HELP - My best friend has osteosarcoma

[Anne]

Originally Posted by BeauandShan

Yet I knew without any doubt the last time we went was definitely going to be our last time, I dont know how I knew but I honestly did, (maybe something in Beau was different I really just dont know). This in a strange sort of way made it easier to cope with, I cant explain that either. I hope it is like this for you with your Lucas. My thoughts are with you.

My thoughts are with you all at this emotional time

BeauandShan I understand. You do know when the time is right for them. They tell us when they're ready. I can't explain it either. I think it's in their eyes, the way they look at us but they do let us know.

I should have put my last girl to rest a day sooner. I knew she was terminally ill but I expected her pain would be gradual. She showed me that night her time had come. I phoned the vet early the next morning to come to the house to put her to sleep. I gave her strong pain relief and sedated her to spare her pain until the vet arrived. I'd sooner be a day early than a day late.

I watch Sophie very carefully for signs of pain and so far she is doing well. I don't want to be a day late ever again.

[Marley55]

Laurie, How wonderful that you are able to have more time with Lucas. I thought of you often throughout the day and as I looked at Jaxx could not help crying because I know we are soon facing the same painful day. I am so glad you have a bit more time to spend with him and have a couple more cheeseburgers and sundaes !

BeauandShan, I totally agree and know in my heart they tell us they are ready. We just have to be attentive to their needs and listen closely to them and we will know as well.

When my female Shadow was diagnosed with lymphoma I was horrified at how fast moving it was, less then 3 weeks from the DX until she passed. She was a given to me after someone got her as a gift from a pet shop and did not want her. Horrible breeding, a host of medical problems, but I made the best life for her that I could. I watched her closely and called the vet to make the appointment to have her PTS. The day before her appt, I was leaving for work and told her, like I did every day " be a good girl, I'll be back soon". I swear the look in her eyes told me she just could not wait for me to come home anymore. I remember being crushed all day long at work, thinking of her sad look. She was right, that night she passed in her sleep. I was grateful that she passed right there with me, and that I didn't have to take her to that appt but wondered had I waited to long. The vet assured me that her heart just stopped and that her death was quick and painless but still I wonder about that extra day.

I strive to keep my grandmothers wise words in front of me ....your body is the house that carries your soul. When the house is eaten by termites, it is time to let it go. Such a delicate balance, our needs, our beloved animals needs, and the termites.

[Xena's Daddy]

Laurie,

Well, I'm quite surprised by your post........that's not the one I was expecting to be reading today. This one is MUCH better!!

That had to be quite a relief for you!! Imagine that, an injury to his snout?? I wonder what caused that?? Bad timing for a snout injury, it was very hard not to think the worst!!

I'm really glad he'll get to have some more cheeseburgers & sundaes!!

Be well,
MK

[Ninasmom]

I am so relieved that Lucas is still with us. Enjoy him Laurie.

[aprillovesherdogs]

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laurie, that has been the most heartwarming news that I have had in a long time. Is there anything happier than a rottie "tail" wag. I am sure he just felt like a king getting all the extra attention. I can just imagine that hind end wiggling all over the place. It puts a huge smile on my face.

Good for you!

[lucasmom]

My dear rottie friends-
Thank you soooooooooooooo very much for all of your warm wishes and kind words. I am thrilled that my Lucas can spend a little more time with us. This is the BEST Mother's Day gift I could receive.

It was so amazing the way Lucas was acting at the vet's office. He literally jumped out of the car, walked into the waiting room and walked right over to the scale without being commanded to do so. He just walked right to the scale, got on, and then sat down like a good boy. It was so funny. Then when we were all waiting in the exam room, the vet walked in and Lucas began wagging his tail and gave his best "rottie grin". The vet was looking at us like we were crazy to bring him in!!!!

After we left the vet's office and everyone got back into the car, my sister said..."And the Academy Award goes to Lucas!!!!". He was such a ham and that saved his life (at least for a little bit).

Today was a good day. Lucas chased the neighbor's cat that was in our yard, went for a ride, and ate lasagna and meatballs for dinner!! Who ever came up with the expression, "It's a dog's life"?

Take care of all of Lucas' friends out there. I hope and pray that they will be with us as long as possible. I keep watching him like a hawk for any adverse changes in his condition. The vet is going to call in a prescription for a fentinyl patch for Lucas in case his pain gets worse and is not relieved with tramadol. Has anyone else out there in Rottie Land used a fentinyl patch?

Sweet dreams to you all. Happy Mother's Day to my "rottie mom" friends. Laurie

[jlaack]

Has anyone else out there in Rottie Land used a fentinyl patch?

Yes; however I consider the patch to be a short term (to be used once, twice at the most) pain reliever--not to deal with chronic pain. If your vet is recommending it to deal with pain, then things aren't well. However it is a better pain reliever than Tramadol. The dog cannot lick it and the fur needs to be shaved where it is applied. IMO there are stronger pain relievers (time released morphine). Still, if I needed to rely on either one beyond several days, I'd probably PTS.

