Originally Posted By Big Thunder I am torn with emotion, so I thought I'd do as I have seen other LPer's do, seek some sort of relief by posting what is going on with me [us] A few of you know that I am a die hard animal lover, I had aspirations to be a vet when I was younger, I worked in Veterinary medicine Anyway, in the last week I noticed "Sport" our family Golden Retriever "Sport" favoring one of his front legs, eventually limping and not putting weight one one leg. I figured he hurt it playing or digging, or possibly a fox tail [South Western weed that wreaks havoc on pets] got into his paw, or maybe he was showing early signs of arthritis. I took him to a vet today and they said unfortunately it's bone cancer, he showed me the X-Rays and even though I am not a doctor, I have seen many a X-Ray and learned a thing or two... it was obvious. Our daughter, who is the official owner and who grew up with him since he was a cute puppy is devastated. I am still barely digesting this. Years ago when I worked in the field, they didn't even treat bone cancer in dogs, it was basically a death sentence, they would amputate affected limbs but death usually followed within a few months. Now they actually treat cancer in dogs with chemotherapy along with amputation, which can prolong their life. I am messed up because I have a tight schedule the next 2 weeks for work, plus I just listed my house on the market and have to oversee some finish work and have house presentable for prospects. I have an appointment with a Veterinary oncology specialist next Monday, that's the soonest I can be there for a consultation, the doctor travels back n forth from So. CA to Nor Cal and our schedules dont match. I'm pretty sure he will recommend amputation and possibly chemo depending on the metastasis to other areas [which is almost always the case by this time] He could live another year or more. I'm not so much concerned with him being a 3 legged dog, I have seen many 3 legged dogs live happy normal lives. The main thing I wonder is how much life can be prolonged. I know they wont tell me specifics, it will be a range with no guarantees. I also don't know the costs involved. Sad to say. but that will have come in play too. [sigh] I am sad, it's times like these that I wish I'd spent more time with him, wished I'd bred him so I could have one of his offspring [we originally intended to that but never did] I had a Golden as a boy and I took his death very hard, he was large and had a gorgeous color, I hardly see others this size and color. That's why we got Sport, my wife had a co-worker who bred Goldens. When Mrs Thunder brought home a picture of our dog's parents, I said "I gotta have a dog like that again for my family" So we bought a male from the next litter. He's eight years old, he's the most lovable sweet thing, like all Goldens, he loves people and attention. [sigh] I know he is in pain. I dont want him to suffer, and I dont want to lose him. This sux
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Oh, like many will chime in BigThunder, I so feel for you. I've been in this position before. I'm praying for you, your family and of course, Sport. ;<
Originally Posted By chickendumpling Ohh BigThunder. I am so sorry. (((((((hugs))))))) I'm thinking of ya big guy. Love to you and yours.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy Gosh BT, I know we're all very sorry to hear of this...I'll be thinkin' about your family and Sport and hope things have an optimistic outlook. (((hugs)))
Originally Posted By JohnS1 It's always hard when a pet is diagnosed with any disease which is said to be either incurable, or treatable, but with no optimistic outcomes. Our oldest dog, Barney - a terrier-lab mix, had swollen ankles and was limping. We at first figured he had injured himself - perhaps stumbling over a gopher hole while running out in our pasture land - so we took him in to the vet, who took blood samples, sent them to the WSU vet school, and said he had cancer that would probably spread throughout his blood stream. Operating, they said, would make it even more risky as the cutting of the cancerous area could cause the cells to shoot into other areas of his body. So we took him home and planned to put him to sleep when it became clear that he was in pain. Three years later, he still gets occasional swelling of the ankles, has a lot of other bumps and lumps on his body, but runs and plays like a puppy and is still going strong. We got Barney at the pound in 1989, and at that time he was trwo years old. So, he's doing pretty well and maybe your old "Sport" will hang on a lot longer than you were told! Dogs are amazingly resilient with liberal quantities of love bestowed upon them, which I know you are giving him, BigThunder. So hang in there - he may be around longer than you ever imagined.
