BootsyCollins Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 (edited) Since finding out a week ago today that my sweet Argie has osteo, I'm now wondering what to do. My initial gut was no amputation because since it's in his shoulder, I thought it wouldn't even be possible. Plus he is a pretty chill dog, but he is a bit of a chicken and I just don't know that he'd be able to handle the stress of an amp, especially on his front leg. I want to make the right decision but I don't know what it is. He's 7 - not old not a pup. This is torture. Yesterday morning I had he and Lucas on the bed with me and look what transpired...no interference from me! Edited October 25, 2008 by CMoon75 Quote Christie and Bootsy (Turt McGurt and Gil too) Loving and missing Argos & Likky, forever and ever. ~Old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to. ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rascalsmom Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Oh my, that picture ....how sweet. And what a terrible decision for you to have to make. Quote Phoebe (Belle's Sweetpea) adopted 9/2/13. Jack (BTR Captain Jack) 9/28/05--11/2/12Always missing Buddy, Ruby, and Rascal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Naty Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 That picture is priceless! Have you been in touch with Dr. Cuoto and hear what he recommends? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BootsyCollins Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 Have you been in touch with Dr. Cuoto and hear what he recommends? my vet has. i may ask her to ask about that specifically though. good idea. Quote Christie and Bootsy (Turt McGurt and Gil too) Loving and missing Argos & Likky, forever and ever. ~Old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to. ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MorganKonaAlex Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 It's a very personal decision. Osteo. tends to be more aggressive in younger dogs (5-7 years) than older ones. I thought Morgan was a lousy candidate for amputation because he's a big chicken too and he has a bad toe on a hind foot. He's a front leg amp. There is an adjustment period but they do surprisingly well on 3 legs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeara Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Read all the amputation posts. It was hard for me to have made that decision but I went with the amputation and chemo (Chemo from OSU) Asia handled it well, I made myself ill over it. I guess iif I had to do it again with another dog I would not be so sick over the amputation. Asia is a happy girl running and playing and I am glad she is still with me. Her amp was on 8/4. She just finished the chemo. If you do do it please have the best hospital and get all the information from Dr Couto to give the surgeon. Asia is 9. Quote "To err is human, to forgive, canine" Audrey, Nova, Cosmo and Holden in NY - Darius and Asia you are both irreplaceable and will be forever in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
inugrey Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 After reading about Polli and watching Cookie (who has Osteo in her shoulder) I *speculate* that I would amputate. Both girls seem to be doing rather well quickly post amp. This is a very personal decision. The one thing I always remember is that when Dr. Cuoto talks he always says that greys have "three and a spare." He also commented at the Fredericksburg fundraiser that it took him back when he noticed most of the dogs in the room had four legs because he's so accustomed to seeing three. Quote Colleen with Covey (Admirals Cove) and Rally (greyhound puppy)Missing my beloved boy INU (CJ Whistlindixie) my sweetest princess SALEM (CJ Little Dixie) and my baby girl ZOE (LR's Tara) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BootsyCollins Posted October 16, 2008 Author Share Posted October 16, 2008 how do they handle stairs afterward? that is a major concern. also how much time will it give him? a couple of months? Quote Christie and Bootsy (Turt McGurt and Gil too) Loving and missing Argos & Likky, forever and ever. ~Old age means realizing you will never own all the dogs you wanted to. ~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 What a beautiful picture and so precious. As others have said, it's such a personal decision. I can't even imagine having a newborn and dealing with surgery and chemo for Argos. Do you have family who can help you through this? If you have a good support system to help, figure that into the equation also. My prayers are with you and Argos. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burpdog Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Most learn to handle stairs. Depends on how steep and how many. Going up seems to be ok, going down can be tricky. Amp with chemo I believe the average is still 14 months. However, there are many that go 2, 3 & 4 years. I do believe artimisen (or however you spell it) helps a lot. If you contact Dr. C you can probably get chemo drugs free. That picture is too precious for words...... Have you had his lungs xrayed? Quote Diane & The Senior Gang Burpdog Biscuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MorganKonaAlex Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 My understanding of the median life expectancy is: - without amputation and chemo 2 months - with amputation and no chemo 5 months - with amputation and chemo 12-14 months re: stairs: Morgan always had a fear of stairs and would basically jump several at a time when he had 4 legs. I wish, wish, wish I had made him learn to walk them before the osteo. After the staples came out, he started doing stairs again. Same method as before. He did ok for about 9 months. I felt he was getting more and more out of control on the way down and decided we wouldn't let him go down like that. We started carrying him. He then decided he wanted to be carried up too. ;-) It's been 2 years now we carry him up to the bedroom at night and carry him back down in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EmilyAnne Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 What a hard decisoin to make. I know you'll make the right one for Argos whichever it is. I've no idea what I would do. You and Argos are in my prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madeara Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 (edited) Asia does stairs going up and she want to do them going down but I won't let her. These are going upstairs to the 2nd floor. it is too narrow for her to attempt. Other that that she can do shorter stairs fine. Asia went into the hospital on a tuesday and I brought her home on Friday, she was standing up looking out the window. The hospital did the rehab, making sure she could get up and down and walk, well you should see