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10-16-2008, 04:31 PM | #1 |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Jersey
Posts: 518
| My dog diagnosed with canine Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) Our 7 year old spayed female Saint Bernard Belle was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) yesterday. She began limping on her left front Sunday evening while being dogsat while we were away on vacation. When we returned early Tuesday morning her limp was more pronounced. We took her to the emergency clinic where xrays were taken and the diagnosis given. Osteosarcoma is a cancer that grows from inside of the bone outward basically slowly exploding the bone. Her chest xrays came up clear as did the xrays of her other limbs. We are awaiting results of her bloodwork. There is no cure. The vet told us she has approx. 1-2 months to live if no treatment is given. It will most likely spread to her lungs but she will have to be euthanized before that because of the extreme pain. We read that approx 90% of dogs by the time they are diagnosed have already had micro peices of the cancer spread to the lungs that just are not viewable on the xrays yet. To treat and try to extend her life would require: A) Amputation alone - Would be for pain relief and give her approx. 3 months. B) Radiation - For pain relief and would give her 3-6 months. C) Amputation of her limb and chemotherapy. This may give her 6-12 months. Approx. less than 50% of dogs make it to the one year mark with the amputation and chemo. 20% make it to 2 years, less than 10% will make it further. We are in total shock. Everything I have read on OS seems to give such a grim prognosis. We want to do what is best for her. We don't want to put her through such a major surgery if she will be spending her last months after it recovering from the limb removal and being ill from chemo. I have read many sites and know that it is not certain the amount of time that amp/chemo will give her. Each case is individual and varies. Some dogs may live only the 6 months or less and some others over the year. Has anyone been through this? I would appreciate any advice. I am wondering that if we chose the amp/chemo treatment & she lives 1 year, of that 1 year how much time is quality, pain free & how much time is spent with her recovering post amputaion op, how much time is she sick from chemo & how much of that time is of when she starts to decline and is not quality of life. We are totally confused as to what to do and would appreciate any insight that anyone can give us. We have a consultation with the surgeon scheduled for Tuesday to try and get more information to help make a decision. What is the best thing to do? Is there a right or wrong decision???? Thank you all for your help.
__________________ Luv my DaisyWaisy! Last edited by ranedrops; 10-16-2008 at 04:33 PM. |
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10-16-2008, 05:10 PM | #2 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Va
Posts: 1,322
| I have never been through this before. I am very sorry for Belle and your family. I know it is a very hard decision to make. I think if I were in your position I would ask the vet what he would do if it was his dog. I would consider if giving her a few extra months would be a good quality of life for her. I do not envy you in having to make such a tough decision. I hope whatever you decide you have peace in knowing you did what you felt was right.
__________________ Tina, Momma to Fritzel, Darla, Kasey, Max, Blackie, : http://www.dogster.com/dogs/463494 Member of The Crazy ClubMember of The Little Gentlemen's Club |
10-16-2008, 05:52 PM | #3 |
Donating YT 7000 Club Member | I do not know what to tell you, but I am so sorry you are faced with such a horrible decision. I believe that you will know when the time is right - she will tell you. My thoughts and prayers will be with you, your family, and Belle during this hard time.
__________________ Megan "I have my dreams, I have made plans." - The Pirate Queen All Gave Some; Some Gave All |
10-16-2008, 08:58 PM | #4 |
Loved by Maddie & Libby Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: North Dakota
Posts: 10,732
| I am so sorry that you got such devastating news about your Belle...and she's only 7 years old? Gosh...I feel so sad for you. I wish I could give you some advice, but all I can do is tell you that I will be praying for you, Belle and your family. I wish I could reach through the screen and give you hugs. I'll be thinking of you and praying.
