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Palliative radiation therapy
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Member Since:
1 December 2016
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3 December 2016 - 9:27 am
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My 14 year old Schipperke was just diagnosed with bone cancer. The X-ray showed a tumor in his left front scapula. My primary vet does not feel he is a candidate for amputation due to his age and previous orthopedic issues including acl surgery in February. She recommends radiation therapy for pain management .

I have taken him to two oncologist. A c/t scan was performed which shows 1 module in his lungs. The first oncologist felt that he was a candidate for amputation, but the second oncologist felt I should get an ortho evaluation before surgery.

needless to say, I am very confused about what is the best course of action at this point. I haven't found much about radiation therapy in the forums. Zeus case is unusual due to the fact that OSA is more prevalent in larger dogs and due to the location of the tumor.

my question are:

has anyone undergone palliative radiation instead or amputation 

is anyone familiar with any good ortho surgeons in the NH or greater Boston area.

like everyone here I am devastated by this diagnosis. The past year has been spent focusing on my Catahoula's autoimmune disease and now to get hit with Zeus was a lot. Even though Zeus is a senior dog he is very healthy. I am still trying to get his pain under control but he ignores it like any normal precocious schip.

more than anything I am happy I found this community that understands the pain of losing a fur baby. We have such a short time with them and many people don't understand why this is hard.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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3 December 2016 - 9:57 am
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Oh gosh! You really have been through a lot! And now to be hit with this, especially when you get different opinions from professionals!!

DEEP BREATHS, okay? YOU ARE NOT ALONE!! We understand like no others can!! And it is very, very clear how deep your love is for ZEUS! You are doing your research and leaving no stone unturned.

Yes, radiation has been done as a treatment and, in many cases, it has helped a lot. Others more computer savvy than I will have to give you the links.

Your Zeus does have some additional challenges, that's for sure. Zeus clearly likes to be...er...UNIQUE!

Try and keep things chunked down right now. The first step ks getting ZEUS evaluated by an Orthopedic Surgeron, which you are in tbe process of doing.

As far as the met. In the past, most Vets would not recommend amputation if they were found. That seems to be changing now a d amputations are being do e even if mets are present. THE most important thing does is remove the pain and give extended quality time.

The Ortho Specialist can really help evaluate if ZEUS can handle life on three legs. It sounds like he's already practicing getting around on three legs.

Around here we say age is just a number. What's most important is the overall fitness and health and attitude kf the "mature" dog. That being said, age cannot be discounted totally. As a senior, surgery can be riskier. Of courew,all surgery has risks regardless of age. Also, with seniors, a downward spiral can happen quickly as a result of any issue from which a younger dog could bounce back (i.e. an infection, respiratory issues, etc)

So, for now, how bout getting the Orthopedic Surgeon's feedback and let's go from there.

What yiu can do right now, is BE. ORE DOG!!! BE MORE ZEUS!! And what that means is live in the NOW! Zeus isn't worried about a thing!! He doesn't give a rip about what a stupid ole' diagnosis says! He does NOT have a timeframe stamped anywhere on his cute little vutt!! MAKE EVERYDAY COUNT...JUST LIKE ZEUS IS DOING!! Continue to spoil and love AND spoil and love and take lots of pictures and spoil some more!!

And treats! Lots of treats and cheeseburgers and ice cream!!

And for you, bedsides the deep B R E A T H EE.......Lots and lots of CHOCOLATE!!

Update as soon as you can. STAY CONNECTED! We are right by your side, okay?

Love and hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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


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3 December 2016 - 12:21 pm
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We're glad you found us too (but sorry you had to!). Zeus sounds like a spunky mature dog. And he's small in stature which is a big plus if you do go forward with amputation surgery. That's super smart of you to get other opinions from specialists. It's not unusual to do so and can be a big help in your decision.

To answer your questions:

has anyone undergone palliative radiation instead or amputation 

Absolutely! Here are some search results that mention "Palliative" and "Radiation" therapy together. Many have done it with differing success rates, but remember every dog is different.

is anyone familiar with any good ortho surgeons in the NH or greater Boston area.

I know you're in a good area for care, like New England Veterinary Oncology Group, but others who live in the area can give you firsthand experience.

I hope this helps. Keep us posted.

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

Member Since:
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15 December 2016 - 7:12 am
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I have decided to go forward with amputation. I'm still afraid of making the wrong decision, since I only want to make his remaining time with me as easy as possible.  I am having a scapulectomy performed next week. My fear is that he may never walk again since my local vet was convinced that amputation was not the right treatment for him due to his previous ortho problems.

but the oncologist feels that for pain management amputation is the best option even with the possible lung mets discovered in his c/t scan. I don't know how time we have left together but I want to do what is best for him

Livermore, CA




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15 December 2016 - 11:05 am
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Hello and sorry about my very belated welcome, I'm not sure how I missed your thread.

