Osteo Thread

[BauersMom]

 

 

My Onyx had grown back all the fur after the amputation but, with the chemo, they have them lying on the bare floor which usually rubs their legs pretty bare and they may not let you bring in a blanket because of the toxicity of the chemo in the urine .... you might want to check though and just bring in a "throwaway rug" or something.

 

I had him on a "cancer diet" but, like others have said, I'm not sure if it helped or not but, I don't think it hurt.

 

We bring a bed and they do take it with them when they do the chemo. So definitely ask about that if going the chemo route.

 

I did not change Berkeley's diet. He has a sensitive tummy and I didn't want to throw a diet change on top all the other changes in his life. He is on Taste of the Wild Pacific Stream. I did have to start cutting back on the treats though. He was starting to get chunky with all his "special extras" we were giving him post-diagnosis!

[TwiggysMom]

Well, looks like I'm now part of the club that no one wants to belong to. Our 11.5 y/o greyhound, Faye Oops, was diagnosed with osteo in her left front shoulder just last night. To be honest, I'm not ready to face this. Perhaps I'll be ready in a couple of days. I'm glad this information is here for when I'm ready to read it.

 

I'd say "welcome", but...

 

I was so sad to hear about Faye Oops' diagnosis. She's such a wonderful girl (and has one of my favorite ever names )

 

This thread (series of threads, actually) has been incredibly helpful to me, and the support I've gotten here has been tremendous. I'm sure you will find the information you need here to help figure out what is the right decision for all of you.

[winnie]

I posted this my thread on Faye Oops, but also wanted to re-post here.

 

 

We took our greyhound Celeste to our regular vet today for her annual exam/shots. The vet we saw Friday was not our regular vet. Our regular vet knows Faye Oops and is experienced with ex-racers. So, we had her look over Faye Oops x-rays. It's definitely osteo. She said that we caught it early. She also said that it's less likely to be as aggressive in an older dog.

 

DH and I both decided (and our vet concurs) that palliative care is probably best in Faye Oops case. We're hoping that she will be with us - and comfortable - for a few more months. We have her on 100 mg of Tramadol 2x day. Plus, our vet gave us a script for Piroxicam 10 mg 1x per day. We're going to do blood work in a couple of weeks to make sure Faye Oops is doing OK with the meds.

 

We'll also be sending Faye Oops x-rays to the OSU Greyhound Program. We don't expect any different news, but perhaps the x-rays can be added to Dr. Couto's database for research.

 

On a lighter note... Faye Oops has been doing well the past two days. The weather is warmer and less dreary. She still limps, but not as bad. She continues - for now - to be our sweet and happy girl.

[Guest snakes]

 

DH and I both decided (and our vet concurs) that palliative care is probably best in Faye Oops case. We're hoping that she will be with us - and comfortable - for a few more months. We have her on 100 mg of Tramadol 2x day. Plus, our vet gave us a script for Piroxicam 10 mg 1x per day. We're going to do blood work in a couple of weeks to make sure Faye Oops is doing OK with the meds.

 

I know you are all still processing all the information and emotions with osteo, but you may want to consider gabapentin. It has immensely helped FedX and some other hounds here with the pain and has very few side effects.

We are also getting pamidronate treatments which help greatly, they are expensive and 3hrs per treatment, but have been worth it in our case.

FedX is now on month 9 from diagnosis with palliative care

[Guest suzanne]

My Freya lived happily on tramadol, metacam and paracetamol. The night she went to the rainbow bridge was the only night she was in obvious pain. I wish all of the newcomers to this thread, and their hounds, the very best.

[greysmom]

With everything that's happened here lately, I completely forgot that Dude reached his 9 month post-amp milestone yesterday! Other than being a weird picky eater all of a sudden, he's doing really well. We're so happy he's still with us, and continues to be his awesome self!

[MP_the4pack]

I'm so sorry to see all the new people and their pups on this thread. There just seems to be too many nowadays.

