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Bone Cancer


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#1 LStevens

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Posted 31 October 2009 - 12:53 PM

Grindle had been having trouble with his right leg lately. I initially thought it must be arthritis, with the change in weather from warm to very cold a few weeks ago. I put him on Mobic, twice a day, which I take for my arthritis. Betty takes it also, as it's cheaper than Prevacox. My vet says the dosage for dogs is 1/2 a pill. It seemed to help, but this last week, he's barely moving. I'd come home from work and he'd be panting, and his head and ears were hot. Plus, his episodes of "head tremors" was increasing. So, I made an appointment for today with the vet.

We x-rayed his shoulder, and there it was. He has a large bone tumor in the right shoulder. You could see on x-ray how the margins of the shoulder were interrupted by the shadow of the tumor.

My vet has a lot of experience with oncology, so he referred me to a clinic in Bloomfield Hills. He says he's had patients that with one or two doses of radiation therapy, have improved quality of life. The radiation helps arrest the tumor, and also dramatically decreases the pain. However, with a tumor at this stage, the cancer has probably already spread - usually to the lungs. So, he figures Mr. Grindle has about six months, maybe more.

In the meantime, I can continue the Mobic in addition to the Tramadol (morphine). I have a day off scheduled for next Wednesday, so I'm going to try to get him in for a consult. I will keep you posted. I don't know if anyone has had any luck with radiation therapy. If so, I'd love to hear about it.

Linda

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated ... I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man.
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Never To Be Forgotten

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Shadow a/k/a Little Snoopy
SCD's Betty Boo
SCD's Grindle
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#2 doberpagegirl

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Posted 31 October 2009 - 01:40 PM

Oh Linda, I'm so sorry to hear this. I know you will do whatever you can to keep him comfortable and happy. My heart goes out to you and your family. Prayers are on the way for Grindle and for you.

It matters to the one you save.

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#3 ella

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Posted 31 October 2009 - 02:39 PM

Oh Linda, I'm so sorry to hear this. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love ya
Ella & Princess
Ella - mother of Princess and Bonnie Blue



A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
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#4 Diana

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Posted 31 October 2009 - 03:00 PM

I am so sorry to read this and hope the upcoming vet visits will give some relief for Grindle with treatments. I know you will do whatever you need to keep him comfortable.
Diana and Nixx
SCD's Wild Child Gamble CGC

#5 Arda

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Posted 31 October 2009 - 03:14 PM

I'm so sorry. Soooo sorry.
A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link.

#6 LuvmydobeApollo

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Posted 31 October 2009 - 04:14 PM

Im so sorry to hear about your poor grindle... I dont know alot about chemo because we dont do it at the clinic where i work. They can do xrays to see if there is any metastisis to chest or not. How old is he? have your vet do xrays that you can take to the oncologist visit. good luck!!
sharen

#7 Nancy Robinson

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Posted 31 October 2009 - 05:56 PM

MY yHEART GOES OUT TO YOU, I AM SO VERY SORRY. You are in my prayers. I am just so sorry.

Nancy
Nancy

"Until one has LOVED AN ANIMAL, part of
their SOUL REMAINS UNAWAKENED"

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Yesterday is "HISTORY", Today is a "GIFT" and Tomorrow is a "MYSTERY"

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Do not walk in front of me - I may not follow.
Do not walk behind me - I may not lead.
But walk beside me - and be my friend.

May you always have Love to Share
Health to Spare
and Friends who Care

Forever locked in my Heart

"I CARRY YOUR HEARTS IN MY HEART"........FOREVER

My "WHITE ANGEL".....Sweet sweet Schaudeh
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#8 Bumpette

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Posted 31 October 2009 - 05:59 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about Grindle. I hope his treatment goes well. Keep us updated.
Happiness is a decision.

Susie Q
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#9 Kari

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Posted 31 October 2009 - 06:04 PM

Linda so sorry to hear this about Grindle . Big hugs to both of you .
Smile well and often, it makes people wonder what you've been up to." -- Satchel Paige

#10 twodognite

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Posted 31 October 2009 - 07:08 PM

Linda so sorry about Grindle.
Hopefully he can live a while longer and be as pain free as possible.
Give him a big hug from us.

Tom & Bonnie

#11 jmnodwell

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Posted 31 October 2009 - 07:29 PM

Linda, so sorry to hear about Grindle!

