HELP...just DX with Osteosarcoma

[rottie2mom]

Well the worst has happened....our beloved C-Zar has been diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. It hasn't been 100% DX, we had the vet do a biopsy, but he is 99% sure that that's what he has.

We are devastated. It will take approximately a week for the biopsy to come back, but the vet says it looks like it has advanced extremely quickly and even if we amputated and did chemo, he would probably only get a good 4-6 months. We want quality of life, not quantity.

I need help....what should we be doing in the meantime? He doesn't limp on it, and he certainly doesn't act sick. Do we try holistic treatments......or are we just grasping at straws???? And do we put him down when he starts showing that he's in pain, or do we put him down when we get the dx????

I HATE this......it's not supposed to be this way. I just lost my Father 6 weeks ago and I'm not handling this news very well.

I just need advice, and know that you all are excellent sounding boards. We don't want to drag this out if there seems to be no hope. I'm not a quitter, but I also don't want him to suffer.

[mmgy]

So sorry to hear about your dog, and your dad. Have you searched the forum here? We've talked a lot about osteo here lately, and there's tons of info about treatments and diets. Look particularly for posts by "chivas"....she lost her dog to osteo last year and still researches it. Best of luck, and keep us posted.

[spidey]

So sorry. I know how hard this must be for you. :(

Most holistic treatments are in the "can't hurt/might help" category, so it's certainly worth a try. However, I agree with you that quality of life is what matters, assuming he's got it (and there's still that 1% chance that he doesn't), nothing you do will cure it, so even though there are diets you can try which some feel can slow the growth, if it were my dog I'd be spoiling him rotten and making him the happiest puppy I could. As to when to PTS - that choice has to be made by you, I certainly see no reason to do it as soon as you have the diagnosis - as long as he's relatively pain-free and as long as he has more good days than bad, there's no reason to jump the gun (by the same token, be able to recognize when it's time, for him or for yourself - he won't know what's happening, so you won't be doing him any disservice by not wringing every last good day out of him).

I'll also say what I say to others in your boat - what I did when my wonderful cat was dying of kidney failure was to keep a journal and take lots of pictures. That journal is terribly hard to read for me, but as it turned out I really needed to write down how I was feeling to get a grip on it, and it also makes me laugh and remember what day-to-day life with Huey was like. It's something you certainly won't regret having done a year from now, a kind of very personal memorial.

Hang in there - try and make the time you have really count, and remember to have fun with him. Hugs.

[chivas]

I have alot of info on different treatments, studies, etc that you may be interested in.
My Chivas was only given 1 month to live at diagnosis, i went the holistic route and she was with me for 5 more months.
First of all though, use PIROXICAM for pain management, it is the best drug for this type of pain - dont waste your time with Rimadyl.
If you can tell me which route you want to go, I can get the correct info to you.
You need to change his diet NOW too, to unprocessed raw foods and spring water. You can search my name and find alot of stuff ive posted or i can send directly. Let me know.
Kim

[DKKennels]

Oh what a horrid few weeks you've had. I can't offer any advice on this subject but I can offer my thoughts and prayers.

[RottiMomCT]

We lost our 10-11 year old girl to Osteo on 10/15. She was diagnosed on 5/1, leg was amputated on 5/8, and she had 5 1/2 good months with us. I think she dealt with it better than we did!

We noticed a tennis ball sized lump at the amputation site in mid- September, and had a chest x-ray done at the beginning of October. Once the cancer had spread to her lungs it was a matter of time before she let us know she could not fight anymore.

We didn't do the chemo or radiation route. We amputated and did pain management until the pain management was affecting her quality of life.

The vet was surprised she survived for the time she did...he expected 3 months max...

She had a good 3 1/2 yrs with us - and for that we are happy.

Wait for the diagnosis. Usually the biopsy confirms what the vet suspects, so my advice is to start making arrangements, talk to family about what your options are. As tough as rotties are, they do let youknow when they can't fight any longer.....have faith that your boy will do the same. You also have to let him know that YOU are OK with him leaving you, and that you'll be together again....

Sending hugs and good thoughts to you from all of us here. be strong, as hard as it is...be strong for your boy.

