teri_d

you and neyla have been an inspiration to so many (including me) - thank you for sharing the new pics of your beautiful girl. my thoughts and prayers are with you, you know. tonight i drink a toast to the beautiful neyla and her wonderful mommy whom she loves dearly.

carol - it's so good to see you back on gt!!! i hope your heart is mending - it just still hurts, doesn't it - i had a REALLY sad day this week, rivie will always be in my heart, jsut as anubis is in yours. thank you for helping me through the worst time period in my life - you all were my friends, support, helpers - still sucked, but you all did help! loved the photos of anubis - what a handsome greyhound!!!!! thanks so much for sharing - and it is SO SO good to see you back - teri

thoughts and prayers are with you -

no words --- just know we're here holding you up in our thoughts and prayers

you know there is never a need to appologize here! it is wonderful to have an outlet with understanding friends that are supportive and understanding -- we think whatever you think and feel free to go off - we all have at one time or another -- hugs to you and neyla - we all think you're both just AWESOME!

i am so sorry your name is added to the list. our rivie's os was on her rib - there is lots of friendship and support for you on this thread -- and lots of great tips and advice as well - scritches to toby!! edited to add - jen and neyla - you continue to be in our prayers!!!!

jen and sweet neyla - no words -- just know we are here and you are in our thoughts and prayers just as you have guided all of us -

shannon - checking in for update - hoping tansy is better this morning - hugs - teri

i wanted you all to know i got an email from carol (anubis' mom) today.....many of us had wondered about her in this thread (for those of you who are new to the thread, anubis was one of the original 5 dogs with osteo dx in early july). she has not returned to gt since august when anubis lost the fight - says she is still not in any condition to hear about pain & anguish others are having. ... she is still hurting. her prayers are with us all and she hopes we are all healing from our loss or doing well. please keep carol in your prayers as well - thanks - teri

my friends daughter lives in la an "rents" a little thing of grass for her condo's deck - you might look into that - she has a little "holder" - then the rental company brings a rolled up grass to fit the holder and a baggie for the used grass and some disposable gloves to carry out this task. i believe there are different plans for rental, but she gets fresh grass every week - is there anything like this in your area? just an idea -- edited to add -- we're pulling for you sweet neyla!!!

shannon - what a wonderful tribute to flash...you and flash have become friends over the last months as we were diagnosed within days of each other and fought together -- flash charlie anubus sirroco rivie and now there is just charlie (and kyle, you know we are all charlie's biggest cheerleaders! he is going to kick os for you and the rest of us, too!) my heart hurts for you, you know..... tonight i drink a toast to you shannon, and to beautiful angel flash cancer sucks

shannon - tears are flowing -- no words, just know you are in my thoughts and prayers

shannon - i cooked rivie chicken breasts and chopped them in the food processor - sometimes i got the idea from her that it hurt her to chew - she had just had a dental a month before her dx, so i don't think it was due to teeth problems - just an idea that might help flash??? jen - so glad the proceedure is over and some answers are on the way! think i'll join you in a glass......

as thanksgiving is on my mind i just want to tell you all how thankful i am for each of you -- you got me through one of the toughest times of my life -- you were there for my rants, cries for help, ups and downs being supportive and becoming my friends. to each of you still fighting the fight, you have my admiration and support - i am your biggest cheerleader!! i LOVE to hear your good news and i celebrate with you! to those of you who, like me, have lost the fight - my heart is with you and i truly understand. i am so thankful to have this thread of "everything you ever wanted (and didn't want) to know about osteo" - what a GREAT resource for all. i too never visited h&m on gt - but i am so thankful it was here when i needed it - and that you all were placed in my life - i could not have gotten through the summer and fall without each of you -- so happy thanksgiving to you dear ones - be thankful for each day with your sweet pups - we NONE of us know what tomorrow holds - HAPPY THANKSGIVING! now go feed those pups some turkey!!!

my thoughts are with you - cancer sucks

the beautiful tribute to brought tears to my eyes -- i am so sorry for your loss - a toast to the beautiful rippa. may your memories comfort you.

rivie's osteo was on her rib -- i noticed a very small less than pecan sized "lump" on her side 2 days after a rabies shot last june. looking back i ask myself what other symptoms i might have missed - she seemed to have been shedding heavily during the summer....other than that no clue.

oh kim -- i am so sorry - there are no words, it just sucks. tonight i drink a toast to sweet rippa.

you're in my thoughts and prayers today neyla (and jen, too) will be checking in for updates today

Happy Anniversary!!! neyla -- you rock!!!!

i had just thought of you this morning and opened up gt to post a CONGRATS NEYLA on "the thread". jen she is SO beautiful and looks so happy. Thank you, Neyla and Jen for your help, support, tips, etc. - you are an inspiration and deserve a very special celebration!!!! i, too, will drink a toast this evening to the beautiful neyla and jen -- Happy 6 months anniversary!

after just going through this with my beloved rivie some advice for you as a friend -- PLEASE call her often - every day if possible. let her know you "get it" and want to hear about what she is feeling. take a treat or 2 to flash or a bottle of wine to her people -- or anything -- just show them that you care and are there for them. if not for my friends on the osteo thread of gt i don't know what i would have done.....even my "doggie loving friends" didn't get it. so be there for your friends and for flash. you might also direct them to the 40-odd page osteo thread on here -- it is full of GREAT information and support!!

