Good Morning! I have finally decided that writing about how I am feeling might be helpful. Right now I am busy just trying to live in denial that this is happening to my Tank! Tank is my 5 year old brindle Great Dane, and he is the best thing that has ever happened to my family. He is the first “ours” that my husband and I have had together ( both have children from previous marriages) and the fact that he is getting ready to go through this is absolutely killing me! His story starts the same as many of yours:
We noticed a small lump on his front left foot about 6 weeks ago. We have another dog ( Harley) and we assumed that they had played too hard on the stairs and that he sprained it or something. Went to Vet and he gave us anti-inflammatory drugs and said lets give it a week or two. Went back a couple weeks later and did an x-ray. Didn’t see anything and so we did another round of anti- inflammatory drugs while we were out of town on vacation. Got home and the lump was significantly bigger so we knew something was really wrong.
Tank saw Dr. Lange about three weeks ago and he recommended a biopsy which was horrible for us. Tank basically came home in a cast and looked so sad 🙁 It was a much more intense procedure than we had anticipated. Took a week to get results back and now here we are with the diagnosis of bone cancer and the best option amputation. I have spent days pouring over this site and it has been really helpful. We are busy getting the house ready and trying to make sure he is comfortable and happy this weekend. He is limping but doesn’t seem to be in too much pain yet so that is good.
Basically I have been in “business” mode about this but my heart is breaking. Why is this happening to my sweet boy?? He is such a puppy at heart and just has so much life in him! I haven’t been too open with my friends/family because I know that there are probably people out there who think this is wrong. Tank is a tall dog ( but lean which is good) and the thought of him trying to get around on three legs is terrifying. But.. he is so young, so happy, and so full of life and I know that he is not anywhere near ready for the other option! But wow… am I ready for this?? I am so worried. I am doubting everything about myself right now. I am not sure I am emotionally strong enough for this and it is scaring me. I have read tons of blogs, looked at tons of pictures, and I know that many people have been in my shoes but it still is scary me to death. I don’t want him to wake up wondering why we did this to him! I don’t want him to not be “Tank” and I know the meds will make him “off”. I just want my boy to be ok and for this to be the right thing to be doing! Ugg… this weekend I am going to be a mess. I just want him to be better already so that I know it was all ok and that he did fine. The waiting and thinking is so hard!!!
This is Tank and Harley earlier this summer
Writing about my experience with Barret has helped tremendously through this process. Good luck with the amputation!
The first few weeks are really ruff, but it gets easier, I promise!
Heather C
oh girlfriend.. you have come to the right place. There are many “large breed” tri’s on here and they have managed just fine!! Of course, every dog is different..some have had a bit of a rough recovery and others, like my Franklin, have hopped to the car a day after surgery and have been the model patient. But.. the end result is.. that things get better!!!!!!
I believe that we, as pawrents, work ourselves into such a stressful frenzy that our doggers just look at us and think.. “geesh.. chill will ya?” lol
Atlas, the great dane on here is a great story for you to read.. and when you see the videos of him running around.. I am sure it will put your mind at ease.. it does for all of us when we watch others videos and look at their pictures and read what they have gone through.
This was a great site that helped me prepare for my Franklin’s surgery… from putting down rugs so that he would not slip, to raising his bowls, to helping me stay sane!
The good thing is that.. we here.. understand all the feelings you are going through.. and we allow you to vent, scream, cry and brag, brag, brag about your boys success!!!!
Good luck Tank.. and speedy recovery!!
Tank is a msgnidient dog! MAGNIFICENT! And Harley, you are a handsme fella’ too!! Now Harley, if you don’t seem to be getting as mich attentin in the next week or so, don’t take it personally!! Tank’s going to be using up a lot of mom and dad’s rime for a couple of weeks. After tjat though, you’ll abe right back up there gettng all sorts of tumm rubs and treats!
For me, it was as though was stuck in a nightmare and couldn’t get out!! was fearful, crying, doubting ad on and on!
And during recovery, oh my goodness, the first week or so, I was on here ever five seconds asking a million “is this ormal” questions and needing to be reassured all the time that I had made the right decision and my Happy Hannah would get her sparkle back!!
