Help me know when (bone cancer)

[Sam's Mom]

My baby Sam was just dianosed yesterday. He's 10 years old and except for this leg deal always been healthy. I have chosen to medicate him for pain and wait for his Dad to come home on Friday to say good bye. He's always been a big daddy's boy. My question is how do I know when the pain is too much. He does not cry.....will he? Not sure how dogs show pain like this and I keep thinking bone cancer in people is the grand daddy of pain. I do not want him to hurt!!!!! He is on pain pills 2 every 12 hours (tramadol) and rimadyl. How does one know if the pills are working? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Karlan]

I am so sorry about your news. I have never expereinced it so I can't give advice, just hoping he is pain free and comfortable. Lots of hugs and prayers your way.

Karlan&Coco

[observer]

I'm not sure which threads they are, but we have talked before about making a list of the three things your dog likes to do best, and when they no longer show interest in two of them, it's time.

There's other threads (search under "bone cancer", I think, about the best pain medications to use with OS. Others here will know which drugs, if you can't find them. Rimadyl may not help much.

I've been where you are. I'm very sorry.

[spoiledbabies3]

This one is hard for me...as my "Samson" (we call him "Sam" for short) was also dx with cancer tumors earlier this year on April 15...not OS, but he is on borrowed time also... I have definitely experienced the heartache of cancer...my 1st notweiler, Tuxedo, had OS and left us in 2001...3 months following dx...vet had given him 1 month...Rimadyl didn't help him manage the pain very well...my rott girl, Sasha, lost her battle to lymphoma in Feb, 2006...1 month following dx...tramadol and then prednisone were the vices they used for her...

My heart breaks for you...it is very difficult to know when...there is a "sticky" on cancer that will help you...Layna (observer) is correct...pick 3 things that he absolutely adores and when he no longer has pleasure in 2...then it's time to say your final farewell...he needs you to be strong, to give him the same unconditional love he has always given you...to let him cross the bridge with dignity...

Take lots of pictures and spend time together...the memories you create will be treasured as they guide you through the difficult hours...Many on this forum feel your pain and understand your dilemma...we have experienced it first hand and we had to make the same difficult decision...He will always be with you...in your heart...My thoughts and prayers are with you...

[StephanieandToby]

I lost Toby to bone cancer. It was my decision to have him PTS at the time he was diagnosed.
He'd been on Meloxicam and Codeine in the weeks before and it did nothing for his limp...that must have been a lot of pain for him to endure...I wish I could go back in time and release him from his agony sooner than I did.

[Sam's Mom]

Thank you to all who send their concern. I just pray Sam's daddy gets here soon. Sam needs his dad. I have made an appointment to PTS on Monday. We both will go in and hold him and tell him what a great dog he is that we love him and will see him again someday. This is so hard!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Sam's Mom]

My Sammy is s Samson too. Thanks for you kind words of guidance. God bless us all and help "me" to be strong. Monday is the day we let him cross. SOB SOB.... We will hold him, talk to him of our love till the last breath. Together is always better. Take Care

[spoiledbabies3]

My heart is breaking for you...I remember all too well helping my girl Sasha in Feb. Let your heart guide you...it will help you in the most difficult hour. Samson needs you to be his strength...he has always been yours. The unconditional love you share is a bond that cannot be broken...his spirit will remain with you always. He will be your forever angel as he guides you from the bridge...a place where he will no longer have any pain. Remember bone cancer is very painful...this is not something you want him to endure. Spend time this weekend doing all of his favorite things...take the precious photographs that you will treasure...Hold him, kiss him, give him hugs and tell him you love him. He will tell you with his eyes when he is ready to be your angel...You are in my thoughts and prayers and I will be with you in spirit...Tears are flowing as I think about you and the heartache you must be enduring...I am so very sorry...

[livertw]

I am so sorry. I held all my pets as they crossed the Bridge. It is our gift to them -- a dignified and quick death. No more pain. Be strong for Sam.

[TR Young]

I can't offer advice, as I've not had to deal with this affliction, but I want to offer my condolences and let you know that we are praying for you and for Samson.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by Sam's Mom

My baby Sam was just dianosed yesterday. He's 10 years old and except for this leg deal always been healthy. I have chosen to medicate him for pain and wait for his Dad to come home on Friday to say good bye.

I lost my sweet Luna to this disease, and the pang of pain I get when I read a post like this opens me up all over again. I'm so sorry Sam has bone cancer, and I'm so sorry for the pain I know all of you - Sam, you and your husband - must endure because of it.

Originally Posted by Sam's Mom

My question is how do I know when the pain is too much. He does not cry.....will he? Not sure how dogs show pain like this and I keep thinking bone cancer in people is the grand daddy of pain. I do not want him to hurt!!!!! He is on pain pills 2 every 12 hours (tramadol) and rimadyl. How does one know if the pills are working? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

My girl's cancer was in her spine, and she never cried, but the night before she was euthanized, she moaned during the night. Her cancer had metastasized to her lungs by the time a correct diagnosis was made (she was being treated for a pinched nerve). The diagnosis was made on a Tuesday, I set up an appointment for Friday to set her free. I've always felt I waited a day too long.

My experience has been that a dog will show a deeper pain by withdrawing (curling up in a corner, losing interest in the world, lack of appetite - that sort of thing). Tramadol is a narcotic, and can also have similar side effects, so determining whether pain is there is difficult to observe, but there is no question that bone cancer cause bone pain and that bone pain is the most excrutiating pain there is.

I believe Piroxicam is a much more effective pain reliever for bone pain than Rimadyl.

I'm so sorry.......love him every minute for the treasure that he is, and he will tell you when it's time.

[Sam's Mom]

The messages from "all" of you mean so much to me. THANK YOU!!!! Sammy is laying at my feet right now. I have uped his pain meds and he slept well last night. His daddy is in route driving from Minnesota, as we speak he is in Kingman AZ. Wish it wasn't a friday and that Sam didn't have to wait till Monday. But his Dad wants time with him too, they have always been soooo close. I think Sam is holding up ok.....he is still eating well and drinking....he still has a sparkle in his eyes. I just brushed him.... he loves being brushed. He is still able to get outside sniff the air and enjoy the sun and grass.... and do his business. God I hope I am not asking too much of him and that I am relieving his pain.

[observer]

T think you are doing just fine. If hubby is in Kingman, he's not far from home. As someone else suggested, give him lots of love and special treats over the weekend... take pictures... if he likes to ride in the car, take him for a ride. Visit his favorite places.

Make some wonderful memories.... he knows you love him, and you will never show that love for him more than you will on Monday. It is the only time we come close to giving them the selfless love they give us every single day.

[StephanieandToby]

I'm glad he still has a sparkle in his eye...and that you are releasing him from his pain before that sparkle disappears......

I'm very sorry.

[Sam's Mom]

Sam is much worse this morning...even with his meds. So we are taking him to be PTS at 11:00 am. I believe he waited bravely for his Dad...god love him...and help us be strong.