Dave73

Due to the type of cancer. Its just so aggressive and it will probably pop up elsewhere sooner or later. If we didn't amputate they felt she wouldn't make Christmas and that was just after the CT scan that showed no cancer anywhere else and it picks up cancers as small as 2mm in size... We to are hoping that she beats that time frame by a large margin. I have spoken to heaps of people recently in the GSD world and have been advised that the time frames are very conservative. 2 recent ones a 7 yr old had the spleen removed with the same cancer and was given 3 months with no chemo and she lived to 10 where it turned up in the liver. And a 9yr old GSD also had the same cancer in the spleen and had it removed same prognosis and she lived to 11 and died of non cancer related(bloat).

My local vet reminded me today that my last girl Trix gsd mix had that cancer in an anal gland and it was removed when she was 9 and lived to 11 with no other treatment where it turned up in the liver.

Got the pathology results and she is clear, no cancer in the surrounding tissue. But they still only expect for her to see another 12 - 18 months even with chemo... I hope she proves them wrong and goes on a lot longer than that. I understand they estimate on the conservative side but still stings a bit to have a time limit put on her.

The canine spirit is an amazing thing. We could certainly learn a thing or two from our dogs. She's a gorgeous girl!

Out of curiosity Dave, did the vet recommend that you put your girl on any joint supplements like Glucosamine and Fish Oil? I would expect that her remaining rear leg will take strain, especially when she gets older, carrying all her weight at the back.

She is already on fish oil for the cancer as its very beneficial. But she will be on joint guard or the like once we speak with the surgeon and the oncologist to ensure that its okay with the chemo...

No worries. I actually left the barricades down this arvo that keep her confined and a salesman knocked at the door and she was up and off in a flash fur up, barking. She was quicker than the 4 legged ridgeback to the door. Was good to see but the barricades are back up. I think she is foxing a bit enjoying being spoilt rotten.

Update,

She is better again today. She got up and was waiting for me this morning at the bottom of the stairs. I have included some photos...

She is home. She's doing great. Has gone toilet and is eating and moving quite well. She has to be confined to a room/pen or crate for 10 days, we have decided in our rumpus room. All the mats rugs have been used so she wont slip over but she can only go from bed to outside on leash toilet then straight back in and on bed. Interesting 10 days ahead.

Update,

She is totally walking without aid know, still a bit wobbly but the surgeon says within 2 weeks she will be as steady as she was with 4 legs. Wound is better again. And the great bit she comes home tomorrow at 930am. It has worked out perfectly I was offered a Voluntary redundancy at work yesterday which I knew was coming for months and was going to take it anyway but I will be able to be with Jazz to ensure that she recovers well. So she will have someone home everyday till February. And hopefully I end up working for myself again and she can come to work with me daily....

Update

She is doing better than the surgeon had thought. Eating , going to the toilet etc. Wound is looking better everyday and she will be home Saturday morning.

Yes we have a Ridgeback... They are a unique breed. He is my wife's dog as all he sees is her, couldn't care less if I'm around or not.

Update!

Last night she went well and this morning the surgeon took her out to the toilet and he had to use a sling to help her but was very impressed with her movement and balance even though she was very groggy still. Unfortunately we cannot visit her as she seems to be having a bit of separation anxiety and he does not want to upset her, as he said today his main concern is making sure she is okay "not us" which is what I wanted to hear anyway that she is his main priority but Im busting to see her.

Its so lonely in the house every morning at 530am she is waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs for a big hug and she howls and cries and carry's on. The ridge is lucky to lift his head when I come down I have to go over to him.. Ridgebacks gotta luv em...

Surgery is done. She came through well and is in ICU tonight. SASH vet said that he was very happy with how it went and feels that he got healthy margins but we have to wait for the pathology results. Thankfully he didn't have to take any bone from the hip which was a possibility. Hopefully we can visit tomorrow and Thursday and Friday nights and have her home Saturday.

I know!! We got her all fitted out with boots and a ruffwear harness, Leura Doggie Store were amazing as well very helpful.

Pix in due course, please :laugh:

sure will.

She is such a inspiration she just took to the boots perfectly running and not bothered by them at all

Well it is drastic but its what's needed as its location its the only option to get safe margins.

