Well, this is the last day our golden retriever, Ray, will be on four legs.
He was diagnosed with a nerve sheath tumor in his right front leg about two weeks ago and amputation surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning. (You can see in the photo where the biopsies were taken from his elbow.)
Unfortunately, tumor excision and radiation were not much of an option in this case. These tumors are notoriously hard to get out due to their tendency to wrap around muscles and nerves, and if they aren’t completely, 100% removed, they are nearly guaranteed to come back. The good news in all of this is that, once his leg is removed, the cancer should be gone too. Dogs who have limbs amputated due to bone cancer are not usually so lucky, as that type of cancer is particularly aggressive and can both return and metastisize to the organs. Nerve sheath tumors tend to stay localized. We have confirmed through x-rays that his chest is clear and the other bone structures (hips, left leg) do not show any type of cancer.
He’s been sleeping a lot the past couple of days and is running a bit of a temperature. I’m glad he doesn’t know what’s going to happen to him tomorrow. But relief from the constant pain in his leg will hopefully, eventually bring things back to relative normalcy. We have been assured numerous times that most dogs, after a period of healing and adjustment, do just great on three legs.
Ray has been such a joy to my husband and me, especially since the loss of our 16-year-old mutt in March, because of his loving, happy demeanor. It’s our turn to be there for him now.
Welcome, and all the best to Ray tomorrow and in the next few weeks of healing. How wonderful to know that he will be happy and cancer free! Our dog was diagnosed with osteosarcoma this past May and the fear that cancer will return is always in our minds.
God speed his recovery.
Thank you, Julie. Sending good wishes for your doggie’s recovery as well.
Welcome to Tripawds! I’m sorry you are dealing with cancer but it sounds like amputation will be curative. Ray will indeed amaze and inspire you! Be ware that the first couple of weeks can be tough- so don’t get discouraged if Ray has some down time. My vet only said ‘most dogs do fine on three legs’ so when my pug Maggie seemed out of sorts the first few weeks I thought I had done the wrong thing. But she came around.
I’m sorry you lost your ‘mutt’ in March- but 16! Wow, you guys must be doing something right!
If you haven’t already be sure to drop by the forums here. Lots of good information and support, and more people there too.
Good luck tomorrow.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Thank you Karen and pugapalooza (love it!) We are hoping for the best. We’ve only had Ray for three years but we think he’s about 10 – it’d be great if he could stick around a little longer! This will be a challenge for all of us.
Hi Ray’s Pawrents,
Good luck to Ray tomorrow. We will all be keeping good thoughts for a speedy recovery!
Hoping life gets back to a new normal for you quickly after that pain is gone. Better to hop on 3 than limp on 4!
Butchey Hudson & his fur-amily.
Thank you, Butchey and family! Great to have so much support here.
Sending you lots of pawsitive thoughts for the surgery. It sounds very promising that it will cure Ray’s cancer.
The first few weeks is usually pretty tough but after that Ray won’t know himself. If you have any questions the Forums are a great place to post them.
Karen and Spirit Magnum
Thank you Karen and Spirit. I already love the support and great advice I’ve found in this wonderful online community!
Welcome! We look forward to following Ray’s progress, please keep us posted.
Oh, I love his name and goldens hold a special place in my heart. He is a beauty and you’re so right to be there for him. I’m hoping he has a successful surgery and quick recovery. I believe that dogs do know something is going on at times like this, but I also believe they know when their owners love them and take care of them — just what you are doing. Give him an extra hug for me.
Thank you Kathy! Hug administered. Ray’s been hopping around on three legs for a week or so now, so hopefully pain management is the brunt of what we’ll be dealing with for the first couple of weeks. I’ve ordered the highly recommended Web Master harness for him, which should arrive tomorrow. Will report later on how that works out. Thanks again for your support. Goldens are the best!
Best of luck to your puppy…tomorrow will be my Lucy’s last day on four limbs as she has osteosarcoma. I think she will feel better after the affected limb is gone. thank goodness to have this blog and online community. It has been a wonderful support for us and what is to come.
Thank you Sbgswim, and best of luck to you and your pup as well!
Good luck Ray! We know you’ll do fine, it’s the humans who always worry too much. Keep us posted, we are thinking of you.