Corkey

In August 2001, we noticed a bump on the left shoulder of our Great Dane, Corkey. It was a little smaller than a golf ball, hard and not movable. The lump was dismissed at that time and we were told to keep an eye on it. Around Thanksgiving, the lump had started to grow very quickly. Since the bump was located near a junction of nerves that controlled the mobility of his front leg, our vet recommended taking him to a specialized surgeon who performed a tissue and bone biopsy.

Corkey had osteosarcoma (bone cancer) and we took him to see an Oncologist in January 2002. She explained the various treatments (radiation, chemotherapy, partial removal of his shoulder blade for the cancer was high up on the blade, amputation of his left leg including the shoulder blade) and recommended palliative radiation treatment since it would provide Corkey with the best quality of life for his remaining time. Corkey had a total of three radiation treatments and his mobility and spirits improved each time

Approximately 3.5 weeks after his last treatment, Corkey fell getting out of bed. All four of his legs just gave out. We contacted the Oncologist and she prescribed another medication for him. His breathing became very rapid; he refused to eat and seemed to be very dazed. The medication took a few hours to work and finally his breathing returned to normal. However, it was clear the cancer was advancing. By the next morning, he was unable to move and his body was shutting down. The cancer had traveled to his spine and paralyzed him.

Looking back, we expected the radiation treatments to help elevate the pain Corkey was experiencing while walking and to help reduce the inflammation around the shoulder so he could sit/lay down more conformably. This did happen and made his remaining time more comfortable and provided him a good quality of life, including reduction in pain. Everything was explained very well to us and although we should have taken Corkey to an Oncologist back in August, we know he would not have been cured.
But maybe the degree on inflammation and pain could have been managed better, resulting in a better quality of life for his remaining time. If we could offer one piece of advice to others in similar situations, we’d say don’t just taake one vet’s opinion. Seek out other opinions just like you would for yourself. If we had not, Corkey, 12 years old at the time, would have had his left leg amputated and spent his remaining time healing, in pain and trying to learn how to walk