Our baby girl has osteosarcoma

[caseygina]

well, we have become members of this group that nobody ever wants to be a part of. this absolutely sucks, this has to be the worst day of my life. my heart is breaking, my husband is devastated, and our world will never be the same. how do we cope? i have to go home now and put on a brave face for her. at least she has no idea what is going on, my husband said she is sitting there with a big smile on her face, i don't want to think about the day i come home and she's not there. we have to talk to the vet later about our options.

[ahhhbe]

OMGosh! My heart goes out to you!! Sending hugs and prayers your way!

[EmmysMom]

I am so very sorry that you and your girl have to go thru this!

[caseygina]

i've been reading about changing her diet-any recommendations?

[Xena's Daddy]

Caseygina,

I know the feeling.... I'm going through the same thing right now with my 7-year old Xena. Hardest thing I can imagine.................
My heart goes out to you & your husband, hope things work out for the best!
MK

P.S. Are you considering treatments??

[Anne]

I to understand your shock and horror of the diagnosis. My 7yo girl is also suffering this disease.

Caseygina don't think about the day you will come home and she won't be there. Try to live in the day you have right now. Your dog will show you how. Mine is teaching me. She's declining and doesn't have much time left yet every day I learn something from her. I am grateful and give thanks for every day we have together.
Keeping her pain free is my priority.

We consult with an oncologist and it may also be worth your consideration.

[caseygina]

we're not sure about treatment. we're meeting with the vet today and we'll discuss our options. but, we're pretty sure we are just going to let her live her life and not put her through any more suffering for our sakes. this is hard enough, i just can't bear to put her through amputation and chemo only to have her live another month. that would be just for us, and she's given us her love and everything she has over the last 8 years, and we need to do the same for her, respect her and do what's best for her, not for us.

[ssutton31864]

Caseygina,

First off let me say how sorry I am to hear of your girls diagnosis. I have been in your shoes not once but twice. I lost one in December 2006 to OS and my 2nd was diagnosed in July 2007 and I lost him in October 07. It is the hardest thing in my life I have ever had to go thru and devastated me I miss them both so much.

Bone cancer is very painful, just make sure you stay on top of the pain. Good luck to you and your girl in whatever route you decide to take with her. It is a journey your will never forget.

If you haven't already found it there is a website and support group you may want to check out for bone cancer dogs, the website is Bone Cancer Dogs.

[Xena's Daddy]

Originally Posted by caseygina

we're pretty sure we are just going to let her live her life and not put her through any more suffering for our sakes. this is hard enough, i just can't bear to put her through amputation and chemo only to have her live another month. that would be just for us, and she's given us her love and everything she has over the last 8 years, and we need to do the same for her, respect her and do what's best for her, not for us.

Well said! I couldn't agree more!!

How's she doing??
MK

[Anne]

Originally Posted by caseygina

we're not sure about treatment. we're meeting with the vet today and we'll discuss our options. but, we're pretty sure we are just going to let her live her life and not put her through any more suffering for our sakes. this is hard enough, i just can't bear to put her through amputation and chemo only to have her live another month. that would be just for us, and she's given us her love and everything she has over the last 8 years, and we need to do the same for her, respect her and do what's best for her, not for us.

I too decided on no amputation and no chemo but my girl is having oncology treatment. Her treatment is neither painful nor invasive. It will not cure her osteosarcoma but we have had nearly 4 months so far, with living pain free and enjoying life. Without treatment we would not have had this time together.

She was given two weeks to live at the end of December. She is still happy, pain free and very much alive. Though her disease is progressing she is comfortable and happy.
There is a decline in her energy level but the rapid progression of her cancer has been slowed down by the treatment. I would not put her through treatment if it meant she would suffer.

Don't give up, there are things that can be done to extend the life of your dog and to keep her pain free.

[caseygina]

it's been a few days-we did decide to just let her live the rest of her life without any heroic efforts. I talked to a few other dog parents who did chemo and they said they would not do it again, they would take the route we are. so we're showering her with even more love and attention than usual, which is funny because she's been spoiled since the day we brought her home!! our parents are up tonight to visit, and we're headed to our shore house next weekend for a trip to the beach. we have pain medication, which we are using as needed, so far we've only needed it three times. keep your fingers crossed for us, she's still doing awesome and since she doesn't know it, that helps us too.

[chivas]

You should give her the pain meds daily. You may not think she needs it but these dogs are stoic to a fault. OS is very painful.

[Anne]

Originally Posted by chivas

You should give her the pain meds daily. You may not think she needs it but these dogs are stoic to a fault. OS is very painful.

Totally agree. I give my dog pain meds regularly every day even though she is not showing any sign of pain. Once they do show pain you can be sure it's significant.

[Sam's Mom]

Originally Posted by chivas

You should give her the pain meds daily. You may not think she needs it but these dogs are stoic to a fault. OS is very painful.

I definitely agree...this disease is excriciatingly painful. And pain is much easier to manage if you stay ahead of the game and medicate regularly.

My heart goes out to all on this much too crowded path...it does SUCK!
Prayers for painfree doggy days and strength/wisdom for all the Rottie Moms and Dads.

[jfoster38122]

I'm so sorry to hear the news. We to are going through the same thing. Nemo had comlications with Piroxicam. If you use it make sure to discuss with your vet the stomach upsets that it can cause. Nemo is resting now but had bloody diarrhea and vomiting. He is eating boiled chicken mixed with his kibble and is being kept comfortable with Tramadol.


I wish the best for your baby and strength and compassion and comfort for you.

Jerry