Need honest truth about my dog with an "aggressive" bone cancer, please...

[drew4392]

Hi everybody. After seeing my dog limp for a few days, I decided to take her in to the vet and see what the matter was. They sedated her, and took x-rays of her back legs. Aside from slight displacement, there is a noticeable cancer growth on her bone. The vet, after a little while, announced it as being an "aggressive bone cancer". I was with a family member who couldn't bare to hear this, so details were not going to be said then. The vet said "1-2 weeks, or 1-2 months", and he stopped. I am not going to doubt what he said, but I would like to find out if it torturous for the dog to be kept alive until then. Since the doctor visit, I have noticed it getting worse. THe severity of this worsening can be described as noticeable. I need the facts. So please, if anyone can help, I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you

[threedogmom]

I have watched 2 of my dogs do battle with this terrible monster!! Both had it in their legs. One lived 6 weeks and the other 3 weeks. The bone broke in both cases-which caused ALOT of pain!!! Yesterday I was given the terrible news that my 4 yr. old greyhound had bone cancer in her right front leg. I brought her home so we could all say goodbye. She went to sleep tpday. I wasn't going to watch her break her leg and scream in pain. I couldn't do it again. The awlful terrible fact is they will die from this horrible monster and it is painful.
I am so sorry to sound so negative!!! I wish with all of my heart I could tell you it is going to be fine..
Don't be selfish like I was with my 1st 2 dogs. Think about your dog and his pain. AND pray that one day there will be a cure for this!!!!

My thoughts go out to you and your pup.

[macassie]

Drew and threedogmom, my heart goes out to both of you, your pups and your families. I hope you can soon find peace.

[threedogmom]

Thank you so much for your thoughts

[drew4392]

I appreciate your honest reply. The limping is gettting much worse. The paw cant touch the floor anymore. She can still walk outside, and can go to the front door and back to her bed. Its getting very close to that time, I can see it. But when you see 'life' left in the dog, its hard to let go when the dog is not ready to. I know there will be a point (probably by tuesday) when it will be too difficult for her to complete the most common of tasks, but until then, I cant put her down. I dont think the leg has broken. I mean, it will be obvious when and if it does.

[Squawksx3]

My heart goes out to both of you also. I had a 14 yr old Lab mix that was the love of my life. He developed bone cancer in his rear leg and could hardly walk. He was is great pain. My vet said he could amputate the leg and give him another 3 months to live. I wanted to be selfish and amputate, but my heart couldn't let him go through that at his age. It was the hardest decision I ever had to make. I was there with him to the end, he deserved that after 14 years of love and loyalty, and he will live forever in my heart. Sending prayers your way.

['too crazy]

Drew, you have my deepest sympathies, you really do, but there is no 'life' left for your dog. They tend to hide their pain and if you can visibly see she's deteriorating, then please put her out of her misery. She is probably hurting more than you know. I don't mean to come across so bluntly. I had a cat I was treating for a virus but...surprise!! Four days later she was diagnoised with stomach cancer. I took her home so the kids could say good-bye and took her right back to be put down. I loved her enough to not want her to hurt anymore. I am sorry for you and your dog but please do the right thing by her. You will miss her horribly but if she suffers and dies in pain, you may live with guilt and regret. My prayers are with you and you too, threedogmom.