Oh no What an awful decision to have to make I don't have any experience with this condition, but wanted you to know I was thinking of you and Milo.

[QUOTE=Fivedogpam;2304413]Thank you Sarah. The newer chemo drugs are apparently better and have fewer side effects but it's still something that concerns me. I have to do what's best for Milo in the end.[/QUOTE]

And I think thats the most important thing to remember, and it also gets you through it.

Sometimes because they can do this and that , doe snot always mean tis the right thing to do,

You have to look to your dog, can he cope at his age without a leg, can the chemo blast it away, will he cope with it all, and what will the outcome bring (in longevity) . you will have to weigh it all up and decide on that.

Not easy , and for the moment, not a immediate decision you have to make,

Wait till the x rays come in, and decide then.

If you dont go with amputation and chemo, it doesn't mean you have to have him pts straight away, he many respond to palliative care well, and that may give you a few mths.

My friends Rotti at the age of 6 had the same, they gave palliative care, , and she lived for another 5 mths, so thats something to consider also.

Thank you - it means a lot. My other dogs keep looking at me and wondering why I'm making silly blubbery noises all the time!

So sorry to hear this, what a shock xxx

I've only experienced the chemo side of things with our male, for lymphoma, I wouldn't put a dog over the age of 10 through chemotherapy, never. Sorry

Give him our love and some hugs xxx

So sorry you have this awful decision to make

Thankfully I haven't been in that position with any of mine but I did research it a lot recently when my sister's 11yr GSD was diagnosed with this on her front leg and she was asking my advice.

My advice to her was that I personally wouldn't choose to put a dog through amputation and chemo, although of course I would respect and support her in her decision as it was for her to ultimately decide what was best for her dog.

In that case the decision was made for her when the dog suddenly got severe internal bleeding from a previously unknown secondary tumour, as the vet had warned she might, and so she was put down.

The conclusion I came to, including talking to veterinary orthopedic specialists, is that with cancer amputation and chemo is buying time, from weeks to months, or very exceptional a couple of years, if you catch it very early.

Chemo is pretty rough on anyone, amputation adapatation and recovery can depend on the individual, but is going to be easier if the dog otherwise feels ok, although body weight, conformation,temperament and care such as physio and behavioural support also come into it.

Accordingly I came to the hypothetical conclusion that, should I ever find myself in that position, I would go for amputation in a case of a leg trauma injury, but that I would go for palliative care if cancer were involved.

I think Jackbox's post at #3 puts it extremely well.

Unfortunately in this situation there is no "good" decision, so much as the least worse

Once again, my sincere sympathy.

I have no advice sorry. I think the wya to go is always a very personal decision and like someone else mentioned you have to take all things into account.

Sending (((hugs))) and good wishes.

Thank you all for your support, it's much appreciated. It's all still very raw at the moment so I think I need to get over the shock before coming to any decisions.

I am sorry to hear your news - but I think you are quite right, just now isnt the time to make and decisions

every dog is different, every cancer is different, and you need a good long chat with your vet

((((((hugs))))))))

Thank you so much. I spent about an hour with my vet yesterday but, of course, a lot of it went straight over my head as I struggled to cope with what he was saying! Hopefully I will be more in control when I next see him! Also, a lot will depend on how Milo copes with the pain during the next couple of weeks. He is on one pain killer at the moment, I have another in reserve and paracetamol if they are not enough.

I have nothing to add to what everyone else has said. I don 't envy the choices you have to make.

Thoughts are with you and sending hugs your way.