Jasper update.

The reason his foot has opened and started to bleed, is because the tumor has grown past the stretchability of the skin. There is no way to suture it closed because there is not enough skin.

Amputation if the entire leg would be the only action.

But since we are not sure that this tumor has not spread to other organs, we took a chest xray. There ARE suspicion areas aroung the lungs.

At his age, of 12 years (+2 months) we decided we would just wait a month or so to re-xray and see if these areas change/grow.

Yes, we could just amputate.
Yes, we could go for an ultra-sound for better diagnosis.

But, we feel that (in this case) spending the extra money would not change the outcome we feel is innevitable.

IF, in 4-6 weeks, his xrays look good, we will do more thinking.

Having seen Rutherford's tumor spread to his lungs so fast, and hearing the vet's opinion of what she saw on the xray I fear Jasper will not be with us more than 6 months. (vet's prognosis)

Time will tell.

Just for interest's sake, we got a monetary estimate on the amputation .... and it is 100% do-able!! But no amount of money is worth watching him go through all that to then only live a short while.

We want that next xray to give us hope before we go on with removal of his leg.

In the meantime, we will wrap his foot to contain the bleeding.

Thanks for thinking about my sweet boy.