Osteosarcoma - Page 3

4pack I really am sorry and feel for you i lost my 8yr old Gsd who had chondrosarcoma on his ribs which are not able to be removed, If i could have had the affected parts removed i would have.

He only lived 4 months with Rimadyl being the only relief, It broke my heart to see him like that but when he had enough i did the right thing.

Please truly consider amputation and chemo, If you feel he can cope then do it, No one knows or understands  your dog better than you,

My heart is with you on this good luck please let us all know how he is.

4-pack

My thoughts and prayers are with you - God bless you.

I lost my 2 Gsd's to cancer a couple of years ago. Dirk, a rescue, was the most loving and loyal dog. He alerted us when our neighbor's yard was on fire. His back knee was swollen up really huge one morning. The Vet diagnosed bone cancer - the X-ray show the bone was almost disolved that the stoic boy never let on he was in pain until it was twice the normal size. It was heartbreaking to decide what do to. We opted to treat with painmeds, since his cancer had already spread. He had only 1 week with us after that. We helped him to the bridge where he is running without pain and can frighten anyone who looks like my father-in-law.

Zeus was rescued from a BYB at 9 weeks, he was my first "Puppy from Hell" - LOL - At 1 he suddenly went off his food and had no energy whats so ever. His poor little body had Lymphoma (S?) everywhere. The Vet was as stunned as we were. After spending a long weekend at the clinic, hooked up to God knows what,  the look in his eyes told us he had enough. He went to the bridge in my arms where he is a puppy until I will meet him and Dirk.

I truly believe that dogs have a way to let you know which way to go for them if you listen with your heart

God bless you,

Claudia and the pack

Our Great Dane was 10 and developed osteosarcoma. We opted for no amputation or chemo, but just palliative comfort care. She required routine pain meds for the duration of her life, which was 3 more months. She seemed happy, pain free and was eating well up until the end. She let us know when it was time to euthanize her - she showed us symptoms of pain and loss of interest in the things she had formerly enjoyed . I wish it were legal for someone to do me that favor when my time comes. She was loved and we miss her, but it was the right thing to do.

My first GSD was unsucessfully treated for leukemia. He went into remission, but it didn't hold for very long and we opted to not put him through it again. Still, I really hesitate to advise anyone to not try chemo on a dog for any type of cancer. There are always dogs that survive, The leukemias are usually the most rewarding to treat.

It's a very, very tough decision. Some dogs do get very sick, mine did. He lost weight, hair, and had long periods of vomiting and diarrhea.  His treatments left him too weak to walk half a block. Not all dogs handle it well and you won't know that until the treatments are started.

"Some dogs do get very sick, mine did. He lost weight, hair, and had long periods of vomiting and diarrhea."

That is a chance I don't feel I want to take. I want him to have quality of life not quantity. He has a had a nice life here since I rescues him from the certain death he faced at the pound. He was about 35lbs, to weak to stand/walk in a strait line. He had the worse case of kennel cough I had ever seen in a dog and just a rack of bones laying there. His eyes said please help... and I did. I will never put him and a position to be that way again. He's a runner and always active dog but with a shut off button when kids are around or he is in the house. He lives to be at my side and follows me from window to window when he can and he is outside.He's the dog I can take anywhere with no fear of a dog fight or him hurting anyone or causing an issue. As long as he is by my side he is the perfect dog. 

He is the poster child for breeders on what not to do or shoot for in a breeding program. He was built to fail, to fall apart. He has torn an ACL, broke his leg, a toe and the hardest dog to put weight on, up until this past year. He finally filled out but at the same time, started showing age and slowing down. Just a tad but enough for me to notice.

I just hope when I fail, someone takes mercy on me and lets me go quick and painlessly. When I see in those big brown eyes a dimmer light, I will know it is time. Until then he will be my shadow. Now that the heat waves are gone he can ride comfortably in the car day or night.

I took him out this morning, for his regular run he has been missing for about 2 weeks now, do to his limp. Today was the happiest I have seen him all month. The pain meds must really do their thing for him. He had the happiest face chasing the Canadian Geese into flight. I think if he could, he would have been hootin' and hollerin' the whole time. This is how I want to remember my dog and I'm sure how he wants to be remembered.

It sounds like he has been a great companion as well as a very lucky dog to be rescued by you.  I'm glad the pain meds are working.  We rarely know when any of us are going and life can be snuffed out in a second.  I guess the only silver lining is at least you can really treasure this time you have with him.

i am so sorry for you and your dog. you sound like the perfect owner for him. whatever decision you make, i'm sure it'll be the right one. good luck and god bless.

4pack, that's the route I went with one dog also.  Quality time while we had it.  He's lucky he has you, you care.

Sorry, 4pack. 

4-pack, so sorry, your post brings tears to my eyes, i just couldn't imagine... and i don't know what to say but i am so sorry, give your dog another hug from me (im sure your giving him many), and give yourself one from me also...

~JULIE~