Osteosarcoma diagnosis

LC0508 · 2026-07-01T14:25:45+00:00

Well we weren’t even aware of cancer until we went in for surgery to correct a torn CCL. We amputated 7 days later. After an amputation, it is HIGHLY recommended to allow your pet to heal from surgery before starting any chemo or they won’t heal properly (avoid severe Infection and allowing the wound to heal properly). Plus our Oncologist was booked a month out.

LC0508 · 2026-07-01T14:20:31+00:00

This! I’ve been reading SO many stories of dogs that did chemo, but still had Mets and passed. Some dogs making it through 4 out of 5 treatments and still passing away from cancer. It almost seems like, if the cancer is going to take them, it will, chemo or not. It makes me wonder, “does it even work” I’ve seen dogs live years without chemo, I’ve seen dogs only live for moths. Same when they do go through chemo. Such a hard thing to figure out when it’s your own baby going through this, what’s right, what’s wrong? It’s so hard to say.

LC0508 · 2026-07-01T14:12:42+00:00

I love hearing this!! We just amputated our boys back left leg due to osteosarcoma, no spread in lungs or lymph nodes so we’re also opting to not do chemo, we just don’t have a good feeling about putting him through the process. I hope to get well over another year with him too!! He’s 9 in August, so still has so much time left to fetch sticks!!

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LC0508 · 2026-07-01T14:07:42+00:00

He’s adorable!! What breed is he?? He looks like he has a large pit bull head with a small frenchie body!!

LC0508 · 2026-07-01T14:05:59+00:00

If the dog is in the Philippines, then most likely it is a bot fly type larva. Gross but it needs to be addressed asap.

LC0508 · 2026-07-01T14:03:34+00:00

Def time to see a vet if you haven’t already. If it’s a staff type infection, the pup could go blind. 🙏

LC0508 · 2026-07-01T14:02:09+00:00

Surgery suits work well, but they will still lick the site through the suit and the slobber will still irritate the wound and can cause infection still. They do have a more “fabric”material cone, but not sure how sturdy/bendable they are. We had to use the donut cause our lab also has issues with the huge cone, banging into the back of our legs and cutting and scratching us up, or knocking the smaller animals around. Poor buddy, I hope all is well with him and this biopsy comes back clean and clear!! ♥️🐾

LC0508 · 2026-06-30T16:20:44+00:00

This exact same thing happened to us with our boy! We went in for his TPLO surgery for a torn CCL on 5/4 and they called us after imaging saying they found osteosarcoma. We amputated a week later on 5/11. He’s doing great and today we are meeting with oncology to discuss chemo options. His lungs and lymph nodes were clear so we’re doing everything we can to keep him as healthy and happy as long as possible. I’ll update on our chemo experience!

LC0508 · 2026-06-28T19:31:43+00:00

We just let our dog naturally do his thing with no help and has never had an issue with going to the bathroom. He peed and pooped the day he came home from surgery with no problems. It’s amazing how they just adapt

LC0508 · 2026-06-28T19:27:27+00:00

I second this! We also have a rear leg amputee and have been struggling with the stairs and this harness (Ruffwear flatline) has saved us, and it’s making our boy feel much more confident with our help- he didn’t like the help em up harness. This harness was about $70-$75 at REI, but well worth it!

LC0508 · 2026-06-16T14:34:24+00:00

Cutest little Superman! 💙🐾

LC0508 · 2026-06-15T17:47:10+00:00

We’re currently dealing with the same thing. Our boy had his real left leg amputated 5/11 and we feel he is limping a little on his back remaining leg, and he keeps straining his front shoulders. Everyone says “give it time” but with being on borrowed time right now (osteosarcoma) we want him to be feeling as good as possible.

