Can you spare a prayer for my dog? Final Update...
Looks like my buddy Thor may have developed a cancer in his left foreleg. We have an appointment with a specialist next week and could use all the help we can get.
Added 4/26/22
We just got back from the vet's office. We had to send Thor on to the Rainbow Bridge this afternoon. Things were going pretty well but then one complication after another set in. We know we'll see him again but right now I'm a hurtin' unit.
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Of course I would. Remember many photos of Thor. Great looking friend!
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Done! Best wishes for Thor's well-being.
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Thor:
“Dad, we need a bigger couch.”
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How is Thor?
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best wishes for a good outcome of this difficulty....lost our 10 year rescue buddy May 5...still not over it....but we got another that is progressing well......have 2 rescue dogs and 4 cats ...wichita tv just had a segment on about a rescue pooch and i have never seen a more abused dog still alive....the gal caring for him was in tears telling about what they were doing to try to save him..; i would be happy to chain a rat bas---- that would do this to a tree and leave em there
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Initial diagnosis confirmed. An osteosarcoma in the left radius bone right at the wrist joint. No sign of metastasis to any other organs. We got bombarded with a lot of options/scenarios yesterday and are trying to come up with a plan. The doc said we caught it and got on top of it very early.
First option is to do nothing and try to make him comfortable until the end.
The second option is simply to amputate the entire leg and do 4 rounds of chemo.
Third option is to take him to the school at Fort Collins, CO (14 hour drive, probably at least 4 trips) for focused radiation and chemotherapy. Very experimental and highly expensive.
Fourth option is what's called 'limb saving' and involves removing the affected bone and replacing it with a cadaver bone and then at least 4 rounds of chemo. This is the option we're leaning towards right now.
None of the options give much more than a 2 year life expectancy after treatment.
We have some very difficult choices to make.
Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes. It truly means a lot.
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Thanks for the update, Neo.
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Prayers continue for Thor.
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Two year life expectancy after treatment, geeez us, that is hard. What kind of life will Thor have during that time? That would be my question. What a bad deal. I took in a rescue just 8 months ago and she is now a family member. Gosh, IDK wth would be the best route. Please make your decision that would give Thor the best chance which seems very limited of a decent life of what is left without to much pain and suffering. I feel for you and your family brother.
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Wow. Tough choices to make. Sorry about your buddy there Steve. Maybe he can lead you toward the path to choose? Hopefully he's not in too much pain. And I hope it all works out for the best. Still praying.
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Have you considered amputating it and leaving it be? I've been around plenty of 3 legged dogs and they live full, active, happy lives. He'll learn to get along without that leg in no time, and never look back.
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All tough choices, I won't tell you what to do as it is not my place, continued prayers for Thor and your family to decide what is best.
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Neoblackdog, while I'm sorry for the diagnosis, I'm glad you and Thor have options. Don't envy you your choices, but sure you'll make a good one. Prayers will continue for God's blessing on your friend.
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its a difficult decision to face
we have in the past went thru similar . as for us no judgement on which direction or suggestions every case if different I am sure your family will pick the best one for all of you
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All best wishes and prayers for Thor and his family.
George
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Hard choices indeed, do what your heart tells you to do and you can't be wrong.
Two years is twenty four months of precious time to spend with Thor.
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Thanks again for all the well wishes and prayers. Today is the day we will make the 'big' decision as we want to be able to call the vet tomorrow and get the ball rolling. We're leaning towards the 'limb saving' surgery as this was caught very early and will give him the most opportunity for a relatively normal outcome.
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Best wishes continue
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Our prayers for him.
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Well, tomorrow's the big day. Thor's CT scan looked good (no cancer in the lungs/organs) so he goes in for surgery at 9AM. They're going to remove the affected bone and replace it with a metal rod and add some 'bone growing' hormone to help things fill in. After that he'll be getting 4 treatments of chemotherapy over the next month or two. The wrist will be fused but he should be able to eventually get almost full use out of the leg again.
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Awesome news.
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Sounds like the docs have everything well in hand but I'll still say a few prayers for a positive outcome. Bob
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I read somewhere that dogs don't like to be hugged. That might be true for most dogs, but I'm giving my dogs a hug tonight for Thor.
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Good news is nice to hear. Thanx!
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Wonderful news! Prayers for Thor's successful surgery, and great recovery.
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x 10 on your best friend's successful surgery and full recovery!
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still praying
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Hoping for a successful operation and treatment for Thor!
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It is a mistake to put the dog through all that chemo. only 2 years of life and much of that would be suffering. Amputate the leg and let him be a 3 legged dog.
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I include all animals in mt prayers, everyday. Thor has been my prayers for the past five days. I have been
surround by dogs my entire life and I know exactly what you feel now.
All best wishes for Thor and his family.
George
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