[Anne]

Laurie I'm so happy to hear that Lucas has a little more time with you. What wonderful news.
I wish all our osteosarcoma dogs and their owners more pain free time.

Ninasmom, how is Nina doing? I think of you often. Nina and Sophie were diagnosed with OSA within a couple of days of eachother. Sophie is doing ok, not as well as she was. Her pain management is working well so she is comfortable.
We see her oncologist tomorrow.

[moondog]

Originally Posted by lucasmom

Has anyone else out there in Rottie Land used a fentinyl patch?

Yes....Luna was misdiagnosed at first and was being treated for a pinched nerve both conventionally and holistically (tramadol and acupuncture). When she did not improve, the vet put a fentanyl patch on her, as the tramadol had only kept her comfortable for a few days, and I scheduled an appointment with an internal medicine specialist for an ultrasound to see if her distress had something to do with her internal organs instead of her spine. It did not..his tests clearly revealed osteo in her spine and the masses in her lungs. I requested another fentanyl patch for her to keep her comfortable long enough to get her to her regular vet for euthanasia.

It was crystal clear that there was nowhere to go but down and I chose not to let her suffer further and then die anyway. So I said goodbye to my beloved girl in a river of tears.

[JoJo]

It was crystal clear that there was nowhere to go but down and I chose not to let her suffer further and then die anyway. So I said goodbye to my beloved girl in a river of tears.

Those river of tears was the ultimate love a responsible dog owner could have given. I wish more people had that strength when it comes to their beloved companion.

[Anne]

Originally Posted by JoJo

Those river of tears was the ultimate love a responsible dog owner could have given. I wish more people had that strength when it comes to their beloved companion.

JoJo I assure you when Sophie shows any sign of pain she will be be put to sleep. I do not lack the strength to do the right thing by my dog and I will do what must be done when it needs to be done. I could not see the dog I love linger in pain.

Sophie loves her food, is lively and runs around our leash free park happily rolling in the grass and investigating everything. She does not have osteosarcoma in a limb so is able to run around as she always has without pain.

Right now Sophie is very much enjoying her life and I will not end it prematurely. Neither will I wait an extra day when her time comes. She is not still alive because I lack the courage to put her to sleep. She is here because she is enjoying life.

My dog sees her oncolgist every 21 days. It is due to her oncology regime that the progression of Sophie's cancer has slowed right down.
It is the oncologists opinion that Sophie is not in pain. I share that opinion. Our priority is to keep Sophie pain free for as long as possible and put her to rest as soon as she does show any sign of pain and not one day later. All plans are in place with the vet and the cremation people for when that day comes.

[Marley55]

Laurie,

Jaxx had Fentanyl patches for both of his ACL operations. While they are very effective, they really are meant to be short term, maybe 3-4 days at most. There are much better and more effective long tem alternatives to the patch.

Tramadol and then morphine are 2 but as always, a conversation with your vet would be the next step.

Hope Lucas is doing well today and will be enjoying his cheeseburger and sundae as well

Take care

Marley

[Ninasmom]

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Nina's doing really good! Still eating like a rott and being a goofy girl. She is a bit stiff in the mornings when she first wakes up, but shakes it off inside of 5 minutes. The mobile vet is coming for his first visit on Tuesday, so DH plans on asking him about that but my thought is that it's her artritis as she's able to throw it off so fast, even before her morning meds. She's still playful and loving life. We've entered the heat of summer here (gotta love Southern Florida), so the house a/c keeps her nice and comfy 24/7; she's always hated the heat, so we avoid going outside as much as possible.

We found a new food that she outright LOVES. Merrick's canned food line has its ups and downs (do NOT like the whole wing chicken bone in one of their foods), but one of their ups is their Brats & Tots. Nina will do just about anything for that food!

Anne -- where in Australia are you?

[lucasmom]

Hi rottie friends-
Happy Mother's Day and thank you so much for your advice regarding the fentanyl patch. I think my vet is leaning toward the long acting oxycotin (MSO4) and only if Lucas really needs it. Right now he is doing very well with only 200 mg of tramadol per day. He gets 50mg in the am, another 50mg at dinner, and 100mg at bedtime. He is painfree and doing very well.

We went for our double cheeseburger and sundae today and it was so much fun because my older daughter was here for Mother's Day. She fed Lucas his cheeseburger and sundae and it was a real treat. Today was very special.

I wish my very best to all of the other rotties that are going through OS right now...Lucas's dear friends, Nina, Jaxx, Ansel, and Sophie...and all of the others whose names escape me right now. Let's all pray for an uneventful night tonight. Laurie

[Anne]

Originally Posted by Ninasmom

Happy Mother's Day to all!
Anne -- where in Australia are you?

I'm in Melbourne, Ninasmom.

So glad to hear that Nina is doing well.