vjgrey

Hi, Jenny. First - I'm so, so sorry you're here. I'm glad you're seeking advice from Ohio State. They're definitely the experts and can help you come up with a plan. In my experience, once I had a plan and a way forward, I was able to stop the constant crying (which I did do, for days). That's not to say I didn't have crying jags along the way, because I definitely did, but I felt worlds better once we'd decided how to proceed. Re: the effects of chemo - The doses they'd be giving your hound aren't anywhere close to the doses they give people. As a result, dogs generally suffer much fewer side effects. I think my hound went through five rounds. For the first few, he showed zero side effects. For the last two or so, he'd sleep (more than usual) the next day. That's all. Some hounds experience a little tummy upset (mine didn't), but they have medications to help with that. For the most part, they handle it really, really well. Chemo for dogs isn't a rough process like it is for humans. And while it's probably true that once diagnosed, there are already undetectable mets elsewhere in the body, I wouldn't let that be the main factor in your decision. Survival times vary greatly, but multiple dogs on Greytalk have made it 2+ years post-amputation. One wolfhound, Darcy, made it something like four years, and I believe her owners lost her to something other than Osteo complications. If you decide not to go through with amputation, you need to make sure that she's getting enough pain meds. It's REALLY important that you act as a strong advocate for her in this, as Osteo is extremely painful, and many general practice vets don't know enough about Osteo and seem to be afraid to prescribe the number/doses of meds required. If you post here what you're giving her, we can give you advice if anything needs to be added/upped. You also need to find out the maximum dosage for all of her meds, because breakthrough pain can (and seems to) happen on weekends/holidays/overnight when it's difficult to reach your vet. If you have access to and can afford a veterinary oncologist, I'd HIGHLY, highly recommend that you get a referral to one. Ours cost a fortune (although we live in DC, where everything is more expensive), but he was absolutely worth every penny and more. Edited to add - Palliative radiation is radiation applied directly to the tumor. It may slow growth somewhat, but for some dogs, it also significantly reduces pain. It was an absolute miracle worker for my Gabe. For two of his treatments (including the first), he had to be carried into the clinic. He could not walk on his own, at all. Both times, he walked out on his own, limp free, a few hours later. It doesn't work (or work that spectacularly) for every dog, but if you decide not to amputate, it's worth looking into.

Particularly true when the over-glorification and sway is coming from a vet.

Very well said.

Just seeing this. I'm so sorry this horrible disease took Fritz, too. It's always unfair, but you've had so much more than your share of unfairness. I'm going to go kiss my babies now. I'm so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

Gabe contracted Lyme despite the Frontline Plus, so we do vaccinate for it. We haven't had any issues with that (or any vaccinations).

I think a lot of adopters (my husband and I included) start out with the no furniture rule, but these dogs are VERY persuasive. There are two snoozing on my bed right now, and we regularly find ourselves watching TV on the floor so that they can have the couch.

I was shocked to see her name here. I cried for her, too, although I've never met her or you. I'm so, so sorry.

I'm so sorry.

What a beautiful boy. I'm so sorry.

This post gave me the biggest smile. So happy for you and all of the campers.

That first pic. It's so unfair that you didn't have more time together.

Diamond's usually only needs bandaged for a few days, mainly so that she doesn't bump it on something. It takes a while to grow back, but it doesn't seem to bother her at all after that.

At least it broke off cleanly! Diamond is the queen of dewclaw ripping - twice when her foot slipped down into holes/divots in the yard and once while coming up our back steps. She's never ripped it all the way off like that, though. Hers is always half-ripped and dangling, and it's ALWAYS been after hours for the vet. I take her to the e-vet to have it pulled off and wrapped, because I can't cope with the blood. It always grows back just fine (unfortunately).

I'm so, so sorry. Even when you "know," that's such an agonizing decision to make.

Our hounds are all special, but Charlie was one of the extra-special ones. I'm still so sorry he couldn't stay longer.

Not saying this to scare you, but...after losing a hound to Osteosarcoma, my position is that limp = x-rays, unless there's some immediately visible cause (corn, scraped foot, etc). It's just not something that I, personally, am willing to take a "wait and see" approach with. With our retired racers, arthritis can also be an issue, and that should also show on x-rays. If he knows and is comfortable with the staff at the teaching hospital, I'd take him there.

We use something really similar that we found at PetCo - works great! Not sure of the exact brand, but it looks like this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B008J9SVV4/ref=redir_mdp_mobile

Tons of positive thoughts for you and your girl. My Diamond was diagnosed with a herniated disc in early February. It was extremely scary, but Prednisone and Gabapentin have worked wonders for her.

Dehydrated lamb lung. My pups go nuts for it, and it's easy to break into small pieces. We get ours from Bestbullysticks.com

I'm so sorry you lost your special little guy. What a selfless decision you made for him. That's pure love.

The smell makes me wonder whether there's some kind of infection. Both of my girls have had episodes of sleep incontinence while on Prednisone, and I was always surprised that the pee never smelled like pee - it never smelled like anything, really. I only knew it was pee because of the color and amounts. Hope your vet can give you some answers.

I've been meaning to ask you who you're using, you go to Caring Hands Alexandria, right?

Please don't muzzle your hound when he's with dogs who are aren't muzzled. If a fight were to break out, he'd be completely defenseless. Holly, the dog in my signature who "never made it home," was killed by another greyhound at the racing kennel when the other hound managed to get her muzzle off.

Oh, no, she'll go on leash. She goes frequently on walks. Probably more frequently than Cash does. The problem is, she's a marker, so she spreads them out over a few miles, little pees at a time. We're under strict instructions NOT to walk more than a few feet out into our yard, and she has no interest in marking (or peeing/pooping at all) while walking in little circles. I'm sure she will go eventually, but hours and hours of walking in small circles are making me crazy.