April 2, 2013, Tuesday:
Brought Athena to family vet for annual exam and vaccinations. She had started limping 3 days earlier on her front left leg. I assumed she hurt herself rough housing with the Silky terrier, Scuffy, our other dog. I didn’t even notice that there was some swelling in that leg, right above the ankle, until I was sitting in the waiting room. The vet manipulated the leg and listed off a few possible causes: hairline fracture, sprain, lyme disease (which she first tested positive for about 2 years ago), and the dreaded “C-word.” I was given pain meds and told to come back in a few days if the swelling hadn’t gone down.
April 9, 2013, Tuesday:
The swelling hasn’t gone down. 🙁 I bring Athena back to the family vet to get x-rays of the leg. I am taken to the back to be shown the results, and it’s not good. There is a bone tumor, and I am told with a very high certainty that it is osteosarcoma. Apparently large breed dogs are most susceptable, especially Rottweilers (and Athena is half Rottie.) There is a 90% chance that cancerous cells have already traveled to her lungs. So I ask, “Her survival time is going to be measured in months?” Yes. I am speechless, staring at the radiograph in disbelief. Amputation is an option, to try slowing down the spread, but I am told that she is too heavy and big chested and carries a lot of weight on the front legs. I go home to try to clear my head and think about what to do now. (I am also given Tramadol & Deramaxx to manage her pain.)
April 11, 2013, Thursday:
After talking with my family at home, we have decided that if amputation has a chance at extending her life, that is what we will do. We bring her back to the vet to get chest x-rays and blood drawn to do a CBC & Chemistry profile. I also ask for a referral to see an oncologist. (They send my information & I call to make an appt… the soonest I can get is next Thursday, the 18th. I am in agony waiting!) In the meantime, my family vet can’t say with certainty that there is anything in her lungs. There are a few questionable spots.
April 12, 2013, Friday:
Got the results for her blood tests this morning and everything is within normal ranges, so I am told that she is healthy enough for the amputation surgery. I make an appointment at another vet clinic in the area to bring the chest radiographs for a second opinion on Monday. I just can’t wait until Thursday to have the oncologist look at them. Not knowing if her lungs are damaged yet or not is stressing me, terribly! On a good note, her alkaline phosphatase level is 32 U/L (out of a 10-150 U/L range) and from what I’m reading, having a lower level means better “long term” survival odds after amputation.
I have already told Athena that I am in this for the long haul. As long as she is telling me that she is strong enough to fight this awful diagnosis, I will do everything in my power to help her. She still acts like her normal happy self, besides the painful limping, with no coughing or struggling to breath, so I have to believe that she will fight as long as her body holds out for her.
~Jessica, Athena’s caretaker
{I was referred to the tripawds message board by a vet tech at my family vet office that had to deal with osteosarcoma, amputation & chemo for her dog, who survived over a year after amputation.}
Athena is a pretty girl. Let us know how the second vet appointment goes.
Oh Athena, you are such a cutie! You look like you most definitely have the spunk to cope with the situation, I know you’re gonna kick cancer’s butt.
Jessica you are an awesome pawrent for moving so quickly on this and listening to your heart about whether or not amputation is right for her. Your strength shows through. Hang in there and remember we’re here to help.
P.S. We would love to find out who the vet tech was that referred you. What clinic is it? We will be happy to send them some Tripawds cards to hand out. Drop me a line at jerry-at-tripawds-dot-com and let me know when you get a chance (no rush, I know you have your hands full!)
Hi there…you are doing all the right things! We have gone through the same things you are and decided to go ahead and have Harley’s leg removed yesterday (4/12).
No sugar coating here, the surgery was tough, and we are only a day out, but I don’t regret it. He was in incredible pain and while we don’t know long he will be with us, it was the absolutely right choice!
It sounds like she is a great canidate…and also, wanted to tell you how important that everyone in the family have input and make the decision together!
Hugs!
Ilene & Harley
Hi Athena! Glad to see your pretty face after chatting with your mom last night! You’re lucky that your family is in this for the long haul. I wish you the best when you see the vet Monday. I know how hard it is to wait!
Shari
Hi Athena , welcome to Tripawds. After just reading over your entire Blog I am caught up to speed. I wish you all the best and know you will flourish as a Tripawds. I can’t wait to keep up with you as you begin your journey. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Remember that there will be ups and down but that you must stay the course and stay string for Athena. She’s beautiful and loves you more than you know for giving her a
Fighting chance. Can’t wait to hear more. Take care
Maricela and Spirit Bruno
http://bruiserbruno.tripawds.com/
HI,
I feel your pain. I was there exactly a year ago to the date! I went in for a small sprain and came back with a diagnosis of cancer. I was told that at 140lbs he would be just fine after amputation. And he was! We hike a few miles ever week and it has not slowed my boy down. Now a year later we found something in his lung and are treating it. We too are in it for the long haul. Its a journey but i would not trade a minute of it!