Monday August 1st we got the phone call from the vet to confirm that Bruno does have cancer and amputation was the next step. I went straight to youtube and located 2 videos of Leonbergers that had had amputations. One had a front limb amputation and one had a back limb amputation (Chicos mum has been in touch with us, we thank her for her support). Seeing these videos gave us some hope, that big dogs can adapt to amputation. On Wednesday morning we drove to the veterinary hospital in Granada with mixed emotions. Happy that Bruno was going in for amputation and would be pain free but scared to death that he was going to go through such major surgery.
We were the only clients at the hospital at that time and we were asked to stay and help Bruno through his premeds. The anaesthetist who was dealing with Bruno had an incredibly kind aura about him. He made Bruno calm, us calm and we were happy to leave Bruno in his hands. Wow what a day we had waiting to hear how the operation had gone.
We got the phone call early in the afternoon to say the operation had gone well, Bruno had been strong throughout and we could pick him up at 7pm. I cant tell you how happy we were but also a little scared wondering how on earth we were going to deal with a newly amputated Brunoberger. To be honest we expected him to stay in hospital at least over night, but no, he was to come home with us. The anaesthetist met us and talked us through his medication and then they wheeled Bruno in on a trolley. I had to fight hard not to burst out crying at the sight of him lying on the trolley as high as kite on his medication looking completely helpless. And I admit I wondered what the hell had we done to him. How naive were we, we expected a walking dog to be handed back to us! No matter how many images, videos etc you see of animals after amputation, to see your own beloved friend in that situation was a complete and utter shock.
He was wheeled to the car and four of us lifted him in. We phoned our local vet in Lanjaron to ask for his help in getting Bruno from the car into the house. He came up with a great idea in using a sheet to carry him. So with myself, Richard, Jose and Eva we brought him into the house. Emma had stayed behind to look after Khumbu, he hates to be left without Bruno and needless to say he was very happy to see him home again.
We assumed Bruno would sleep through the night, but no, at 2am we heard him get up, we shot out of bed to find Bruno standing in the lounge. Turns out he needed the toilet and was not going to go in the house. He shot off outside nearly at a run, we struggled to keep up with him, terrified he was would topple over and open his wound up. As it is he did his business came back inside and went to sleep which is more than can be said about us.
The first week was tough, more so for us due to lack of sleep, we were up every time we heard a noise, usually it was Bruno just shifting position. Each day Bruno has improved. He has taken a couple of falls and one particularly nasty one, but he has learnt from them. His cocktail of drugs has got less and now he is off all medication. We have him on something called Transfer Factor Plus to boost his immune system. He is going out for daily walks, ok so they are not far but he is getting further each day and each day he is getting stronger. He has even now learnt to balance himself and cock a leg to pee so he stands on 2 legs for a short while!! Did we make the right decision in amputation, absolutely, 3 legs are just as good as 4 and we have a happy pain free Bruno. Because he is nearly back to himself we do have to remind ourselves that he has cancer and we still have a major battle ahead.
An excellent information site is the bonecancerdogs websites bone cancer group. People on here are all going through or have been through similar situations and are incredibly kind people. Another useful information site and community is Tripawds.
So now we wait for Tuesday to have his stitches removed and then I guess we find out about the chemotherapy. Thank you all so much for your continued support and good wishes, it means a lot to us and gives us strength during the hard times, of which there have been many.
A bit of useless information for you, the leg that was removed from Bruno weighed in at 4.5kg!!
Seeing those pictures bring me back to when Lorna (our Bullmastiff) came home post surgery. Everyday gets better thanks for the blog/update
What a wonderful job you did writing about Bruno! You covered it all! I remember too well the day we found out Indiana, our loving Siberian husky, had osteosarcoma. I remember like it was yesterday when we visited him at the hospital every day & then took our new tripawd home. He was amazing and all tripawds are. It was the best decision we had ever made and we would do it again!! Wishing Bruno a very speedy recovery. As each week goes by he will amaze you even more…I couldn’t help but get excited to see his loving companion Khumbu, your Siberian husky – right by his side. Brought tears to my eyes to see the love (and especially because he resembles my Indy, who we said goodbye to in June) I love all of your photos – I love the nature – it is beautiful how you live your life with your 3 & 4-legged companions! We are all here for you!!
Love from Indiana’s mom ~Carol~~
A sad picture but it is reality. I hope Bruno is doing well.