My dog has a bone tumor in her leg. What are the treatment options?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
my 10 year old basset has been diagnosed with a bone tumor in her front leg. What is the recommended treatment for this? She is on pain meds now but the limping is still there
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on December 26th, 2016
She has most likely been diagnosed with osteosarcoma (in the forelimb probably head of the humerus) which is a primary bond tumor. Bone tumors are painful and typically amputation is recommend with follow up chemotherapy. In the event the cancer has metastasized (spread) or it is suspected the patient will not have a good quality of life with three legs, less invasion options such as radiation therapy are recommended but only as palliative measures. If you have not already discussed talking to a veterinary oncologist with your veterinarian, I would recommend doing so. They will be able to provide you with a detailed treatment plan and prognosis.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on September 21st, 2017
I'm so sorry about Baby. If the tumor is potentially metastatic, or spreading to other parts of her body, that would worsen her prognosis. Before surgery I would have your vet check x-rays of her chest as that is a common area for tumors to spread. Otherwise, her prognosis would vary depending on the type of the tumor. Good luck!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
My 12 year dog was diagnosed as bone cancer after x-ray and fine-needle biopsy. I'm devastated since my dog has very poor hip (she received bilateral triple pelvic osteotomy and suffered from severe arthritis in her hips every since. Her hind legs ha
A bone aspirate is pretty definitive for diagnosing osteosarcoma, and I would trust a pathologist's reading of the images that you posted. I also think the radiograph looks consistent with a primary bone tumor, and the location is typical as well. If you are still interested in some treatment palliative radiation might be an option that could bring some comfort for a period of time without amputation. Ask your vet about palliative options.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Lab/Great Dane mix with tumor on right rear femur causing some limping. Biopsy performed. Lab results did not indicate action plan. Have a good vet but he has no action plan except taking another biopsy for the lab. Lab results follow: No inflammatio
Poor Diablo! I'm sorry to hear that he's having this problem. If I'm understanding you correctly, it sounds like he has a bone tumor of some kind affecting his femur - I'm assuming that this was diagnosed on x-ray, along with the physical exam. Statistically, by far the most common type of bone tumor in a dog of this age and breed is an aggressive cancer called osteosarcoma - it's best to confirm this with a biopsy if possible, but it can be very difficult to get a diagnostic sample of a bone tumor without special equipment. If you want to try and get a definite diagnosis, I would suggest asking for referral to a specialist who can take a full-thickness bone biopsy with special tools. If referral isn't something you want to pursue, I would recommend asking your vet for treatment recommendations at this point based on the presumptive diagnosis of osteosarcoma - this might include amputation of the affected leg, and/or palliative treatment with anti-inflammatories and pain medicat
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My lab/corgi has a tumor on foot - pushing pads apart and growing up onto top of foot. Skin has pulled apart on bottom, he chews constantly. Vet first said just building up scar tissue. Now says could amputate foot but cannot remove just the tumor
I'm sorry to hear that Stubbs is having this problem. Without being able to see and palpate the tumor, I really can't say what surgical options might be reasonable. I can tell you that tumors on the paws and lower legs are often very challenging to completely remove without amputation, but there may be cases where this could be possible. I would suggest getting a second opinion from another veterinarian in your area, if you want to make sure that all reasonable options are being considered.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 11 year old Siberian husky has cancer on back leg. They want to amputate the leg however I'm nervous because of her age.
