bone cancer

[Susan3570]

I just found out that my 9 year old rott has bone cancer and am devastated. I found a knot on her knee last week and appears to be extremely fast growing I had never heard of this in dogs before but after looking on the internet it seems to be one of the most common causes of death in rotts. I always figured it would be her hips or her back knee since she had torn her ACL when she was two and we had it operated on. I am just heartbroken. I tried to find some chat boards but I am not very good at this computer thing and never could find any. oh well, just rambling. I really am worried also, about how my 11 year old retriever will handle not having his buddy around, they have been together since my rott "Astra" was 13 weeks old when the rott we had before her died suddenly and my retriever "Elwood" got physically sick after she died. Elwood had a stroke a few months back and I worry about him a lot also.

[Squeaky2004]

Sorry to hear that. Did they possibly catch the bone cancer early enough that treatment may be able to do wonders for your dog?

I am so very sorry that you have to go through this. But welcome to the forums. There is a ton of information on here. If you do a search for "bone cancer" there are a whole host of threads that you can read.

[Cassandra]

I'm so sorry...I lost my 13 year old girl to this horrid disease. Maybe someday there will be an answer, but not soon enough I guess. If you do a search here on Osteosarcoma you'll find alot of information about the disease and how to help your pup get through this next phase of her life.

Do now what I didn't do. Take as many pictures as you can of your girl so you can remember her whole and happy. 9 years old is a good long life...not as long as you would like, but still longer than some who have lost their beloved pets so much younger to this disease. I will keep you both in my prayers.

[diddybopper04]

Susan, you have my deepest sympathy.

I would urge you to check out this website that lists a cancer diet for dogs.

http://b-naturals.com/Sum1998.php

this person can offer you a lot of advice about supplements that my help your girl get through this time.

The only advice I can give you is take LOTS of pictures, make the most of every single day, and make ALL your end of life plans for her NOW.

You will be in my thoughts. It's not an easy road.

[kristins1877]

I'm very sorry to hear about Astra. I lost my 11 year old rott to bone cancer in her leg because of continuous injuries to it. My vet suggested amputation of the limb (if it is determined by x-ray that it has not spread) but after just recovering from a previous surgery, it was time...However, I am very glad to see this post because I was going to post a similar question---My female's cancer was due to trauma--breaking her front leg 2x and falling down the stairs. Rotts being clumsy as they are (at least every one that I have had in the family), does anyone have suggestions for protecting large breed dogs from bone trauma like this? I know that excessive jumping, flying leaps off stairs, etc can cause degeneration of the bones. Are there calcium supplements appropriate for canines that could possibly prevent traumatic come cancer?

[Susan3570]

Astra has never had any trama to the leg. the vet did not suggest amputation because of her age and her weight, shes a little plump 114.00 and that is towards the low end of her weight, she has always been "big boned". My lab/retriever weighs only 62 lbs, so we see who the greety eater is. She had surgery on one of her back knees when she was two and I don't think that knee has the strength to handle more weight. He said it was very aggresive and hoped we would get two months or so but he hated to put a time line to her life. I took some pictures this morning and plan on trying to get one with the whole family in it. Thank you for all the posts It really means a lot. Susan

[AngelBunny]

I was saddened to read your post, Susan3570. I lost my first Rottie to osteo back in the early 1990s. I'm sure you're already doing this, but treasure each day you have with Astra.

[Rottlva]

Susan, I am so sorry to hear of your dog's diagnosis. DO a search on Chivas... She is the resident expert on osteosarcoma, and her postings should prove to be quite informative. All the best during the trying times ahead. I am a firm believer of quality over quantity.

Keep us posted on how things go. :(

[cwasser]

I'm very sorry that you have been hit with this. I lost my 4 year old Rottie to osteo in December of 2002. It was 4 months from diagnosis until I let her go.

Carol

[Barb and Raven]

So sad to hear of another Rottie with this horrible disease. I too lost my Kasy at the age of 9 years to this disease on 22 Aug 1998...nearly six years now. Kasy fractured her left front leg and after having an xray to verify that, there was a tumor found. The tumor had weakened the bone causing it to be more suseptible to a fracture. I had her leg amputated and chose not to put her through chemo or radiation. I knew it wouldn't cure her and would only make her sick. She had to have an xray of her chest area every three months for signs of metastising there. Luckily (I thought) with each one I had the good news of none. However, in the very last xray she had which was exactly one year later in Aug 1998 the vet wondered why she still showed no signs of more cancer. She checked each of her previous xrays and found there was a tumor which had first shown up in her six month xray. I knew then her time was short. Two weeks later her hips gave out which the vet said was common in this type of case. I then had to do what I really had dreaded and had her PTS. Kasy did very well during that year and was NEVER sick. Yes, I did all I could to enjoy her and spoiled her even more than she had been. I have tons of pics of her.
I really wish you luck with your dog. I know you will spoil her and love her forever.