__________________ Custom doggie dresses and vests Memory is a country where I can go to see your face - but where do I go when I miss your embrace? |
10-17-2008, 12:30 AM | #5 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: AZ
Posts: 372
| I am so sorry that you are having to make this decision. I am pretty well versed in Ostio. With all my involvement in Greyhounds, they are considered a large breed and far to many get Ostio. The decision is yours, and yours to live with. I am not sure that I would go with the amputation for three months. I have to look at the final outcome. Still a painful way to end. I have heard of many going with the amp. and chemo, and Darcey (friends) is celebrating one year anniversary of being cancer free. Very hard decision to have to face. If the cancer is already advanced to where the vet is saying only 3 months, I think that I would have to just do the best that I can with the time we have left. When the outcome is inevitable, you just have to make the best of the time you have left. My heart and prayers are with you!! {hug}
__________________ Sheila and CO 6 Retired Racing Greyhounds: Max the Yorkie: Precious the JRT |
10-17-2008, 02:34 AM | #6 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NY USA
Posts: 1,749
| I'm so sorry for you and your family but she is a big dog and I think I would just enjoy the time you have with her. I just went through cancer with my collie queenie and as eveyone said you will know when it's time. Just one day at a time and with all the love you can give, sometimes that is the best med.
__________________ Ivy, Max, Reggie & Cheryl |
10-17-2008, 03:05 AM | #7 | |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Jersey
Posts: 518
| Quote:
Her xrays on her leg show the lower part of her humerous as destroyed and the upper part of humerous bone as being pushed out from the tumor growing from within. The vet said that by the time OS is even diagnosed - which is usually when your dog comes up lame - that it is at the point where it has destroyed the bone which is what causes the pain & which is the case with Belle. There is a 10% chance of her surviving this after chemo and amputation. Her chest xrays are clear right now but that could change overnight. The vet said a tumor could show as quick as tomorrow or maybe not for months. We read that approx 90% of dogs by the time they are diagnosed have already had micro peices of the cancer spread to the lungs that just are not viewable on the xrays yet. I've read so many stories of hope and heartache. There is no guarantee. I feel that no matter what decision we make we will feel awful. If we leave her be and try to do pain control & comfort than we will wonder what if we did the surgery. If we decide to amputate & chemo and she has complications or makes it only a few months or her quality of life is not good than I will blame myself for putting her through all of that. I wish someone could tell me what to do though I know it is our decision. Hopefully after talking with the surgeon on Tuesday things will be clearer. If anyone wants to answer this question I wouldn't mind the opinions, if not I competely understand: What would you do if she was your dog?
__________________ Luv my DaisyWaisy! | |
10-17-2008, 03:34 AM | #8 |
I Love My Yorkies Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Posts: 37,147
| I would let her enjoy what time she has left with no chemo or surgery if she were mine. I am so sorry. We are doing the same with a 16 yr old cat we have that has cancer
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10-17-2008, 05:34 AM | #9 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 3,468
| I am so sorry to hear about Belle. I notice you're from NJ....by any chance are you in Northern NJ? The reason I ask is because I met the most wonderful Veterinary Oncologist last year. She pulled no punches and told us the facts straight out. It was very comforting and made my friend's decision so much easier. |
10-17-2008, 05:47 AM | #10 |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: TX
Posts: 2,799
| You asked... so I would have to say if it were my dog, I would just enjoy every single minute you have left with your baby without the surgery or chemo. I just have to wonder if all the extra efforts would truly give her more "quality time". I don't envy your decision at all.... I went through it with my toy poodle for a few years questioning the vet about his quality of life but he had a long nice life and in the end, we knew it was time. I wish you the strength to know when that time will be. My thoughts are with you.
__________________ ~ Angie |
10-17-2008, 08:25 AM | #12 |
I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member | So sorry you have to make this decision. The prognosis is so bad that although she will get more time with the radical treatment, the quality of time doesn't sound very good. I personally would chose either no treatment or radiation, depending on how sick radiation made her. My prayers are with you.
__________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals |
10-17-2008, 11:21 AM | #13 |
YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: AZ
Posts: 372
| At the age of 7, I would just keep Belle pain free for as long as I can, and prepare for the worst...make the most of what time we have left.
__________________ Sheila and CO 6 Retired Racing Greyhounds: Max the Yorkie: Precious the JRT |
10-17-2008, 11:26 AM | #14 |
YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Illinois
Posts: 4,823
| I'm so sorry about Belle. I wish I could give some advice on what decision to make, but I know you will know what's best for her and do what is right. I pray you can enjoy your time with her and that you and Belle have the strength to go on during this difficult time.
__________________ Owned by Rocky and Bella |
10-17-2008, 11:33 AM | #15 | |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New Jersey
Posts: 518
| Quote:
__________________ Luv my DaisyWaisy! | |
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