I didn't mean drastic in that it was a step too far. On the contrary: sometimes drastic measures are needed. :)

I know!! We got her all fitted out with boots and a ruffwear harness, Leura Doggie Store were amazing as well very helpful.

Well it is drastic but its what's needed as its location its the only option to get safe margins.

Thanks puglvr, It weird that it was good news that the cancer hasn't spread as yet but to be told that her rear leg has to come off at the hip joint is pretty confronting. SASH surgeons and Veronika were amazing they are very up beat that she will be fine as she is a strong fit 5 yr old GSD. I was concerned that this will be her 3rd anaesthetic in 4 weeks but they says she will be fine. We are going off to get her kitted for a Ruffwear webmaster harness and some non slip booties for her as we have tiles all down stairs and it will hopefully cut down on any slip overs she will have and a orthopaedic bed as well.

Got the results good news in a way its no where else but the leg but the leg needs to come off to give her any chance she reckons 18months to 2 yrs if we amputate and 3 months if we don't.

Since she is a young strong fit dog we are going to go the surgery route.

We have huge vet bills at the moment but we are coping my wife and I are well paid (dual income no kids)and in 3 weeks our GSD with cancer has set us back $3800 but we have said that we will eat baked beans if needed.

Seen the Oncologist today, not much to report as she is going for a full CT scan tomorrow and will have the results Tuesday. SASH are amazing(costly) but you get what you pay for. All staff were great but especially Veronica really impressed me and feel at ease knowing my girl is in the best of hands. Thanks all for recommending her. I will update on Tuesday.

So sad to see so many young dogs there for cancer treatment, both pedigrees and mixed breeds.....

Thanks Tarope, Sorry for your loss. I know I may never quite recover if I loose this one so young, she has really gotten to me this one.

My last 2 dogs died of it as well both mixed breed one a dob x lab and a lab x gsd but they were both 10 when they got this cancer and were diagnosed exactly 12 months apart amazing. This one I feed the best food money could buy did all the right things and she has got it at 5yrs old. It has turned me off GSD's as it is so prevalent in this breed and I love these dogs they are the ultimate companion. I was speaking to one of the specialists during the week and he said that it is just becoming way too common in the breed.

Got the report not good unfortunately. Its a Haemangiosarcoma intermediate grade. Its in an unusual position usually spleen and skin. So know off to SASH and get tests to see if this is the primary or a secondary that's come from the spleen. Guttered!!!!

Still no news on what it is hopefully later today or first up tomorrow. She is doing great the vet is amazed at how well she has healed the wound is perfect absolutely no swelling and nearly walking without a limp. I have narrowed it down to two clinics either SASH or Sydney UNI. Even if its benign it will still need to be totally removed.

Wouldn't have it any other way

My girl is home and is happily eating drinking going to the toilet and very sooky. The wound looks better than I had in my head about 5 inches long. So know just have to wait for the test results to come back.

My vet said that there was nothing I could of done since it was so deep, and the fact she showed no signs of anything. I had a look at there website and they seem very good so once the results are in and if its needed I will request a referral. She should be home tomorrow morning apparently she will be very sore for a while, so taking next week off and my wife the week after for any appointments needed and just to spoil her..

Thanks Stans mum and frufru .

Dogs are like that - they are stoic and have very high pain thresholds.

I'm so sorry to read about your girl Dave73, but happy to know she has such a devoted dad and a mum to see her through.

As Rappie says, you would be in very good hands at SASH (North Ryde). I had a few old dogs over the years and have had several late night/early morning dashes over to them.

I've also had experiences at Animal Referral Centre at Homebush and would give them top marks as well.

Have to clarify, that I've no experience with oncologists, just other specialists.

Keep us posted as to how you all go.

Yes there seem to be 3 in sydney SASH and ARC and also the oncology clinic at Sydney uni im also going to chat to a holistic vet at Russell lea.

Wishing you all the best Dave.

My now 12 year old lab has recovered from 2 major cancer surgeries in his life. You still have hope.

Not giving up yet...

My vet said that there was nothing I could of done since it was so deep, and the fact she showed no signs of anything. I had a look at there website and they seem very good so once the results are in and if its needed I will request a referral. She should be home tomorrow morning apparently she will be very sore for a while, so taking next week off and my wife the week after for any appointments needed and just to spoil her..

Thanks Stans mum and frufru .