Dempsey- Looks Like It's Cancer...

[patricia]

Sending more prayers.

[JerseyGirlInOz]

Sending 's to you and Dempsey.

[Tallgreydogmom]

Sending prayers

[Guest HeatherDemps]

I thought I had put an update on here earlier this morning but now I can't find it so maybe I didn't!

 

We did not go through with the biopsy this morning. The clinic is only open until noon and are closed tomorrow so I would have not had easy access to the clinic if needed. I felt too rushed in making the decision and not at all emotionally prepared for it. We have rescheduled it for January 2 and our vet will be in touch with OSU and U of I (we are in Central Illinois) after Christmas. That should give us more information and help determine if the biopsy is the best course of action. Assuming it is osteo, I don't know what we would do- just make him comfortable or pursue amputation w/chemo. I talked briefly with one of the vets at OSU this morning and she indicated that they have amputated front legs on GHs Dempsey's age so that is encouraging but I don't know if that's right for Dempsey or not.

 

Over the next week, I need to find a way to set aside some of the emotions and start weighing out the options and have a better idea of which route we'd go. I'm making myself crazy because I feel like I change my mind so many times. I wish there was a right decision and that I knew what it was. All I know right now is that this really SUCKS and my heart is breaking.

 

Thanks for all the prayers and wisdom. I'll keep everyone updated and in the meantime, please keep Dempsey in your prayers.

 

Heather

[grey14me]

[patricia]

Sending my many prayers.

[Guest greymutt]

You have my prayers and empathy. My Attwood was just diagnosed with Osteo yesterday via x-rays. We decided against a biospy and amputation since I saw the bone--it looked like Swiss chesse-- and there are already tumors in his lung. We're using dermamaxx and tramadol for pain and hoping we can make him comfortable for whatever time we have left. I wish you the best and know you will make the right decision for your family. This is a personal decision and a painful time, you do what is best for you. I am trying to take some comfort in the fact that I have been given advanced warning and can spoil my boy until that final day.

Hugs-

 

[Neighsayer]

Take care of yourself! Hugs!

[Guest greydogluvr]

I too have had two with osteosarcoma. The first we did amputation (she adjusted well/hind leg) and chemo and the second we opted to try nontraditional therapy including aquapuncture, acupuncture, lasers, vitamin supplements and a raw food diet. These two very different courses of treatment decisions were based on the fact that our first had clear lungs while in our second the cancer had spread quickly throughout her body. My hopes for both were to keep them comfortable and pain free. Though I have not had experience directly with the use of radiation as pain therapy I have heard that it works wonders from friends who have also gone through this awful experience. I do not think there is one correct course of action, as I can tell you are, you must gather as much information as you can and make the decision that is right for you and Dempsey.

 

My thought and prayers are with you. I feel the pain you are going through. Keep a positive attitude for animals are very intuitive. I am a firm beliver in the power of positive thinking.

[Guest MorganKonaAlex]

Hi Heather,

I had 2 of my 3 greys diagnosed with OS in 2006. January '06, my 10.5 year old Morgan started limping on a Friday night. On Sunday morning, I had to coax him down the stairs and his wrist broke when he landed at the base of the stairs. It was a crash course on OS for us since we knew nothing about it. The leg was not repairable and we had to decide whether to euthanize or amputate. Morgan was not a good candidate for amputation since he had a previous injury another foot. He was also a terrible eater and I didn't think he would do well through chemo. Morgan is DH's dog though and he wanted to treat him. He had his front leg amputated and 4 rounds of Carboplatin chemo. That was 23 months ago and he's still with us. He hasn't had a chest x-ray since ending treatment but shows no signs of OS mets. He mostly goes on our 2xday walks (sometimes he chooses to just hang out in the yard; especially if it's hot).

