As a dog parent I had a health scare that I still don’t fully have words for last week. I’m sharing our story for awareness and to help other families.
Baby has cancer on her arm. Overnight Wednesday night into Thursday morning, she somehow got her cone off and chewed at the open ulceration on her arm. I woke up and found her surrounded by a significant amount of 🩸. It was one of the most terrifying moments of my life. We rushed her to the emergency hospital, fully believing we were about to lose her.
The ER doctors told us that although she had lost 🩸 and caused serious damage to an already compromised area, she was not actively passing away and did not need to be put down. I truly thought that was it. I thought I was about to say goodbye to my sweet girl.
This is the reality of loving a dog with cancer. At their core, they are still dogs. Even when you do everything right. Even when you take every precaution. Even when you think the cone is secure. They can still get to the wound. And when the cancer is on a limb, setbacks like this are not small. This is a major setback in keeping her comfortable and stable.
Right now she is stable. She’s slowly walking again. She’s eating. Her energy is starting to flicker back. But we are not out of the woods. We don’t know how much time we have left. My focus is keeping her comfortable and leaning fully into end-of-life care, however long that may be.
The irony is not lost on me that this Friday marks one year since we lost our sweet Bown, and almost one year to the date of this incident happening with Baby. Grief has layers. We are not okay. This is a very heavy season for our family. But we are holding her close and savoring every single moment we still get.
If you are on the fence about amputation and it is an option for your dog, PLEASE consider our story your sign. JUST DO IT. I will make a more in-depth video soon, but if limb cancer is on the table and surgery is possible, learn from our experience.
For those who are new here, Baby is 15½ and currently managing:
• Mitral valve disease
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Heart murmur
• Vestibular disease
• Addison’s disease
• Cancer (limb tumor with ulceration)
Her medications & supplements (under veterinary guidance):
• Sildenafil
• Vetmedin
• Cosequin
• Dasuquin
• Yunnan Baiyao
Thank you to the brands that help us care for her:
@Carolina Vet Specialists
@stokespharmacy
@Chewy
@Walmart mart
@Banfield Pet Hospital
@Purina Animal Nutrition @PetLab Co. @ZoetisPetcare
Thank you to everyone who has been walking this road with us since Bown. Your messages, prayers, and support mean more than you know. Hug your dogs extra tight tonight. 🐾🫶🏽
#dogsoftiktok #pitbullsoftiktok #dog #fyp #creatorsearchinsights
As someone who has navigated the difficult path of caring for a senior dog with multiple serious health conditions, I can relate deeply to the complexities involved in managing limb cancer combined with other chronic diseases. When my dog faced a similar emergency involving an ulcerated tumor and a compromised limb, it quickly became clear that constant vigilance was essential. One unexpected challenge I faced was how easily dogs can remove protective barriers, such as cones, despite our best efforts to keep them on. This led to additional injury and bleeding, similar to the emergency situation described here. It’s heart-wrenching seeing your dog in distress, and the fear of losing them is overwhelming. From my experience, close collaboration with veterinary specialists, such as oncologists and cardiologists, was invaluable in formulating a comprehensive care plan. The use of targeted medications not only helped manage pain and inflammation but also addressed other underlying conditions—mitral valve disease and pulmonary hypertension, to name a few—that can complicate cancer treatment in older dogs. Wound care was an ongoing battle. I learned to carefully clean and monitor the ulcerated areas to prevent infections while ensuring my dog remained comfortable. Supplements like Cosequin and Dasuquin played a role in supporting joint health, which is vital when mobility is affected. Considering amputation, if recommended by your vet, is not an easy decision but can significantly improve your dog’s quality of life by removing painful, ulcerated tumors that hinder mobility. In many cases, dogs adapt surprisingly well to limb loss and regain energy and enthusiasm. End-of-life care is deeply personal, and embracing the time left with your dog—focusing on comfort, love, and companionship—brings meaningful moments amidst the hardship. Sharing stories and support with other pet owners can provide strength in what is undeniably a heavy and emotional journey. I encourage anyone facing a similar diagnosis to reach out to veterinary professionals, consider all treatment options including surgery, and prioritize your dog’s wellbeing. Providing comfort, medication management, and lots of tender moments can make a profound difference in these precious final months or years.
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