It's Osteo :(

[Guest andrealynch]

Hello All!

 

For the past year, I've been foster Burnout (aka Burnie) for my local rescue group. He is 12 1/2, and had somewhat of a tough early life, but has been pretty happy hanging with me and my hounds.

 

Well, about a month ago, he woke up one morning with a limp, and immediately, I thought of Osteo from reading everything here in the disucssion boards--but second guessed myself b/c I admittedly have a tendancy to overreact and worry with the hounds. I had to work that morning, but by the time I came home, he was OK, and wasn't limping anymore, so I figured that he must have slept wrong or pulled a muscle.

 

Well, last Sunday night, he woke up and was having trouble walking, with a major limp again, and was panting and was majorly uncomfortable. This time I took him right in to the vet. The doctor took x-rays and said she thought she saw the signs of Osteo, but if so, it is really in the beginning stages since you could barely see it on the x-rays. She sent off the x-rays to a specialist, and they too, confirmed the diagnosis.

 

At this point, she has him on Medicam and Tramadol for pain--and he hasn't been limping, and is eating all of his food. He seems to be comfortable now. They said we cannot do chemo, b/c he couldn't handle it at his age, and they can't amputate, b/c he already doesn't have the use of his back leg from when it fractured during his racing career, and no medical attention was sought.

 

So my question is: is the intermittent limping a normal thing with Osteo? I am just surprised that such a serious disease could cause limping one day, and then nothing for a month. Also, is there anything else we could be doing for him? Basically, the vet is of the opinion that all we can do is keep him comfy for as long as possible. I just want to be sure that I am seeing and doing everything for him correctly.

 

Thanks for your help with this! This is the first time I've had to deal with this disease before, so I am really nervous!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest Greytluv]

If I were you I would send the xrays to Dr. Couto and see what he says. Other than that I have no experience with the dreaded "C"

 

[HopeForHounds]

I would have the x-rays sent to Dr Couto at OSU. He will be able to give you advice on your next step. Click on the link below my siggy to get the info on the OSU website.

[Guest andrealynch]

If I were you I would send the xrays to Dr. Couto and see what he says. Other than that I have no experience with the dreaded "C"

 

 

That is a good idea! I think I will suggest that to the director of our group, and see what she thinks! I know she is a HUGE fan of Dr. Couto!

[RobinM]

First off, I am very sorry. I have been there, done that. And even with amp and chemo we only got 1 day short of 5 months.

 

Polli had a limp ONE YEAR prior to the osteo showing up. She limped badly, had extensive x-rays from every angle and nothing showed up. For the next 10 months every so often she would limp for a day to a week but we already knewit was nothing. About 11 months from the time of the first set of x-rays she tripped and fractured that leg. It was osteo.

 

Just to be on the safe side - have your vet send the films to Dr. Couto and see what he says. On his website, there is the protocol for pain management. They say not to go light with the meds as the osteo is terribly painful.

 

I wish many painless days ahead.

 

Again, I am sorry for thie diagnosis.

[Jackandgrey]

Yes I think it can. I think it did with my Jack for sure. And really you have him on very good meds for pain relief/palliative care. Make sure you know his maximum dosage in case you need it when the vet is not immediately available - like a weekend. They often seem more unsettled at night. I found that I occasionally adjusted his Tramadol up and down a little depending on his activity. He is likely on the Tram twice a day. I found it more effective to increase first the number of times a day before I increased the amount. And that he did the very best on three times a day after the first little while. I'm sorry this is happening. Osteo just sucks!

[Guest andrealynch]

First off, I am very sorry. I have been there, done that. And even with amp and chemo we only got 1 day short of 5 months.

 

Polli had a limp ONE YEAR prior to the osteo showing up. She limped badly, had extensive x-rays from every angle and nothing showed up. For the next 10 months every so often she would limp for a day to a week but we already knewit was nothing. About 11 months from the time of the first set of x-rays she tripped and fractured that leg. It was osteo.

 

Just to be on the safe side - have your vet send the films to Dr. Couto and see what he says. On his website, there is the protocol for pain management. They say not to go light with the meds as the osteo is terribly painful.

 

I wish many painless days ahead.