Amputation, chemo, and radiation were all mentioned for Bella too... After weighing the options, I decided to manage her pain and let her go without having to "recover" from any of those treatments. They also said Bella had 6-9 months and I got 6 weeks... but I don't regret my decision.

I know you'll make the best decision for you!!! Nothing will be easy but know we are feeling your pain. Hugs, my friend!!!

Edited by jmnodwell, 31 October 2009 - 07:32 PM.

Joni
Emmalin Jane, George, Clyde, and Rascal (meow & hiss)
From the Bridge - Cosmo (12/2005), Katie (7/2006), Mr. Munchkin (11/2008), Bella DSA, CGC (1/2009), Skitter DSA (12/2010), Beau (11/2014), and Calvin (6/2017)

 

"The world of the generous gets larger and larger... The on who blesses other is abundantly blessed; those who help other are helped." Proverbs 11:24-25

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" Psalms 126:5


#12 LStevens

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Posted 31 October 2009 - 07:44 PM

Sarah, Ella, Diana, Arda, Nancy, Lori, Kari, Tom & Joni, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. My vet and I talked about all the options. Obviously, amputation is not one of them. However, radiation is affordable and, per my vet, has had some remarkable results; not to cure, but to alleviate the pain. My husband had lung cancer, which metastisized to bone cancer. Not a pretty picture. Pain mangement is the key. I know Grindle won't live long, but I'd like to see him relatively comfortable. I'll keep you posted. In the meantime, thank you all for your support.

Linda

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated ... I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man.
-------------------------
Never To Be Forgotten

SCD's Sugar Bear 06/18/2017
Shadow a/k/a Little Snoopy
SCD's Betty Boo
SCD's Grindle
Bart (1993-1998)
Gunnar (1986-1992)
Sigmund (1975-1985)
Greta Von Reiman (1972-1984)


#13 Cheri

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Posted 01 November 2009 - 09:23 AM

I'm sorry to hear about Grindle's diagnosis. He's lucky to have such a loving mom. It's clear you will do whatever you can to keep him comfortable and happy. You both will be in my thoughts.

Currently part of my treasured family and helping to make life fun and busy:

 

Hunter, the chocolate Labradeagle (or Beaglador)

Terra, the tall, gorgeous red Doberwoman

 

Waiting at the Bridge and forever in my heart...... Igor, Max, Savanna, Logan, and Tasha


#14 Sparkles

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Posted 02 November 2009 - 09:03 AM

I am so sorry.

When we found out Greta had bone cancer we went to a cancer specialist and weighed our options on chemo/radiation. We decided not to put here thru that and just manage her pain and make her comfortable with the help of our vet. They gave us 3-6 months and she made it 4 weeks.


Whatever you decide will be the right decision for you and Grindle. You will be in our thoughts.


Sarah

#15 DeeDeeWedd

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Posted 02 November 2009 - 09:35 AM

So sorry to hear this awful news, my sierra was diagnosed with bone cancer at the age of 5. I had her leg amputated and she lived another 5 years :chris: It was fibrosarcoma (sp?) which is the "better" bone cancer. I know that you will make the best decison, and my heart goes out to you.

#16 CAB

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Posted 02 November 2009 - 11:04 AM

Linda,

I'm so sorry to hear about Grindle. I know that you will do what is right for him. Give him a big hug and kiss from me.

Cheryl
The embedded collars in his neck when we got him and he goes back and extends the gentle paw to the human race. One heck of a dog.

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#17 Pam

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Posted 03 November 2009 - 08:47 PM

Linda,

I was hoping to see you back here but not this way. I know you will make the right decision for Grindle, whatever it may be. You're in my thoughts.

#18 dcarl47312

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Posted 03 November 2009 - 10:17 PM

I really hate to see this and wish there were something I could say to take your pain.I hope the time you have left together is as painfree, wonderful,and long as possible!! Just remember what a wonderful life you've given Grindle and celebrate him.,Don

#19 jmnodwell

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Posted 03 November 2009 - 11:13 PM

Linda, you have to send me some full-size photos so I can scrap them for you! the other "kids" too!!!

