My dog has cancer.

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She has a soft-tissue sarcoma on one of her rear paws. The veterinarian surgeon is not positive that he can get it all out with clear margins, and leave enough skin to cover the wound. I am hoping that he can, and not have to take her leg.

She is scheduled for surgery tomorrow morning.

[IMG][/IMG]

I'm quite upset with my local veterinarian, who suspected that it was cancer a month ago, but suggested nothing. I took Bunkie back to him two more times to re-examine the paw, but it wasn't until the third time that he said that she should get it removed. I know that I was in a bit of denial, but he should have insisted that I get the growth tested. Grrrr.

[get the red out]

1. Thoughts for Bunkie

I hope they get it all and she recovers with her leg. Precious baby, she is so cute!

[janterry]

2. What a beautiful dog

All the best to Bunkie and you -
I hope the surgery goes well.

[Chevy]

3. Poor girl hoping for a succesful surgery. N/T

[Duppers]

4. Relief when I opened the thread

To discovery you're not losing her.

I empathize with your anger with your vet. Ours misdiagnosed our border collie until it was obvious and too late to do anything.
Too bad vets cannot be sued.

Wishing Binkie good luck with her surgery.

[Polly Hennessey]

5. My dog did too.

Jake, my Golden Retriever, had cancer and had one of his front legs removed. Losing a leg did not bother him at all. He had a healthy, happy, and active life for many years. I think we humans have too many anxieties about these sort of things; dogs not so much. Enjoy all of your moments with Bunkie. She is going to enjoy all of her moments with you.

[shenmue]

6. Hugs

[Freedomofspeech]

7. What a beautiful Bunkie...

Hoping for the best.

[sinkingfeeling]

8. My American Eskimo developed the same thing back 2012

on his left front paw. Tried cold laser and some chemo for about 3 months. Finally decided to save his life by amputation his leg. I think it's more traumatic for the owner than the dog.

Sugar has been hopping around as a tri-paw since then. His breed is front end heavy and the remaining fore leg takes a pounding. Over time, he's gotten lower to the ground and the front leg turns in towards the center.

My vet is afraid the leg will experience a complete breakdown in the future. Sugar is 15, so giving him almost 5 years of extra life seems worth it to me.

Good luck with the surgery. Are you and Bunkie near a vet school clinic? Lots of good experienced surgeons and technics there.

[Cattledog]

9. That happened to me with one of my Cattle Dogs

She was limping and the vet said it was arthritis...didn't get better and went to a new vet who diagnosed Osteosarcoma right away.
Had to go to Auburn U for amputation...she took it well but the cancer had already spread.

[nadine_mn]

10. I am sorry - cancer is so scary

I hope all goes well with Bunkie - what a sweet heart!! What breed is she? Her markings are gorgeous and has such a happy face!

If it does mean leg removal, dogs adapt very quickly. I mean, obviously that is not what you want to happen, but they have amazing spirit and find ways to get back to normal.

Much love and best wishes to you

[irisblue]

11. I burst into tears when the vet told me Peanut had cancer.

I can understand and wish and hope for the best. 🐶

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12. Update.

Thank you all for your replies. It helps to have other people who have gone through the same thing.

I took Bunkie to the hospital this morning (a specialty place that deals with more serious cases). The vet explained that what he plans to do to make sure that the margins are clear, is to remove the digit closest to the tumor. Better a toe, than a leg, although I understand from your replies that dogs do quite well with three legs.

Bunks is a combination Beagle/Sheltie with a touch of Greyhound. (We did a DNA test out of curiosity). She's a sweetheart.

[irisblue]

13. How is Bunkie tonight? And you?