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Buddy's journey
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Member Since:
15 July 2014
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4 November 2014 - 12:10 pm
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My 8 year old black Lab, Buddy, fractured his left rear femur in April, cause unknown.   a biopsy was done during the 2nd of his 5 surgeries that came back negative for osteosarcoma.    after 7 months and no healing, we (the vet and I ) decided I had no option other than amputation which was done last Tues. a week ago today.   The vet called this morning and the 2nd biopsy showed grade 2 osteosarcoma.    I don't know where to go from here.   I could have his lungs x-rayed to see if it has spread but I am  not sure I want to know.   I would like to think that by amputating the leg, that the problem has been resolved but I know this is an aggressive cancer and can spread quickly.    Has anyone had a similar experience or can anyone tell me what to expect.   I have seen that some dogs have had a very successful recover from amputation.   If the cancer has spread to his lungs, what symptoms will he show.    He is my best pal, protector but most of all my baby. 

On The Road


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4 November 2014 - 12:52 pm
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Carol, thanks for joining us, your future posts won't require approval. My apologies for the fast response, I need to run out but here are some links to help you right now:

Jerry's Required Reading List

The Tripawds e-books Library

Lots of us here have experience with osteosarcoma. Stay tuned, I'll offer my insight later today. Thanks!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Member Since:
18 June 2014
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5 November 2014 - 4:38 am
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Oh Carol and Buddy sorry you had to endure 7 months of this. Now you move on.  There are many on this site that have had false negative results.  How is Buddy doing now?  How about some pictures we love them.  Personally I had lung xrays done prior to surgery as well as a splenic aspirate all came back negative.  Unfortunately it is a crap shoot.  My Jake did not have Osteo, he had a mast cell tumor. You know Buddy best. Do your homework, and ask questions on this site.  It is a Godsend.  I know this is a painful time for you but stay connected and Be More Dog .

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5 November 2014 - 7:00 am
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I added his picture.   It was taken a few years ago but he's the same, just a little gray around the face... He is doing really good.  i think the leg was really holding him back because he is really what I call "rapid" on his 3 legs.    I guess I am just anxious about what the future holds.   I asked the vet about taking a chest x-ray and his question to me- was "then what will you do" and my answer is "I don't know".    I am not sure whether I want to know if the cancer has spread and just take a day at a time and hope for the best and prepare for the worst.  I just send up prayers every day that the cancer has not spread and he will have a happy healthy future.   

On The Road


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5 November 2014 - 8:52 am
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Hi Carol,

Sorry for the fast reply yesterday, I'm  here now and want you to know that we all support you with whatever you decide to follow up with Buddy's care. Taking follow up lung x-rays is a personal choice, there are no right or wrong decisions. Some people need to know, others don't want to. The most important decision to ask yourself is exactly as your vet phrased it; if you found out he had lung mets, would that change your treatment decisions?

Back when we dealt with osteo, we opted out of the follow up x-rays and chemo. We felt that since our Jerry was given such a poor prognosis (6 months with no chemo), we didn't want to focus on medical procedures which he hated and we felt would negatively impact his quality of life. So we hit the road, traveled and gave him the road trip of his lifetime (and ours), and you know what? He kept going! (You can see his story here). He beat the odds! About 17 months into his diagnosis, we learned he had lung mets after a vet encouraged us to get x-rays, even though he was not exhibiting symptoms (coughing, panting, slower activity). This rocked our world, and we did change our treatment plan, we opted for metronomics , an at-home chemo regimen that worked well with our traveling lifestyle.

In the end, Jerry got 8 more months with metronomics and K9 Immunity , and lived a total of two amazing years. We were so blessed and felt that we made the right decisions for Jerry and our pack.

Knowing what we know now, we might approach it differently if we ever had to deal with it again. Many dogs outlive the prognosis, some do not, but the treatment choices for coping with this disease, and managing it are getting better all the time. This is why now, we would probably do follow-up x-rays. We also wouldn't be so quick to say no to chemo, after having seeing so many dogs and cats do well on it (most do, again a few do not). That is just us, that's just works for our pack (having pet insurance on our Wyatt Ray now, also gives us more options than before, when we didn't have it with Jerry).

Everyone approaches this disease differently, but the biggest thing that helps us all cope is this: you must learn to live every day in the moment, just as Buddy does. Fearing for the future, worrying about the what-ifs, things you can't control, that will never help the situation. Listen to your heart, put your human fears aside and follow Buddy's lead (we call this "Be More Dog ") and you can't go wrong ever.

