Osteosarcoma - Page 7

Pesticides? Or where these dogs abnormally tall for their breed? I know Trick I call my string bean, his long bones are abnormally long and of course he was neutered at the time I rescued him. No choice about that on my part.  I read somewhere that the size of the dog had some factor.

From the start I had suspicions about chemical factors too. My rescues have frequently ran through Orchards and swam in Rice patties and we all know how many chemicals the good ol' farmers dump into those. Makes me wanna go "Natural" on everything I put in our mouths, just so unpractical.

It's sad but I do think that some breeds are predisposed to osteosarcoma.  Greyhounds for one, off of the track especially.  I think it has alot to do with all the crap that they get on the track, from really really bad food to lord knows what else.  When a Greyhound comes in limping, unfortunately the first though alot of times is bone tumor.  Then to a point Rotties seem to be, "prone" if you want to call it that to bone tumors as well.  There's been a couple that me, who's not a vet, immediately thought that it had a bone tumor just by the kind of limp, etc. etc.  Without even seeing an xray.  It's pretty sad.  :(

He was a Tiekerhook dog, I don't know if any of his siblings or relatives had the same thing.  Dr. Villalobos has mentioned she sees a lot more of many types of cancers now that dogs are living longer.  I also told her I was concerned about carcinogenics absorbed through his nose from tracking on fields where many pesticides were used, as well as through his diet.  With my new dog I feed RAW and all organic, and I'm VERY careful where I track.  He also gets bottled water.  I know some may think I'm over reacting,  but if any of these things can help him stay healthy than it's very worth it to me.  Dr. Villalobos is a believer of the RAW diet too.

This was given to me from my vets when i had to do right by my boy, It still helps hope it helps others.

Blitzen:  I never thought about that, but I think you are exactly right about us catching his cancer early.  There can be no doubt early intervention has a lot to do with whether or not treatment & subsequent remission is successful.

4pack and Jenna I am so sorry, I just now read this thread. I am crying , brought back old memories... just hang in there ! Can't write anymore right now.

Ok Pulled myself together. I lost the dog of a life time , for me anyway, to cancer. It was a huge tumor on the spleen. I thought I would die w/o him and was told it had to come out now! I think they were correct, he went thru surgery w/o a hitch but passed 2 days later from post op. He thru a clot we think. I rushed him in in the middle of the night. He died as we carried him to the table. The vet tried everything to bring him back but he was gone. So I guess the moral to this story is sometimes you can loose them from the operation too.

I'm sorry, Trailrider.  That's a heart breaking story.

Trailrider, so sorry. Another reason to let mother nature take her course. I have already worked through the sadness and then anger, if I laid it all aside and tried something that didn't work, it would hurt all the more. I can't put myself through that or my dog. I want to enjoy the time we have left now.

 Cancer. It's like trying to stop a train, it might slow down for a second before it hits you, but probably not. The train wins every time. I could run down the tracks looking for a switch to pull or I can just wait calmly. Just sittin' here on the tracks for now...I don't want our last days to be a frantic struggle.

4-pack,  Jenna and Trailrider - I don't know what to say.  Cancer is horrible. I have lost my best friends (1 human and 1 dog) as well as my father to cancer.  It is never easy whatever decision you make - to treat or not.  This year our relay for life sold over 12,000 luminares in honor of loved ones who have past away from cancer.  6 years ago - we only had 1,000 luminares.  This is the first year our relay included pets in our events and you would not believe how many more people joined the event because of their dogs.   The Canines for a cure team raised over $10,000 for there first year.  Working for the relay is my one way to honor them.

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

C