I have a 11 yr old border collie. He has a mast cell tumor on his right front leg. It is an aggressive tumor so it is growing quite quickly. My vet said that we didn't have too many obtions because of his age. Because of the location it is impossible to remove. So they say amputation would be a option but because of his age he may not do very well. Chimo was another option but the tumor is so large it may be too late to start this and also I understand it may make him very sick. He is getting up in age and I don't want the rest of his life to be hard for him. But it is very difficult watching him with this tumor. Right now it is affecting the way he plays but he has slowe down a lot.
If anyone can tell me if they have had their dogs front legs amutated at this age please let me know.
Thanks

Hi, so sorry to hear about your dog and i know you will not want to hear this But i would just give him all the love and fun and care that you can until it is time to say good bye, this is what i have done just a month ago, its very hard but to put an older dog through all that it would take just to hopefuly give it another month or so i think is to much, i know someone who had there older bitch done( back leg) and she did cope with the loss but 4 months later she had to be put to sleep, all that upset for her and just for another few months. god bless Jackie

Oh Jan, this is the hard part of owning a dog. I feel for you. My advice, for what it's worth, is to love him for whatever time he has left. Then when you see that the pleasure has gone from his life, let him go. You'll never forget him and the pain of losing him will seem unbearable. Wouldn't you rather be the one suffering, than him.
Thinking of you, Dawn R.

Hi Jan,
Im sorry to hear your news. Id say that its a lot to put your dog through. I would personally not go for amputation but give your dog all the love hugs and kisses you can.
I wish you well
Donna and charliex

Jan,
I am so sorry to hear about your dog. One time about 9 years ago I had to make the same choice and I didn't not to ambutate and let my pet enjoy the last few months with me. Since that time I have had family members with cancer and have used glyconutritinals to reverse cancer. If you would like more information on that let me know. I have a good friend in the UK who can get you some even though I am in the usa.
Bonnie

Hi

I have a 10.5 year old three legged dog (removed due to cancer) and she does fine, but with mast cell it would depend on how far the cancer has spread, I sadly lost my other dog to mast cell this year, but hers went internally onto the organs and there was nothing we could do for her, but she did not suffer. Have you seen an oncologist, mine was very good and did everything she could for my dog, unfortunately the tumor was too advanced when it was found. IT is my understanding that chemo does not work for mast cell cancer, I know we researched it and any trials that the vet universitys were doing in the hope it could help mine. If you want me to email you the name and place of my referral cancer vet ( oncologist) for a more informed opinion Just email me and I will let you have the details. she is very honest, she does not give false hope.

Kind regards
Ruth

So sorry to hear this cancer what a B*****d ! my old boy had it on his spleen just before xmas last yr, the vet told me that it had grown within 2 weeks, so fast, he had his spleen out, but he didnt recover from the op and we had to let him go 24hrs later. It is a hard decision, but I would love him all you can until its time to say goodbye, I always think it is better for you to suffer than them.
Thinking of you.

My eigyt yr old dog had a tumor removed from his front leg approx 18 mnths ago. (spindle cell sarcoma) Apparently very aggresive, the vet was approx 90 % sure that it would return. they operated removed the tumor and SO FAR "touch wood" it hasn't returned. Would it be possible for you to seek a second opinion about having the tumor removed?
I hope all goes well, be brave, It's really hard i know, but do it for your dog.