Osteo Thread

[winnie]

Always nice to get some good news in this thread!

 

Yes indeed. Yeah for Gabe, Twiggy and Pinky.

[greysmom]

[brindlebaby]

I've been away for awhile, but I wanted to let you all know that we lost Callie on December 7th. She fell on November 29th and after that, she couldn't use her back legs. I'm not sure if she had a pinched nerve or something, we really never got the chance to explore treatment options. My husband had surgery on December 1st and we were going to see about taking Callie to a specialist the next week, but never got the chance. She had some sort of attack the afternoon of December 6th (I do believe she had an allergic reaction to Tramadol because I think her tongue swelled up.) Thinking she was dying before our eyes, we were eventually able to calm her down. She refused dinner and I tried to get her to eat a little white meat chicken late that night. She turned her head, but I put a piece by her mouth and she took it and then devoured that bowl and another one. She then had some Frosty Paw nuggets, which we just discovered and she loved. She was a bit restless during the night and refused her breakfast and Frosty Paws the next morning.

 

Rememberance Thread

 

I wanted to thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all the love and support you showed us. We were so frightened when Callie broke her leg in January and had her amputation, but what a comfort this group was, telling us the ropes about getting the chemo from OSU (which we're so greytful to), from what to expect during her recovery.

 

I'm devastated to see that Dude passed away. I remember he, Lucy and Callie all had their amputations around the same time in January.

 

I wish your pups long healthy lives and pray they'll beat this monster. I choose to believe that Callie did.

 

 

With much love and gratitude,

 

Kim, Herman, Pixie the grey, Kitten the cat, Sammie the German Shepherd and our beautiful angel Callie

 

Callie Walker ~ 02-28-99 - 12-07-11

[krissn333]

I'm so sorry about Callie

[NeylasMom]

Great news for Twiggy!

 

 

Kim, I'm so sorry to hear about Callie.

[vjgrey]

So very sorry about Callie.

[greysmom]

Kim, I'm so sorry about Callie! I was just wondering about her the other day. Now there's just Lucy left from that January group.

 

to you and your family......................

[Guest GrayMatter]

Left leg is good and shows no sign of abnormalities

Right leg shows a cavity or area in the humerus bone that is less dense then the left leg. Doesn't look good. Just got back from the vet and they didn't tell me specifically it was osteo, but it certainly doesn't look good. Abby turns 10 in January, so she is older and more susceptible to cancer. She hasn't been putting any weight on her right leg for the past 2 days. Struggling to figure out next step. Sent the photo to OSU for a 2nd opinion. Isn't there usually growth on the bone, rather then a cavity?

Edited December 19, 2011 by GrayMatter

[vjgrey]

I'm so sorry you're facing this with Abby. It's definitely good to get a second opinion from OSU.

 

My Gabe (10 1/2) has osteo in two legs - the site on his front leg shows as a visible tumor/growth, and the one on his back knee (which is giving him the most trouble) just shows on the x-ray as a less dense area.

Edited December 19, 2011 by vjgrey

[BauersMom]

In the meantime, have they put Abby on any painkillers/anti-inflammatories? (sorry if this was mentioned before) Would be worth it, while you're waiting for the OSU read.

 

Very sorry that you're dealing with this and hopefully you can get some answers soon.

[Guest GrayMatter]

I'm giving her 75 mg of Rimadyl twice a day and 1-2 50 mg of Tramadol

[Charlies_Dad]

Isn't there usually growth on the bone, rather then a cavity?

 

Not necessarily. Our Charlie did not have a growth on the bone, rather he had what appeared like small bites out of the edge of his bone. I'm sorry you are going through this and hope OSU comes back quickly with something other than Osteo.

[winnie]

Isn't there usually growth on the bone, rather then a cavity?

 

Our Faye Oops never had a growth ON her bone, but 2 vets at our practice and OSU all agreed it was osteo. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this with your Abby. Hopefully, it's not osteo. Osteo truly sucks.

[NeylasMom]

Isn't there usually growth on the bone, rather then a cavity?

No, osteo doesn't present in the same way that we typically think of cancers, as growths. Instead, it typically presents as destruction of the bone, which shows up as a darkened or "moth eaten" area of bone. You can also have what's called proliferative growth, which is new bone growth in that area. It presents as additional white areas on the bone. It won't look any different than the other bone, but you'll see it where you don't on a clean x-ray if that makes sense. Here was Dr. Couto's simple explanation:

Black is bone destruction (lysis); white is an attempt at new bone formation (proliferative).

