[Anne]

As Brunie's Mom said, my dog who turned 7yo one month ago has osteosarcoma of the mandible. The percentage of 71% you were given is far greater than the research I've done reveals. The percentages I've noted have a much lower success rate, particularly in our breed. The percentages they speak of is whether or not the dog is still alive at 1 year post surgery irrespective of the condition or comfort of the dog. They are not to do with a complete remission of the disease.

In Sopie's case the osteosarcoma is poorly differentiated and therefore very aggressive. I also believe that by the time a diagnosis is made the cancer has already metastasised. I spent, and still spend many days and nights researching and I made my decision in accordance with what I was able to learn about this awful disease.

Osteosarcoma is not curable irrespective of surgery. It may prolong life for a few months but to me, a few extra months of life with radical surgery and chemo, with the associated pain of the surgery was asking too much of my dog. Each owner needs to make their own decision about which treatment they give their dog. Don't be pressured into anything by the specialist.

I decided not to proceded with surgery or chemotherapy. We see an oncologist every 2 to 3 weeks and Sophie is on a metronomic protocol of a number of combined drugs. Amongst these drugs there is one chemo drug.

This therapy has slowed the progression of the cancer. My girl has a tumour on her gum which is a manifestation of the osteo in her mandible. This is the part that is visible and it's a very fast growing tumour. I have had it debulked twice to relieve pain.

On the mentronomic protocol the tumour stopped growing for 3 weeks but is now growing again. Sophie has her bloods and urine done every time we see the oncologist. The results of the tests enable the oncologist to alter the drug therapy and dosage as required.

I am able to keep Sophie pain free at this stage with Piroxicam and Tramadol.
Her quality of life is my priority. She is still playful, happy and has no pain. If she does show any sign of discomfort I increase the pain meds.

btrtevino: Don't let the specialist convince you that a hemimandiblectomy is your only choice. It is not. There are other choices but surgeons push for surgery and chemo. They did in our case too and certainly put pressure on me to do so. It was very stressful and they will give you statistics for all breeds of dog. These statistics I found are of little value. I had up to date statistics on the Rottweiler breed and they're far lower than the general statistics. I didn't consider an extra 2 or 3 months of life worth the trauma and pain of the surgery.

Surgeons will say the surgery is successful but what do they consider to be successful? To me it's a case of the surgery was successful but the patient died and that is the case with osteosarcoma. All surgery will give your dog is a few extra months, if you're lucky. I have had more time with Sophie than was expected with her poor prognosis. She's not ready to go yet.

I'm so very sorry you are going down the same road with your dog as I am. I understand the anxiety and stress you are going through. Research thoroughly and make your own decision. Don't be pressured into surgery because it definitely won't cure your dog of the disease. Seek out all the options available to you.

Please keep posting and let us know how things are going with your dog and what you decide to do.
Anne