How Much Longer After Bone Cancer Diagnosis

[Guest frase24]

My greyhound Ebony is 12 1/2 years old and was just diagnosed with bone cancer in her right rear leg (femur). I'm giving her rimadyl and tramadol for the pain. I don't want to amputate her leg. I just want to spend some time with her before I put her down. I was wondering how long I should wait before I decide it's time. She was diagnosed yesterday 4/24/09, she started to limp about 3 weeks ago and I thought it might be a pulled muscle or something. Obviously I was wrong. She is limping really bad and the meds don't seem to be doing a whole lot. I have to carry her down 7 stairs to go to the bathroom. I was just wondering if anyone else has gone through this and what did they do about it. I don't want her to suffer too much, and I'm trying to make that decision. She is still eating and believe it or not she runs pretty well. Her walking is what is killing her because she has to put all her weight on her bad leg. Thanks for any information...

[Guest tumeria33]

I am SO sorry about Ebony. You are in our hearts and prayers. I would say it comes down to quality of life. List 3 things that she really likes. When you see that she is no longer able to do these things or no longer has interest in them, then it is time. She will probably let you know as well in some way. Listen to your heart. It is always hard to say goodbye. The one thing that will last forever is the Love. That is something that can never be taken away.

[Anne]

I'm so very sorry. My Phantom had about 4 weeks after he first started limping. Not nearly long enough.

[Guest wjamg]

oh how sad and hard this is for you, I can say, it is better to put her down a day too early than a day too late...I had to make that decision not too long ago, I thought of it like this, when the dog can no longer enjoy what makes them happy its time to let them go...my old girl ginger loved to eat and take walks, when she lost her appetite and laid around the house depressed, I knew it was time...its a very hard but necessary thing to do as a final act of love

[Fudge]

I'm so sorry to hear about Ebony

 

I agree with all the others, when they stop enjoying the things they love.

 

For my angel Smokey it was 3 months from the day of diagnosis. He was 14.

[Guest maryvillesmom]

This will be short because it hurts me too much. I lost my greyhound March 10th, 09. She did the same thing. Started limping, got better, started limp again. All within 3 weeks. One vet, my reg. vet, said ACL... I was searching for some one to do this surgery. Reg. vet did not do this. Her eatting, potty breaks and all were the same. It just took her longer to get up. It was her back right femur. New vet talked to me for over 10 minutes about ACL (on a friday) Her foot started to swell on Sat. ..Monday I had her at the vets by 9:00, by 10:00 I was told Osteosarcoma......the cancer had ruptured the bone. After waiting for a vet from UGA to look at the x-ray.. she stayed over night. The vet said she did not need to move too much. I had to make the decision the next day....I could not even be there I was so broken..I knew I would pass out. My son and his wife was with her..Dont let your baby suffer..medicating the pain to me would be like being drugged and in a fog so bad it would scare them. I hope this helps you ..It's killing me to remember and it has not been long. Janis

[Guest frase24]

I'm so sorry to hear about Ebony

 

I agree with all the others, when they stop enjoying the things they love.

 

For my angel Smokey it was 3 months from the day of diagnosis. He was 14.

 

 

Was Smokey limping very bad and did you have to lift him up and down stairs?

[iluvgreys]

Oh crap! I'm so sorry you're having to deal with OS. Have lost 3 to this monster, and they only made it 6 weeks, from the date of the first limp. Are you combining an NSAID with tramadol? That seems to be a more effective approach for pain management. Sending prayers and hugs.

[Guest frase24]

This will be short because it hurts me too much. I lost my greyhound March 10th, 09. She did the same thing. Started limping, got better, started limp again. All within 3 weeks. One vet, my reg. vet, said ACL... I was searching for some one to do this surgery. Reg. vet did not do this. Her eatting, potty breaks and all were the same. It just took her longer to get up. It was her back right femur. New vet talked to me for over 10 minutes about ACL (on a friday) Her foot started to swell on Sat. ..Monday I had her at the vets by 9:00, by 10:00 I was told Osteosarcoma......the cancer had ruptured the bone. After waiting for a vet from UGA to look at the x-ray.. she stayed over night. The vet said she did not need to move too much. I had to make the decision the next day....I could not even be there I was so broken..I knew I would pass out. My son and his wife was with her..Dont let your baby suffer..medicating the pain to me would be like being drugged and in a fog so bad it would scare them. I hope this helps you ..It's killing me to remember and it has not been long. Janis

I'm sorry for your loss and your situation sounds exactly like mine. Same leg and everything. The vet said her bone couls rupture and I don't want that to happen. How old was your dog? It's such a hard decision because when she is lying down she looks absolutely normal, she even plays like she did when she was younger. (rolling over so you can pet her stomach) But I know deep down that I have to do this. I was thinking about next weekend but I don't think I should wait that long. Sorry for your pain and thank you for your info...

