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Osteo Thread Part Vi


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It's time to start another thread as we come near to 50 pages on the previous thread.

 

Below is information to help you make choices for yourself and your family, originally posted and collected by NeylasMom.

 

This is the fifth in a series of threads. The original was started by a few people whose pups were diagnosed around the same time in July of 2010, but it appears it has grown into an ongoing thread that will provide both information and emotional support for anyone who has dealt with losing a pup to osteo, is currently caring for a pup diagnosed with osteo, has one that has been newly diagnosed, or worries they may have to deal with it in the future. You do not have to have a pup that currently has osteo to join in this thread - feel free to stop by if you've ever lost a pup to osteo or other cancer, would like to offer support to those currently dealing with this disease, would like to prepare yourself for the possibility of dealing with this, or if your pup has been diagnosed recently. We've even had a person or two join in whose pups were diagnosed with other forms of cancer. Basically, anyone is welcome although we'd prefer there be no reason to have to welcome anyone or for this thread to exist at all.

 

For those who have recently had a pup diagnosed with osteo, here is some information to hopefully get you started:

 

Bone Cancer Dogs site - An excellent place to start to get general information about osteo, treatment options, etc.

Journal article on pain mgt - Technically an article on using radiation for palliative (pain management) care, but includes a good overview of the

types of bone cancer pain and the various ways to treat it including medications, radiation, and IV pamidronate

Dog Cancer Blog - Blog from Dr. Dressler, a vet who has dedicated himself to cancer treatment in dogs - includes lots of useful information via blog posts, as well as a link

to purchase his book (which covers all aspects of cancer care, both holistic and traditional) in a downloadable format.

 

The previous osteo threads, the original and part II, with over 100 pages of useful information and support. This is a good place to get specifics if you are wondering about a specific holistic regimen one of us used, the decision making process for choosing amputation or palliative care, etc.

 

For inspiration and some laughs: Winslow's diary

 

For those considering amputation, BigOrangeDog's blog about what to expect.

 

Yahoo groups where you can go for information and support:

 

Dog Bone Cancer Group - not greyhound specific, but a good source of information and support specific to osteosarcoma

Circle of Grey - a greyhound specific support group for owners of pups dealing with all kinds of health issues

Artemisinin and Cancer - for those who would like to pursue artemisinin as part of their treatment regimen, neither greyhound nor osteo specific

 

For those interesting in contacting OSU for a consult, second opinion, appointment, or amputation:

 

Greyhound Health and Wellness Program

Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine

601 Vernon Tharp Street

Columbus, Ohio 43210

Phone: (614) 247-6757 or (614) 247-8490

Email: greyosu@osu.edu

Website: http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/GHWP.htm (registration and fee now required to get full access to this site)

 

For a consultation, you must use the online consultation service found here. Do NOT contact Dr. Couto directly or you will not receive a timely response.

 

The consult is free but if you can afford to support the program please do so. You can sign up for full access to the website ($99 per calendar year) or donate through the giving page on the website. If you decide to donate, you can double your money by giving through the Greyhound Project. They will match the funds that you donate. Just go to this website and scroll down to the appropriate donation button: http://www.adopt-a-g...g/donate.shtml.

 

Keep in mind that OSU does 20 to 30 greyhound consults a day along with all of their "in canine" patients. Depending on their workload there may be a wait for the consultation. If you are contacting them on an emergency basis, please let them know.

 

If you want to make an appointment to be seen in person/canine, you can call the main number to set up a date/time. The main number for the veterinary hospital is 614-292-3551. This information is also on the consultation service page.

 

If you decide to visit OSU please contact Jane (joejoesmom). She may be able to put you up in a local home, provide moral support, or just help with logistics: Finewhipador-drool@yahoo.com[/i]

 

If you wish to help further osteosarcoma research, 2 labs that are collecting samples and have specifically requested greyhound samples:

 

Modiano Lab - Need tissue from a biopsy and blood; will send a collection kit and a prepaid return mailer; also accepting samples for hemangiosarcoma and lyphoma

Website: http://www.modianola...nfo_index.shtml

Contact person: Mitzi, 612-626-6890, lewel001@umn.edu

 

Broad Institute - Blood samples only, may be able to help with shipping costs, but they prefer you cover them

Website: http://www.broadinst...sending-samples

Contact info: dog-info@broadinstitute.org, FAX: (617) 324-2722

 

Both labs require signed consent forms and samples must be shipped overnight.

Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora)

52592535884_69debcd9b4.jpgsiggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr

Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly

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I'm so glad that we can keep this going. The support is SO necessary.

