Bentley is a 3 year old pitbull that was just diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma in his back right leg close to his paw. The vet recommended amputation but I don’t know if that’s the best way to go. He had already had TPLO surgery for his torn acl on the same leg last year. If he looses that leg is the other acl going to tear? He already has a 50% chance of that happening. I’m just afaird to go through with the amputation when there could be another cure to his cancer such as tumor removal and radiation.
We amputated our golden’s left foreleg because other treatment options did not have a very good prognosis (6 months at best). Doctors also advised us that there was no way to surgically remove his tumor and retain functionality in the leg as they would have to remove too much muscle. The first couple weeks post-amputation were very difficult for me. Our tripawd is doing very well now–runs, digs, chases tennis balls, and jumps for joy when we get out of bed in the morning. He’s almost done with chemotherapy treatments, which don’t seem to affect him. We hated to amputate but we did it to save his life. I’d recommend clarifying options and prognoses with your vet and oncologist.
Hello and welcome, although I’m sorry you are dealing with cancer. Have you seen a vet oncologist yet? They could give you all options and what is most likely to work and not work. I understand your concern about bad knees- but right now the immediate concern is treating the cancer. I would suggest you post in the forums- there are lots more people there including some who have had to make decisions when one of the other limbs has issues.
A good place to start is in the Presentation and Diagnosis forum: https://tripawds.com/forums/presentation-and-diagnosis/
Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls
We have an oncologist appt on Monday just doing a bunch of research and trying to get use to what ever option can happen before hand. Thank you!