Hope this helps.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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5 November 2014 - 9:07 am
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LOVE his avatar picture!! What a sweetie!

Gosh, just a week from surgery and he seems to be having a very nice recovery! Yeah, dogs will walk had a faster pace...the momentum seems to help them navigate better with three legs.

YouHAD to have that leg removed regardless...it was destroying his quality. Other than recovering from MAJOR surgery and adjusting to three legs, Buddy is clearly feeling fine and will even be getting better and better as recovery progresses!!

Whether to proceed with xrays at this point is such an individual decision.....no right or wrong way!!! In large part it depends on your own personality. Would you proceed any differently if it showed lung mets? Would you be able to stay in the moment...in the present...in the NOW with Buddy and not let worrying or fear rob you of your time together. Does Buddy like car rides and going to the vets? Hard questions. The one focus is QUALITY! Quantity without quality is worthless!

IF mets were found (and he sounds COMPLETELY healthy right now!), would you pursue any chemo, etc.? Do you have an Oncologist in your area you could speak with?

Geez....symptons....they can vary so much and be so different with every single dog! And dogs can live a very, very long time even if mets are found!(Jerry! As an example)! Sometimes dogs develop a persistent cough and can tire very easily...not always! Sometimes they stop eating...not always! Sometimes their breathing latterns change and it's more shallow and rapid with a lot of panting...not always!!!

Now, Buddy will probably tire faster now and need to sit and rest more on his walks...and tripawds do pant more so don't let any of those things scare you...it's normal!

All I can say is, some here continue on with no xrays and no treatment...some do the opposite...again, no right or wrong. A decision made out of love is ALWAYS the right decision!!

Regardless, the only thing you need to PREPARE for right now is making the best out of every single sacred second!!! Spoil and love like crazy! A scoop of ice cream after each meal! Remember, Buddy does NOT have a time frame stamped anywhere on that sweet butt of his and he is NOT worrying about a thing! Take Buddy's lead and enjoy the bliss of being in the moment with each other!!

You are not alone, okay. We are all here with you! Letus know how we can help! B R E A T H E......B R E A T H E.....and eat lots of chocolate!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

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5 November 2014 - 1:03 pm
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I have decided to go with the chest x-ray.  Scheduled for Tues.  It is a tough decision but the unknown is frightening to me.  I think if I know the answer, I will be able to face the future with more clarity.    As to chemo, that, too, is up in the air.    Does it really help?   Does it give them a longer life?    I am a senior citizen on SS so I fear that chemo might not be an option unless I was sure that it would prolong his life.  Then I would sell my soul to the devil if I had to.    I went today and got him some blueberries and coconut oil to add to his food.     I am also adding tumeric.   I already cook chicken and green vegetables to add to the dry kibbles (see I have 8 dogs)!!   

I am not new to the world of cancer in dogs.  I have had 2 known and possible 3 die from hemangiosarcoma and have another one (now 11) who was diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma 2 yrs ago.   I took him to a holistic vet who told me to use the above ingredients and thankfully his cancer has not come back. 

I am also not new to the world of the tripod.   I had one who was hit by a car when she was 3 mo old (she was my daughter's dog)   I took her and her rear leg was amputated and she has 10 blissful years as a tripod.  My concern with Buddy is the ugly word "Cancer" and whether it has spread.    and, of course, I will spoil him even more than he already is. he sleeps on my pillow right beside me every night and I always say, if he could crawl under my skin, he would. smiley

 

thank you all sooo much for the encouragement.    

Virginia







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5 November 2014 - 1:32 pm
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Awww....you have me welling up in tears. I KNOW Buddy is your everything and I KNOW the financial burden of doing anything and everything we can fornour furbabies when our resources are so limited.

You have a wonderful attiw and certainly understand the nuances of a three legged pup and the heartbreak of dealing withnthis piece of crap disease. You also know first hand thst some dogs fare better than others. It's such a roll of the dice.

For now, I would just chunk it down....get the xrays done and then go from there. IF you decide to go with chemo, generally most vets start two weeks out...some sooner...some later.

You have a lot on your plate now. Again, just get through the recovery...which seems to be go i ng very well...and see what the xrays look like and then proceed.

Sending you all thenpositive energy of the whole tripawd community....and that's a whole lot!!!

Give that sweet boy a treat and watch his tail wag....it'll make you smile!!! It does me just thinking about it!

Hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle too!

