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Well, I’m not quite sure where to start, I have never blogged before but we are going to give it a try. I guess I’ll start from the well, start, about 5 years ago my then boyfriend (now husband) Jordan got a then 1 1/2 year old great dane named Boagey. We aren’t quite sure of his past but it didn’t really matter to us. 2 1/2 years ago we merged households two people, two dogs and one cat later here we are. I always say we don’t have kids but we have our pets and i would do anything for them which brings me to today.
March 25, 2010: the day that changed everything. I had been taking Boagey to the vet two sometimes three times a week for about a month for laser treatments for a knot that had appeared on his leg, our wonderful vet had x-rayed it and the x-ray hadn’t showed anything alarming had been treating it as a sprain. But on this day me and our vet had been talking and we decided to do a second x-ray “just to make sure”, but the second x-ray showed what i had feared all along, Boageyhad bone cancer! Our vet gave me the options and talked with me and answered what quesions I could think to ask but i was just so thrown off guard and upset that i couldn’t think straight. Me and Boageyheaded home for the longest thirty minute car ride ever. I think i actually cried the entire time home. When we got home and i had gathered my thoughts i got my computer out and googled bone cancer in dogs along with amputation and chemo, i found a lot of helpful information. One of our greatest fears was that where he is such a large dog that he wouldn’t be able to walk around on three legs after an amputation, but i found several stories of great danes who have been able to get around after amputation. On Monday March 29th i took Boagey to a second vet just to confirm what I already knew, He also took an x-ray and told me that it was bone cancer and he needed an amputation. I just had to get the second opinion to be sure that we were making the right decision in amputating his leg. We decided to go the route of amputation, his leg was obviously bothering him and something had to be done, we didn’t want him to be in pain. we also have this small hope that maybe we have caught it early enough that it hasn’t yet spread beyond that point.
I called our vet, we set everything up and I took Boagey to his office this morning at 10am to get things started. They drew labs and done a chest x ray, his labs were perfect and his x ray was clear, this gives us hope. We have opted to do chemo treatments of carboplatin, and even though this is all a little expensive we feel that it he is worth it to us. I left the vets, worried but okay with the informed decisions we have made. Our vet called me around 2:30 this afternoon and told me that the surgery had went well and that he was just starting to wake up from the anesthesia, so far so good. I can’t wait until i can go pick him up tomorrow. I am also very thankful that i found this site so that i have a release for everything that i am going through and that i can talk to people that have been where i am and maybe our story will help someone who has yet to go down this road. I will post more this weekend.
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Boagey is beautiful! We are sorry to hear about his diagnosis, but sure glad you found us. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. We look forward to following Boagey’s progress.
Dear Boagey & Family:
I just read your story. First of all I’m sure your Boagey will surprise you! Mine did. I understand how you feel. I too was in this same position back in Sept last year with my 12 year old Golden Retriever, Rosie. When I heard cancer it hit me like a ton of bricks as well. It seemed like it was over. The thought of amputation scared me to death. I took a lot longer than you to make the decision, so I commend you on acting promtly to save your pets life.
We tried a limb sparing treatment that failed it was a strong new therapy of Radiation called (SRS) she qualified but risked bone fracture. Well it did fracture even thou it did kill all the cancer. So we got rid of the cancer but then had to deal with the fracture all these months thru her Chemo. We just amputated 2 weeks ago. It was a very difficult decision for us after trying to save her leg for so long. But she is so much happier now that her pain is gone from the fracture. We took the long route. But I want to assure you that even tho our dogs are big dogs they can adjust. Mine is. She got her stitches out today! in fact. And they said she was doing really well.
Your baby will surprise you. They are so resiliant. They sleep alot after you get them home. Don’t worry they need to rest and recover. I was a nervous wreck immediately after surgery as my girl is older, but she has recovered very well from the surgery. Your baby will do good. You will be relieved to be thru this so quickly. Carboplatin is the normal treatment for Oesteosarcoma. My Rosie did pretty well on it, didn’t get real sick just tired and slept alot. But you have do watch their White blood cells, they go up and down. They will have you do frequent Blood work before each chemo. We had to put chemo off a week sometimes when her counts were too low.
Hope all goes well. Take Care!
Rosie’s Mom & Rosie.
Hi Boagey’s Mom!
So glad to hear that he made it through his surgery OK… That is the first step. Now the next 2 weeks will probably be difficult for all of you… Lots of sleepness nites… Boagey getting used to hopping around on 3 legs while being doped up on pain meds. Hopefully, he won’t have too many side effects from the meds, as some dogs do.
Looking forward to hearing all about Boagey’s recovery… and maybe some more pictures of your sweetie? I used to have a merle dane many years ago… They are such sweet, giant babies!!
Angel Jake’s Mom
Glad to hear Boagey’s surgery went well, and can’t wait to hear more about his life, both before and after becoming a Tripawd. My dog Max also had carboplatin as his chemo, and he did very well with it. He would get tired a day or two after the treatment, but no nausea to speak of. Boagey will come home with a lot of medications from the surgery, and it may cause him to be a bit loopy. The first two weeks after amputation can be a little challenging, so try not to stress too much. Boagey will be home with you, and that’s what is important.
Welcome to tripawds. It is very hard to get the news that your dog has cancer. I am so glad that you found this web site. This is a place you can come with questions and also a place just to vent. We will laugh with you and cry with you.
I don’t usuallly read the blogs so I hope you will post on the forums too.
I am looking forward to reading more about Boagey’s story.
Debra & Angel Emily
Hello,
I’m sorry to hear about Boagey’s diagnosis…but you’ll be glad you found Tripawds 🙂 Here’s to hoping his recovery goes smoothly! Lots of rest and love to Boagey will see him thru!
Keep us updated…
Tracy, Maggie’s Mom
So sorry about Boagey’s diagnosis. Cancer’s a bitter, bitter pill to swallow.
However, enough of that – I am glad he made it through the surgery! He’ll no doubt amaze you in his recovery! Look forward to hearing how he’s doing!
Best wishes from our house to yours!
welcome to the community!! gayle’s amp was february 17th, and she’s amazed us with her ability to adapt!! the first two weeks are full of stressful times, but you guys will get through it!! hugs to boagey from gayle!!
Hi Boagey, get well soon! You look like you’re as big as our friend Cemil. That is REALLY BIG! Can’t wait to see pictures as you start feeling better. I didn’t have cancer, but I know your mom will find lots of help on this site, especially what to expect the first 2 weeks. Get better fast so we can talk some more. Golden hugs and front leg high 5’s! Shelby