Joni
Emmalin Jane, George, Clyde, and Rascal (meow & hiss)
From the Bridge - Cosmo (12/2005), Katie (7/2006), Mr. Munchkin (11/2008), Bella DSA, CGC (1/2009), Skitter DSA (12/2010), Beau (11/2014), and Calvin (6/2017)

 

"The world of the generous gets larger and larger... The on who blesses other is abundantly blessed; those who help other are helped." Proverbs 11:24-25

"They that sow in tears shall reap in joy" Psalms 126:5


#20 LStevens

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Posted 20 November 2009 - 03:27 PM

First of all, I want to thank all of you that responded to my post. I truly appreciate your support.

Grindle went to the Bridge today. The tumor in his leg tripled in size within the last three weeks. We started out with two 50 mg morphine tabs twice a day, to 4 tabs 4 times a day - and he was still visibly uncomfortable.

I was initially steered by my vet (whom I dearly love) to a referral clinic. I saw the onoclogist there initially for a referral for radiation, to help with his pain. All they wanted to do was amputate his leg. That's ALL they talked about. I said I wanted to think about. Amputation was never an option for me, as Grindle was 9 years old, and upon diagnosis, usually 90% of dogs have microscopic tumors already elsewhere in their body. The oncologist wouldln't do a referral for radiation unless I returned for a second office visit. By the time I could do that, the tumor had doubled in size. When I told her that I wanted to try radiation, her entire attitude changed, as I obviously was not going for the amputation. She also informed me that the radiation would not arrest the tumor growth, as "They don't give them enough to do that." I thought to myself, why am I here then?? Plus, I would have to do a course of at least 5 treatments (at a cost of $1,800 to $2,000). I couldn't just do a couple treatments to help him with his pain.

So, I opted to treat his pain with morphine until it was obvious that his quality of life was diminished. The chest x-ray from the first visit showed that the periosteum (covering of the bone) had "flipped back" due to the tumor. It was just a matter of time before the leg would break.

For those of you reading this, here is what I've found in the literature so far.

"Osteosarcomas of the appendicular skeleton are most common in large breed dogs weighing over 40 kg. In breeds at higher risk, there are likely genetic abnormalities that have contributed to them developing bone cancer. Other risk factors that have been suggested include: increasing weight and height, ionizing radiation, bone infarcts, previous fractures or trauma, and chronic osteomyelitis (infection). One report showed early spay or neuter may be associated with increased risk of developing osteosarcoma, however, other studies show intact male and females may be at increased risk.

Appendicular osteosarcoma most commonly occurs in large and giant breed dogs, such as Saint Bernards, Great Danes, Irish Setters, Rottweilers, Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, German Shepards and Greyhounds. In many reports male have a slight increased risk compared to females and increasing weight and height are the most predictive risk factors. The median age of affected dogs is seven years, but there is a biphasic peak incident
(2 years and 9 years of age). In large breed dogs, up to 75% of osteosarcomas develop within the appendicular skeleton and 25% develop within the axial skeleton. In small breed dogs weighing less than 15 kg. most bone tumors affect the axial skeleton (over 50%) and less than 50% of these are osteosarcoma.

Lameness is almost always the first sign of malignant limb bone cancer. Pain, lameness and swelling may be acute or chronic. As the swelling and lameness worsen, muscle atrophy can occur. Bone fractures can occur secondary to loss of bone cortex. Tumors in the backbone can cause pain and neurologic signs. The neurologic signs and severity of signs are dependant upon tumor location.

Approximately 90% of dogs diagnosed with osteosarcoma have microscopic tumor spread to the lungs and possibly to other bones. 10% will have obvious tumor spread at the time of diagnosis. Lung metastases can induce periosteal thickening of the lower limbs bones (hypertrophic osteopathy) in some dogs resulting in painful, warm-to-the-touch limbs."

So, from diagnosis until today, we had only 3-4 weeks. My vet told me today that he has another client, whose Doberman has osteoscaroma located lower in the leg than Grindle.

I am posting this information so that we can all be aware of the onset of this disease - and how aggressive it is.

My boy's no longer in pain, and running free. Maybe my Greta, Gunnar, Bart and Sigmund have found him, and are now all together.

Linda

The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated ... I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man.
-------------------------
Never To Be Forgotten

SCD's Sugar Bear 06/18/2017
Shadow a/k/a Little Snoopy
SCD's Betty Boo
SCD's Grindle
Bart (1993-1998)
Gunnar (1986-1992)
Sigmund (1975-1985)
Greta Von Reiman (1972-1984)





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