 

Big hugs to everyone :grouphug

Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose
Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13.

A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.--

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Agree. This thread has helped so many and it still allows me selfishly to keep Charlie's memories alive. Someday I wish we will never have to live in fear of this dreaded disease.

Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge.

Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl.

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I just wanted to provide an update about the free consult from OSU. In the near future, OSU will start charging for email/phone consults. This is because they haven't been receiving enough donations to cover their costs. If you choose to become a member ($99) per year, you will receive free consults. Otherwise there will be a fee.

 

In case you weren't aware: The OSU Greyhound Health and Wellness Program is entirely self-funded. By this I mean that OSU does not provide any funds to the program. It exists solely because of donations and grants.

 

Jane

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Got THE nicest card from our vet's office today. Everyone wrote big paragraphs...Dr. Bahns (our regular vet), Dr. Less (our AMAZING surgeon who did Pinky's amp), AND Dr. Thomsen (Pinky's oncologist) all signed it and wrote wonderful things, and some of our favorite techs and front desk staff signed it and wrote nice messages too.

 

Words can't describe how touched I was to read everything they wrote :heart

Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose
Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13.

A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.--

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Pinky is home :heart

 

18FBF7FB-2FDF-4F1B-8711-B5F15F85E870-9982-0000050185E8960B.jpg

Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose
Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13.

A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.--

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So glad to see this thread continuing.

 

Very glad to see Pinky is home. Very beautiful.

Mom to Macho (JS XtremeMachine 1/12/2007 -8/17/2012 ... Gotcha day 9/2/2011. I miss you BigMan)
Moonbeam (Ninos Full Moon 11/1/2009, Gotcha day 9/2/2012), Hattie (Kiowa Hats Off 4/14/2011, Gotcha day 10/13/2012), Keiva (JS Igotyourbooty 1/12/2007, Gotcha Day 1/8/2014)
Jimmy (Blu Too James 06/26/2014, Gotcha day 09/12/2015)
, a shepard mix named Tista, some cats, and some reptiles.

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Chris, thank you for keeping this thread going. I would have been lost without the advice and support of everyone here.

 

Kristin, the urn is beautiful. It must be sad but comforting to bring her back home.

Wendy with Twiggy, fosterless while Twiggy's fighting the good fight, and Donnie & Aiden the kitties

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Very comforting, Wendy :nod

 

I can smile now because in addition to her ashes, I got paw prints of each of her front feet. Her paw pads were funny due to hyperkeratosis secondary to lupus. So, her footprints help me remember that silly/odd side of her personality that was always so endearing :heart

Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose
Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13.

A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.--

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Any Kyle updates?

 

Oh Mary Jo, I put the artemisinin in the mail yesterday...you should have it by the end of the week at the latest.

Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose
Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13.

A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.--

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That is beautiful Kristin. Pinky will remain in your and our hearts forever. She was a very special girl.

Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge.

Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl.

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Can I join? :( Stewart was just diagnosed, osteo in the front shoulder. Non-amputatable. I'm going to send the xrays to either a specialist in Southern California, or to OSU, does anyone know how long it takes for OSU to review films and get back? I know there's a consult fee, I don't mind that.

GTSig.jpg

Shannon, mom to Shae, Jesse James and Linus the Chinese Cresteds,and bridge angels Sydney Sue and Stewart.

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Shannon, I am very sorry to read of Stewart's diagnosis. As for OSU, it can depend but I have seen it as early as same/next day (they did that for our Charlie) and sometimes when they are short staff it can take a bit longer. I would get it to them ASAP and would follow-up with e-mails/phone calls. Our vet for Charlie actually talked with Dr. Coutu directly which was fantastic.

Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge.

Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl.

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Shannon, I am very sorry to read of Stewart's diagnosis. As for OSU, it can depend but I have seen it as early as same/next day (they did that for our Charlie) and sometimes when they are short staff it can take a bit longer. I would get it to them ASAP and would follow-up with e-mails/phone calls. Our vet for Charlie actually talked with Dr. Coutu directly which was fantastic.

 

Okay, perfect, thank you so much for the fast response. I just wanted to make sure it was in days and not weeks.

GTSig.jpg

Shannon, mom to Shae, Jesse James and Linus the Chinese Cresteds,and bridge angels Sydney Sue and Stewart.

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Can I join? :( Stewart was just diagnosed, osteo in the front shoulder. Non-amputatable. I'm going to send the xrays to either a specialist in Southern California, or to OSU, does anyone know how long it takes for OSU to review films and get back? I know there's a consult fee, I don't mind that.