I am sorry that you might be facing this. Your vet probably isn't withholding anything. Like other's have said, the 3rd x-ray probably didn't show anything. Unfortunately osteosarcoma symptoms are very similar or even the same as symptoms from many other more minor causes. But with a large breed like a greyhound, it is always wise to be on the safe side and take x-rays. Since your vet saw something somewhat suspicious on the x-rays, I would definitely have them looked at by an oncologist. Dr. Couto's team at OSU will look at x-rays at no charge. You or your vet would need to e-mail them (if digital) or mail them to OSU. I will follow this message with my standard information on the OSU Greyhound Program. You asked if the symptoms could come and go if it was OS. Yes, in the early stages especially, the limping can come and go. But it can do that for many other reasons also. It would be unusual for a 5 year old to get cancer, but it certainly has happened. The abnormalities on the x-rays could be signs of cancer, or they could be signs of an old racing injury or any number of things. So don't panic for now. If it is osteo, there are treatments available. Feel free to call me and I can do my best to answer questions for you. My number is 614-523-0754. Jane Here is info on the OSU program: The email or phone consult is free, however a few people have been told they must sign up for the website ($50) and submit the request that way. Dr. Couto tells me that this is not true. However, if you are a member of their website, please submit your request that way because it will automate things and make record keeping for them easier. Certain chemo drugs are free; you would need to pay to have them administered. Greyhound Health and Wellness Program Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine 601 Vernon Tharp Street Columbus, Ohio 43210 Phone: (614) 247-6757 or (614) 247-8490 Email: greyosu@osu.edu Website: http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/GHWP.htm (registration and fee now required to get full access to this site) This email goes to the team. If Dr. Couto is traveling, you may get a quicker answer from one of his team members. Drs. Marin and Zaldivar typically respond to greyhound owners. The consult is free but if you can afford to support the program please do so. You can sign up for full access to the website ($99 per calendar year) or donate through the giving page on the website. If you decide to donate, you can double your money by giving through the Greyhound Project. Just go to this website and scroll down to the appropriate donation button: http://www.adopt-a-greyhound.org/donate.shtml. They will match the funds that you donate. The Team: Dr. Couto, Department Head, Greyhound Medicine, Oncology and Hematology Dr. Lili Marin, Greyhound Health and Oncology Dr. Sara Zaldivar, Greyhound Health and Oncology Dr. William Kisselberth, Oncology Dr. Cheryl London, Oncology Dr. Cristina Iazbik, Blood Bank Director and Hematologist Dr. Bridget Urie, Oncology Resident Dr. Matt Sherger, Oncology Resident Dr. Joelle Fenger, Oncology Resident Dr. Roberta Portela, Oncology Resident Dawn Hudson, Vet Tech Ashley DeFelice, Vet Tech Stacey Gallant, Vet Tech Drs Marin and Zaldivar are originally from Spanish speaking countries. If you have trouble understanding them over the phone, you might ask for one of the other vets or vet techs to translate. Dr. Couto's direct email is: couto.1@osu.edu His phone number is also 614-247-6757. If he is in town, he typically returns emails in the early hours of the morning. You should know that (in my humble opinion) they need more staff. Unfortunately finances do not permit it at this time. They do 20 to 30 greyhound consults a day along with all of their "in canine" patients. Depending on their workload there may be a wait for the consultation. If you are contacting them on an emergency basis, please let them know. If you want to make an appointment to be seen in person/canine, you can call the main number to set up a date/time. The main number for the veterinary hospital is 614-292-3551. If you decide to visit OSU please contact me. I may be able to put you up in a local home, provide moral support, or just help with logistics: Finewhipador-drool@yahoo.com linda --here you go - i would not wait 2 weeks to contact - sorry for your x-ray, but glad you have found this thread - you will find help, support, advice, and much needed friends here

jen - loved the beautiful tribute to a very beautiful whizzer...i still LOVE her name i know your heart hurts - may the wonderful memories of your goofy girl fill that hole. a toast to whizzer!