Jag/Osteosarcoma

[Rotty4Me]

I unfortunately have some bad news to share with everyone about my Jag. Several weeks ago he developed lameness in his right hind leg off & on. This past week it became severe & obvious he was in a lot of pain. I suspected 2 possible things & the worst of the two suspicions came true today when x-rays of the leg showed osteosarcoma on the femur bone of the right hip. Jag's sire also had the same type of bone cancer & had died by Jag's age (Jag just turned 8 the end of Jan.) We likely will not choose to treat things too aggressively (chemo or amputation) since neither is a definite cure & ask a lot from the animal going through them. We will start pain meds & holistic supplements to keep him as comfortable till the end comes. If anyone has experience in this type of cancer & has had any success in managing pain, ect., please feel free to share.

He'll always be such a special dog....sorta blending in with the background, usually quiet, in his own little world. A most wonderful temperament. A true ambassador of the breed. I just hope we can find a way to lessen the pain for a little while.

thanks,
Maureen

[chivas]

Ive posted extensively on OS, you can do a search on my name. But first things FIRST - he NEEDS to be on pain medication NOW. PIROXICAM is a very good pain reliever - your vet can write you out a script. Dont waste your time with Rimadyl, it wont help much. He needs to be on a low carb diet, there is a prescription diet N/D or you can make one - PM me if you want the recipe. Try ARTEMISININ - do a google search on it - its made my Holley Pharma., seems to show some promise. TX for OS has come along way since my Chivas had it. Others on here also have good advice.

[Rotty4Me]

Thank you Chivas......Jag IS on pain meds....currently METACAM, just to get him on something till I do some more research & know my options. Would love to know your diet recipe! And thanks for the suggestions. Will look into the Artemisinin asap & will read your archives.

thanks,
Maureen

[frontierrots]

Sorry to hear about Jag

Are you sure aboutBeef and osteo? Last I knew she never found out what he was sick with just suspected a cancer of some type and I specifially asked if she'd found out what

Two of Bill's (same sire as Jag) siblings have had osteo. Both diagnosed last fall at just short of 7 years. 1 was PTS right away and Jesse had amputation and was PTS in Jan when the cancer spread to her lungs

I wish you both the best

[Rotty4Me]

Thanks Diane. I had remembered Tami e-mailing & telling me Beef had been limping & when she took him in for x-rays they determined it was bone cancer. I might have assumed osteo, but had thought for sure at least Tami was sure of what he had. I didn't realize she had not had a firm diagnosis. Interesting to say the least. I do know he had presented with leg lameness, I believe hind?

Also interesting about Bill's siblings. Thank you for that info. Bill & Jag have the same sire & their dam's are 1/2 sisters. So they are really 3/4 brothers (or however that goes??!!).

Maureen

[Ilovemypuppy]

Oh Maureen..I am so sorry to hear this about Jag. You might look into Reiki healing as well.....I know it is very good for pain and who knows... See if there is a Reiki Master in your area..they can do distance healing as well. If you want...you can call on the Reki master we use..Patti Freeman .....I can give you her e-mail if you are interested..just PM me...she will want you to e-mail his picture for her to connect with. She does three healing sessions, three consecutive days and you keep in touch though e-mail with your observations..she is VERY good.
Snuggles for sweet Jag from us here.

[Rotty4Me]

Thank you Jory. I do know someone who does Reki on animals. It may be a possibility. Ive been gathering info all afternoon & hope to have a solid plan soon. Thank you for the suggestions.

Maureen

[frontierrots]

From what I remember Beef was lame, sore all over, lost weight and stopped eating. Xrays were inconclusive, unless she did more and I just never heard

Yes Bill and Jag are 3/4 brothers or similar. I bred Starr to the same dog that was Jag's dam's sire (Ransom) and I bred that offspring (Molly) to Beef who is also Jag's sire. So that makes Bill and Jag have the same sire and dam's are 1/2 sisters

The other 8 pups from the I litter have no signs of any cancer

[Therottweilerlady]

I'm so sorry to hear about Jag. I lost my beloved Cody from the same illness. He was given a month to live from the initial diagnosis. He lived 6 months with all the love we could give. We decided not to go the amputation or chemo/radiation route. We believed at the time that the cancer had already spread to his lungs. Give Jag all the love you can and bless each day that he is with you.
The Rottweilerlady
Buck
Brandy
Sheba
Cody 1991-2001
Elsa 1991-1998
Maggie 1992-2005

[SonnyRott]

Originally Posted by Rotty4Me

...He'll always be such a special dog....sorta blending in with the background, usually quiet, in his own little world. A most wonderful temperament. A true ambassador of the breed. I just hope we can find a way to lessen the pain for a little while....

What a wonderful thing to say about your special dog.

I wish words were enough. I am so very sorry.

Karen

[LynnS]

Maureen

I am terribly sorry that you are facing this. You and Jag will be in my thoughts.

[tcote]

So sorry to here about your sweet Jag-- My 2 year old big boy Champ had the same terrible cancer----Its was so hard watching him go down hill-Good luck and keep searching

[moondog]

Maureen,

I'm so sorry you and Jag are faced with this. I can recommend acupuncture as something that did help give Luna very good pain relief for a day or two, and you may want to look into acupressure, too. I did some with her for her intestinal disease and it seemed to help. But most of all, I think the most satisying thing for both you and Jag (in addition to any other methods that help him) would be for him to have your hands, the ones that he knows so well and loves so much, be the ones to come down on the floor with him and give him gentle, soothing, full body massages as often as you have the time to do it. As you well know, dogs live in the here and now, and to have the touch of the one he is closest to, here and now, on his body - will be very meaningful, and in my experience beneficial as well.

[Rotty4Me]

Originally Posted by moondog

As you well know, dogs live in the here and now, and to have the touch of the one he is closest to, here and now, on his body - will be very meaningful, and in my experience beneficial as well.

OMG.....I can no longer see the computer screen for the tears running down my face! That was just beautiful! And yes, we so often look to the "outside" for answers when we are given the most wonderful gift from "within" of healing touch. Love goes a long way.

Thank you everyone for the support & show of love. I am overwhelmed....

Maureen

[Cash]

Originally Posted by Rotty4Me

OMG.....I can no longer see the computer screen for the tears running down my face! That was just beautiful! And yes, we so often look to the "outside" for answers when we are given the most wonderful gift from "within" of healing touch. Love goes a long way.

Thank you everyone for the support & show of love. I am overwhelmed....

Maureen

Maureen, I have refrained from posting because my thoughts have nothing to offer you that falls into The Vets Corner category But please know you have my deepest sympathy for now, and the road ahead of you and Jag.

However, if ever there were words I'd cling to at this time it would be Moondogs.

Hugs from your friends, Catherine and Cash.