HELP - My best friend has osteosarcoma

[my kids]

Originally Posted by lucasmom

How fast does this cancer grow? My God, Lucas' tumor is growing like crazy!! The thing has doubled in size in just one week. Is this fluid or is it really the tumor growing? I was thinking of starting him on prednisone to stop the swelling, but if it is indeed the tumor growing, then prednisone won't help. He is taking piroxicam for inflammation and tramadol for pain. Has anyone else used prednisone to help slow the growth of the tumor? I started him on his high protein, low carb diet...I cooked all morning yesterday. He is worth it.

Drake is on .75 which my vet said is low. He has not eaten since last night and is real quite. We got a hold of our vet and she said to give him another tramadol. I can't give him the steroid with out food being in his stomach. I have tried everything. The good thing is he is still drinking and going out to go to the bathroom. The vet said they may be able to stimulate his appitite again but, that is only buying time. We know that and don't want him to be in pain and sure don't want him to waste away not eating. I got on the floor sobbing and told him how much I love him and that if he has to go to heaven. He would be with tasha his mate that died young age 4 in 2003. Also he will be with my parents. People seem to want to jump to conclustions that we want to keep our buddies, kids whatever you may call them around for selfish reasons. That is not true in most cases. What is true is we are in shock. I watched both my parents die in their early 60s. I anm having money problems like so many others and I had a heart attack in 2006. Through all this Drake has been there for me. Now I try and look ahead and right now I can only feel sadness. I know time heals wounds. It just seems time it's self is going so fast. I have had Drake 19 years and I still remember the day I got him and he picked me out. I opened the cage and he put a pat on my chest. I asked him today to be apart of the new puppy in some way. If and when I decide to get another one. He looked at me like don't worry dad I will be in him somehow. He is laying by me as we speek. Lifting his head and trying to rest. I pray that a cure for this is found soon. Dogs and cats only ask to be fed have shelter and water and love. The rest like check ups is the gravy. It's a given. Sorry I babbled on but, my heart is so heavy tonight. You all have a good one.

[Sam's Mom]

My heart bleeds for you Please know my heart is with you and Drake during your most difficult merciful mission of love.

[jlaack]

How fast does this cancer grow? My God, Lucas' tumor is growing like crazy!! The thing has doubled in size in just one week. Is this fluid or is it really the tumor growing?

It could be the tumor or fluid. The best diagnosis in whether the tumor is actually getting bigger would be to rexray. Sadly, Osteo is very aggressive. I'm sure the vet or someone else has posted, be careful about his activities since the tumor weakens the bone making a fracture possible. I am sorry for you and Lucas. You are both in my thoughts.

[my kids]

My Dear Friends, My buddy Drake is now in heaven. The past two days he could not hold food down enen though he was drinking. He was not in terrible pain as we kept him comfortable. The vet was going to try and see what she could do to get him to eat. That would at best only give us another week or maybe two. This morning when I woke up I just knew as he looked at me it was time. I write this with a heavy heart and tears rolling down my face. Drake was not just a dig but my companion and most of all my boy. He was there for me no matter what. The vet thought we made the right decision and I will get his ashes back next week to be put next to his mate tasha. Thank you all for your love of the Rottweiler bread. We all need to stick together. Thanks to all of you that gave me such good support. Good luck with all your sick babies and pray that a cure is found soon. All my love to you from my sad heart my friends, May only good things come your way. I will still continue to write on here and please look me up to talk or ask a question.

[warrior1]

I am so very sorry for your loss. The pain that you are going through is just awful. In good time, you will think of your boy and smile, this I know for sure. He will forever be in your heart. He is in good company. Run free Drake.

[Jaan]

Lucasmom:

Prednisone is a corticosteroid---a powerful anti inflammatory agent. It will do nothing to slow the growth of the tumor. If, however, the swelling is due to inflammation, it should help a lot and very quickly, too. (I know because I take it myself for rheumatoid arthritis--it works FAST.) With long term use it weakens the bones but in this case, used short term, it has only upsides. It will increase his appetite, as well, if that is an issue.

my kids:

So sorry to hear of the loss of your Drake. He is already at the Bridge, pain free and waiting for you to join him. When the time comes, it will be a grand reunion! It seems like Rotties, more than any other breed, have a way of becoming so much more than simply "A Dog". They are our family, our best friends, and an extension of us. That is why the pain of losing them is so great. No matter how fierce the pain, however, I can't imagine foregoing the years of love they give us before they are lost to us. It is so worth it.

