My dog may have bone cancer

[zippy-kat]

I'm sorry you're going through this.

My parents own two boxers. The oldest, Sara, is often "ran over" by the youngest, Maggie. This past Fall, she developed a knot on her back leg. A couple of xrays later, it was determined that the leg had been fractured at one point (who knows when - it was already healed).

Fast forward to this winter, Sara was/is having problems walking. We initially thought it was the bump (arthritis?) but as it grew worse, we began to think it was her hip dysplasia. Last week, she went in for another xray (this time of her hips). We were shocked to find out that something is wrong with her spine.

Sara went back yesterday for more testing/xrays (under sedation). We're still waiting for the results. While the vet doesn't know exactly what's going on at this point, he thinks she might have some sort of bone infection. (He doesn't want to treat it without being 100% sure though, as steroids -or what have you- could rapidly have the opposite affect if it turns out that it isn't a bone infection.) We're on pins and needles.


Again, I'm so sorry that you & your St. B are going through this. My prayers go out to you both!

As a bit of a side note, while it's quite scary to think of a pet losing a limb, a 3 legged dog can keep up with the best of 'em. (I'm learning this myself! A dear lady I know is fostering a dog who was hit by a car and had to have a front leg removed.)

[Karen]

Oh, dear. I hope it isn't cancer, or if it is, that a simple (okay, not so simple) amputation will eliminate it. I have known several 3-legged dogs, and they all adjusted amazingly well.

My Dad lost Bruni, our family's most recent Saint Bernard, to lymphoma at 8 1/2 years old. It's sad, but they tend to hide any hurts from us for far too long. I hope your Boo Boo will be okay.