 

December '06, our 8 year old Alex was limping and the ortho. thought it was OS but the x-rays were not definitive. A fine needle aspiration came back negative, which is inconclusive. We had a bone biopsy done because I could not amputate a leg without knowing. Alex was in a *lot* of pain after the biopsy. When the results came back positive for OS we had the rear leg amputated. His chemo protocol was alternating Adriamycin and Carboplatin. After the 3rd chemo, he wasn't bouncing back and was coughing. I took him to the Vet and requested chest xrays. He had lung mets. Despite trying an experimental treatment for the lung mets, we had to euthanize him 2 weeks later.

 

From the doctors and our reading, with amputation alone, the median life expectancy is 5 months. It's 12-14 months with amputation with chemo. Dogs in the 5-7 year range seem to have a more aggressive form of OS. Given Alex's level of pain after the bone biopsy, I would not do that again. I would get a 2nd opinion on the xrays by a specialist though. If the x-rays are not good enough for diagnosis, ask if another set might show it better. I also would try a fine needle aspiration again if needed.

 

Let me know if you have any questions.

[Guest gottaluvgreysindy]

This sucks, as I remember getting the news all too well. My boy, Deuce, was diagnosed by x-rays in Aug 2006 on a Friday, by the following Thursday he had his front left leg amputated. I thank God everyday for still having the opportunity to hug and kiss him everyday. Everyday is a gift and he is still with me 16 months later. We too had a crash course in OS and I'm still learning everyday. Deuce was 6 when dx and just celebrated his 8th birthday. I remember the diagnosis consuming my every breath and thought. I am keeping you in my prayers, it really does have to be an individual owner and dog decision. God Bless

[Guest HeatherDemps]

Well, x-rays were sent to U of I and OSU. Doesn't seem that there is enough from that to make a diagnosis- it is apparently very subtle- could be multiple things, including quality of the x-ray or the angle, a tendon tear, etc.

 

Since the lesion is subtle, we are having the procedure done at U of I instead of here at our clinic. U of I has a "real time" x-ray machine they can use to guide the procedure to help ensure we can get an accurate sample. We're heading down there Friday morning, so I'll keep you posted. Hopefully, this will give us the information we need.

 

Happy New Year,

Heather

[VinnieAndRexsMom]

Good luck!

 

I will be thinking of you,

[Guest adriahna]

You have my prayers and empathy. My Attwood was just diagnosed with Osteo yesterday via x-rays. We decided against a biospy and amputation since I saw the bone--it looked like Swiss chesse-- and there are already tumors in his lung. We're using dermamaxx and tramadol for pain and hoping we can make him comfortable for whatever time we have left. I wish you the best and know you will make the right decision for your family. This is a personal decision and a painful time, you do what is best for you. I am trying to take some comfort in the fact that I have been given advanced warning and can spoil my boy until that final day.

Hugs-

 

 

So many hugs.

 

As well, gentle prayers for Dempsey and Attwood. I know how hard it is - but the decision can be a relief, when your baby is having difficulty. Hang in there - you are both deeply in my prayers.

[MP_the4pack]

 

 

Good luck!

 

Although I haven't had osteo yet in my pack (hemangio took my Brindle), I have often thought of what I would do.

If it hit Onyx several years ago, I wouldn't have hesitated to have an amputation. But now that she's 12 and I see her with minor hind end weakness and arthritis, I probably would not do that for her now.

Pearl is not an option. Not with her heart disease and hyptertension. Diamond I would have to look at the cost because she didn't get insurance. She was turned down due to her ehrlichia. She is also 10.

Brat, at age 3....probably would go for the amputation.

 

So, as you can see, I had to look at each of my girls for a decision.

 

Only you can do that for Dempsey.

 

But whatever decision you make. It IS the right one for you.

 

MP and the 4 pack

[Guest boondog]

I have no advice, but I wanted to let you know I'm praying for you and Dempsey.

 

BTW, I grew up in central Illinois (Georgetown--near Danville) and now I live in Columbus, OH. Needless to say, you are in wonderful hands at either the U of I or OSU.

[Greytlady94]

Sending prayers.

 

I lost one greyhound, Charlie, to osteo at the age of 6.

 

What ever decision you make for Dempsey will be the right decision. No one knows Dempsey like you do. Once you have made the decision, try not to second guess yourself.