Fort Collins, CO- 4 year old female needs new home - Page 4

BowWowMeow · 11-28-2011, 11:02 PM

I would rather adopt a dog with three legs and also think that sounds like the only real option for her health? That is a very aggressive cancer and if you don't get rid of the leg it will metastasize, no?

blehmannwa · 11-28-2011, 11:08 PM

I'd adopt a tripod over a recurring fibro. This is a terrible decision for you to make. I'm going to be adopting a rescue when Felony, my pit bull, passes and I'm wanting to provide a home to a hard to place dog. However, I'm so burnt out by medical and orthopedic problems that I'd rather deal with behavioral issues. A tripod in good health would be more desirable to me than an uncertain prognosis.

sashadog · 11-28-2011, 11:10 PM

We've actually been told that it's usually a very localized cancer, but of course there is no predicting 100% what cancer will do. When we first had it biopsied, it came back as a low grade fibrosarcoma, which doesn't appear to be very aggressive per my research. But as I said before, what's tricky is that cancer is cancer and can have a mind of its own sometimes.

We have spent over $2500 in the past few months between Sasha's diagnostic tests and the holes that she's put in my other female Scarlett so even if we wanted to, I'm not sure we could manage another major surgery until next year. So should we put off trying to rehome her until we can afford an amputation?

BowWowMeow · 11-28-2011, 11:21 PM

Oops, sorry--I thought I read osteosarcoma. I think the big risk with fibrosarcoma is the leg breaking, correct? I don't know how fast it grows--did the vet give you any indication of that?

I know it is hard to place dogs with issues, whether it's behavioral or health. I'm sorry you've got a double whammy here. Is there any harm in continuing to advertise her though?

And are there fundraising opportunities for her treatment through a rescue? [Not on this board, of course!!!!!!!]

msvette2u · 11-28-2011, 11:49 PM

Amputate.
People aren't even adopting the back-injured (healed) dogs we have for adoption for fear of a big vet bill

sashadog · 11-29-2011, 12:01 AM

No worries

, yes osteosarcoma would pretty much be a death sentence even with amputation so thank god its not that! The vet although helpful couldn't give us much information on how fast it's growing or what exactly it's movements are. The tumor is very close in the bone so is difficult to feel as well as not totally visible on an X-ray film. That's part of what makes this such a difficult situation is that there aren't very many real answers. We can't afford to do an ultrasound, new X-ray, and hopefully an aspiration just to find out that "yep, the leg needs to come off."

From the research I've done, most of the rescues are pretty much up to their ears with issues and have no money to help. Which is fine. I am just as glad that other dogs are getting the attention they need and luckily we have family that are possibly willing to help us out. I actually would feel really guilty taking money from dogs that desperately need help

At this point we aren't sure what we're going to do as far as rehoming her because I refuse to pass on her issues to another person who isn't prepared to care for them. If a guardian angel, wealthy, GSD experienced home comes along, wonderful! But I'm not getting my hopes up. I'm pretty sure that we're going to amputate her leg because I truly believe it will be in her best interest and help us in trying to rehome her. Ugh... talk about an emotional roller-coaster...

sashadog · 12-06-2011, 01:58 PM

So Sasha is officially being put on "medical hold" until we can save up enough money to go through with the surgery. It will be at least 6 months until we have to revisit the idea of having to rehome her because we want to get her through the surgery and make sure she is completely recovered before looking for a new home. Luckily, the two girls are under control and my boyfriend and I are actually moving to different cities due to school changes so the girls will be separated from here on out and out of this stressful situation. It's a temporary solution and some not so wonderful "health" news but we have to deal with whats dealt to us

So I guess if this thread needs to moved, should I pm a moderator?

And BowWow, yes we've applied for a couple different types of financial assistance through various pet care organizations. I'm not sure we're gonna do any sort of fundraiser but if the organizations could help that would make a huge difference! Fingers crossed!!

Anja1Blue · 12-06-2011, 03:18 PM

Kudos to you for standing by Sasha and deciding to take care of her - there are those who would not have done so. Perhaps you could post here from time to time and let us know how she is progressing! A very happy holiday season to you and Sasha......