I pray daily for all of you out there with cancer dogs, osteo and otherwise. Having lost three Rotties to three different types of cancer, if I look to the future, I have dread for my present girl, Grizelda. Though she is only 14 months old, the years go by so quickly and the fateful number 9 rolls around in the blink of an eye. (I lost all my darlings at a bit past nine years of age---it's a bad number for us.) I pray to God that the researchers find a cure for this awful disease, in all it's manifestations, very very soon. God Bless you and help you through difficult times.

[observer]

my kids-

I'm so sorry to hear about Drake. Take comfort in the fact that he knew you loved him every minute of his life. He and Tasha are together again, waiting until they can see you again. What a pair of Rottie angels they must be!

[lucasmom]

My Kids- Your pain is very real to me and my heart breaks for you. I know that it is just a matter of time when I will be facing this dreaded time with my boy, Lucas. I cannot even think of going there right now, but your courage and love for Drake has inspired me to forge ahead. Drake was a very lucky dog and he was surely loved by you. I think about all of the neglected dogs and for that matter, children, in this world and I ask myself the "whys" we all ponder. Drake in running free in Heaven and waiting for you. I believe that God loves our pets even more than us. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

[Anne]

I am so very sorry for your loss of Drake. The love you shared will live on in your heart.
Fly free without pain Drake.

[my kids]

Thank you so much Anne and all of you. I still have tears rolling down my face and the other guys just don't understand where he is. They are sad. I am trying to be up beat with them and give them extra love. I did not sleep hardly at all last night. I know it will get better but, I will always have those times when I see a picture of him or remember something about him and the tears will flow. What can I say. I may be a big guy but, I have a soft heart. Hugs to all of you. XO XO XO

[Sam's Mom]

Your "big" heart filled with mercy and compassion did the right thing...as HARD as that was...you came thru for your Drake. Bless you for that. I am so sorry...it had to come to this...I pray for a cure to be found SOON to this monster stealer of life.
Take care of yourself and your crew...all our hearts are with you.
RIP Drake...sunny days filled with play and restful star filled nights for you buddie.

[my kids]

Thanks Sams Mom. Drake was a fighter to the end. He would not close his eyes even after they gave him the first shot to make him sleepy. I asked him to be in a new puppy somehow in the future. Not near ready yet but he understood and gave me a look of OK dad I will. Then I said to him with tears rolling down my eyes that it's ok to go to the light and he waited as I was telling him how I loved him and he will always be in my heart and mind and then I said go to the light my good boy and I closed his eyes and he started to drift off. I an still not sleeping well as I miss him like a human son. I know he is happy and is looking down on me and gaurding me always. I asked hin to be at the light when it was daddys time and I know he will be there.

[kohlfranz]

I am so sorry for your loss, my heart hurts for you and your family. They become our lives, I wouldn't trade that for anything but it hurts so much when we have to say good bye, knowing we are helpless against this monster they call OS. It has been a month for us now and there are times when I think he should be coming to greet me as I walk in the door or when I panic thinking I need to get home to let him out, then I remember. Time will ease the pain but your memories will last your lifetime. God Bless Patti

[Sam's Mom]

Drakes Dad...What a tribute to the breed and the people who love them you and Drake are!! I am sure Drake will guide you to your next black and tan bundle when it is time.
I certainly hope you are doing OK...I know how hard this time is...too many of us here do. Sending healing thoughts your way. Jane

[dilucc]

oh dear God!! I am soo sorry to read your post about Drake!! You could tell he was soo loved and my heart goes out to you and your family!! He's in no more pain now, running with his mate Tasha. They will live forever in your heat and when you meet again, you will feel the love and joy you've always felt!! I am so very sorry again for your loss...
Cheryl