 

Robin, I went the amp route with my 12 yr old Diamond. I drove from NJ to OSU for that. She also did the chemo. At her age she was perfectly happy to lay around a quiet exam room, on her bed while the chemo was administered. She did get a bit of an upset tummy for the later treatments, but that didn't last long. She was usually eating again within days.

 

She lasted 6 happy, pain-free months, her lungs remained clear. OS struck another leg. Since she was already a tripod, there were no more options.

Edited October 18, 2011 by MP_the4pack

[BauersMom]

With everything that's happened here lately, I completely forgot that Dude reached his 9 month post-amp milestone yesterday! Other than being a weird picky eater all of a sudden, he's doing really well. We're so happy he's still with us, and continues to be his awesome self!

Wonderful news!!

[TwiggysMom]

With everything that's happened here lately, I completely forgot that Dude reached his 9 month post-amp milestone yesterday! Other than being a weird picky eater all of a sudden, he's doing really well. We're so happy he's still with us, and continues to be his awesome self!

Wonderful news!!

 

Seconded!

[Guest azlorenz]

With everything that's happened here lately, I completely forgot that Dude reached his 9 month post-amp milestone yesterday! Other than being a weird picky eater all of a sudden, he's doing really well. We're so happy he's still with us, and continues to be his awesome self!

 

Greyt News!

[Guest azlorenz]

Thank you all for your kind thoughts about Sutra. It has been a tough week here...the one year anniversary of losing Sutra, and last night Ace and I participated in Light the Night, a walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. We walked in honor of my best friend's little brother, who passed away 6 months ago to the day from leukemia. He was just 24 years old. Ace's leukemia is in remission, so she got a survivor balloon and wore a vest that said LEUKEMIA SURVIVOR. It was a very emotional night.

 

I'm so sorry to hear that we have some new members in our "club." Hugs to you all

 

 

I remember Sutra from last year. Flash will have been gone 1 year Nov. 27. Today (Oct. 18) is the day last year I found out the chemo wasn't working and he had lung mets. I feel your pain.

 

Congrats to Ace on surviving the demon Leukemia. My nephew had a stem cell transplant 10/28/2010 and today is doing greyt.

[NeylasMom]

 

DH and I both decided (and our vet concurs) that palliative care is probably best in Faye Oops case. We're hoping that she will be with us - and comfortable - for a few more months. We have her on 100 mg of Tramadol 2x day. Plus, our vet gave us a script for Piroxicam 10 mg 1x per day. We're going to do blood work in a couple of weeks to make sure Faye Oops is doing OK with the meds.

 

I know you are all still processing all the information and emotions with osteo, but you may want to consider gabapentin. It has immensely helped FedX and some other hounds here with the pain and has very few side effects.

We are also getting pamidronate treatments which help greatly, they are expensive and 3hrs per treatment, but have been worth it in our case.

FedX is now on month 9 from diagnosis with palliative care

 

And go FedX, 9 months is amazing!! Curious, but have you been doing x-rays before each pamidronate treatment? If so, what are they showing in terms of progression?

 

With everything that's happened here lately, I completely forgot that Dude reached his 9 month post-amp milestone yesterday! Other than being a weird picky eater all of a sudden, he's doing really well. We're so happy he's still with us, and continues to be his awesome self!

:yay Go Dude!!

 

 

Shannon, I can't believe it's been almost a year. And that we'll only be one month later for the same. I am DREADING the Christmas season. Just seeing the Secret Santa forum title makes my heart sink. Last year I was still so numb, but I think this year is going to be rough.

 

But, in happier news, congrats on your new addition!

[Guest Yankeegreyhound]

I've tried reading through some of the posts in this topic but I can't stop crying.

 

Hailey started limping last Sunday at Dewey. We thought she over did it. The limp hasn't been getting better so I took her to the vet tonight. It's osteo and it's inoperable.

[BauersMom]

I've tried reading through some of the posts in this topic but I can't stop crying.

 

Hailey started limping last Sunday at Dewey. We thought she over did it. The limp hasn't been getting better so I took her to the vet tonight. It's osteo and it's inoperable.

 

Again, I'm so sorry.

 

If you don't mind me asking - why do they feel it's inoperable?