[Guest MnMDogs]

I don't think that there's a set answer for them Matty was just diagnosed last week as well. Based on the changes I've seen in her over the past 6 weeks or so (before I knew of the diagnosis), I fear we only have 4 weeks or so.

 

If she just refuses to go down stairs I don't know that it's time. You said she's playing, etc. If she's eating, and seems to be enjoying life without too much discomfort, she may not be ready. You'll know based on what you know of your girl.

 

I'm so very very sorry.

 

ETA: I used to work in Everett, MA. I know the area pretty well. Is your girl a wonderland dog?

Edited April 26, 2009 by MnMDogs

[Guest frase24]

Oh crap! I'm so sorry you're having to deal with OS. Have lost 3 to this monster, and they only made it 6 weeks, from the date of the first limp. Are you combining an NSAID with tramadol? That seems to be a more effective approach for pain management. Sending prayers and hugs.

The vet gave me Rimadyl twice a day and Tramadol 6-9 times a day. What finally made the decision for you?

 

I don't think that there's a set answer for them Matty was just diagnosed last week as well. Based on the changes I've seen in her over the past 6 weeks or so (before I knew of the diagnosis), I fear we only have 4 weeks or so.

 

If she just refuses to go down stairs I don't know that it's time. You said she's playing, etc. If she eating, and seems to be enjoying life without too much discomfort, she may not be ready. You'll know based on what you know of your girl.

 

I'm so very very sorry.

Thank you for your info and support. I'm sorry for yours as well. Like you said the big thing is she can't go up and down stairs and when I go to work my wife can't lift her and carry her up the stairs. She is a big girl, she weighs 80 lbs. I hate to put her down because of those damn stairs. I think I have to do it sooner than I thought. I was hoping for a couple of weeks with her.

[Devotion]

I'm really sorry.... There are no words to make it easier, no words to tell you when..

 

I have been in your shoes unfortunatley 5 times. Each time it's different. Honestly, mine never told me or gave me a sign it was time. I completely believe in quality of life and hate pain myself so why would I want them to endure any thing that couldn't be controlled? with that being said mine lasted from 9 days to 6 weeks. I can tell you this... You HAVE to stay ahead of the pain. It can be excrutiating for them.

 

Don't think about today or tomorrow being their last, think about the time and memories you are making. Live in the moment. Every second and every day is special....Then when YOU feel it's enough make the decision to release her from her pain. She will remain alive in your heart forever. Love doesn't die.....

 

Sending prayers for you and your girl.

 

[Guest frase24]

I'm really sorry.... There are no words to make it easier, no words to tell you when..

 

I have been in your shoes unfortunatley 5 times. Each time it's different. Honestly, mine never told me or gave me a sign it was time. I completely believe in quality of life and hate pain myself so why would I want them to endure any thing that couldn't be controlled? with that being said mine lasted from 9 days to 6 weeks. I can tell you this... You HAVE to stay ahead of the pain. It can be excrutiating for them.

 

Don't think about today or tomorrow being their last, think about the time and memories you are making. Live in the moment. Every second and every day is special....Then when YOU feel it's enough make the decision to release her from her pain. She will remain alive in your heart forever. Love doesn't die.....

 

Sending prayers for you and your girl.

Tank you so much your words mean so much to me, they were beautiful to read. You're so right...

[MandysMom]

No advice, just sending prayers.

[Guest MnMDogs]

I was just talking to my vet about euthanasia and she pretty much said what a lot of people here say - sooner is better than too late. You'll do what's best for her. Devotion said what I'm trying to do - make today, this minute special. They only know the here and now, and they know when they're loved and happy.