Happy Hannah had a glorious additional bonus time of over one yr & two months after amp for osteo! She made me laugh everyday! Joined April's Angels after send off meal of steak, ice cream, M&Ms & deer poop!

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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5 November 2014 - 6:49 pm
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Carol you are an awesome dog mom, keep it up.

I think that once you know what you're dealing with the world is a lot less scary. Education is power, and relief.

With chemo there are no guarantees, as you probably know. Some dogs do great and beat the odds for years, and some do not make it to the minimum prognosis. It's never a given that it will work, unfortunately, although statistically it does give dogs a better chance (that sounds so contradictory doesn't it?!). Just remember it's optional, nobody will condemn you if you don't. Sometimes it's in the cards and sometimes it isn't but the important thing is to remember that quality of life is #1. Sounds like you're already there!

We wish you and Buddy the best and look forward to an update when you get the x-rays done if not before.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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17 May 2014
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6 November 2014 - 5:08 am
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Hi Carol! welcome to the tripawds community.  This is the right place to be in this tough moment.  

My Johnnie is a 6-yr old Golden, had his front leg also amputated due to Osteosarcoma.  We are almost 6-months post amp and he is doing fine.  We finished chemo, and his last chest x-ray was clear.

For sure he has changed his exercise pattern, but he seems quite happy and living a "new normal" life - certainly much happier than when he had all the pain from the bone destruction.   How we don't walk - we alternate one block runs with resting periods.  He prefers running to walking, and does run quite fast.  

He is taking K-9 Immunity and we have started on Apocaps this past week.  

good luck and keep a positive spirit!

Daniela ( & Johnnie )

Our awesome Golden Boy was diagnosed for OSA in April 2014 in the proximal humerus, front-leg amp on 05/20/2014. Finished chemo (Carbo6) on 07/10/2014. Ongoing treatment: acupuncture + K-9 Immunity Plus ( 3chews) and home-cooked no-grain diet.   Stopped Apocaps because of liver issues.   Liver issues: controlling altered enzymes with SAM-e and Milk Thistle.  October 17:  started having seizures.  Taking fenobarbital for seizures.  April 18: started prednisone.

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7 November 2014 - 5:34 am
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for those of you who have had chemo for the cancer, does it make them sick?   Is it expensive? 

On The Road


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7 November 2014 - 8:19 am
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carolraine said
...chemo for the cancer, does it make them sick?   Is it expensive? 

Great questions. You'll find lots of answers from members in these existing forum topics:

Regrets about Chemotherapy

Costs of Amputation and Chemotherapy for Dogs

 

Browse all chemotherapy forums search results (use the advanced search function above to refine reults) or search all blogs here.

Hope this helps!

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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15 July 2014
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7 November 2014 - 5:08 pm
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Buddy is 9 days post op and the vet has not recommended any additional treatment nor has he recommended oncology referral.    I requested a chest xray that will be done Tues.    My question is should I just get blood work to see what the level is or should I go ahead with the chest x-ray and perhaps xray of other organs, too.    I want to do absolutely everything I can for Buddy because if I don't I will feel as if I have failed him and I will never do that.   But due to my financial situation, I don't want to just go to an oncologist  unless there is a need.   If x-rays or blood work show something, then I will request a referral.   

On The Road


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7 November 2014 - 7:15 pm
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Generally a chest x-ray would be enough to know if mets have occurred. It's a cost-effective way to find out but not perfect; the only tihing that would tell you for sure is a CT scan, which is considerably more money.

An oncologist would come into the picture if you decided to pursue any kind of follow-up treatment like IV chemo or metronomics . If you don't plan on doing either and he isn't showing any symptoms of spread, than it's generally not necessary.

Fear not, your pup knows you are doing everything for him, he can tell that your love runs deep. You are an awesome momma, never doubt that for a second.

Tripawds Founders Jim and Rene
tripawds.com | tripawds.org | bemoredog.net | triday.pet

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7 November 2014 - 7:33 pm
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I am really concerned about his breathing.  He pants a lot and breathing seems to be faster than normal.  That is a big concern for me right now.  It could be that he has always breathed like that but I don't think anyone who take notice of exactly how they breathe unless they think  there might be something wrong with his lungs.    I did give him a Tramadol so hope that is the cause of the increase in his breathing rate.    He eats good and drinks plenty of water.  It has been 7 mo. since his initial fracture even though the initial biopsy came back not showing anything significant, the cancer has probably had plenty of time to spread it's ugly face. 

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