[winnie]

I'm so so sorry to hear about Hailey. I've been watching for an update on her. We have decided not to amputate and are following the palliative care route with our Faye Oops. Although it's only been a week since her diagnosis, she has been doing well. The medications are helping. Please keep us posted.

Edited October 20, 2011 by winnie

[Charlies_Dad]

That is fantastic that FedX is 9mths, wow!

 

Dude! You're 9mths as well!

 

I'm sorry that others have joined us, Faye Oops and Hailey. I hope you have much more time with your pups. Spoil them rotten for us.

[Guest Yankeegreyhound]

I've tried reading through some of the posts in this topic but I can't stop crying.

 

Hailey started limping last Sunday at Dewey. We thought she over did it. The limp hasn't been getting better so I took her to the vet tonight. It's osteo and it's inoperable.

 

Again, I'm so sorry.

 

If you don't mind me asking - why do they feel it's inoperable?

 

Thank you. It's in her shoulder - right near the joint so it's really high up.

[NeylasMom]

I've tried reading through some of the posts in this topic but I can't stop crying.

 

Hailey started limping last Sunday at Dewey. We thought she over did it. The limp hasn't been getting better so I took her to the vet tonight. It's osteo and it's inoperable.

 

Again, I'm so sorry.

 

If you don't mind me asking - why do they feel it's inoperable?

 

Thank you. It's in her shoulder - right near the joint so it's really high up.

I'm sorry

[winnie]

I've tried reading through some of the posts in this topic but I can't stop crying.

 

Hailey started limping last Sunday at Dewey. We thought she over did it. The limp hasn't been getting better so I took her to the vet tonight. It's osteo and it's inoperable.

 

Again, I'm so sorry.

 

If you don't mind me asking - why do they feel it's inoperable?

 

Thank you. It's in her shoulder - right near the joint so it's really high up.

 

That is where Faye Oops is too. It's pretty much at the top of the humerous where it connects to the scapula.

[JJNg]

If you don't mind me asking - why do they feel it's inoperable?

 

Thank you. It's in her shoulder - right near the joint so it's really high up.

Considering that a typical front leg amputation removes the entire shoulder, including the scapula, this shouldn't be a reason that it's 'inoperable.' The top of the humerus is one of the most common locations for osteo. If amputation/chemo is an option you would want to consider, I'd suggest a second opinion, perhaps even ask for referral to a specialist. There are many other reasons to decide not to pursue definitive treatment with amp/chemo, and many opt to go with palliative care, but just wanted to mention this if it was something you did want to consider.

 

So sorry to hear about Hailey's diagnosis, especially so soon after everything you just went through with Sara.

[MP_the4pack]

If you don't mind me asking - why do they feel it's inoperable?

 

Thank you. It's in her shoulder - right near the joint so it's really high up.

Considering that a typical front leg amputation removes the entire shoulder, including the scapula, this shouldn't be a reason that it's 'inoperable.' The top of the humerus is one of the most common locations for osteo. If amputation/chemo is an option you would want to consider, I'd suggest a second opinion, perhaps even ask for referral to a specialist. There are many other reasons to decide not to pursue definitive treatment with amp/chemo, and many opt to go with palliative care, but just wanted to mention this if it was something you did want to consider.

 

So sorry to hear about Hailey's diagnosis, especially so soon after everything you just went through with Sara.

 

 

This is where my Diamond's was, and I took her to OSU for amp surgery. She was 12 and did very very well. She had a very good 6 months until OS hit another leg bone.

[Guest Yankeegreyhound]

If you don't mind me asking - why do they feel it's inoperable?

 

Thank you. It's in her shoulder - right near the joint so it's really high up.

Considering that a typical front leg amputation removes the entire shoulder, including the scapula, this shouldn't be a reason that it's 'inoperable.' The top of the humerus is one of the most common locations for osteo. If amputation/chemo is an option you would want to consider, I'd suggest a second opinion, perhaps even ask for referral to a specialist. There are many other reasons to decide not to pursue definitive treatment with amp/chemo, and many opt to go with palliative care, but just wanted to mention this if it was something you did want to consider.