her run now THere isn't much to do but bring them back for staple removal, she was fine the day she came home. A couple of yelps but pain medication is what makes this all possible for animals Believe me I was a wreck during this, the vet assured me she would be fine, she was. I was scared to see her but when they brought her out she was smiling and did the cute thing she does to me going through my legs. The dogs can handle this, our hearts are the culprit getting in the way which is understandable, but Asia is still with me and I am so happy she is. Edited October 16, 2008 by Madeara Quote "To err is human, to forgive, canine" Audrey, Nova, Cosmo and Holden in NY - Darius and Asia you are both irreplaceable and will be forever in my heart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4greyhounds Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I am praying for you and Argo's I know that must be a very hard decision to make, I am just so very sorry. :grouphug :hope The picture is priceless, very tear jerking and Special!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Darlene Mom to: Aladdin, Sophie ,Pongo, Jasmine, Relic Forever in our Hearts Champ at the Rainbow Bridge. Let a greyhound race into your heart Adopt Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions INC. Naples/ Fort Myers Chapter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest attila Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Oh dear - I'm so sorry. Whatever you decide, I'm sure Argos will be a brave hound no matter what. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 We did not amputate when Casino had osteo in her shoulder at 13. Each dog is different. We would consider amputation for each individual dog. If we felt they could handle it and their prognosis was good (ie, good lung xrays) and barring other medical issues they may have, then we'd probably go for it. We take the 'first do no harm' approach to these sorts of decisions...basically, we have to believe there is a significant benefit to a drastic treatment, not just a minor extension of life. It's about quality of days, not quantity of days. It's such an individual and personal decision. I would never judge anyone for doing what they feel is best for their family. I'm probably no help, but you have my prayers. p.s. That picture is absolutely priceless. I think you just made my biological clock go "tick" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MomoftheFuzzy Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 That photo is so sweet. I'm sorry for the difficult decision you have to make. Many hugs to you and Argos... please know we're here for support, should you need it. Argos, be strong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrAlexTheDog Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 the sleep of the innocents. good luck to you and argos. Quote Steve, owner/photographer Crackerdog Photography, writer of ShutterHounds. Follow me on Instagram.Alex (Sanja Black Eyes [1989-2003] - Sanja Superfrank x TH's Fandango), Nikki (Ein's Ardonis [1995-2008] - Farmer Wilson x Legs Polly),Sadie (Carla Tar [2002-2014] - Coldwater Guv x Canatar), Katie (Leading Home [2003-2013] - Iruska Excalibur x Impress Me Much),Bean ([2013-] - DJays Octane x O Ya Cranberry), and Billy Bob (O Ya Billy Bob [2011-2020] Dodgem By Design x O Ya Cranberry) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HeatherDemps Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Dempsey's amputation was last January and he turned 12 2.5 months later. It was a front leg amputation. We lived in a ranch house and avoided going places with many stairs. He could do about 5-6 steps, I freaked out when he went down more than that many. Dempsey was always a super anxious dog- he hated vet clinics. Whenever he had his dentals, I had to pick him up pretty much as soon as he was conscience because he'd just wig out too much. I took that in consideration when trying to decide to amputate or not. He ended up doing fine- not that he loved the 3 days in ICU, but I think he was out of it from the pain meds and he did fabulous once he came home. I wish you the best in making your decision- it's so hard.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest DebR Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I'm so terribly sorry for you and Argos. What a horrible decision to be forced to make. My prayers are with you all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
turbotaina Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 No advice - as others have said, it's a very personal decision. I can say that if the conditions were right for Turbo at his current age (same as Argos), I'd likely do the amputation and chemo. Quote Meredith with Heyokha (HUS Me Teddy) and Crow (Mike Milbury). Missing Turbo (Sendahl Boss), Pancho, JoJo, and "Fat Stacks" Juana, the psycho kitty. Canku wakan kin manipi."Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities." - Voltaire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SabrinaInDE Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 I have no advice since I've never been through this before. I just wanted to say that I think that's one of the sweetest pictures I've ever seen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TBSFlame Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 That is a very sweet picture. I am so sorry, it is a dfficult decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 Our "decision" was kind of made for us. Polli was on the table getting x-rays to determine why she had a hairline fracture when she tripped. That morning at the vet, she was in extruciating pain (vet's words) and the morphine was not helping. When they saw the tumor, they called me while she was still on the table and explained it all to me. no biopsy was necessary. Amputation was the ONLY way to go. They wanted to prep her for amputation and do it NOW. We had no time to prepare but now I wonder if that was the good news or the bad news. It's done, it's over and the 1st week was extremely difficult. I know we still have tough times ahead but I truly believe there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Prayers for you and your boy. I hope you can get to a decision that you feel comfortable with. Hugs. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patricia Posted October 16, 2008 Share Posted October 16, 2008 That picture is just the sweetest. My prayers for all of you. It is a difficult decision at best...talk to Argos...ask him what he wants to do. Quote Patti-Mommy of Lady Sophia 7-28-92 - 8-3-04... LaceyLaine 8-2-94-12-5-07... Flash Gordon 7-14-99 - 8-29-09... BrookLynne...Pavé Maria... and 18 Bridge Kids. WATCHING OVER US~SOPHIA~QUEENIE~LACEY LAINE~ CODY ANGELO~FLASH GORDON. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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