[GreyTzu]

:grouphug

[Guest frase24]

I don't think that there's a set answer for them Matty was just diagnosed last week as well. Based on the changes I've seen in her over the past 6 weeks or so (before I knew of the diagnosis), I fear we only have 4 weeks or so.

 

If she just refuses to go down stairs I don't know that it's time. You said she's playing, etc. If she's eating, and seems to be enjoying life without too much discomfort, she may not be ready. You'll know based on what you know of your girl.

 

I'm so very very sorry.

 

ETA: I used to work in Everett, MA. I know the area pretty well. Is your girl a wonderland dog?

Yes, she was a Wonferland dog, she also raced in Flagler, Florida. Thanks for your concern, what a small world...

[greg1229]

My Isis came up lame New Years Day..I rushed her to the e-vet, they took x-rays and it showed nothing, so they thought a pulled muscle. She started to get better about 3 weeks later...Never was back to snuff. Then the first of March she started limping again but not bad. Then the weekend of the 5th her left rear leg became swollen. And it took her a lot of energy to get up and down from the floor. At night i would lift her into bed and she would flop down and pant several minutes before calming down. I got her into my reg vet Thursday the 12th. The took x-rays and she had a huge mass on her femur and it looked like it had cracked the bone already.

 

Being in the desert we did a Valley fever test. The vet said he never thought he would wish Valley Fever on a dog, but it was better then cancer. At least with VF the mass would probably be parasitic and could be treated and the bone set. Unfortunately the test came back negative. Isis was 13 and ahlf years old and at her age the vet figured amputation and chemo wouild give her maybe 4 more months. But I knew it would not be a good quality of life. So on Friday the 13th, even though I wanted her with me forever I made the decision and sent her across the bridge. It was one of the hardest decision i ever had to make but I didn't want her suffering and on pain meds to the point of being a zombie.

 

I know it was the best thing i could do for her. And you will know when it is time. Thining with your head and not your heart is the toughest to do in this situation, but you will know.

 

Greg

[Guest Flysmom]

This will be short because it hurts me too much. I lost my greyhound March 10th, 09. She did the same thing. Started limping, got better, started limp again. All within 3 weeks. One vet, my reg. vet, said ACL... I was searching for some one to do this surgery. Reg. vet did not do this. Her eatting, potty breaks and all were the same. It just took her longer to get up. It was her back right femur. New vet talked to me for over 10 minutes about ACL (on a friday) Her foot started to swell on Sat. ..Monday I had her at the vets by 9:00, by 10:00 I was told Osteosarcoma......the cancer had ruptured the bone. After waiting for a vet from UGA to look at the x-ray.. she stayed over night. The vet said she did not need to move too much. I had to make the decision the next day....I could not even be there I was so broken..I knew I would pass out. My son and his wife was with her..Dont let your baby suffer..medicating the pain to me would be like being drugged and in a fog so bad it would scare them. I hope this helps you ..It's killing me to remember and it has not been long. Janis

 

 

This sound so familiar... My Fly started to limp in February. The first vet thougth pulled muscle, then after an x-ray he told me it is Arthritis and recommended Adequan injections and to continue painmeds. His limp did not get better. I took him to a 2nd vet and he did more x-rays and found a mass in his muscle (left rear leg), took a needle biopsy, gave us more painmeds. The same day Fly's paw started to swell. The day we got the results of the biopsy back his leg started to drip because of the edema. I took him to a specialist the next day and he and I hoped that we could amputate. But it was too late the Fibrosarcoma had already destroyed the muscles he needed to do the surgery. I was flying high as a kite hoping for an amputation one minute and the next I had to decide to make him suffer or let him go. He still ate like a little pig and was happy but I saw that the painmed did not help as much as they should have.

 

I know it will be hard to let go and doubts will creep into your head if you should or should not, but like the others wrote rather a day to soon than a day too late...

[Guest dwolfe711]

I'm so sorry for you and your precious girl - it is always a heartwrenching diagnosis. We've been through this four times with osteo - one time with hemangio.

