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Originally Posted by lanka1 
Anne I'm just curious what type of care and treatment was prescribed by your oncologist since I don't think that a full leg amputation is something that Nik could handle? I also hope that your dog continues to live a long and happy life. I've dealt with OS before with my first rottie Lanka and after an amputation and $7000 worth of bills for surgery and medicine, I still lost her 6 months later. In looking back, I feel guilty that I stole at least two of those months from her in that she had to heal from the amputation with some pain instead of being able to enjoy her last months with me. But hindsight is a wonderful thing. I certainly wouldnt do the same with Nikki.
Sandi
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Hello Sandi, the original suggestion by the oncologist was to amputate her mandible followed by chemo. I refused this treatment for Sophie because I haven't yet seen amputation result in a cure. It can buy time but much of that time is taken up by the adjustment, pain and recuperation of the amputation, as you mentioned. This isn't the way I want Sophie to live out the time she has left.
Sophie has osteosarcoma in her mandible and has a steadily growing tumor on her gum caused by the bone cancer. She was not expected to live beyond the middle of January and she's still doing very well 4 months later. Apart from the gum tumor you wouldn't think she was a terminally ill dog. Her exercise level is good as is her appetite and she looks very well.
The oncologist decided on a metronomic protocol which is a course of a number of drugs in tablet form that I administer at home. One of these is a chemo tablet given every 48 hours. It's taken with a diuretic to ensure it's flushed out of her sytem within the 48 hours so it doesn't cause liver or renal damage. The chemo tablet is to inhibit the progression of the tumour. She takes a tablet to strengthen and grow bone, strong antibiotics daily as well as strong pain relief (Piroxicam and Tramadol). The dose of Tramadol is left up to me. I dose to prevent pain rather than deal with established pain. This way Sophie is kept pain free.
I also give Sophie coQ10 and milk thistle tablets and she is on an organic cancer starving diet. She takes metoclopramide for nausea which is a side effect of every tablet she's been prescribed. She did have nausea so I stepped up the metoclopramide and she now has no nausea.
I doubt Sophie would still be with me if not for the excellent care and advice of the oncologist. I do believe an oncologist is the way to go. Sophie is happy, lively and feels well.
I wish you and Nik all the best and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.