I’m starting this blog to share my fears and frustrations with others who can understand. Our 4 year old English Bulldog, Mack is going under the knife on Monday to have his back leg removed. We’ve been told by four vets (including one oncologist and a surgeon) that it is his best chance for a cure.
Mack has a lump on his back leg that was diagnosed as a synovial cell sarcoma tumor. Our only good news is that we seem to have caught it early enough. X-rays and bloodwork support findings that it has most likely not metastasized yet. Radiation is an option but vets agree that the damage to the bones and joint where the tumor is located will most likely result in his shattering the bones when he stops favoring it in a few months. Radiation is also apparently just prolonging the inevitable spread of this type of cancer. They all firmly believe that if we take the leg now, we have a really good chance of getting it all and curing him.
Monday our Mack joins the world of Tripawds. I’m praying that we are doing the right thing for him.
Hi Mack and mom,
Welcome to Tripawds. We can all relate to how hard the diagnosis and amputation decision are to deal with. As hard as it is to digest- if amputation is curative you will be in good shape, and Mack will have a chance as a long, pain free life.
My pug Maggie was not at all an adaptable dog, she did not like changes in her routine. One of my biggest concerns was how she would do on three- all the vets said was ‘most dogs do fine on three legs’. She took her time, but did adapt, and thrived for almost 4 years (she had mast cell cancer).
If you haven’t already I would encourage to check out the forums and maybe share Mack’s story: https://tripawds.com/forums/.
You can post questions and get answers and support from other members. Many more people hang out in the forums too.
Good luck with the surgery on Monday.
Karen and the pugapalooza
Thank you for the encouragement! I will definitely check out the forums soon. He is young and strong so we are hoping that will help him.
Welcome to the club you don’t want to join! Sorry you had to join, but glad you found it.
I have a mutt, Dakota, who lost a front leg to a spindle cell sarcoma 5 weeks ago. I also have a 2-year-old bulldog, Evelyn, who provides the family’s comic relief. She is a very bad dog and occasionally posts here. She has an attitude problem. (She has a page with pictures on Dakota’s blog.)
I know there are several here who’ve dealt with synovial cell cancer. They can give you move info on that particular diagnosis. You are right about the radiation, though. I think you’d just be looking at an inevitable fracture.
Because of Mack’s special build, I think you would be advised to look into joint protection for his shoulders. There are forums here that discuss nutrition and supplements and you may want to spend the next couple of days looking at that. Dogs bear 60% of their weight on their front legs, but I’m betting bulldogs bear more than that. Those shoulders have to see him through the rest of his life, and now that he won’t have a rear leg to help distribute that weight I’d be concerned about them. I’m no vet, just a bulldog owner who knows how funky they’re built.
Please make sure to post after Mack’s out of surgery. We’ll all celebrate with you when he’s done, and then we’ll start celebrating other important milestones, like the first pee!
Shari and Dakota (and Evelyn)
Thank you Shari! My daughter and I have actually seen a couple of your posts and your poem had her pushing me to share Mack’s story. Thank you for the encouragement and we will definitely look into the joint supplements. Luckily he is not overweight and is young and strong with no evidence of joint troubles at this point. Vet still wants us to put him on a reducing diet to keep him as lean as possible – makes less stress on those joints in the long run – but we’ll wait until after surgery to start changing his diet.
it’s so scary, we know. trust yourself – you’re doing what you need to do to give mack more time, less pain. sounds like you’ve done your homework and figured out the best way to help your boy…when you do it from the standpoint of love, then you’re doing the right thing. remember the next two weeks may be just awful – you will be tired, frustrated, scared, etc. just make sure you show a happy face to mack and re-assure him that it will be ok. paws crossed for successful surgery and a quick recovery.
charon & gayle
Thank you Charon and Gayle. We are keeping our paws crossed, too!
Welcome and thanks for joining! We’re sorry to hear about Mack, but glad you found us. He is just adorable! 🙂 And may be our first bulldog member – well aside from monkeydog Evelyn. Best wishes for a perfect procedure., Monday. We’ll be thinking of you.
Thank you!