We have just heard back from a veterinary oncologist who has confirmed the tumour to be osteo sarcoma.  He suggested that even with an amputation, Milkyway would only have a few more months.  Our veterinarian has advised euthanasia sooner rather than later. 

As you can imagine, we are heartbroken.  

Three Months with No Post and This is What you Get!!

Okay, so here’s how the story has been unfolding …

Last July, Milkyway hurt his knee.  We let him rest it up and it healed.  This February, he injured it again and this time, it did not heal on its own.  We believed it was a torn cruciate ligament and would require surgery.   For those of you more scientifically literate than I, this is the vet’s description:

On physical exam, it was found that he was Grade V/VI lame and had a cranial drawer present in his left hind stifle joint, indicating an injury to the cranial cruciate ligament. Cruciate ligament injuries are most successfully treated with a surgery called a Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO). Without surgery, the lameness will persist and arthritis will occur.

This morning, I took Milkyway in for his surgery.   About the time the surgery was supposed to begin, I got a call from the vet.  They had seen things on the x-ray that complicated matters and that made them decide that surgery was not the route to take at this time.   

There is a tumour on the knee and the consensus is that it is most likely cancer.   He needs a biopsy to determine what kind of cancer and whether or not it is spreading.   If it is a localized, non-spreading cancer, we can amputate and have a three-legged pet for many years.  If it is a spreading cancer, we can amputate and hope that it hasn’t seeded itself elsewhere.  If it is a rapidly spreading cancer, amputation may just lead to further discomfort for a life that will be far too short anyway.   From our financial standpoint, chemo and radiation are not an option for a dog; even a well-trained and well-loved dog.  

I guess the question of what we do next depends entirely on the result of the biopsy.  Regardless of what we do, we no longer have a service dog, we have a very expensive pet! 

On that note, 4 Paws will provide us with a new service dog as quickly as possible at no cost.  However, our next question is, do we really want another dog?  We would still have the expense of travelling and staying in Ohio to train with a new dog. 

At this moment, the thought of having a daughter with Dravet’s Syndrome, a disabled dog AND a second dog is almost more than I can bear!

Prayers for wisdom and grace will be greatly appreciated!!