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Osteosarcoma - when is it time to say goodbye?

Joeottobre

Joeottobre

Well-Known Member
I hope you'll all forgive me, as this is not about my mastiff but my rottweiler... I really feel like I need outside opinions.

My 7 year old rottie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma after we noticed a large lump on her foreleg. It's been a couple of months now and I am starting to question whether we (and the dog) are being taken advantage of. Between drugs, blood work and chemo we are spending over 1k per month, and even so she is in pain and spends most of the day laying still. Unfortunately amputation is not an option because of her weight - an embarrassing lesson we have learned from.

On the other hand, she is losing weight rapidly and might be a candidate for amputation in a couple of months.

I guess my question is: what would you do? Is it ethical to euthanize a dog that still has some quality of life? Has anyone had to make this decision?
 
ruby55

ruby55

Well-Known Member
We're in the middle of this right now with our 9 1/2 yr old Magee. She is also overweight, has diabetes, & is blind from glaucoma. She's getting weaker & weaker, possibly heart, & we thought we would have to say goodbye to her today. But she rallied, so we're going to wait & see.
Almost a year ago, we lost Deedee. She was 10 yrs old, with serious arthritis. As long as she could get up & down, was eating, & enjoying her daily massage & reiki session, we let her keep going. But one day we found her in the yard, unable to get up. Rushed her to the vet; she had a mass on her kidney that we didn't even know about. She was still feisty, just plain mean sometimes; but we opted to let her go rather than put her through a possible futile surgery. She was always a grumpy girl, & I had the honor of seeing her to the other side where she wouldn't hurt anymore. I could touch her face & her big feet for the first time in years. I got to hold her. I got to whisper words of love to her, & she didn't try to bite me or even yell at me.
You will know when it's time. Your dog may even LET you know when it's time.
 
Oak Hill Farm

Oak Hill Farm

Well-Known Member
Our CC was diagnosed with lymphosarcoma at 6 years old. We opted out of chemo, due to how fast it had already spread in a matter of months. Even with chemo, quality of life would be lessened, and the doctor couldn't guarantee any longer life and I had already noticed such a significant change in behavior. We opted for medications that caused remission for a few months and he was back to his old self, but the meds stop working after a while and the cancer spread faster than ever. We only had about 4 months before we had to say goodbye.

I guess what I am saying is it's each individuals choice. I saw my dog normally playing with my son, walks to the creek, patrolling the yard, turn into a dog that was reluctant to move off the sunny porch. He lost weight, despite increase in food. Quality of life, perhaps, but not what I wanted and I knew he was confused and scared as well. I knew it was time, I could feel it.
 
Cody

Cody

Well-Known Member
:(
How far has the Osteo spread? A good friend just went through this with her 5 year old girl.
She did amputate after much debate, rear leg on a mastiff breed, and that gave them another couple months.
The chest X-rays looked clear prior to the surgery, but....
She did not do any of the traditional treatments, for them it came down to quality time as opposed to quantity.
I am so sorry.
@ Ang, damn you made me cry. Too many memories that year, too many sad times. RIP Astro.
 
Joeottobre

Joeottobre

Well-Known Member
Cody said:
:(
How far has the Osteo spread?
Click to expand...

I honestly don't know. We haven't found anything else. The leg looks terrible though.

The issue I'm having is that she won't get up, even for food. We've been feeding her by hand for the past couple of days. At some point during the night she will make it to the back door and relieve herself inside (I leave it open, but there is a step down that I'm guessing she doesn't want to take) and she is snapping at the other dogs if they approach.

---------- Post added at 11:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:21 AM ----------

Thanks for the responses by the way. I don't mean to make anyone relive sad times.
 
Cody

Cody

Well-Known Member
Joeottobre said:
Thanks for the responses by the way. I don't mean to make anyone relive sad times.
Click to expand...
It is part of having the pleasure of owning these beloved animals, the heart break that comes with it :(
We have been where you are and feel your pain.
Oak Hill, myself and another friend all lost our babies within 6 months of each other, a few years back.
It is important to know you are not alone going through this,
My first Corso at 1 year old had DJD in both her hips and knees, along with serious genetic temperament issues. She couldn't walk and we knew that if we did the surgery the risk of her biting during the physio (long recovery) was pretty much at 100%. We made the heart breaking decision to put her to sleep, before the pain became unbearable and something happened that we would regret.
As much as I loved her, I do not regret that decision.
We could have continued the pain killers and prolonged the inevitable a while longer, but there comes a point when holding on is to feel better about ourselves, not about what is best for the dog IMO.
Your question about whether it is ethical to PTS while there is some quality of life is a personal one. I am so sorry it is a decision you and your family have to make. Our hearts are with you and yours... :(
 
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Joeottobre

Joeottobre

Well-Known Member
*update* My fears were correct. She could not get up yesterday - her rear legs kept failing. She was euthanized last night. Thanks for the advice.
 
ruby55

ruby55

Well-Known Member
I'm so sorry. My heart is breaking for you. But she's running free now. Remember the silly happy goofy things she did, and smile & be happy for having known & loved her.
 
Cody

Cody

Well-Known Member
I am so sorry for your loss, as much as you know it is the right thing, it is still not an easy thing.
Our thoughts are with you and your family.
 
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