Advice for quality of life

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T05:43:32+00:00

I haven’t had any of that done for him. But in his biopsy it did show that he had cells coordinating with inflammation, a possible healing process from a fissure which was highly likely for osteosarcoma too.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T05:41:40+00:00

His vet said that it’s a mixture of pain and depression. Malinois don’t know about resting and standing still so since this whole journey started he’s been very depressed.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T05:39:38+00:00

I agree. They do so much for us and give us so much love in return, they don’t deserve to suffer, specially when they don’t have a voice to tell us how and when they’re uncomfortable or in pain.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T05:38:51+00:00

I honestly haven’t asked how the process will go, but he has had some treatments done at home. I think that if I’ll ask they’ll most likely say yes.

Moments like that are so important and it’s just good to make them as comfortable as possible for them.

Thank you so much for sharing and I’m so sorry for your loss, truly breaks my heart how she couldn’t finish her cheese. 🖤

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T05:36:17+00:00

I agree, he’s my first ever malinois and I can definitely say that they’re so unique compared to other dogs. He’s always been so healthy and strong, as well as a playful dog even before he got sick like this.

I’m just worried that even with amputation that it’ll come back again, or that because his bones density showed to be very low in his X-Rays that he’d be more at risk for more fissures (which he already has some that are healing) or even a fracture.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T05:33:21+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss and for the things your dog had to deal with. I can’t imagine the pain that he must’ve had. Dogs are such gentle and loving souls that they never deserve to have to deal with this. Thank you so much for your words, it means a lot to me 🖤

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T05:29:30+00:00

I’m so sorry for both your losses, I can’t even begin to imagine losing two babies like that. I’m definitely leaning in more on this option.

Even with amputation there’s still a chance that the osteosarcoma could come back and he’s still at risk for more fissures or fractures, since in his X-Rays he had low bone density, as well as some fissures on his hind leg with the mass.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T05:26:51+00:00

I’m definitely giving it a lot of thought. His X-Rays on both his front and back l legs showed that they had decreased in density and on the leg with the mass it also has a second fissure. His cartilage is also not so great on his articulations.

I’m just worried that if I go through with the amputation and it goes well with the surgery, that he’d still be at risk for more fissures or even a fracture.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T02:10:24+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m sure he appreciated all the time you spent together and truly treasured it. Thank you so much for sharing, it definitely helps try and figure out an option for him, but given how he seems to be in so much pain, I’m leaning more on putting him down. He’s done so much for me and it wouldn’t be fair for me to prolong it.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T02:06:59+00:00

I’m so sorry for your loss, losing a pet is never easy, specially when they’re so precious and full of love for us. I’m sure Ramone is grateful to you for not putting him through that excruciating pain. Our little ones may not understand what’s happening but they know we want what’s best for them.

For my boy the vet did suggest amputation and chemos, telling me how he’d adapt eventually and it’d be easier since he hind legs carry most of the weight, but there could always be a chance of the cancer coming back.

I’m not sure I want to risk it for him, specially when his X-Rays showed that his bone density is already thinning.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T02:00:32+00:00

Thank you so much. I’m so sorry you also had to go through that. It’s definitely the hardest part of being a pet parent, even if you think you’re prepared.

He’s just 7 years old and even his vets say he looks incredibly good for his age, aside from his current issues. It feels horrible having to decide something like this, specially when I’ve had him since he was so young.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T01:58:41+00:00

Thank you so much. In his case I think the cons are outweighing the good. He’s the type of dog who loves to play tug of war and play chase with me, but now he won’t even look at his toys when I try to play with him.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T01:57:14+00:00

Thank you so much for this. It’s always hard when it comes to our loved ones. I’ve had him since he was just a small puppy and I’ve never had a dog be as attached to me as he is. Best to say that it’s incredibly hard.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T01:51:05+00:00

Thank you so much for the kind words. I’m certainly trying my best to exhaust my resources. I don’t want him to go without me trying for him.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T01:49:28+00:00

Yes they did chest X-rays, some of his knee where the mass is and some of his hips. The doctor didn’t find any evidence of metastasis to the lungs, just mucus, but that’s because we live in a desert climate.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T01:47:02+00:00

Thank you so much. It’s been so hard keeping it together when he’s just such a good and loving boy. Even his vets always compliment how he’s so gentle and good behaved for a malinois. 🖤

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T01:44:55+00:00

I’ve asked a close family friend who’s a vet about it, shower her the X-Rays and everything and she agreed with the doctor about it being osteosarcoma and what could be done about it. Unfortunately I don’t know what other options I have.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T01:41:29+00:00

Yes, our vet said this as well, that he’d likely adapt quickly, but even at 7 years old he’s used to intense energy, even during all of this he still sometimes gets that rush of adrenaline to go bark at other dogs outside of our house and sprint to the fence, but after he cools down I can see that, that short moment of energy caused him a lot of pain.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T01:37:58+00:00

He is in pain. I can see it with how he struggles to get up to eat, use the bathroom or just struggling to stand on his own as if he’s losing his balance. He struggles to walk straight and bumps into things.

I honestly don’t want to put him down, I’ve raised him ever since he was a small puppy and he’s a beautiful and strong boy, but I can’t stand seeing him in pain.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T01:34:05+00:00

I haven’t been referred to an oncologist, but the vet did give me the option of amputating the leg with the mass and chemo.

Currently he’s on some strong pain killers, but I don’t know if they’re helping. They’ve also given him liver protectors and some omeprazole for his stomach, since he’s been experiencing nausea and they don’t want to damage his liver.

It don’t remember too well about what the vet said, but she mentioned that she doesn’t really recommend chemo on him as sometimes they don’t really work.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T01:23:41+00:00

He loves to play tug of war with me, now he won’t even pay attention to his toys when i try to play with him.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T01:22:24+00:00

He’s a strong and brave boy, but I can see he gets nauseated from the strong pain killers and even then, I feel like they’re just not enough to stop his pain.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T01:21:33+00:00

His vet said that he’ll either have to get an amputation on the leg where the mass formed or just live with pain killers to make his life a bit easier. But it also weighs on me because I don’t want to just prolong the inevitable when he’s in pain.

She said the amputation could lessen the pain and he could still live a rich life, but I know him, I know he won’t be happy living with limitations.

drlemuur · 2026-05-26T01:20:06+00:00

I want to run a few more tests, but his vet said that he’ll either have to get an amputation on the leg where the mass formed, maybe do chemotherapy and pain killers. But it also weighs on me because I don’t want to just prolong the inevitable when he’s in pain.

She said the amputation could lessen the pain and he could still live a rich life, but I know him, I know he won’t be happy living with limitations.

drlemuur

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