Osteosarcoma in our boy

[chivas]

I am sorry to hear of your dog's cancer. I lost my Chivas to OS on Aug 29, 2002.
Since her passing, I have taken it upon myself to research and help others with this horrible cancer. I have posted ALOT of info on it.
PIROXICAM IS the pain reliever of choice. You may also want to try something to protect his tummy with it, pepcid or cytotec are 2 that come to mind.
Im sorry that it was dx so advanced, but cherish every day now, he always cherishes them.
I do take offense however to a post on here that states, "we cant win with cancer". In the 2.5 yrs since my Chivas passed, animal cancer treatments and trials are moving at fast and postive rates. There even is a vaccine that targets melonomas now in dogs.
I also volunteer with the American Cancer Society. Even though CA is on the upswing, survival rates are increasing dramatically in some CAs. Every year at our relay, I see the same CA patients returning. That is a sure sign we are on the right track. All night long I walk to raise funds to help humans and pets win the battle against cancer. I walk with Chivas' picture on my shirt and spirit in my heart. I wont stop till we win. And Chivas showed me quiet courage in her battle against OS, it may of won the battle of her body, but cancer CANNOT invade the soul. NEVER say "we cant win with cancer" say ' we WILL win with cancer' . I love you Chivas. Kim

[Anne]

Thanks Chivas. I did follow your story about Chivas. How brave you are and how brave Chivas was. Bless you for what you are doing.

As from today our boy Jack will be taking Piroxicam rather than Rimadyl. Will Mylanta do the trick as far as protecting his tummy? I'm not sure if we have those products you mentioned in Australia.

I will keep you posted on his progress and thank you for caring.

[chivas]

I would think Mylanta couldnt hurt - use the tablets rather then the liquid. Cytotec is a prescription medication and some people used PEPCID or Zantac. Please keep me posted on how your boy goes, I try to keep a running journal of dogs with OS. Chivas is in heaven watching over your boy.

[moondog]

Anne, you should be able to get cimetidine (generic form of Tagamet) to prevent stomach problems with the piroxicam. That's what Luna took with her prednisone to prevent ulcers from forming.

With any prescription or over the counter antacids, I'd play it safe and run it by a pharmacist just to make sure there's no drug interactions.

[Anne]

I am really overwhelmed with the fantastic assistance being given here.

Zantac is a possibility though when I took it it made me nauseous. Tagamet is also a possibility as it's available here.

I will certainly keep you updated Chivas.

[panda]

If the occasion occurred, we would never let our JoJo suffer the way my husband suffered from the the debilitating side affects of an 18 hour operation, six weeks in hospital, and 6 weeks radiotherapy, my husband is alive but with the quality of his life drastically reduced. It isn't a question that dogs dont deserve the best treatment possible, they really do, and we wish to do the very best for them, but for them to suffer the way my husband did, and he received the best of treatment in the UK, I say on the grounds of compassion, for the sake of even just a few months remission, let our dogs die with the dignity they deserve. Many will find these hard words to read, and hurtful too, but they are written with the best of intentions, we do let our loving feelings for our pets override what maybe the best for them in the long term.

Anne and JoJo

[Anne]

Panda I understand what you are saying here. Your husband has been through a terrible ordeal and it seems he is still suffering to an extent.

Believe me we will not allow our beloved dog to suffer because we are not selfish enough to see him go through pain just to keep him with us. As much as we love him we will attend to his needs with the kindness and compassion that our love for him dictates we must do.

Of course we want to keep him with us but we will not let him suffer. Dogs have a way of letting us know when they are ready to go. We will keep him pain free for as long as possible and when he is no longer experiencing the joy of life we will see him go with the dignity, love and compassion he deserves.

We love him enough to spare him unnecessary pain, though we can't imagine life without this beautiful boy sharing it with us. He will be gently put to sleep in his home where he has been safe, happy and loved. When the light in his eyes goes out we will do what is right by him. He has added so much to our lives we owe him that and he will have it.

[panda]

Hi Anne, the best of good wishes to you and your dog,

Anne and JoJo

[beledi]

Am so sorry to hear the DX. Enjoy every minute of the time you have with your friend.

Beledi/Erda's mom

[StephanieandToby]

Before my dog Toby was even diagnosed with Osteosarcoma my vet wrote out a prescription for Codeine to get him through the tough days....it can be constipating and made him act a little drunk, but he seemed in better spirits on the days he had his little pill...

Sorry you have to go through this.My thoughts are with you today.

[Nina&Bill]

Anne,

I am so sorry to hear about your boy. I lost my Smidgen to this hideous disease 2 years ago...God it'll be 3 years in May.

She had started limping 3 months prior & the vet put it down to arthritis (not uncommon in an 11 year old dog), a tumor didn't manifest itself until that January. She had had a thorough exam 2 weeks prior to the tumor being visible...and by thorough I mean every joint rotated & palpated as if the vet was looking for just such a thing. No signs, it was as if the tumor surfaced overnight.

Every dog is different but she lived for 4 months after the tumor became visible & we got the diagnosis. She was given Prioxicam (along with pepcid to combat stomach upset but pepto bismol tablets can work as well) and didn't go into any sort of decline until the very end. Your dog will let you know when it's time.

We did not choose to amputate the leg or to give her chemo (pretty useless without pairing it with amputation as we understood it). The only bright side that I could find was that it gave us time to spoil her rotten, knowing that the end was coming, as opposed to having her taken from us suddenly. It still sucks, we didn't have nearly enough time together & not a day goes by that I don't miss her BUT I would not have changed the way that we proceeded. Even after seeing how content Anne's Thelda was with only 3 legs Smidgen would have been miserable. She did her exhuberant rottie dance for me every day until the last, I couldn't have taken her leg.

I'm so sorry that you're going through this...that anyone's dog is going through this. Search for Chivas' posts in the archives. She provided a wealth of information & had Chivas on a low carb holistic diet that seemed to help a great deal & slow the tumor's growth.

Please keep us posted. We're here to listen & to help. Rumple that boy as much as you can for as long as you can. I'm so sorry!

Nina

[Anne]

We lost our beloved boy today. His osteosarcoma was very aggressive and we held him as he was gently and lovingly put to sleep. At least now he is free of his pain.
Thank you all for the lovely messages of support.

[Vista]

Please offer your support at the Rainbow Bridge.

Osteosarcoma has taken our Boy