When oncologist Greg Ogilvie DVM talked to me about Raven's osteosarcoma, he told me there are only three things that matter when talking about cancer treatment of animals: Quality of life, quality of life, and quality of life.
I had Raven's left rear leg amputated for one reason only: To control her pain. It's worked brilliantly, and she has needed no further pain medication of any kind. And I was fully prepared to have to limit her activities, protect her from the other young dogs, make allowances for her. My mom and I had talked about different carts we might get to help her get up and down to the creek. HAH!
After about 7 weeks, Raven is trucking around this place like she was born with three legs. She can go up and down to the creek, runs and plays with the other young dogs, goes on the whole "young dog" walk with us twice a day (and still has the energy to chase Kyrie in the dog door at the end).
The other day she came to me while I was working here on my computer (actual work, the kind that pays her obscene vet bills, not this frivolous blogging) and whimpered, a signal we've worked out that shows she needs something. I of course leapt up and went with her, assuming she wanted to be let outside as our laundry room dog door is temporarily closed while we do some work there.
She marched over to the sofa where her brother Rebel was sleeping and looked from me to him and back again, obviously expecting me to cater to her every whim as I'd been doing since she was stricken with cancer in May, and boot him off her chosen nap spot.
I burst out laughing and told her to think again. She was definitely surprised but sheepishly got on the office sofa and made do with that. Oh, the horror.
I'm becoming very annoying on the various email lists and forums I'm on begging people not to decide against amputation for their dogs. I've read about dogs with hip dysplasia doing well after amputations, about dogs who weigh over 200 pounds doing well, of dogs whose owners and vets swore they couldn't function on three legs who are out in the yard running and playing as their owners report the miracle to the other listmembers. Having seen what I've seen, I can't help being a little pushy about this. However long it lasts, if what you want is quality of life, this is it.
Do you know the number one way that osteosarcoma kills dogs? It's not the tumor itself. It's not metastases to the lungs. It's not the spread of the cancer to other bones.
It's because their owners put them to sleep because they can't control the pain of the slowly-exploding bone.
Unless your dog already only HAS three legs (and I've heard of a border collie who gets by on two, but even I would draw the line there for a deerhound), odds are that they really will be fine after the amputation. Dr. Ogilvie told me that over 95 percent of his clients who opt for amputation would do it again. How many decisions do we make in our lives with those kind of odds?
I had a stray kitten's back leg taken off 7 weeks ago as well, against the advise of the vet and everyone else I knew. She is now scooting around so fast I can't keep up. So glad I didn't just write her off! I look forward to more Raven stories.
Posted by: Sally | 01 August 2005 at 06:50 PM
just been reading about yours and ravens brave fight, our gsd has osteosarcoma in his front left leg.He had an op on both front legs when he was 5 months old, so losing a leg was not an option, his right leg would not bear his great weight on it (68kilos). so we had radiotheorapy, he still has no pain, thank god, we got a course of tablets from US,we tried chinese herbs, even managed to get graviola(herb, great at fighting cancer,just not bone cancer,)we have tried everything,spent £2,500 on his treatment, but nothing is going to save our big brave boy,an i'd do it all again, in a flash.He had his normal life back, his had this for 5 months 1 week an 1 day, but whose counting. he sounds like his clearing his throat or maybe a odd cough, so i think its in his lungs now, no one told me what to expect so i read stories on the internet, it helps (mind you i cry alot while reliving everyones nightmares, knowing all the time i have this to come. chris pulling her hair out in the uk.
Posted by: chris | 20 September 2007 at 04:31 PM
My best friend of 10 years, Bear was diagnosed 6 months ago with osteosarcoma in his front left leg. He has been able to get around pretty well (out for 15-20 minute walks every day) but in the last week has been limping badly and holding the leg up when standing. At this point I only want to control his pain and have him live out the rest of his life with good quality. I am now really considering amputation as an option but Bear has already out lived the normal life expectancy. I worry that coping with three legs might be to much in the last few months. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Tim
PS-
It is really good to hear from other people who love their dogs as much as I do. And for those out there managing pain with meds I have found great success for the last 6 months with a combination of Rimadyl, Tramadol, and Gabapentin.
Posted by: Tim Elder | 09 April 2008 at 11:33 PM
My best friend of 10 years, Bear was diagnosed 6 months ago with osteosarcoma in his front left leg. He has been able to get around pretty well (out for 15-20 minute walks every day) but in the last week has been limping badly and holding the leg up when standing. At this point I only want to control his pain and have him live out the rest of his life with good quality. I am now really considering amputation as an option but Bear has already out lived the normal life expectancy. I worry that coping with three legs might be to much in the last few months. Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Tim
PS-
It is really good to hear from other people who love their dogs as much as I do. And for those out there managing pain with meds I have found great success for the last 6 months with a combination of Rimadyl, Tramadol, and Gabapentin.
Posted by: Tim Elder | 09 April 2008 at 11:35 PM