My beautiful rottie Gabby has osteosarcoma

[ibkittykat]

Hi guys
I am new to this board, Thanks for having me. I too have a beautiful Rottie, Gabby that has osteosarcoma. She has it on her front right leg. I have just recently gotten the bad news, but took her to 3 vets before I got a diagnosis. She is still pretty mobile, will go out to go potty, but limping really bad. I have learned from your site and others that too much activity could fracture her legs. Not my intention. she is on pain meds, and I have thought of doubleing them, as I think her pain comes back after awhile. Another sad thing is that she was a rescue, and I have only gotten to spend 3 beautiful years with this darling. What a find she was and how she will be missed. I worry now that firework season will send her over the edge as she is so afraid of all the noise. I have ordered sedataves but couldn't get them picked up by 5 yesterday. She was freaked out so bad last night, and hasn't really recovered from last night and wont really rest or sleep.
I really thank you for listening and I am open to any suggestions you all might have. I know the outcome of the horrendous cancer, but sure wish I could have her forever. Thanks all for listening. Have a great night

[Marley55]

Hello....sorry you had to join the board with this awful news. I just lost my boy Jaxx to OS 1 month ago, as did several other members.

Please take the time to read the post titled : HELP - My best friend has osteosarcoma

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/vet...eosarcoma.html

You will find lots of help, support and understanding in that thread.

I am keeping you and Gabby in my thoughts and prayers.

Marley

[Ninasmom]

Hello and welcome. I am so sorry that you found us under these circumstances but I am happy that you found us for support. Too many of us, myself included, have lost or are in the process of losing dogs to this evil disease. My Nina is currently fighting the battle with osteo. She was dx on 12/20 and we were given 1 month. Yet, today she is still standing and pain free. Alot of that has to do with this site and the support/information I have received here and alot of it, in Nina's case, is just her sheer determination to never give up. The thread that Marley gave you is chock full of information and support. I strongly recommend you read it. It's not all positive though, so please bring a box of tissues. Many of the dogs that we started that thread with are no longer with us, but we continue to battle.

My thoughts are with you and Gabby.

[Nishasmom]

Hey its 'Rottie Lover' from Groomer Talk...I am glad you came here; although I wish it was under different circumstances .

Please know that Gabby is in my thoughts.

[BeauandShan]

I am sorry that you had to find this site under these circumstances but as others have already said you will find no end of support and advice here.
The my best friend has osteosarcoma thread is great although heartbreaking at times due to a lot of our dogs no longer being with us, there is some great advice throughout the whole thread but it ended up more of a support network.
I lost my boy Beau to this horrible disease April 21st, the only advice I can give is to keep Gabby painfree, take lots of photo's and make more memories, and rest assured she will let you know when it is time.

you and Gabby are in my thoughts

[webangel2b]

I'm sorry, so very sorry!

I too am in the process of fighting cancer with my Rottie; fighting for remission, still paying attention to how she feels. It's of the upmost importance to do what's best for her.

You and Gabby are in my prayers.

[Anne]

How sad that you had to find us under such sad circumstances. Another one of our wonderful breed to suffer this terrible disease. My dog, Sophie has osteosarcoma too and our story is much the same as Ninasmom's. Sophie was diagnosed in December of last year and it was estimated she would have a month at most. She's still going doing quite well and is able to live pain free though the cancer is progressing.

Please join us in the thread people mentioned. It's a wonderful informative and supportive thread for those of us with osteosarcoma dogs.

[AngelBunny]

I am so sorry you found RDN under such circumstances. Sadly, you have alot of company here. I've lost every Rottie I've owned with the exception of one to various types of cancers. I lost Otto, my first Rottie, my AngelBunny Spot Dog, to osteo. He graced by life starting in 1984.

I am sorry you and your Gabby are walking the same sad path Otto and I walked.

You're both in my thoughts.

[caseygina]

I am so sorry to hear about Gabby. we lost our girl Riley almost 2 months ago - she had OS in her right hind leg. There is a lot of good information and support here. Keep us posted and you and Gabby will be in my thoughts. Spend lots of time and give her so many hugs and kisses. I would give for just one more with Riley...

[ibkittykat]

Good Morning to all
THank you so much for your prayers and support. I am so glad I found this wonderful site. I have switched her food, looked into lots of different suppliments. She is still mobile, and just seems like she doesn't want to go yet. So we trudge on. Thank You Nishasmom for telling me about this site. She is doing what she likes to do, bark and give my poodle heck. She likes to gaurd the water. Hehe, guess she might be feeling a little better. Want to say thanks again, and I will keep you all posted. Racheal

[Xena's Daddy]

Hello & welcome to the forums!
I'm sorry to hear about your Gabby's Dx and the unfortunate circumstances that led you here, but you've come to the right place. Whether you're looking for advice on medical/procedural options, pain management, life expectancy, typical disease progression, other people's stories (Both succeses & heart aches), or just general information & support, it's ALL here.

Unfortunately, lots of us are/were in the same boat, and as the others have suggested so far, the 'Help-My Best Friend Has Osteosarcoma' thread is a wealth of information & support. I would suggest reading it in it's entirety from beginning to end. (Well, 'current', as it's STILL going!!)
It will probably take you a couple of days to get through it all, but the stories that are in there are well worth reading. I think it would provide great insight into this horrible disease for the recently dignosed.

Wishing you & Gabby the best,
MK

[ibkittykat]

Yes, I will ceartainly do that. I really think she is feeling better, she has been greeting me at the door, what a darling. But, I would think that the medication is making her not have to go to the potty very much??? she doesn't go out much at all. No accidents either. Thanks guys. You are great.

[ibkittykat]

Wanted to know, do these guys with os pant a lot? Even while resting? Just wondering if this is a stress or anxeity or pain thing. Thanks, Racheal

[Xena's Daddy]

Hi Rachael,

Yes, it can be due to pain, as it's one of the symptoms of it. It can also be a number of other things. If she is really panting I would get her to the Vet ASAP. I would want to make sure there's nothing else going on with her. And if it IS just pain, then you may want the Vet's advice on increasing her pain meds.
Good luck,
MK

[Ninasmom]

Hi Rachel;

Yes, panting is typically a sign of pain. What meds does your vet have Gabby on? That can make a difference as well. Nina was started on rimadyl/tramadol. It worked very well, but made her dopey. We wound up switching vets (all in the other thread) and she's now on previcox, which works very well for her. She is in no pain and does not even limp despite the baseball size tumor on her rear leg. The panting could also be due to the weather. I'm not sure where you are located, but it's been quite hot across the US lately and if Gabby's not used to the heat, then she could be in jeopardy of overheating. Keeping her indoors and in air conditioning will help. I always fill the dogs bowls with ice as well in this heat (but we live in Florida so I've got to be extra vigilant with regard to their heat tolerance.)