Anyone ever have a dog with ostiosarcoma?

[Redyre Rotties]

I also have unfortunate experience with it. I don't think I would consider amputation. I know only one dog is the scores that I have known that have died from this to live more than a year post amputation. Most dogs with palliative care only live 30 to 90 days post dx.

As others have said, make every day count.

This, however, is very important advice: DO NOT wait too long for the euth. Dogs that crash from OS do not have a nice exit. Be strong and let her go peacefully before it is too bad.

My heart goes out to you. This is the worst part of having dogs.

 

[LyonFuzz]

The sad part about osteo is that by the time you find it in the bone, it's already metastasized to the lungs I truly feel for you and am so sorry you're experiencing it with your young dog. I would give her everything she enjoys, everyday and don't waste a minute loving her. Best of luck.

 

[Brindlebtch]

I'm so very sorry.

 

[thebritt]

Quote:
This was our experience with one of the very best dogs I have ever known. Cassidy was a Bouvier/shepard, and my young daughter's best friend. We noticed him favoring his rt. hind leg and took him to the vet, who told us it was probably arthritis, and put him on Rimadyl (a pain med). It seemed to help for a few months (he was 10 1/2 yrs old at the time). When the Rimadyl seemed to stop working, we took him back to the vet, and they X-rayed his femuf/knee joint. It showed a thickening of the knee where it meets the femur, and he was diagnosed with osteo. We were told we could do a biopsy to be sure, and amputate, but that wouldn't buy any more time if it had matastasized to the lungs. I suggested a lung X-ray, which they did, and it showed shadowing in the lungs. It was one of the worst days of my life. We decided to do all we could to keep him comfortable and happy for as long as we could. When he started whining when trying to get up/lie down, and obviously limping more, despite the pain meds and all the "anti cancer" natural/herbal treatments I could get a hold of, we had the vet come out to the property and help us let him go on a beatiful, sunny fall day. It absolutely sucked, and I'm tearing up just writing about it. He lived maybe 2 months after the diagnosis, and was 11 1/2 when he died.
I was listening to a radio show about end of life decisions, regarding pets, with a veterinarian. He basically said that, with something like osteo, amputation and chemo put such a stress on the animal, that the best thing can be to do what we did. It was a little comforting to hear that spending thousands of $$ to possibly get a few more months was more likely to cause more pain, which the dog can't possibly understand (esp. w/the chemo).
I'm so sorry for you and your friend. She's so young - that must be almost the hardest part. You are certainly not alone with this experience, and my heart goes out to you.

 

[breezy]

My saluki had osteosarcoma. There really isnt anything you can do except give your dog the best days possible as someone else has suggested. We did all we could for my saluki to keep her happy and pain free. We took her in and put her down the first day she wasnt feeling well after her diagnosis ( about 60 days) because we knew that it was the beginning of the end for her and we wanted her to go while she was still relatively pain free. Big hugs to you and your dane. Its heatbreaking and I feel your sorrow.

 

[briteday]

So sad, but yet so common especially in the giant breeds. Our vet considers 5-7 years the average, healthy lifespan for the giants. I have not seen any wonderful outcomes from amputation and/or chemo...just lengthening of life. And the life that is left is often not a quality time. I vote for comfort measures until they no longer are working, then euthanasia.

For every dog we let go it is a sign that another dog needs us desperately.

 

[breezy]

Quote:
What a lovely way to look at things.

 

[TLWR]

No personal experience with Osteo, but I have greyhounds and know too well that I will likely lose one or more to osteo at some point in my life.
I've heard a few years ago that if a dog lives a year after diagnosis with amp/chemo, it likely wasn't truly osteo. In the years since then, hopefully those numbers aren't the same, but osteo is never good.

Personally, DH and I have decided that amp is not an option for us, we'll go the pain management for quality of life remaining.
We have a greyhound board. I'm not sure if I can share it, so google search for Osteo Diagnosis and it should be the first one that shows up - sadly, there are lots of threads about osteo. You are welcome to join - if you have an issue being able to do that, submit a support ticket and let us know what you want as a username and we'll get you set up. You don't need an account to read though.

Good luck. Enjoy the time you have left.

 

[zazouse]

My heart truly goes out to you,it is a very hard decision to make, i am at a crossroads with the only "little" dog i have ever owned she has been my constant indoor companion for 11 years and has developing multipal health problems.

I spend as much time as i can with her and i cry alot knowing that when she takes a turn for the worse i must let her go, but i am afraid for her just as if she were my child, scared she will be lost on her way without me, i know better but my heart won't let me think right at this time.

There are a couple surgeries that could prolong her life a bit longer but she is a tiny girl and may not make it threw the first one so i have chosen to let nature take its course rather that put her threw a trama for the sake of my own heart and do whats right when the time comes.

Please keep us posted there are many here to see you threw this and knowing i am not alone helps me too.

 

[babylady4]

zazouse, that picture is precious.

And

to the OP.