Originally Posted By Mickey4President I am sorry to hear about Sport, BigThunder. My entire family are huge animal lovers. When my mother is talking to me about her dogs they are not dogs, they are my little brother and sister. We live in North Texas, and she took two seperate trips to New Olreans just to get them. She had one dog that had bad seizures along with being allergic to grass. She lived 3 years longer than the vet said she would. I will add your family ,including Sport, to my prayers.
Originally Posted By smedley Awwwh BT this is really sad, Golden's are such loveable guys. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the oncologist brings good news, at the right cost, and Sport has many years of running and playing left to do.
Originally Posted By leemac BigThunder that is such terrible news and I can sympathise. I've had goldies my entire life and lost every single one of them to cancer. My favourite, Sam, went through chemotherapy for a year which was heart-breaking for me, having to take him to the vet every week for treatment. Thank Heavens for pet insurance. My thoughts really go out to you and your family at this moment. Lee
Originally Posted By debtee Awwww Big Thunder this is such bad news! As you know I have 2 Goldies... Woody and Toby so I know how much you love your boy! Sending you and your daughter big hugs, I'm thinking of you and I really hope you are able to help Sport and find the right answers for him. My boys send cuddles!
Originally Posted By mickeymeg Best Wishes to Sport and the Thunders. Sport is lucky to be part of a family that loves him so much. These kind of decisions are so difficult to make, but I am sure you will be able to do what is best for your furry familymember. Im sending Happy Thoughts in your direction =)
Originally Posted By disney pete keeping my fingers crossed that Sport will come through this (((hugs))) for yall.
Originally Posted By CrouchingTigger Wow, this is real deja vu. Our golden died of bone cancer at the end of 1994. She didn't show any symptoms, but we had her into the vet around August-September for a stomach problem and an xray just happened to catch a little of her foreleg. The doctor pointed to the dark shadow on her leg bone and said "the news isn't good." Very sad times. It's only within the last couple of years that we've been able to think about getting another dog.
Originally Posted By MomofPrincess My heart aches for you; I am so saddened by your news. My warmest thoughts & wishes are with you....
Originally Posted By Big Thunder hey ya'll thanks for all your kind words. I'm gunna share this topic with Lil Thunder, she doesn't come to LP much anymore except when I point her in this direction, I'm sure she will be touched too. Leemac, do you mind sharing how long Sam went through treatment? Debtee, thank you for posting, I actually thought about Woody & Toby when I started this topic. Hug em for me please. Crouching Tigger, I am sorry for your loss. I understand how you'd feel about waiting. Of course it's way too premature for me to think about any dog other than Sport right now. Lil Thunder has already stated after this she doesn't think she wants another. However life seems so much better when it includes a Golden Retriver in the family. I have always used them as role models, examples, and metaphors. I have always said that Sport is the perfect example of unconditional love, he loves me no matter what. Does'nt matter what my stress level is at, no matter if I am sad glad, or mad, all he wants is to share love, thats what he lives for. I have also used Golden Retrievers in general when describing things, like "I feel happy as a big pawed golden retriever puppy" I am comforted by all your warm thoughts, and I am pleased to know there are more LPers who love Goldens and of course any & all pets regardless of breed. I must admit that I was surprised to learn that bone cancer is so common in the breed. The terrible thing is that by the time owners notice something, it's probably already spread through the bloodstream to other parts. [sigh] Again, thank you all, each and every reply was much appreciated. If you'll excuse me now, I'm going to go hug our dog.
Originally Posted By RAM1984 This topic was very hard for me to read but I had to. We lost "the best dog in the world" (our personal feeling of course) in 2001. He was only 9 years old and he did get cancer. He had never been sick so we figured we would be with us for many more years. We always keep two dogs and were very happy we had Tiffany at the time. Now we have Sk8r as a companion for her as she gets older. There is really nothing more to say but I feel for you and your family. We spoiled Gadget rotten right up to the end giving him whatever he wanted to eat, hugging and playing when he was up to it. Best wishes to you all.
Originally Posted By beamerdog I am so sorry to hear this, BT. I've lost quite a few dogs along the way and, as for everyone, there's just one or two that are extra special. Give that guy an extra big hug for me.
