Introduction And Possible Bone Cancer...

[Guest Jamie]

I'd like to take this time and introduce Harley our 9 year old grey. We've had him for a little over two months, but he was my boyfriends mother's dog for 6-7 years.

 

 

 

This past Monday when I returned from work Harley was panting heavily, whining, had a fever, wouldn't sit or lay down, and was limping on his back left leg. I rushed him to the vet. They took some x-rays of his knees and hip. The vet was unsure of the x-rays and we were supposed to wait until this coming up Tuesday to take him back in for another series to try and determine what it is. Last Tuesday I called back and said the pain meds weren't working (we've upped the dosage twice since then) and that I would prefer for them to send the first set to a radiologist instead of waiting a week. The posibilites I have so far is...An old fracture (he fell down a flight of steps a few hours before coming to us, he was seen by our vet then but she thought he was ok) or possibly bone cancer (osteosaracoma).

 

I've been "lurking" on this site for a week for as much information as I could, along with other sites. I would like to thank everyone for sharing their experiances, it has helped me a great deal durning this!!! I've also been in contact with a few members of Rescued Racers, where his mother adopted him from and were we made the transfer of adoption. They have been tremendous help for me and Harley, I cannot thank them enough. I think I'm prepaired as much as I can, for what ever it could be.

 

Right now I don't have any questions but I am open to any suggestions. Hoping eveyone will send there best to Harley as we wait to hear what the radiologist has to say.

 

 

Thanks,

 

Jamie

[Guest HeatherDemps]

Hi Jamie,

 

Welcome.

 

Harley is beautiful. My Dempsey is white and brindle also, so I am partial to these guys!

 

We have recently gone through the identification of cancer and Dempsey is scheduled for amputation this week. I think it's a good idea to have the radiologist read the x-rays. In our case, most of the doctors, including the oncologists, couldn't initially see the bone lesion but the radiologist was able to locate it.

 

Hopefully for Harley, it is just arthritis or the old injury you mentioned. As many people on GT mention, a limp isn't always cancer but it is good to get it checked out until you get an answer. Will definitely say a prayer for you and Harley.

 

Hang in there....

[Batmom]

What is he getting for pain? NSAIDs like Rimadyl and Deramaxx aren't very effective for some types of pain; a combination of one of those drugs and Tramadol might work better. Burpdog is probably the board's expert on that topic.

 

Many folks who suspect bone cancer in their dogs have the x-rays read by the specialists at OSU (Ohio State); there's no charge for that service. Burpdog or foxysmom (or a bunch of other folks) can advise you on how best to do that. Hopefully one or both of them will wander by here before the evening is out.

 

I'm sorry your pup is hurting and hope it proves to be a noncancerous, easily treated problem.

[Greytlady94]

Jamie, welcome to Greytalk, I'm sorry that the reason is Harley being in pain. He looks so sweet. As Batmom said, I would absolutely not wait for more x-rays, if he is in that much pain ask the vet to add to the current pain med until you know what is going on. By all means Harley should be seen by an oncologist or at least by an orthopedic vet and the x-rays need to be read by a radiologist. Also, as Batmom suggested get in touch with Ohio State University and Dr. Couto's group. They are the experts in pretty much anything greyhound an especially in osteosarcoma. Dr. Couto will consult with you and your local vet and will read the x-rays and he will not charge for this.

Dr. C. Guillermo

e-mail Couto.1@osu.edu

e-mail greyosu@osu.edu

(614)292-3551 phone

(614)292-6464 fax

 

Sending prayers for Harley.

 

If you cannot locate an oncologist or a radiologist The University of Missouri-Columbia should be able to help you locate specialists. They have a teaching hospital and their small animal clinic should have specialists from all disciplines. link to U of M info

Edited January 13, 2008 by Greytlady94

[Guest Jamie]

Thank you all for your support and valuble information!

 

Harley's vet is Dr. Doug Pernikoff and Dr. Pam at Clarkson-Wilson Vet clinic in Chesterfield, Missouri. Dr. Doug is very knowlegable when it comes to greys and for my benifit the best vet for reptiles (I've had him for 4-5 years now for the reptiles). The x-rays are at a radiologist now, I'm unsure who they sent them off to. I have a call into one of the ladys at Rescued Racers for info on free x-ray readings and chemo trements (if it is cancer), I'm still awaiting her call back (another member called me last night and wanted me to talk to her).

 

Harley is on Previcox and Tramadol. We started out with 1 1/2 tramadol 3 times a day, but because of his discomfort the dosage has been upped to 2 1/2 tramadol 3 times a day. The first 4-5 days were the worst and it was extreamly hard to follow the Dr.'s order of bed rest, he wouldn't stay down no matter how hard we tried. Since Friday evening he has been feeling much better compared to the past week. My fingers are crossed that the radiologist gets back to my vet by tomorrow. To be honest I really hate the "waiting game".

 

I'm very concerned that he will need surgery.... The reason he has moved in with us is because his mother also has a greatdane/lab mix that attacked Harley. He needed two surgeries to correct that incident, happened late October and the 2nd surgery was in early November. With having two surgeries I'm concerned on how he is going to handle a possible third. I think he's seen the vet more in my care in the past 2 months than in the entire time my boyfriends mother has owned him.

 

I will talk with my vet tomorrow about Dr. Couto and see how Dr. Doug and Dr. Pam would like to go about this. We have discussed all routes we can take on this situation. I'm hoping it's just an old fracture that he will need to have surgery to fix, but I am prepaired to do amputation and chemo on him if he is a candate, I am not ready for the unthinkable.... euthanasia.

 

Thanks you once again for all the info, I can't say how much it means to me to have support through this situation.