 

Again, I am sorry for thie diagnosis.

 

Wow! So sorry to hear of your loss! I suppose then, the pain and limping can be intermittent--and varried. What a horrible disease this is! I've decided the best we can do is make these days better for Burnie than they've ever been!!

 

Yes I think it can. I think it did with my Jack for sure. And really you have him on very good meds for pain relief/palliative care. Make sure you know his maximum dosage in case you need it when the vet is not immediately available - like a weekend. They often seem more unsettled at night. I found that I occasionally adjusted his Tramadol up and down a little depending on his activity. He is likely on the Tram twice a day. I found it more effective to increase first the number of times a day before I increased the amount. And that he did the very best on three times a day after the first little while. I'm sorry this is happening. Osteo just sucks!

 

Yep--you are correct. His dosage for Metacam goes along with his weight at 80lbs, and the Tramidol is set for 1 1/2 pills 2-3 times per day, so I suppose that sounds correct. I am lucky, b/c he readily eats anything you give to him--so he is easy to give meds to! (Unlike my other foster who won't eat peanut butter, and will find the pill in ANYTHING you give to her)! LOL!

[Guest FastDogsOwnMe]

I haven't any advice, but I'm so sorry. This disease does suck. When my dog was in pain, and the meds quit helping, I let him go. I don't usually question limps either, if they pass within a day. Sounds like sometimes even every X ray imaginable doesn't find it anyway. What a horrible disease

[queenwinniesmom]

I'm so sorry. Wow, you've had Burnie for a year as a foster. Bless you for being a long term foster for this sweet senior. I'm sure he assumes that he's in his forever home, and if you can love him, spoil him, and keep him safe and out of pain for as long as possible, that is a wonderful gift.

[Houndtime]

Here's a picture of Burnie:

 

Andrea sent me this photo of him modeling one of my fleece housecoats. He is so sweet looking. I was very sorry to read of his diagnosis.

I hope Burnie has many more good, pain free, days.

[Tracey]

When Cosmo was in the early stages of osteo her limp did come and go. I think that's part of what took so long to get a diagnosis, unfortunately. Prayers for your sweet boy.

[Guest angel]

My grey, Dash, was diagnosed in late August with O.S. He would occasionally limp for a few seconds after he jumped out of the car. It wasn't the limping that alerted me, however, because it was so infrequent. He ran and played without any evidence of pain at all. It was a lump that I noticed on his distal radius (wrist area) that caused me to investigate further. After amputation and chemo, he is doing well, but I worry daily that it is going to show up somewhere else. Ugh!

I did meet a woman whose 12 year old dog underwent amputation and chemo for OS and lived until she was 14 years old! She had no ill effects from the chemo, and lived out the rest of her life happily as a tripod! So don't give up yet because of the age factor.

 

Good luck with your foster pup, hopefully it will turn out favourably for both of you.

[iluvgreys]

I'm so very sorry to hear such sad news. Yes, limping can come and go with OS, especially in the early days. Spoil that sweet boy and cherish every moment you have with him, including taking lots of photos. Good pain management is critical. Find out the upper limits of what meds you can give him to keep him comfortable, so you can increase as needed. Sending lots of prayers and light to Burnie.

[joejoesmom]

I am so sorry for you and your foster. I currently have a long term foster and I would be devasted if he got this, just as if he was a "permanent" member of the family. I don't have much to add except:

 

Radiation can relieve the pain somewhat, but it increases the risk of fracture. This is simply because the dog has less pain and is more likely to put stress on the bad leg. In case you didn't know, legs with osteo are prone to breaking.

 

Here is an article written by Dr. Couto and team. It is technical, but it does outline the various treatment options and the prognosis for each one.

 

http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/2096.htm

 

Give your boy a hug and gentle scritches from me and my foster Desi.

 

Jane

Edited January 11, 2010 by joejoesmom

[Guest andrealynch]

Here's a picture of Burnie:

 

Andrea sent me this photo of him modeling one of my fleece housecoats. He is so sweet looking. I was very sorry to read of his diagnosis.

I hope Burnie has many more good, pain free, days.

 

 

I just love this photo! And the expression on his face...priceless!