And now, we are SPARKLING OVER HERE non-stop!! Over five months post amp. and she is so nappy and joyful and tail waggin’ all the time!! We know every second together is a sacred gift and we treasure it! It’s the most blissful tme you could ever imagine!
Yes, it is a MAJOR surgery with all the potential ramifications that involves. It is not without risk. I’m sure Tamk has been evaluated and everyne feels like he’s a good canidate…..and he certainly sounds like one! Being lean is good. And actually, because he is liping he will already be ale to adapt on three legs fairly quicky. you will be amazed at how well they do. Really!
Most…not all. …larger dogs do take a bit longer to recover…..that’s normal! Lots of ups and dow s. But when the “UPS” take hold……and they will……oh my goodness!!! Tank will be free from bone pain!! He doesn’t give a rip about any stupid diagnosis….he is just living in the moment being a dog! You will also learn to live like a dog:-) 🙂 Just being present and enjoyng the NOW!
We are all here for you. You are not alone and we understand like no others can”!
You are doi g everything out of love for your boy a d that is always a right decision!!
Take deep breaths…..seriously.—do it now…..b r e a t h e…..exhale deep…..b r e a t h e……….now go hug n Tank and watch his tail wag!! And give sweet Harley a nug too!
(((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))
Sally and Happy Hannah
Thank you so much! It feels so good to be able to vent someplace where there is no judgment!!! Reading all the stories has been so helpful!! I appreciate all the support already 🙂
One more thing! learned early on ot to discuss my “treatment plan” with jjst a very, very, few. They don’t get it!
Heck, …I was completely opposed too t first! Then I did my research, found this site, knew Happy Hannah was still full of life and wanting to continue to enjoy it to the fullest…..and moved forward! They wn’t understand so don’t even bother! You’ve done your research–they haven’t!!
I simply now say, I came up with a treatment plan a d she’s respondng beautifully!! If they ask further, smile and say it’s ice cream!!
Also, search the forum for ATLAS…..another magnificent Great Dane who is doing an incredible job of enjoyi g life as a tripawd. I’m sure Patricia will see your post and chime i !
Sallh and Happy Hannah
I know exactly how you feel. I just dropped my girl, Angel, off at the vet for a front leg amputation due to cancer. My heart broke but the dr assures me this is the right choice. The lump in my throat from trying not to cry in front of her won’t go away. I will think about you Tank and send healthy wishes to you.
I will be watching for an update on Angel. We can be a support to each other.
Welcome to Tripawds. I am sorry to hear about the bone cancer diagnosis. One of our major inspirations around here is Queen Nova. She had bone cancer & survived 4 years before passing and it was not cancer that she passed from. It sounds like you are on the right track.
If you feel like it come to the chat room. A bunch of us hang out there and just chat or talk about our babies & what is going on.
hugs
Michelle & Sassy
Oh my gosh no judgement here for sure. We will support you no matter what you decide to do, how you decide to treat it, etc.
Tank is one handsome pup. Hang in there, I know it’s daunting but lots of Danes have done great as Tripawds. In fact it was a great Dane named Moose who inspired us to proceed with my own amputation. If it wasn’t for this front-legged miracle, Tripawds wouldn’t exist. Just do a search for “Great Dane” in our Forums and blogs and you will be amazed at the beautiful stories of courage.
Enjoy your weekend together and remember we are here to help any way we can OK?
P.S. You might want to learn how to shrink your photos so they fit better in your posts. Our blog tutorials are in your Dashboard and sidebars, check em out, they’ll make your life easier! 🙂
Welcome – so sorry you had a need to find us, but glad you did. The whole diagnosis and leading up to the amp is probably theworst time ever because you just can’t decide if you are making the right decision or moving too soon or waited to long. The list goes on and on, but the most important thing to remember is that whatever you do, you do for the love of Tank
and his love for you.
Some one is always here to listen and offer a shoulder to cry on and, often, provide a good laugh when one is needed most. Sometimes we evev have good advice!
So, my advice for today is make sure and get Tank an elevated bowl if he doesn’t already have one. It is so great for front leg amps.
Like Sally said, make sure and read Atlas’ blog and watch his videos. It will help you feel much better.
Hang in there and hugs to Tank.
Luanne and Shooter