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Playing the odds based on Skylar's breed and the fact that she has a tumor in the leg I would assume it is potentially a primary bone tumor such as osteosarcoma though of course your veterinarian would know better. Regardless of the tumor type, if they already made the determination of amputating her leg as the next step I can tell you that most dogs tolerate being on 3 legs very well and get around just fine even if older. Only dealing with cancer patients myself I have a lot of cancer patients that are three-legged and do great. As long as she does not have another orthopedic or neurologic condition that affects her ambulation, she would likely be ok in three legs. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog has been diagnosed with bone cancer in his left rear leg, up in the pelvic hip joint. He is an 11yr Belgian shepherd. His personality hasn't changed and despite the leg (he won't pit any weight on it) he is a happy playful dog still. My questi
Unfortunately only your veterinarian can answer this question. In general amputation buys a few months time and considering your dog is already very old for a Belgian Shepherd, it may be more humane to give your dog palliative care than go through with the surgery. If your dog has arthritis in his hips, having only one hind leg may put serious strain on the arthritic hip and this will cause more pain. Discuss good pain management with your veterinarian. An alternative would be to go see a veterinary oncologist who is most experienced in assessing bone cancer cases and can give you good statistics as well as has most experience with good palliative care.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
We Went to a local vet for a dog, and he did some x-rays and he saw what he thinks is a large invasive tumor on her right front leg. She is 10, and I think that is too young for her to be put down but my parents think it would be best for her. The ve
I'm so sorry about Baby. If the tumor is potentially metastatic, or spreading to other parts of her body, that would worsen her prognosis. Before surgery I would have your vet check x-rays of her chest as that is a common area for tumors to spread. Otherwise, her prognosis would vary depending on the type of the tumor. Good luck!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog was recently diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his front leg. Vet examined the lungs and said it has not metatisized. If it is only in his front leg would amputation cure him assuming it hasn't spread?
Unfortunately in most cases amputation will not be curative, it will probably slow down the tumor but in most dogs amputation do not eliminate the condition as the tumor in over 95% of cases has already metastasised (even if the chest x-ray looked clear).
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I've got a vet... whom believes I need to "put down" my 5 year old Landseer. He has bone cancer in the left/rear quarter. Sadly, at 190lbs, it is seemingly impossible to amputate. He's oversized and has been on thryoid meds for last 3 years. He is
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! I am so sorry about Chunk's diagnosis! This is a terrible situation! If Chunk is having such a hard time now, it will likely be the same if the rear leg was amputated. Amputation is just palliative unfortunately, meaning it buys you and the pet time. Most bone cancers have microscopically spread by the time they are diagnosed. If Chunk's tumor is a fibroscarcoma then it is slower to spread and he could get more good time if he loses weight and is able to learn how to get around with 3 legs. So, if you are not ready to give up or give in to the situation, ask to have a biopsy done of the tumor so you know what cancer you are dealing with. If it is a fibroscarcoma then amputate and deal with losing the weight afterwards. If it is osteosarcoma then I think putting him down is fair. I am again very sorry that this is happening to you and Chunk. He is too young!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello: my male mini schnauzer has a lesion on his left leg. My vet at first thought it was a fungal infection. but, after 2 weeks on antibiotics, he has gotten worse. He has been limping for at least a month....and it's extremely painful. We were
Fungal infections and bone cancer can look identical on x-rays and physical examination. The only way to tell the difference is to do a biopsy. Some general practice veterinarians are comfortable doing this type of biopsy, and the sample is sent to a lab for histopathology and hopefully diagnosis. Both possible causes of the lesion can be extremely painful and hard to treat. Amputation is often chosen in cases where money is an issue - this could be curative for fungal diseases and cancer when caught very early. Often chest x-rays and/or abdominal ultrasound is recommended prior to surgery to look for signs of spreading of the disease or metastasis.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Cancer under his arm. Amputation will happen today. Not sure how long my dog will survive with a decent. quality of life . Very healthy dog until this sickness. My vet says dog is good. Candidate for surgery and is 7 1/2 years old
I'm sorry to hear about Tuba's cancer! Luckily, most dogs do very well even on only three-legs, so if your vet is confident this will help treat the cancer, and that prognosis is good, moving forward is a good option. If there is still a lump or tumor, you vet can also help you determine if the margin of removal was good or not, the type of cancer present and its prognosis, and can help you monitor for any additional growths. If the cancer is spreading or wasn't caught, your vet may also be able to refer you to a nearby specialists or oncologist (cancer specialist) that can help with further information and a care plan for Tuba.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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