 

So sorry to hear about Hailey's diagnosis, especially so soon after everything you just went through with Sara.

 

Thank you so much for this information. My doctor went on about the reason why it's inoperable but honestly after that, I didn't really hear much. So, maybe there was more to it then that it's really high up on her shoulder.

 

I've tried reading through some of the posts in this topic but I can't stop crying.

 

Hailey started limping last Sunday at Dewey. We thought she over did it. The limp hasn't been getting better so I took her to the vet tonight. It's osteo and it's inoperable.

 

Again, I'm so sorry.

 

If you don't mind me asking - why do they feel it's inoperable?

 

Thank you. It's in her shoulder - right near the joint so it's really high up.

 

That is where Faye Oops is too. It's pretty much at the top of the humerous where it connects to the scapula.

 

I was reading through here and just realized too that the girls have the osteo in the same place. Weird coincidence. It's Hailey's left leg too.

[winnie]

Yankeegreyhound also found out that our two girls - Faye Oops and Hailey - are 1/2 sisters born less than a month apart. Their sire is Splishin Vallie. Both girls osteo was found in the same general area too - top of humerous/left shoulder. Our diagnoses were less than a week apart. I can't say that this is "happy" news, but it's interesting to say the least.

[Guest KarenFergie]

If you don't mind me asking - why do they feel it's inoperable?

 

Thank you. It's in her shoulder - right near the joint so it's really high up.

Considering that a typical front leg amputation removes the entire shoulder, including the scapula, this shouldn't be a reason that it's 'inoperable.' The top of the humerus is one of the most common locations for osteo. If amputation/chemo is an option you would want to consider, I'd suggest a second opinion, perhaps even ask for referral to a specialist. There are many other reasons to decide not to pursue definitive treatment with amp/chemo, and many opt to go with palliative care, but just wanted to mention this if it was something you did want to consider.

 

So sorry to hear about Hailey's diagnosis, especially so soon after everything you just went through with Sara.

 

Thank you so much for this information. My doctor went on about the reason why it's inoperable but honestly after that, I didn't really hear much. So, maybe there was more to it then that it's really high up on her shoulder.

 

I've tried reading through some of the posts in this topic but I can't stop crying.

 

Hailey started limping last Sunday at Dewey. We thought she over did it. The limp hasn't been getting better so I took her to the vet tonight. It's osteo and it's inoperable.

 

Again, I'm so sorry.

 

If you don't mind me asking - why do they feel it's inoperable?

 

Thank you. It's in her shoulder - right near the joint so it's really high up.

 

That is where Faye Oops is too. It's pretty much at the top of the humerous where it connects to the scapula.

 

I was reading through here and just realized too that the girls have the osteo in the same place. Weird coincidence. It's Hailey's left leg too.

[Guest KarenFergie]

My Gibson's cancer is very high up in the shoulder too. We decided against amputation for several reasons. Gibson has arthritis in his back end. The location of his tumor in a big, thick bone makes a fracture unlikely. Also there is some speculation that removing the primary tumor can make metasteses more likely to become aggressive and return in another limb. I am not at all sure about the last theory, just throwing it out for consideration.

 

Gibson limped for a few days in May. Xray showed nothing and his limping stopped for a while. He started limping again in late July. This time the tumor was visible on Xray. We did two days of pallative radiation and a pamidronate infusion in early August. Repeated pamidronate in September. After radiation and pamidronate Gibson went 7 weeks without limping at all. We were able to cut pain medication back to a minimum. Limping returned a few weeks ago and we did another two days of radiation. So far I see no change in Gibson. I don't know if this means radiation worked or not. The tumor has grown by about 25% since July. Gibson is no better after this round of radiation but he's no worse. Gibson limps but otherwise he is a normal, happy boy. No evidence of pain other than the limping.

 

I would LOVE to hear from others who chose to treat with radiation. I am feeling a bit alone out here. Seems like most of you are doing amputation and chemo.

 

Best Wishes to All!

Karen