 

Jamie

[Greytlady94]

Jamie, I hope that your boyfriend's mother appreciates your love and care that you are giving Harley.

[Guest argolola]

Harley will be in my prayers. God bless.

[Guest laceyj]

Welcome! What a beautiful pup! Bless you for taking on a senior, I'm sure dbf's mom is happy to keep him in the family. There are plenty here who can give you good advice and guidance. Praying Harley's problem is something minor.

[Guest Snowy8]

prayers that its just arthritus....

[Guest CyndiW]

Harley is very handsome. It sounds like you are making sure he is receiving great care and you are definitely on top of getting a dx as quickly as possible. Praying that it is not osteo and just an old injury that can be fixed. He is very fortunate to have you!

[Guest Vinnie]

Thoughts, prayers and hugs to Harley. Hoping it is something minor.

[patricia]

Sending my many prayers for Harley and his family. Please keep us updated as you can.

[Guest Jamie]

Thank you everyone for your well wishes!

 

Jamie, I hope that your boyfriend's mother appreciates your love and care that you are giving Harley.

 

 

I hope so also! She thinks right now we are playing the blame game, since I've said it a few times that I hope it's just an old fracture. I'm not saying it because I blame her, I say it because I don't want it to be cancer (I also reassure her it is not her fault, accidents happen). Her husband has offered to help pay if it is a fracture, but they want me to put him to sleep if it's cancer no matter if we can help treat it or not, they think he would be miserable with only 3 legs. I'm sorry but if it is cancer and it's possible to treat him, I'm going to do everything that I can. Even if I have a three legged grey, he'll still be his adorible self. I've been told by a few people that greys with 3 legs are just as happy as greys with 4.

 

We have also made arrangements with Rescued Racers if he does have to have surgery, to house him at a foster home without stairs (I know who I want him to stay with so I hope she says yes). We have stairs at our home (to get in and out of the house). Right now we have been carrying him in and out of the house to go potty (it's truely a funny site to see little ole me carry a 70lb dog up and down our front porch), but I'm afraid of the stress/strain on his leg if he does have surgery.

 

I will definately keep you guys updated on him!

 

Thanks again,

 

Jamie

[dmdsmoxie]

Hi Jamie,

 

get along just fine. believe it or not, even a

.

 

Show these to your boyfriends mother and maybe it'll change her mind.

 

Dick

[RobinM]

Thank you for taking such good care of him. He is absolutley beautiful. I LOVE those white with brindles too as I have 2 of them. A 9 year old mom and her 3 year old son.

 

Uust keep doing what you are doing until you get to the bottom of this. He is very lucky to have you and your DB.

 

I will continue to keep Harley in my thoughts. Please keep us updated.

[kikibean]

Hi Jamie!

 

I'm sorry I haven't had a chance to call you. It's been a crazy day. I'll call you tomorrow, or you have my number if you need to call me. You can call my cell during the day. Or, anytime you need to for that matter.

 

The info I was going to give you on the chemo and stuff was the info on Dr. Couto that was already posted. I think that Dr. Pam or Doug may have spoken to him about another dog we have that has lymphoma.

 

I'll talk to you tomorrow. Give Harley a hug from me.

 

Kelly

[4greyhounds]

We will be saing lots of prayers, god bless you!

[2hounds]

I am so sorry to hear about your Harley, I know you will get some great advice, but I wanted to offer a hug

[Guest tarasue]

Hi Jamie and welcome to the forum.

 

Harley is a handsome boy! I really like his markings.

 

I'll pray for the best on the x-ray results.

 

Best of luck to you!

 

Scott and Tara Sue

[Guest Leah]

[Guest LolasMom]

Blesssing to you for being such a loving momma to Harley. Prayers that x-rays bring good news.

He's such a handsome boy.

[jamngrey]

first off welcome. Im just sorry it has to be in this sitution. I am will keep you all in my pryers and hopefully it is an easy fix.

[Guest MorganKonaAlex]

Wow, are you sure those photos aren't of my dog, Morgan????

 

Sounds like Harley needs more pain meds. Bone pain can be hard to control and a combination of meds can work better than one. Alex was on the following for his bone pain.

- 75 mg Rimadyl x 2 day

- 50 mg Tramadol. Can increase up to 100 mg. 4 x day.

First increase the number of doses per day.

- 100 mg Neurotin x 1 day

 

Are the xrays digital? If so, you should e-mail a copy to Dr. Cuoto immediately. Even if your Vet is getting a consult, it can't hurt to have another pair of expert eyes look at them.

 

I've had 2 with osteo. I haven't heard of a fever being run with it. Next week will be Morgan's 2 year anniversary of his amputation for osteo. Only you can make the decision, but greyhounds get along great on 3 legs.

[Guest Jamie]

Thank you again everyone for your well wishes!

 

Harley update... He seems to be doing much better today. When I got home from work I got met with a big tail wag, stretch, and a demand to rub his ears. He is still limping and not applying pressure to the left back leg. I've called the vet and passed along Dr. Couto's info. The radiologist still has not gotten back with them. Dr. Pam is having one of the staff call now to find out what is going on, she says she will call as soon as she gets the results.

 

dmdsmoxie- Those video's were great! I showed them to my boyfriend last night and he was amazed, so was I.

 

Kelly- Thank you again, you guys have been the biggest help through this!

 

MorganKonaAlex- I can't believe how much Harley looks like Morgan! The first 4-5 days were the worst for pain, but I finally think he's "comfortable" now. If I notice the pain getting worse, I will talk with my vet about trying a different combo to see if it helps.

 

Thanks,

 

Jamie