“amputation? i’m not mutilating my dog!“ until i realized by another vets’ explanation HOW invasive and extremely painful this cancer is…
A day later his leg was removed. I wrote this post to the owner of Carver who reacted just like us in hopes to give you some support. Had the first vet explained it better, the amputation would have been immediate, as shocking as that news and idea sounds. There is no time like “the present” in a dogs’ life.
Zuess’ surgery was the Tuesday the 17th of July, he’s doing pretty good at 9.5 yrs old. and below is the rest of the story. I put up a photo album of Zuess as well, so you can see some pictures of him as well. pre and post op.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artemisinin_and_cancer/photos/album/1717032393/pic/list
A big cyber hug for both of you.
Gina
PS: Zuess blessed me with his first post op KISS and a tiny Tail Wave this morning, which after a month of sadness IS a HUGE deal! 
My GSD Zuess is 9.5 yrs old and just had his leg amputated for the same reason as your bernese Carver at 9.5 I could not see him in pain after three weeks andgabapantin and tramadol does not cut it. for sure.
My Zuess started using his good leg while in pain with the other leg. He is in top condition, as we are out a lot and have 10 acres of up and down land and 5 buddies to play with. On Neoplasene and its high fat diet, he gained too much weight laying around and I can’t go there with his life style. His normal weight is 73-76.
so ONCE the biopsy confirms it is OSA or hopefully the lesser more manageable form of cancer I’ll start off on a protocol that I hope will keep the spread at bay.
The tumor is extremely painful because its pushing the cartelidge out and the stretching of that is really painful. Hence my heart couldn’t take it any longer.
His surgery was Tuesday and he’s doing well. He didnt eat the first evening, he’s big, so i had a hard time getting him out of the car, well then i decided, we stay in the car till more of the anestetic wears off. 9;30pm I mustered the courage and pulled him out carefully and walked him to his bed.
He didn’t pee until 36 hrs afterwards, THAT freaked me out. Apparantly is ‘normal’. But, he ate and he drank water wednesday am and was enjoying the food right away. (I feed raw and want his weight to drop asap) He has not pooped yet, but no doubt that metabolism slows down due to meds. (he pooped Friday the 20th in the am finally)
The surgical scar is not pretty, more like Hannibal Lector ugly, but the skin looks pink and is in good enough shape. The hair shaving job area is huge, but necessary and will grow back. Its itching him like a guys beard growing back no doubt.
Don’t think that your boy can not learn to live on three legs, he can. He won’t know the difference as they live in the moment, don’t think backwards nor forward. I ordered the Ruff Wear Harness to help him slow down because knowing him, the couple of times he’s gone to pee, he already shoots over to the nearest tree, and of course, we’ll do phys ED soon. I’m working on massaging his back legs now and the shoulder once he’s healed.
I’m a stay at home person, that is a luxury, and I”m not going anywhere till he is standing up without me asking him. don’t know how long that will be.
I’m hoping i’ve given you something to consider being Carver and Zuess are both large breeds and of the same age.
Best of Luck a big hug,
Gina & Zuess and the gang
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