 

I'm sorry. :(

 

OSU got back to us in about 3 days.

With Buster Bloof (UCME Razorback 89B-51359) and Gingersnap Ginny (92D-59450). Missing Pepper, Berkeley, Ivy, Princess and Bauer at the bridge.

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Can I join? :( Stewart was just diagnosed, osteo in the front shoulder. Non-amputatable. I'm going to send the xrays to either a specialist in Southern California, or to OSU, does anyone know how long it takes for OSU to review films and get back? I know there's a consult fee, I don't mind that.

 

:( :(

I am sorry to hear this.

OSU got back to us in two business days.

Mom to Macho (JS XtremeMachine 1/12/2007 -8/17/2012 ... Gotcha day 9/2/2011. I miss you BigMan)
Moonbeam (Ninos Full Moon 11/1/2009, Gotcha day 9/2/2012), Hattie (Kiowa Hats Off 4/14/2011, Gotcha day 10/13/2012), Keiva (JS Igotyourbooty 1/12/2007, Gotcha Day 1/8/2014)
Jimmy (Blu Too James 06/26/2014, Gotcha day 09/12/2015)
, a shepard mix named Tista, some cats, and some reptiles.

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Can I join? :( Stewart was just diagnosed, osteo in the front shoulder. Non-amputatable. I'm going to send the xrays to either a specialist in Southern California, or to OSU, does anyone know how long it takes for OSU to review films and get back? I know there's a consult fee, I don't mind that.

No you cannot. Okay, you can, but I wish you didn't have to. :(

 

I've seen the response times vary drastically. If you don't hear back in a day or two I would follow up. I know they plan to, but I don't think they've implemented the consult fee just yet, but I could be wrong.

gallery_12662_3351_862.jpg

Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart

"The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong."

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Sorry you're joining our club :(

 

It seems now that Dr. Kellogg is on board, the response times are MUCH faster than they used to be. I'd say a day or two. She would sometimes respond on the same day to some of the things I'd send her when Pinky was having issues.

Kristin in Moline, IL USA with Ozzie (MRL Crusin Clem), Clarice (Clarice McBones), Latte and Sage the IGs, and the kitties: Violet and Rose
Lovingly Remembered: Sutra (Fliowa Sutra) 12/02/97-10/12/10, Pinky (Pick Me) 04/20/03-11/19/12, Fritz (Fritz Fire) 02/05/01 - 05/20/13, Ace (Fantastic Ace) 02/05/01 - 07/05/13, and Carrie (Takin the Crumbs) 05/08/99 - 09/04/13.

A cure for cancer can't come soon enough.--

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Thank you so much for the sad but warm welcome, I really appreciate it. :) I just moved from Los Angeles to the Bay Area (three weeks ago!!!) and hadn't even found a vet yet!!! I am lucky, I found one, called them and grilled them on the phone, then made an appointment. The only bummer is they don't have many greyhound patients, so the vet isn't grey-savvy, but she listens to me and has been WONDERFUL. I've been calling my group president for support, but I'm glad to have you guys too so I have greyhound-knowledgeable support. :)

GTSig.jpg

Shannon, mom to Shae, Jesse James and Linus the Chinese Cresteds,and bridge angels Sydney Sue and Stewart.

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If you can find and can afford an oncologist, I highly recommend it. Sometimes general practice vets just don't "get it," with Osteo, especially regarding pain management.

 

So sorry you're joining the "club."

Valerie w/ Cash (CashforClunkers) & Lucy (Racing School Dropout)
Missing our gorgeous Miss
Diamond (Shorty's Diamond), sweet boy Gabe (Zared) and Holly (ByGollyItsHolly), who never made it home.

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If you can find and can afford an oncologist, I highly recommend it. Sometimes general practice vets just don't "get it," with Osteo, especially regarding pain management.

 

So sorry you're joining the "club."

:nod x a billion

gallery_12662_3351_862.jpg

Jen, CPDT-KA with Zuri, lab in a greyhound suit, Violet, formerly known as Faith, Skye, the permanent puppy, Cisco, resident cat, and my baby girl Neyla, forever in my heart

"The great thing about science is that you're free to disagree with it, but you'll be wrong."

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She seems to really get it; she's already prescribed Tramadol, and suggested Gabapentin. She's been fantastic, and has talked about everything that is in line with current pain med protocols and dosage rates and times. I feel really lucky that I found such a great regular practice vet.

GTSig.jpg

Shannon, mom to Shae, Jesse James and Linus the Chinese Cresteds,and bridge angels Sydney Sue and Stewart.

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