Sarge update

We went to have his ultrasound yesterday to evaluate where the abdominal bleeding was coming from.  In typical Sarge style, he was excited to greet the veterinary staff and had his excitation nub wiggle going in full force.  The tech that has done his chemo for the last 3 years had not been in clinic the day before yesterday and joined Sarge on the floor for cuddle time.  It seems we are not alone in our admiration for this amazing boy.  She told me that he was their poster child for osteosarcoma treatment.  He never had to be sedated for xrays, chemo or other diagnostic studies.  Sarge is a “perfect patient”!

Unfortunately, it was confirmed that he has a lesion on his spleen and he appears to have moderate involvement of the prostate and multiple lymph nodes; all indicative of cancer.

This information just reassured us that surgical exploration would be futile and put Sarge through unnecessary pain and stress.

Sarge is under 24 hour watch and we are not leaving him alone.  He is unable to get to his food or water, but we are bringing him his dishes and he is still eating and drinking with vigor.  We are also carrying him out to potty, which he is still doing like a champ!!!  100lbs of dog is NO joke, glad my hubby is strong, could not do it on my own!

I hope I am doing the right thing by allowing him to chose when it is his time to hop onto the rainbow bridge.  He is not in pain and is comfortably spoiled in this time.  If he stops eating and drinking and his comfort level is in question, we will move on to other options.

Your love and support here on the forum has been instrumental in our 3 year success.  I knew so little about canine amputation and osteosarcoma before this journey started and without this amazing site, we would have felt utterly lost. We love you and send our deepest appreciation and heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone of you that have been there for us during this time.

We pray that Sarge can continue to be a ray of hope and inspiration, even after his passing, to all current and future tripawds facing all the daunting. yet inspiring, life events that this journey brings.

 

Author: c1nicolei

Sarge has been the the love of my life since we rescued him in 2007. He was thought to be a carcass on the side of the road in our community park. As I walked over to look at the pitiful dead dog, I soon realized he was still breathing, barely. We rushed him to the vet and although severely malnourished and in a terrible state, with TLC he miraculously pulled through. Snap shot ahead to 6/2014, we decide to go outside to play fetch, he was so excited and full of energy, doing his typical bouncy boxer pelvic shuffle. He took a nasty tumble and the sounds that followed was nothing short of heart piercing. My heart stopped, because I knew it was bad, very bad. I am a PA, not a veterinarian, but I knew instantly the leg was broken badly. I splinted him and rushed him to the vet. What initially was going to be an orthopedic surgery to repair a broken radius and ulna, quickly turned into, "Your dog sustained a pathological cancer, we think he has osteosarcoma". I could not even hear what I was being told. How could this seemingly happy, healthy, FULL of life dog have CANCER?? The BX confirmed my worst fears. This whole process took over a week. In that time I researched every aspect of canine osteosarcoma I could find and I had already made up my mind, we were going to fight this, not for me, but I knew he was not done living!!! Making the decision to amputate was not one taken lightly. We ensured there were no macro mets and that his blood work looked stable. I also decided if we amputated we would also do chemo. Sarge had his leg amputated 2 days ago and I am amazed at his hour by hour improvement. We start chemo in 2 weeks. I will keep everyone updated and love reading stories on here that give me hope that he will be able to be a happy, pain free normal Sarge!!! This is when we joined TRIPAWDS! What a wonderful, reassuring supportive community! I love you TRIPAWDS!

7 thoughts on “Sarge update”

  1. My heart absolutely aches for you reading these last few posts. Knowing that you’re at the end of the road is excruciating. It sounds like Sarge has experienced so many doors opening for him through his journey; how do we find the peace when there isn’t another to reach for?
    We are sending you all the peaceful vibes as you love him to absolute pieces. I’m sure he knows he couldn’t be loved any more than he is. We’ll be thinking of you all <3

    Lots of love,
    Rae & Skyla

  2. My heart breaks reading this … Sarge will always be a hero and warrior in our hearts and minds. His story will live on forever. I am sorry that cancer has come back in the spleen and elsewhere … but he fought and beat osteosarcoma and that is HUGE! Huge for those just starting and that need some hope and huge for all of us that have grown to know and love Sarge over the years.

    May the transition be peaceful and may the memories you shared bring you comfort in the days and weeks to come.

    Sending love …
    alison with spirit shelby in her heart (and little jasper too)

  3. PS……Loooove that photo!!! It speaks volumes about Sarge just “being Sarge” and soaking up the @ove…and giving it right back to you! A bond like this can never be broken.

  4. Thinking of you and sending lots and lots of love and hugs.please give Sarge a big kiss right in that beautiful dip at the bridge of his nose – what a perfect spot! Rub those velvety dark ears too! That picture is precious look at him watching you, how sweet.
    ❤️Amy & Rusty

  5. Sometimes hospice care is the most compassionate choice we can make for those we love (human, dog, or otherwise). Sarge is living the best life he can right now, and he looks like he knows how loved he is. Sarge is an inspiration and will leave his mark here in the form of three big pawprints! Sending you love and hope for comfort. ♥️ Brittnie and Loki

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