___________________________________________
Susan

Anja SchH3 GSD
Conor GSD
Blue BH WH T1 GSD - waiting at the Bridge

11-28-2011, 11:02 PM	#31 (permalink)
BowWowMeow Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 14,798	I would rather adopt a dog with three legs and also think that sounds like the only real option for her health? That is a very aggressive cancer and if you don't get rid of the leg it will metastasize, no? __________________ Ruth & the 4 Legged Rescue Gang Rafi the malaroo http://www.dogster.com/dogs/693238 Gio & Varda, the krazy kittens ....In my heart: Cleo Kitty Chama Kai Basu Massie

11-28-2011, 11:21 PM	#34 (permalink)
BowWowMeow Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 14,798	Oops, sorry--I thought I read osteosarcoma. I think the big risk with fibrosarcoma is the leg breaking, correct? I don't know how fast it grows--did the vet give you any indication of that? I know it is hard to place dogs with issues, whether it's behavioral or health. I'm sorry you've got a double whammy here. Is there any harm in continuing to advertise her though? And are there fundraising opportunities for her treatment through a rescue? [Not on this board, of course!!!!!!!] __________________ Ruth & the 4 Legged Rescue Gang Rafi the malaroo http://www.dogster.com/dogs/693238 Gio & Varda, the krazy kittens ....In my heart: Cleo Kitty Chama Kai Basu Massie

11-28-2011, 11:08 PM	#32 (permalink)
blehmannwa Master Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Seattle Posts: 778	I'd adopt a tripod over a recurring fibro. This is a terrible decision for you to make. I'm going to be adopting a rescue when Felony, my pit bull, passes and I'm wanting to provide a home to a hard to place dog. However, I'm so burnt out by medical and orthopedic problems that I'd rather deal with behavioral issues. A tripod in good health would be more desirable to me than an uncertain prognosis.

11-28-2011, 11:10 PM	#33 (permalink)
sashadog Master Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 570	We've actually been told that it's usually a very localized cancer, but of course there is no predicting 100% what cancer will do. When we first had it biopsied, it came back as a low grade fibrosarcoma, which doesn't appear to be very aggressive per my research. But as I said before, what's tricky is that cancer is cancer and can have a mind of its own sometimes. We have spent over $2500 in the past few months between Sasha's diagnostic tests and the holes that she's put in my other female Scarlett so even if we wanted to, I'm not sure we could manage another major surgery until next year. So should we put off trying to rehome her until we can afford an amputation?

11-28-2011, 11:49 PM	#35 (permalink)
msvette2u Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 5,533	Amputate. People aren't even adopting the back-injured (healed) dogs we have for adoption for fear of a big vet bill

11-29-2011, 12:01 AM	#36 (permalink)
sashadog Master Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 570	No worries , yes osteosarcoma would pretty much be a death sentence even with amputation so thank god its not that! The vet although helpful couldn't give us much information on how fast it's growing or what exactly it's movements are. The tumor is very close in the bone so is difficult to feel as well as not totally visible on an X-ray film. That's part of what makes this such a difficult situation is that there aren't very many real answers. We can't afford to do an ultrasound, new X-ray, and hopefully an aspiration just to find out that "yep, the leg needs to come off." From the research I've done, most of the rescues are pretty much up to their ears with issues and have no money to help. Which is fine. I am just as glad that other dogs are getting the attention they need and luckily we have family that are possibly willing to help us out. I actually would feel really guilty taking money from dogs that desperately need help At this point we aren't sure what we're going to do as far as rehoming her because I refuse to pass on her issues to another person who isn't prepared to care for them. If a guardian angel, wealthy, GSD experienced home comes along, wonderful! But I'm not getting my hopes up. I'm pretty sure that we're going to amputate her leg because I truly believe it will be in her best interest and help us in trying to rehome her. Ugh... talk about an emotional roller-coaster...

12-06-2011, 01:58 PM	#37 (permalink)
sashadog Master Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 570	So Sasha is officially being put on "medical hold" until we can save up enough money to go through with the surgery. It will be at least 6 months until we have to revisit the idea of having to rehome her because we want to get her through the surgery and make sure she is completely recovered before looking for a new home. Luckily, the two girls are under control and my boyfriend and I are actually moving to different cities due to school changes so the girls will be separated from here on out and out of this stressful situation. It's a temporary solution and some not so wonderful "health" news but we have to deal with whats dealt to us So I guess if this thread needs to moved, should I pm a moderator? And BowWow, yes we've applied for a couple different types of financial assistance through various pet care organizations. I'm not sure we're gonna do any sort of fundraiser but if the organizations could help that would make a huge difference! Fingers crossed!!

12-06-2011, 03:18 PM	#38 (permalink)
Anja1Blue Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Denver Colorado USA Posts: 3,472	Kudos to you for standing by Sasha and deciding to take care of her - there are those who would not have done so. Perhaps you could post here from time to time and let us know how she is progressing! A very happy holiday season to you and Sasha...... ___________________________________________ Susan Anja SchH3 GSD Conor GSD Blue BH WH T1 GSD - waiting at the Bridge

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