possible osteosarcoma... please help

[Gin&Dex]

Hi all,

I'm brand new to BW (just joined last night) but have been lurking around for years. If you don't want to find my intro, I'll give you the basic scoop. I have two terrific babies, Ginger and Dexter, both 11 years old. And we're beginning to have some health issues...

Several months ago, Ginger came up limping in her right rear leg. The vet said she probably tore her ACL... I didn't think too much of it. But it never seemed to heal. Now there are knots on her knee. The vet did some x-rays today and said it is more than likely osteosarcoma or *possibly* some type of infection. He said this (possible infection) because it has affected both bones (the femur and the tibia), when it normally affects just one. He said he's never seen osteo do that, but that doesn't mean that it can't.

He recommended a bone biopsy, which I will probably have done on Wednesday. Does anyone have any experience with osteosarcoma?? Does anyone have a boxer that is an amputee?? (Ginger will most likely lose her leg.) She is 11 years old and I'm really struggling with what to do (anesthesia, EKG, possible amputation).

I'm scared to death.... any advice (and good boxer vibes) are VERY much appreciated!

Thanks!
Melanie, Ginger & Dexter

 

[Kaoz]

I don't have any advice, but Sitka and I are sending all sorts of good boxer vibes your way!!!

 

[spud's mum]

I'm sorry I don't have any advice to give but I'm sending lots of positive vibes and ((hugs)) your way. I hope you find out what's causing this and your baby's feeling better soon. Please keep us posted.

 

[Austin's Mom]

I'm sending lots of positive and good luck vibes for your baby. I hope she doesn't have to lose her leg.

 

[sweetboxer]

I'm sorry to hear about Ginger. When Cadence was originally diagnosed with cancer, I was told she had osteosarcoma. When I took her to the oncologist, that wasn't what it was. Hers was a soft tissue sarcoma. But I had done a lot of research on osteosarcoma, and the best treatment out there for it is amputation. Keep in mind that dogs don't care what they look like. I had to keep reading that over and over. Dogs are very adaptable, so if in fact Ginger needs to lose her leg, she will be okay. They quickly learn how to use 3 legs and are fine. I keep thinking that I read somewhere that osteosarcoma usually doesn't spread throughout the entire leg, but I can't say that for sure. I know how difficult this time is, wondering what to do, waiting for guidance...be strong. You will get through this and so will Ginger. I remember reading that older dogs diagnosed with this disease have a better prognosis than a younger dog, say age 5 or so. So the odds are in Ginger's favor. I am sending you lots of ((((((((((((healing vibes))))))))))))))) throught this difficult journey. Keep us posted on how Ginger is doing.
Colby and Skye send Ginger lots of extra special get-well wiggles!

 

[lafsalot]

I have had no experience with this, but am sending you tons of healing thoughts and positive vibes. Will be anxiously waiting for updates ~ Cathy

 

[Gin&Dex]

thanks!

Thanks to you all for the well wishes with this!

It's so nice to have a place to ask questions and feel so supported. I've talked to lots of people (none of them boxer owners) and they just don't understand. They have no idea what living life with a boxer can be like--all the joy it brings, and why it is so hard to deal with the possibility I may be losing my best friend. I'm sick of looking at people, and knowing they're thinking "it's just a dog". Because they are NOT 'just dogs'!

My biggest fear is that she will be in pain. I do NOT want her to hurt--EVER. I'm afraid of putting her through another major surgery at 11 years old. And IF she loses her leg, I don't want her to struggle getting around. (I have steps in my house and I'm afraid to see her tumble down them.)

We'll see what happens with the biopsy on Wednesday. They'll do an EKG and chest x-rays before, and if those are clear, we'll do the biopsy. We should know by Friday if it is cancer or not. So in the meantime, we're hoping for a good EKG and clear lungs. And we'll go from there....

I will keep you updated on what we find out. Thanks again to you all !

 

[Gin&Dex]

Ginger's biopsy is tomorrow

Hi all,

Ginger's bone biopsy will be tomorrow morning, so we need some good boxer vibes!! Please keep us in your thoughts.

My vet said that it will be a very quick procedure. She'll only be under for about 15 minutes, with only a small incision (maybe 1 or 2 stitches). He wants to do the "open" biopsy, so he can get a good clean sample of the bone (in case it's not osteosarcoma), so we can culture it if we need to.

I've gone through phases of feeling really good about this and feeling really bad about this. I'm still not sure I'm doing the right thing, but I can't find peace in ANY of the decisions that are before me. I've felt like I've had three options since the x-ray: 1) bone biopsy and go from there, 2) amputation, then biopsy and go from there, or 3) just let her go to the rainbow bridge.

I've been through all 3 of them in my head, and NOTHING gives me peace. Mainly because she doesn't seem sick! She doesn't seem to be in pain (except for the limp), she never cries, she plays, she eats and drinks normally.

But at least the biopsy will give a definitive answer. The 'not knowing' is killing me the most, I think. I just can't put her through anything major without knowing. Thank you all for listening and letting me cry on your shoulder. I will update you tomorrow when we get home.

My hugs to you all!

 

[Austin's Mom]

<<<<<<<<<<<<<positive boxer vibes>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

 

[Jan]

I hope the biopsy goes well tomorrow. I'm sending positive healing vibes your way!