Bone Cancer - Axial

[KLP]

A month ago, my 8 year old female developed a hard lump on her head. Took her to the vet, to which he just attributed it from being nothing more than an injury - a bump. However, rapid development and my own insistance and knowledge (from having had worked in vet hospitals) that it was more than just a little bump, brought us back to the clinic. After taking x-rays of both her head and then her chest (nothing has shown up in her chest yet), he sent the xrays off and word today is that in fact she does have osteocarcoma of the axial skeleton.

She is as normal and goofy as she has ever been, and to hear that she has between today and six months to live is very hard on the heart. Has anyone else gone through this type of cancer with their dog - axial bone cancer?

I would just appreciate some feedback and someone to talk to. Thank you in advance.

[RottiMomCT]

I don't have experience with axial osteosarcoma - but we did have an older female who was diagnosed with osteo, and had 5 1/2 good months with us with only pain management and amputation of the affected limb.

Once the cancer spread to her lungs she deteriorated quickly. Not knowing her previous history, she came to us at anywhere from 6-8 years old and was diagnosed 3 years later, it was hardto say if we could have prevented it, although I don't think so.

She doesn't know she's got cancer - love her, spoil her and let her do what she loves...

Make a list of her favorite things to do. When she can no longer enjoy those things, it will be time to make a decision about her quality of life.

I wish you strength during the very hard time...you are certainly not alone here.

Be strong, have faith - she'll let you know.

{{{hugs}}} from CT...

[Judi W]

KLP,
Please do go to the thread on the osteo research going on and if you can, participate in Dr. Modiano's study. It will, sadly, not help your girl, but we hope that it will eventually help dogs and humans in the future.

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/showthread.php?t=42431

[KLP]

Thank you so much RottiMomCT. I will pass on a big hug to my girl.

[KLP]

Thank you Judi W. How ironic with the timing of the study. I will do what I can.

[moondog]

Hi KLP,

My treasured Luna (9yrs, 8mo) was diagnosed with axial bone cancer in her lumbar spine on December 7th, 2004. Initially, it was conservatively diagnosed as a pinched nerve by 3 vets (1 general, 1 holistic, 1 orthopedic specialist), but when 3 weeks of treatment resulted in a worsening of symptoms instead of improvement, an internal medicine specialist did an ultrasound along with a retake of her spinal xrays and a chest xray. The ultrasound was all good, the spinal xrays showed a moth eaten vertebrae, and the chest xray showed 3 large masses in her lungs. A needle biopsy confirmed that it was indeed cancer in her L5 vertebrae.

My first clue of trouble was when she started to tremble in her hind end on November 6th, 2004. Following a week of improvement after receving meds for that, she went downhill fast and even her second duragesic patch failed to relieve her pain. I held her in my arms on December 10th and she was euthanized.

I miss her terribly.

As long as your dog is happy, you be happy too! Your dog will likely do better than Luna did due to the location of the tumor...Luna couldn't move without using her lumbar spine and experiencing the resulting pain, but the vets said the tumors in her lungs were not causing her distress, even though they looked very large and ominous to me. Treasure every moment and appreciate every day you have with her...that won't save you from the heartbreak of losing her when that day comes, but she will surely love you for it....

[Judi W]

This is a horrible and painful disease and too many wonderful dogs suffer from it. We can hope that over time we will discover not only causes but treatments that can help eliminate this thing. Do enjoy every minute. Often we are not given the privilege of knowing in advance but every day you will know that you have not left anything unsaid or undone. Do not let her suffer however. Brave and honorable dogs deserve the same in their masters. I am sorry you must learn about this.

[szky]

I'm sorry to hear that your girl has osteosarcome. My Buster (6 1/2) got osteo that started in the lung, with no underlying tumor. He had what seemed like kennel cough. After 6 weeks and 3 rounds of antibiotics, a chest x-ray confirmed the tumor in the lung. It is true once it gets in the lungs, they cancer spreads fast. Buster started his cough on Oct 1, 2004 and went to the Bridge on 12/17/04. The affected lung lobe was taken out in late Nov, but the cancer spread to two nearby lymph nodes (which could not be operated on). Chemo would have been ineffective. His cough medicine was ineffective, so his quality of life got worse.

Buster was playful up until the day he had to be PTS. I can only echo what the others said about being happy as long as your girl is. It was hard to do what we did, but my wife and I were determined to have Buster cross the Bridge a happy dog and not keep him with us when he had any type of pain.

Again, Sorry to hear about you and your Rottie's misfortune

[JeanT]

Two of my Rottweilers had osteo in their front legs, one of the more common locations. I'm sorry you will be going through this. I hope you will be able to participate in the study. Perhaps it will give you a small measure of consolation in the future.

For now, just enjoy every moment you have with her. Remember to allow both of you to have fun as long as you can. Use all available current pain management techniques - even if she doesn't seem to complain. They are so stoic, sometimes it can be hard to tell they are in pain. Until the end, and you will know when that is, the pain is the only thing that interferes with their life quality. Don't worry that the pain med and patches will make her "zoned out' as it does at times with people. It doesn't, it just allows more good quality time for the two of you.

[panda]

Our old dog Max had osteo sarcoma, on diagnosis he was PTS. We had 6 wonderful years with Max, and it was within our power not to let him suffer, we owed that to him at the very least. Human sentiment often clouds the issue, and sometimes we will do anything to keep our beloved pets alive, and cannot see their quality of life going downhill and the light receding from their eyes. It is a very difficult but honourable decision to make.

Anne and JoJo

[KLP]

Started Roxanne on Metacam oral suspension today to keep any pain under control - she is her normal self and doesn't appear to be in any pain at this point, however, I know that they do have such a high tolerance for pain and can't speak for themselves. I will do anything to make her comfortable. My veterinarian said that it is a very rare form of osteosarcoma that she has, seeing that it is on a flat spot - top of her head. The result could be that her skull will break, causing symptoms of encephalitis, neurological changes, dementia. I will not allow her to be in any sort of pain or let her quality of life downspiral - I have always been able to "read" animals and her eye and facial expressions tell me so much. Hoping I'll have as much time as I can with her.

[KLP]

Just an update...my dear girl Roxanne is still with us, however, her eyes are telling me it's time. Her cancer has grown so rapidly. I notice a big difference every day in the size of the bump on her head. Next Wed, the 23rd, the vet is going to come to the house to make her at peace....I want her to be in her comfort zone with my other dogs by her side. I already miss her terribly and am doing all I can to spend quality time with her. She's such a good dog...very sweet. She's still happy and playful at times which makes it that much more difficult, but, I can read dogs..and her eyes are telling me. Such a lump in my throat.

[2rotties2luv]

I've had to make this decision too and I admire your compassion and courage. Please be comforted by happy memories and by knowing that you are doing the right thing by your girl.

[JudyP]

KLP,

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. You are doing the right thing for your special girl, and we all know how hard that is, please know you are not alone.

j

[Anne]

I am so sorry KLP. We lost our beloved boy yesterday to osteosarcoma. He too, told us it was time for him to go. He was a 6 year old boy who was the constant and very much loved companion of my son. Our dog, Jack had cancer of the shoulder.

Though we knew what the outcome would be and we had a final 14 days with our boy it doesn't make it any easier to say goodbye.

You are showing her a final act of your love by releasing your girl from her pain. Bless you. You are in my thoughts.