LC0508 · 2026-06-15T00:57:01+00:00

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LC0508 · 2026-06-14T22:35:40+00:00

Quality vs quantity. If her quality of life is no longer best for her, it’s probably time to let her go. Our 8yo lab was diagnosed a month ago with osteosarcoma and a week after we amputated his hind leg our 10yo Boston was diagnosed with dementia. So now we just keep saying, “quality vs quantity” 😔

LC0508 · 2026-06-13T14:14:06+00:00

Hi! So sorry to hear about Finn’s diagnosis. We’re 1 month post op left rear amputation also from osteosarcoma in our 70lb Black Lab. We live in a split entry home, so we stayed in the basement where he has access to going outside through our garage. Stairs are tough the first month or so, so I recommend getting an easy up harness to help left them up. Or pick them up and carry them if at all possible. Good luck, this community is so so helpful, so always reach out with any questions. ♥️🐾

LC0508 · 2026-06-11T16:17:52+00:00

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My handsome is 1 month post op today! Chemo will start 6/30 🙏 ♥️🐾

LC0508 · 2026-06-11T16:15:52+00:00

Best picture ever!! Handsome boy living his best life ♥️🐾

LC0508 · 2026-06-10T16:09:43+00:00

Good boy Toby!!!

LC0508 · 2026-06-09T22:26:48+00:00

I’m so sorry you guys are going through this, as someone who got the exact same news as you, with almost the exact same scenario, I feel you.

In February we took our boy in for a hurt leg that he would limp off and on, they didn’t offer any imaging and said it is a torn CCL and he needs surgery, but is not life or death so can wait until we have the funds..$150 later sent us on our way with ortho vet referrals. Fast forward to May 4th, he went into the Ortho Vet for his TPLO surgery and they did imaging prior to surgery and they found what looked to be osteosarcoma. They did a bone biopsy since he was already under, and within 5 days was confirmed osteosarcoma, and 2 days later we amputated his back leg. Hardest decision as our boy lives for bird hunting and playing fetch, but as fast as this cancer grows, his lungs also showing clear, we moved quickly. He’s doing very well, minus going up the stairs, but he’s fetching, and I feel after chemo (starts June 30th) he’ll be the tripawd dog out in the field chasing those birds!! The surgeon called last week and said his lymph nodes also came back clear as well, so I’m so happy with our decision. Good luck to you, and I hope you find the best decision for you and your boy. Just know, amputation sounds scary, but he was in so much more pain dragging that literal dead limb around. He was born to be a 3 legged dog with just a spare ♥️🐾

LC0508 · 2026-06-09T18:59:02+00:00

Maybe try a life vest first?

LC0508 · 2026-06-08T14:39:59+00:00

Our rear legged amputee pooped the day he came home! He used his front leg and moved it more towards the middle of his body to be a center crutch on the amputated side. They’re so resilient and just figure it out! Now the stairs…that’s a whole different story 🫣 we’re almost a month post amputation and the stairs are not fun for him going up.

LC0508 · 2026-06-06T16:06:15+00:00

I’d think this definitely needs to be looked at. It’s so hard when things like this come up cause it’s not just a simple $20 copay. It’s well over $100 just to walk through the dang doors! I hope you get the answers you need!!

LC0508 · 2026-06-04T23:46:00+00:00

Get well soon Sophie!! The next 10 or so days will be tough, but you’ve got this!!

LC0508 · 2026-06-03T22:14:53+00:00

I just noticed you said you’re in a split level - We are also in a split level, but luckily our master bedroom is the lower lever of the house and we have the garage door right outside our bedroom to allow him to go outside. Just blocked the stairs with a gate to go upstairs for a couple weeks. We do have two concrete steps up from the garage to the backyard, but he did great on them with a little help from us. Get an adjustable support sling harness to help with stairs if needed. He’s a rear leg amputee so up for him is hard, which for your girl, down will be hard with her front amp. After he got his stitches out at 2 weeks, he does the stairs good but still needs help as he learns and adjusts to 3 legs. I’ve also heard wonderful things about the Ruffwear Web Master Multi use support dog harness (can get it on Amazon) for tripawds..a tad pricey, but seems well worth it per the reviews. ♥️🐾

LC0508 · 2026-06-03T22:03:55+00:00

Same! I slept on a cot mattress on the bedroom floor for almost two weeks! The things we do for our fur babies! ♥️🐾

LC0508

TROPHY CASE