[Jaan]

Lucasmom:

Prednisone is a corticosteroid---a powerful anti inflammatory agent. It will do nothing to slow the growth of the tumor. If, however, the swelling is due to inflammation, it should help a lot and very quickly, too. (I know because I take it myself for rheumatoid arthritis--it works FAST.) With long term use it weakens the bones but in this case, used short term, it has only upsides. It will increase his appetite, as well, if that is an issue.

my kids:

So sorry to hear of the loss of your Drake. He is already at the Bridge, pain free and waiting for you to join him. When the time comes, it will be a grand reunion! It seems like Rotties, more than any other breed, have a way of becoming so much more than simply "A Dog". They are our family, our best friends, and an extension of us. That is why the pain of losing them is so great. No matter how fierce the pain, however, I can't imagine foregoing the years of love they give us before they are lost to us. It is so worth it.

I pray daily for all of you out there with cancer dogs, osteo and otherwise. Having lost three Rotties to three different types of cancer, if I look to the future, I have dread for my present girl, Grizelda. Though she is only 14 months old, the years go by so quickly and the fateful number 9 rolls around in the blink of an eye. (I lost all my darlings at a bit past nine years of age---it's a bad number for us.) I pray to God that the researchers find a cure for this awful disease, in all it's manifestations, very very soon. God Bless you and help you through difficult times.