 

Our first girl Toby was diagnosed with hemangio at age 10. Her tumor was on the vein in her left front leg just above the ankle. We had the lump removed and she recovered well. The lump reappeared almost 1 year later to the day at the same spot. Our vet agreed to remove the second lump but warned us that it would come back. And it did almost 6 months to the day. We decided to not put her through another surgery - she had arthritis in her rearend. The tumor grew until we knew she was in pain and we made the decision to send her to the Bridge - you could see it in her eyes that she was ready to go -

 

Our 11yo Elaine was diagnosed with osteo in her left front shoulder and given 6 weeks. We did not amputate and treated her for pain. She was a feisty old gal and she lived 11 months - she went into some sort of remission for a few months in the middle of that time. She had a strong will to live but we finally had to make the decision when the cancer spread to her other front shoulder - she was still not ready to give up but physically her body left her down. She fought to the very end.

 

Our 12yo Red was diagnosed with osteo also left front shoulder and he was ready to go about five weeks after we first saw him limp. It was very obvious that he was ready to go - in spite of the pain meds he was in pain and we could see it in his eyes.

 

Our 14.5yo Lizzy broke her right rear femur running in the yead - x-rays showed osteo from her ankle up through her leg. She never limped or gave us any indication if she was in pain before the break - she never even whimpered after the break and through the trip to the vet, etc., even though the vet said she had to be in extreme pain. Our decision was made for us by her breaking her leg.

 

Our 12yo Duncan was diagnosed with osteo in his front lower right leg - he was our omega boy and did not tolerate pain well. As he worsened and he was on full doses of Tramadol and Rimadyl and was still limping and having trouble getting up, we decided it was time to free him from the pain before he broke a bone like Lizzy did. He went to the Bridge about three months after he first starting limping.

 

Every grey is different and I know some people whose greys only lasted a few days or weeks after diagnosis. You will know when it is time even if you don't want to admit it is time. But a saying we've heard many times is "A day too early rather than a day too late" - you don't want her to suffer and you don't want her to break her leg - the cancer and the break are very painful.

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with you both -

 

Donna

[Shirley44]

[GreytNut]

It varies from dog to dog... some make it several months after diagnosis. My Argus only made it 2 weeks after he started limping. He had a particularly aggressive form of osteosarcoma and the progression was shockingly fast.

 

I would say that since you know your dog better than anyone else, you'll probably know when it's time. For example, Argus loved eating above all things, and when he would no longer eat anything--even hot dogs--I knew that it was time. The sparkle had left his eyes and he would just lay in the corner and refuse to move. He could possibly have lasted for one more week, but he had a very low pain tolerance and the morphine/Tramadol combo clearly wasn't managing his pain anymore. As several others have stated, better a little too soon than a little too late. Dogs don't keep track of how much time they have. They care about quality of life--today, right now.

 

It's hard. I'm sorry that you have to make this choice.

[Jackandgrey]

I'm so sorry this monster disease has hit your home. The time is very individual. You need to carefully evaluate pain. Is she able to settle, sleep, is she anxious, panting, nose dripping or crying out. Is she content, eating well and happy for now.

 

You need to be generous with the pain meds and stay ahead of the pain. When the pain meds cannot do their job or the dog is just struggling with activities of daily living, then the time has come. My Jack had 6 months but he was able to walk on his leg for almost all of that time. Some have a week. For however long you have with your baby, spoil her and make each day last a lifetime.

[Bevd]

I'm very sorry to hear of your girls diagnosis

[Guest longdogs]

Yes, many of us have been through this difficult experience. Firstly, your vet needs to prescribe her all the pain medications she needs, and that means serious drugs like fentanyl if her current medication is not enough. There is absolutely no point in holding back. The best advice I can offer is not to hang on too long, where 'too long' means you and she can't cope, or the pain is not properly relieved, or she is so drugged she is not really living. End the pain quietly while she is still herself. There is no good time but there is a bad time, and that is where she has deteriorated so much there is no other way out.

 

Yes, many of us have been through this difficult experience. Firstly, your vet needs to prescribe her all the pain medications she needs, and that means serious drugs like fentanyl if her current medication is not enough. There is absolutely no point in holding back. The best advice I can offer is not to hang on too long, where 'too long' means you and she can't cope, or the pain is not properly relieved, or she is so drugged she is not really living. End the pain quietly while she is still herself. There is no good time but there is a bad time, and that is where she has deteriorated so much there is no other way out.