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Amputation of a leg followed by chemo for a dog

Posted on 3/17/14 at 2:03 am
Posted by TexasTiger05
Member since Aug 2007
28326 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 2:03 am
our 12yo lab has Osteosarcoma. The vet is recommending a leg amputation followed by chemo.

Would you do it?

Posted by BayouBandit24
Member since Aug 2010
16572 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 2:08 am to
That's pretty intensive for a 12 year old. May be time.
Posted by theantiquetiger
Paid Premium Member Plus
Member since Feb 2005
19212 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 2:28 am to
Cost and suffering from chemo vs putting to sleep to stop her from suffering?

Don't put her/him through a miserable ordeal to prolong life for a couple years
This post was edited on 3/17/14 at 2:32 am
Posted by tiger1014
Member since Jan 2011
12511 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 2:32 am to
12 is old for any dog especially with a major medical issue

If you make that poor old dog's last days miserable, you'll never forgive yourself.
Posted by TIGERSandFROGS
Member since Jul 2007
3809 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 3:32 am to
quote:

12 is old for any dog especially with a major medical issue

If you make that poor old dog's last days miserable, you'll never forgive yourself.



What this guy said.

Even if the dog makes it through without suffering or without this being ineffective at lengthening his life, adjusting to walking on 3 legs will be hard for such an old boy.

I think you know what to do here. It sucks. Sorry for your loss.
Posted by TexasTiger05
Member since Aug 2007
28326 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 4:12 am to
quote:

That's pretty intensive for a 12 year old. May be time.
I agree, I'm pissed that the vet would suggest it in the first place.

Problem is, we don't keep the dog. She lives with my aunt and I hate having to ask her to bring her to put the dog down. Frustrating situation
Posted by kywildcatfanone
Wildcat Country!
Member since Oct 2012
119123 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 4:50 am to
I'm an animal lover and would do anything for my dog, but the 12 year thing is tough. Did he give you any idea of qualify of life and possible length of life after surgery?

If I thought my dog would live a good quality of life for 2 more years I would do it no question, anytime less than that I would have to think pretty hard. If quality of life is an issue, I would be able to decide that pretty quickly as well.
Posted by Mulat
Avalon Bch, FL
Member since Sep 2010
17517 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 5:09 am to
1. I'd take him to LSU Vet School for a second opinion.

2. It depends on the type of Cancer. If they said that he would recover and the chemo was more than improving quality of life before death, I would probably do it.

Just went through situation where the cancer was untreatable with a 9 year old Pug. They offered Chemo but it was strictly as quality of life measure till death, when we could no longer manage his pain with meds we had to put him down. It is a tough situation for sure and once you get to that point you know it.
Posted by tigerinthebueche
Member since Oct 2010
36791 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 6:02 am to
quote:

Problem is, we don't keep the dog. She lives with my aunt and I hate having to ask her to bring her to put the dog down. Frustrating situation


How far away is the aunt? Seems you could get in your car and go handle this yourself if you truly feel bad.
Posted by Jim Rockford
Member since May 2011
98182 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 6:03 am to
quote:

How far away is the aunt? Seems you could get in your car and go handle this yourself if you truly feel bad.


I think the OP lives overseas.
Posted by yellowfin
Coastal Bar
Member since May 2006
97635 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 6:04 am to
TT05 lives a 30 hr plane ride away
Posted by Jcorye1
Tom Brady = GoAT
Member since Dec 2007
71393 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 7:00 am to
quote:

Would you do it?



Not even close. What is the quality of life for a 12 year old dog trying to learn how to walk on three legs? I'm not an angel of death type, but it's time.

Just to add this in, my dad's dog had brain cancer, and it became much more rapid than anyone anticipated. It wasn't our fault, but it became obvious we should have put him down a couple of days earlier. I will never make that mistake again.
This post was edited on 3/17/14 at 7:02 am
Posted by TexasTiger05
Member since Aug 2007
28326 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 7:05 am to
Yea, I agree it's time. Left with the issue of the aunt putting her down. It's a terrible thing to have to do. Plus, knowing her, she'll want to do chemo. No idea why.

We will be home next month, so we can bring her in. Problem is I don't know how much pain the dog is in though. She's eating and walks around. Just has a really bad limp.

Posted by SmellslikeKevinBacon
Louisiana
Member since Dec 2012
6185 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 7:06 am to
No. I would put it down. He had a good run.
Posted by Jcorye1
Tom Brady = GoAT
Member since Dec 2007
71393 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 7:07 am to
quote:

Yea, I agree it's time. Left with the issue of the aunt putting her down. It's a terrible thing to have to do. Plus, knowing her, she'll want to do chemo. No idea why.



That's a tough situation bud, that being said, if it's ultimately your animal it should ultimately be your decision. If she doesn't respect that, I don't know what to tell you.
Posted by TexasTiger05
Member since Aug 2007
28326 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 7:08 am to
quote:

How far away is the aunt?

8,500 miles
Posted by Mulat
Avalon Bch, FL
Member since Sep 2010
17517 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 7:09 am to
quote:

What is the quality of life for a 12 year old dog trying to learn how to walk on three legs


Depending on the dogs weight and general mobility, I would not let the fact of the age of 12 deter me, it is other issues.

It is not clear to me if the Cancer is limited to the one limb or metastasized. Having had a dog who lost a front limb, a Sheppard, he adjusted quite well.
Posted by TexasTiger05
Member since Aug 2007
28326 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 7:12 am to
idk anyone who has done an amputation on their dog. That's new to me- as far as getting experienced opinions.

the chemo though- I've known at least 4 people who did. 3 completely regret it and spent a ton of money just to have their dog die 3 months later. Just seems inhumane to me to put a dog through that. Hell, I don't even know if I'd opt for chemo if all it was going to do was prolong my life for a couple of months.
Posted by AUCE05
Member since Dec 2009
42565 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 7:16 am to
My boxer has cancer, started on her lip, and has spread to her neck. We removed it a few times be he could never get all of it to cure her. She's 8, and the vet said chemo would do more harm than good at her age. We give her steroids, and enjoy what time she has. Good luck.
This post was edited on 3/17/14 at 7:19 am
Posted by Mulat
Avalon Bch, FL
Member since Sep 2010
17517 posts
Posted on 3/17/14 at 7:17 am to
quote:

I don't even know if I'd opt for chemo if all it was going to do was prolong my life for a couple of months.


THIS for sure, there is not enough information thus far to answer your question
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