[Karinka200]

I am sorry to hear of your dog's diagnosis. In case you have not come across it yet in your research, another good site for dogs with cancer is www.caninesincrisis.org. It was extremely helpful when our lab had mast cell cancer. Just scroll to the info. on bone cancer. Good luck. I will keep you and your beloved dog in my prayers.

[Doug Wendling]

Susan
We lost our 8 1/2 year old girl just the other week to this cancer and our 8 1/2 year old male has it as well. My wife did a lot of research after our girl was diagnosed with the disease.
We changed the dogs diets RIGHT away, cut out the carbs and went to a high fat, high protein diet. We went to a raw diet, especially with chicken bone for the marrow. Our boy was far enough along that he was anemic and we found after a few months of treatment his anemia was actually reversed. Feed yogurt and cottage cheese, we also feed a lot of raw egg yoke. Cancer cells use carbs for growth fuel. Pump her full of anti oxidants, we use Colostrum from this web site, www.NewLifeFoods.com. We also started to use Cosequin to help with the joint pain and Deramaxx.
Also, check out this web site, this man was VERY helpful and he makes mixtures for different diseases, www.herbal-treatments.com.au
We got an anti oxidant mixture from him, which we believe has helped a lot.
Their is no cure the best you can do is make the best of the time she has left. We added months to our girls life, the vets were surprised she lasted as long as she did. At this point in time adding months is huge. The quality of life was good and we made the best of those added months and now we are doing the same with our boy. Here again the vets are amazed at how well he is doing given the fact of how fast the cancer set in and grew at first. I truly feel that what my wife did made a big difference in our dogs last months with us, and we learned our lessons about commercial dog food and just how huge diet is in our four legged friends.

Make the best of her time! And like us know in the end you gave her the very best love and care you could.

Doug

[Susan3570]

Again, thanks to everyone posting, it is great to know that we are not alone in dealing with this horrible disease. The diet suggestions were great and I will go shopping tomorrow. I already have taken pictures myself and told my husband I want my daughter and the two dogs and us to get one taken professionally. Tonight Astra actually ran for the first time this week so that was encouraging to see, she still has some spunk. Thanks for all the support and especially prayers for Astra and for her brother elwood, he is recovering nicely from having a cyst removed from his face on monday.
Susan

[chivas]

Susan, I am sorry to hear of this.
I am researched and posted extensively on OS treatments and protocols.
First thing I would like to mention to you is to NOT let her run. As tempting as it is to see her happy, her bone is weakened by the cancer and can break VERY easily, then there is NOTHING you can do short of amputation and that (IMO) is not the way to go unless you are going to be aggressive with chemo. Take her on slow leash walks, dont let her jump on beds or couches and be careful with non carpeted floors.
If you are going to treat this cancer at all, you must be quick, OS is extremely aggressive.
First things first, change her diet. Go to raw with low carbs, 80% protein - 20% carbs. I have several good recipes that I myself used with my Chivas, she never lost condition which is very important with OS dogs.
Get her on pain relief NOW, this is a painful cancer and rotties are VERY stoic. PIROXICAM is the best way to go, dont use Rimadyl - it is no good for this type of pain. Your vet can give you a script for it, it is not expensive, also use either cytotec or pepid with it, helps protect the tummy.
I have a TON of information, either do a search on my name "CHIVAS" or you can PM me directly. There are several ongoing trials right now concerning osteo.
But most importantly - DONT give up hope, there is NOT a cancer that hasnt been survived.
Oh, also "ARTEMISININ" has been shown to hold some promise. It is a holistic treatment and also some types of mushrooms seem to have some tumor fighting abilities, I used "KOMBUCHA" with Chivas.
I am here if you need me.
Kim

[HarleyH]

So sorry to hear of this. How far are you from Gaithersburg? They have one of the best onocoligist there Dr. Boshoven. The name of the Hospital there is VCA. That was where Harley was to have his treatments but they were getting a new machine and would be closed for his treatments until the new machine was up.