but the bone where it joins the ankle showed the cancer.
Now she will be going in for limb amputation in hopes she can be one of the small percentage of animals who survive this ailment. She certainly deserves better than she's getting from life. Sassy is less than three years old and otherwise happy and healthy. Vet says we're finding this problem early but there is a high probability that the cancer will spread to her lungs. I'm totally beside myself and felt it might help to share it. Take good care of your animals, they can't do it themselves and they're worth it.
2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles)
2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
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Nov-12-2014 02:32 AM
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Nov-09-2014 10:27 AM
May you and Sassy enjoy whatever time you have together.
Eileen
Sophie, Riley and Tessa with
Taz and Cody waiting at the Rainbow Bridge and always in our hearts
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Nov-08-2014 05:11 PM
We too are facing a terminal diagnosis for our weim. He has metastatic CA in his head. It's been a month since it was diagnosed. The vet gave him 2.
I hope that surgery goes well and she gets more quality time with her family.
Keep your chin up.
We're at the point of making jokes: Buddy's sick; he gets whatever he wants.
2012 Dodge 3500 DRW 6.7L CTD,4x4,LB,CC,auto,3.73 axle,General 17" on/off rd
2008 Lund 1825 Explorer Sport,115 Merc,9.9 kicker,Torklift Super Hitch,42" Supertruss
USAF ret E-9&E-7
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Nov-08-2014 04:27 PM
Wanda
1998 Fleetwood Bounder
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Nov-08-2014 03:42 PM
2007 National RV, Sea Breeze
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Nov-08-2014 03:41 PM
Even early radiographic changes don't always look like cancer, but once the bone changes become obvious there really isn't too much else that can cause that.
The times I've done amputations with bone cancer have been entirely to prevent pain, not to cure the cancer. Without that surgery the pathologic fractures happen and the degree of pain is such that no one would watch their dog go through it.
Just a note, I diagnosed my niece's Weimaraner with osteosarcoma in her jaw (worse prognosis than in long bones). She had a partial mandibulectomy (removed part of the jaw) and had three rounds of chemo (both done by a specialty clinic) and the dog was "cured" and died of old age related problems many years later.
Maybe bad luck for you Skip, but fortunate your dogs had/have you.
Doug, DVM
Kaylee
Winnie 6 1/2 year old golden
2008 Southwind 2009 Honda CRV
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Nov-08-2014 03:12 PM
Includes the holistic approach we took, including his change in diet. Those details here, on the thread linked above.
Initially he was "given" a few weeks, but with the holistic treatment he thrived for many months. Good months too. The tumoured bone eventually broke and we decided to let him go with it, he was ten years old and a large breed Kuvasz. That dog was one of the best!
Pictures from our many RV Adventures to Yukon & Alaska from Vancouver Island. Now we live in Yukon!
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Nov-08-2014 12:21 PM
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Nov-08-2014 08:50 AM
Darcy the Min Pin
2004 Pleasure-Way Excel TD
California poppies in the background
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Nov-08-2014 08:47 AM
Rita
Andy my rescued sheltie (who now has a mast cell tumor)
Nicky my Tennessee Walking horse
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Nov-08-2014 07:38 AM
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Nov-08-2014 07:38 AM
magnusfide wrote:toedtoes wrote:
Having done rescue for years and facing more losses than most people do, I have learned that had you not adopted these dogs, they would have had NO life. A few years in a good home and a peaceful death is FAR BETTER than what they would have faced.
It doesn't make it easier when the time comes, but do not EVER doubt that you make a difference for these dogs and that they are forever grateful for the time you gave them - time in a loving home, with a family that cares, and with compassion.
Couldn't have said it better. Well done!
+3
Pops n' Calvin
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Nov-08-2014 07:37 AM
toedtoes wrote:
Having done rescue for years and facing more losses than most people do, I have learned that had you not adopted these dogs, they would have had NO life. A few years in a good home and a peaceful death is FAR BETTER than what they would have faced.
It doesn't make it easier when the time comes, but do not EVER doubt that you make a difference for these dogs and that they are forever grateful for the time you gave them - time in a loving home, with a family that cares, and with compassion.
Perfectly stated, and I completely agree!
Camping Buddies: Maddie (maltese/westie?), Kramer (chi/terrier?), and Lido (yellow lab)
2017 Keystone Bullet 248RKS
2014 Aliner Expedition Off Road
2013 Ram 1500 HEMI
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Nov-08-2014 06:31 AM
The vets say it's early so focus on the positive, she may very well outlive you and we all know how well animals do with only three legs. We had a cat once that lost his front leg and he never skipped a beat.
Here's praying for the very best outcome Skip and please keep us posted.
Sher
2006 HR Presidential 34'
2001 Ford Excursion 7.3
Lucy-"Red Fox" Lab...8/7-'07
Bubba,rescue Pom...4/1-2010
Csepki, rescue Poodle...9/15-2001