 

I'm sorry you're looking at a potential osteo diagnosis.

[Guest GrayMatter]

OSU replied back and confirmed that it is likely osteo.

 

"Unfortunately there is a lytic (destructive) lesion in her right proximal humerus (upper front leg bone, below the shoulder joint).The lesion is compatible with a primary bone tumor, and a needle aspirate will confirm if it is osteosarcoma"

[vjgrey]

OSU replied back and confirmed that it is likely osteo.

 

"Unfortunately there is a lytic (destructive) lesion in her right proximal humerus (upper front leg bone, below the shoulder joint).The lesion is compatible with a primary bone tumor, and a needle aspirate will confirm if it is osteosarcoma"

 

I'm so sorry. You may want to see if your vet can refer you to an advance veterinary medicine/oncology center if you have one nearby. For us, they were better equipped than our regular vet to discuss with us our full range of options.

 

You may also want to see about upping her pain meds and/or getting additional ones. Gabapentin and amantadine, along with the Tramadol and rimadyl have been a good combination for Gabe. He's also benefitted HUGELY from radiation treatments.

 

OSU will provide your vet with free chemotherapy drugs if you choose to take that route.

[BauersMom]

OSU replied back and confirmed that it is likely osteo.

 

"Unfortunately there is a lytic (destructive) lesion in her right proximal humerus (upper front leg bone, below the shoulder joint).The lesion is compatible with a primary bone tumor, and a needle aspirate will confirm if it is osteosarcoma"

 

Such a punch in the gut. I'm sorry.

 

I second the advice to seek out a local onco specialist. If you have any questions about the options, feel free to ask.

[krissn333]

So sorry about the diagnosis . As you make your decisions on how to proceed, we're all here...even if you just need to think "out loud"...we're here to listen

 

Wanted to share this photo I took of Pinky tonight. I'm having it printed to send in a Christmas card for the vet clinic where she had her amputation and where she also receives her chemo treatments.

 

[joejoesmom]

OSU replied back and confirmed that it is likely osteo.

 

"Unfortunately there is a lytic (destructive) lesion in her right proximal humerus (upper front leg bone, below the shoulder joint).The lesion is compatible with a primary bone tumor, and a needle aspirate will confirm if it is osteosarcoma"

 

I am so sorry. If you would like to come to OSU (not sure where you are located) for a consult or amputation, there is a group of local greyhound owners who can offer support. One of us should be able to put you up in our house, so you won't have the expense of a hotel. I can come with you to the consult or surgery. Just let me know if we can help. I don't know if you can private message yet, so here is my email:

 

finewhipador-drool@yahoo.com

 

Jane

[NeylasMom]

OSU replied back and confirmed that it is likely osteo.

 

"Unfortunately there is a lytic (destructive) lesion in her right proximal humerus (upper front leg bone, below the shoulder joint).The lesion is compatible with a primary bone tumor, and a needle aspirate will confirm if it is osteosarcoma"

I'm so sorry. I remember getting almost the exact same email and I know how awful it feels.

 

The "good" news is that even if you choose palliative care, with some of the newer treatment options, many pups are getting a lot more quality time after their diagnosis. There is a lot of good information and links to informative websites in the first post of this thread if you need help researching your options, and of course we're here if you need us. Hang in there.

[Guest snakes]

The "good" news is that even if you choose palliative care, with some of the newer treatment options, many pups are getting a lot more quality time after their diagnosis. There is a lot of good information and links to informative websites in the first post of this thread if you need help researching your options, and of course we're here if you need us. Hang in there.

 

Indeed, there are a few of us either doing palliative care or have done so recently. Any questions, no matter how silly they seem, feel free to ask! A lot of people can give advice of questions to ask before an oncology consult too!

It seems to be a rough year for you with Roxie (not sure if your pup was ever found) and now Abby.

[duncan41]

Like everyone else, I never wanted to have to open this thread. I bless Jen and Chris and everyone about whom I have read, supported and prayed for along the way while lurking in H&M.

 

Received the official dx today, even though I new as much last night; yes, it's osteo, right shoulder, "beginning stages". Anna is 11 years and 7 months young, a bounce who has been teaching us so many things since Labor Day, 2008. We're going to keep her as comfortable as possible until she tells us that the meds aren't working anymore.