[Judi W]

Anne,
I have to ask this. How much of that 5 1/2 months was spent recovering from the amputation? This is something I have always hesitated to ask, but seriously would like to know. If we are talking about quality of life and not just extension of life I am sure that others would like this information as well. Of course the dogs learn to get around, they have no choice, but if we are talking about months and months recovery from ACL surgery, what occurs with an amputation.

This is something I have never heard discussed and would be interested. We are always hesitant to ask such questions because one cannot go back and all make the best decisions possible at the time. With the sole consideration for the dog, would you do this again?

[rottie2mom]

We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers, and information. We are going to try the holistic treatment.....how nice it would be to have him through the holidays, just as long as he isn't suffering. The vet can't believe that he isn't showing any pain or discomfort, he's one tough "dude". Amputation isn't an option, as is doesn't give him much more time, and we don't want him to have to "cope" without a leg. We also have a very active 3 year old Rott that would badger him to no end and would make him miserable I'm sure.

What makes this extremely hard is he is our baby, he has been with us since we were first married, before kids, or any other animals. He has lived through us bringing 5 other animals home and a one year old that terrorizes him!!! We lost one Rott to hemolytic anemia 2 years ago and a cat too. I am comforted to know that my Dad and Sheba and Smokee will be waiting his arrival when that horrible day arrives.

Everyone pray HARD that something miraculous happens. Our vet has said that he had one dog that was taking Rimadyl and the tumor actually shrunk......but that isn't typical. We are calling today to have him put on Piroxicam.

Thanks everyone.

Amy

[BostonRott]

I'm very sorry to hear of the impending diagnosis. People here will be able to give you the support that is so important in dealing with things like this.

Here's an article on Lew's site re: Cancer and diet.
Cancer & Diet

[rottie2mom]

I was wondering if anyone knows the dosage for Piroxicam for a 120# dog. I have a call into the vet and they are going to check, but I was wondering if anyone knows it off hand?

They have never used it before and are very interested in my info.

Thanks!!

Amy

[spidey]

Judi, I can't answer for Anne, but typically, the recovery from amputations is very quick, like a couple-few days. It's entirely different from TPLO or the like, since the dog doesn't have to relearn how to use an extensively-operated-on leg, just how to hop, which they can do naturally anyway (ever seen a dog with a sore foot from salt or something? They can hop for miles). They need a bit of practice to get fast and maneuverable, and for the musculature to build a bit, but generally they're up and about like any dog right after the anaesthetic wears off and are managing very well within a day or two.

[Sharon Marples]

I am so sorry to hear this. I know you will do what is best for your boy and please accept our heartfelt sympathy for this diagnosis.

[chivas]

The dosage for Chivas at 116lbs was 10mg EOD.
Cytotec (misoprostol 200mcg) was prescribed at same time 1 TID to help protect the stomach.

[RottiMomCT]

Originally posted by Judi W
Anne,
I have to ask this. How much of that 5 1/2 months was spent recovering from the amputation? This is something I have always hesitated to ask, but seriously would like to know.

She had surgery on Thursday, 5/8, came home on Sat 5/10. She was up and about, on her own when she came home (albeit a little unsteady and we did help her out until she figured it out).

Total recovery, including removal of staples was 14 days. She was up and down the stairs on her own after only 4-5 days.

I have health insurance for Ben, and cancer coverage is part of it. If amputation of the leg would give the dog 6 good months, then yes, I would do it again.

Without amputation, Thelda would have possibly had less than a month. Once the cancer showed on x-ray, it spread rapidly.

[Dianae]

I lost my Rotti to Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) 4 years ago. Like you I was told there was nothing I could do. I was given a time frame of 6 months maybe more. But barely 28 days after diagnosis I had to have my beloved boy put to sleep. At the time of diagnosis he'd just started to limp (no obvious sign of a lump) and with each week that passed he found it harder to get up and down. I bought medication weekly from the Vet to control his pain. I even took a week off work and we went on holiday to my parents place, he "died" that very day. You will know when it's time, I did with my poor boy. He couldn't stand for even a short time, couldn't toilet himself, growled if we tried to support him while piddling. He jumped out of the car when we arrived at my parents and shortly after sat down and found it hard to get around. The first week after diagnosis he wasn't to bad, just a slight limp.

I wish you all the very best at this distressing time. Be there for her at the end. Even though it's hard I am always glad that I was there for my boy.