 

Right at the moment I am numb, exhausted and brain dead and I promise to go back and read everything, but for now, can someone please guide me to the best time to dose in order to realize the best affect of the individual properties of Rimadyl, Tramadol and Gabapentin? She had a Rimadyl at the Vet's office at 3 pm and Tramadol at 5 pm. When would be the best time to give the Gabapentin? Do they work better dosed at different times a day or is there a combo that works better.

 

Thanking everyone in advance.

[KF_in_Georgia]

The theory on gabapentin is that smaller doses spread out over the day is superior to one (or two) large doses. Check with your vet, but Anna probably can have as much as 600mg a day. Make sure your vet writes a script for 100mg capsules (or pills). Larger pills may be difficult to split. (My Walgreen's only carries split-able pills at 600mg; everything else is a powder-in-a-capsule you can't split.)

 

My Sam has lung cancer, which is less painful than osteo. He's currently taking 400mg of gabapentin a day (along with other stuff for his arthritis). If it's a day I have to work, Sam gets two 100mg capsules at breakfast, one at dinner, and one at bedtime. If it's my day off, he gets one 100mg capsule at breakfast, one at lunch, one at dinner, one at bedtime. I like that we're only having to do 400mg/day right now, since I can feel comfortable if I should need to give him an extra dose any day. As I recall it, gabapentin takes a day or two to get up to full effectiveness.

 

I can't advise on combining with other meds. I can caution that tramadol sometimes triggers panting and anxiety in some dogs, especially at higher doses, so don't think Anna's in pain if she seems restless or anxious.

 

Sam takes meloxicam as his NSAID. He's only allowed to take half a pill in any 24 hours. (I split the pills in half the moment I got home with them--didn't want to take any chance I'd get them mixed up with other meds.) Meloxicam comes with a monster sheet of warnings about potential stomach difficulties, and Rimadyl might be the same way. I get up half an hour early and give Sam a generic pepcid; then come back 30 to 40 minutes later with his breakfast, followed by his morning ration of pills (rolled up in a slice of turkey lunch meat; I don't want to pill the boy with 4 or 5 separate pills every morning). Keep in mind that you can't swap from one NSAID to another without advice from your vet. NSAIDs have a wash-out period that makes it dangerous for you to swap on short notice.

 

If Anna seems wobbly or weak on her back end--starting to fall, having trouble keeping her footing--don't panic. A couple of us have seen reactions like that and thought our dogs were failing; it turns out we just needed to adjust meds, stop some, start others, increase one, decrease another. Come back and tell everyone what symptoms you're seeing and what she's taking, and people will give you lots of advice. (I've run suggestions from here past my vet, and he's often agreed with them; collectively, people here have more experience with gabapentin than he does, but he's learning. )

 

P.S. Fish oil can work as a blood thinner, and if you're giving a med that has potential to irritate the stomach (many NSAIDS fall into this category), fish oil might cause problems. I don't think the amount of fish oil in most kibble will be troublesome, but you might want to stop any fish oil supplements.

Edited December 22, 2011 by KF_in_Georgia

[Guest tmgukcatfan]

Pinky got sassy with me this morning...before her surgery, she would talk to me and wildly swing her tail around when she wanted something. Since her surgery, she has wagged her tail, but not wildly. Seems as though she mainly uses it for balance. She got wild this morning when she demanded a treat It's so great when she does something she hasn't done in a while

 

Yes, my greyhound, Thalion, is almost a month post-amp and the first time he started hopping around when I opened the coat closet brought me to tears! He "runs" ka-thump, ka-thump through the living room when I come home from work just like before. I was so afraid I'd never see him act like himself again. He is even trying to figure out how to dig the grass after pooping.

 

Teresa

[krissn333]

Teresa, that's great! Pinky surprised me these past few days as now she is REALLY running full out in the yard and keeping up with Ace, who is the fastest dog here. She acts so completely normal, the only thing "off" is that now she's missing a leg. I really don't need to do anything special for her in the way of helping her get around or anything. She shoves her way in everywhere she goes and can now even jump into the back of my Jeep without a problem It's just SO amazing how quickly they adapt!

 

Today marks 2 months exactly since Pinky's first sign of limping...*sigh*