You are right, we rarely see OSA here in smaller dogs, I'm sorry you are dealing with this in your boy Zeus.

I'm assuming he isn't too big- how much does he weigh?  I've had two small rear amp Tripawds.  My first, Tri-pug Maggie, lost her leg to mast cell cancer when she was about 7.5 years old.  My current Tripawd Elly was hit by a car when she was 7 months old.  Maggie weighed about 17 pounds and Elly is around 15.5.

The recovery period after surgery can be full of ups and downs.  Most of us went through the 'What have I done' phase at least once.  Don't get discouraged if Zeus isn't himself for a while.  Stay active here and ask all the questions you want- lots of experience to share.

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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15 December 2016 - 11:07 am
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I know this is a rough decision whether there are "extenuating circumstances" or not. THE most important thing about the decision process is reminding yourself that ANY decision made out of loce is the RIGHT decision!!!!! Your intent is to give Zeus some pain free quality time. The only way that appears possible at this poi t is to proceed with amputation. You clearly have Zeus's best interest at heart. You can hold onto that no matter what happens.

The other part of the equation is most of us feel the strong need to TRY, even if things don't work out. We seem to handle the fact that we tried, versus not.

Did you ever get a chance to have Zeus checked out by an Ortho Specialist?

It sounds to me like Zeus isn't ready to stop having fun het! Spunkiness is a good healing "medicine"!

PLEASE KEEP US UPDATED and let us know how we can help, okay?

Love and hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!

Member Since:
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22 December 2016 - 1:20 pm
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Zeus is in surgery today. Obviously I'm worried sick. They are going to try and take only his shoulder but it will depend on how bad the tumor is.

praying I did the right thing and he will walk again.

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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22 December 2016 - 1:32 pm
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We all understand how difficult a decision this is, especially when there are dissenting opinions, etc.

What you MUST hold onto is this is the ONLY way possible to give your sweet pup a chance. Fhis piece of crap disease forces us to make really hard "forced choices".

Your @ove for ZEUS comes shining through with each word. You are doing EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to give him a chance at a pain free life for whatever earth time he has!

STAY CONNECTED!!!! We are here with you every step of the way, okay?? You are NOT alone!!!

Letsw get him through surr and o to some really good drugs and then se can help you with recovery, okay? One step at a time.

Update us as soon as you can.

Hugs and @ove AND healing energy

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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22 December 2016 - 6:49 pm
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Just wanted to send you lots and lots of pawsitive energy, me and Eurydice are thinking about you and your little Zeus right nowheart

You have taken the right decision.

It is a very tough decision but it gets your Zeus totally pain free ... 

Our thoughts are with you both, please let us know how he is as soon as you can.

Sending you much love heart

Eurydice 77kg/170lb Great Dane limping end of April 2016, amputation (right front leg/osteosarcoma) 4 May 2016 6 courses of carboplatin followed by metronomic therapy, lung mets found 30 Nov 2016. 3 courses of doxorubicin, PET scan 26 Jan 2017 showed more mets so stopped chemo. Holistic route April 2017. Lung X-ray 5 May 2017 showed several tennis ball size mets, started cortisone and diuretics. Miss Cow earned her XXL silver wings 12 June 2017, 13 months and 1 week after amputation and 6 1/2 months after lung mets, she was the goofiest dawg ever and is now happily flying from cloud to cloud woof woofing away :-) 

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22 December 2016 - 7:48 pm
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Just talked to the surgeon and he came through the surgery without any complications. So we are through the first hurdle which is good.

im still afraid then I am making the decisions that are right for him and not because I want to grasp at any straw to keep him in my life. I don't want to lose him but no matter what I have to do what is s best for him.

i read the story about Liam, the sled dog who had the same surgery as my Zeus. It gives me hope.

Minneapolis, MN
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23 April 2016
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22 December 2016 - 8:46 pm
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Sending you and Zeus very best thoughts for a good recovery.  You are making the best decisions you can and out of love.  It is all any of us can do.

Lisa, Minneapolis

On October 27, 2016, nearly 6 months after amputation, and 18 months since his cancer likely started, we lost Pofi to a recurrence of Soft Tissue Sarcoma in his spine quite suddenly.  His canine sister also succumbed to cancer on March 1, 2019 - we lavished her with our love in the interim, but life was never quite the same without her only real canine friend. Cliff kitty had to leave us, too, suddenly, in August 2019. Lucia kitty grieved all these losses, but helped us welcome two new Lurchers into our home and our lives, Shae and Barley.

Blog: Pofi, Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor Amputation

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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22 December 2016 - 8:53 pm
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YAAAAAAAAAY FOR ZEUS!!!! Surgery is done!!! Zeus is seeing pink elephants right about now and doing just fine!

Some dogs stay just one night, some two or more. Did they say when Zeus could come home? Hope you can get that cutie pie home for Christmas 🙂

Oh, when you do pick him up, don't even bother to look at his incision site. He sure isn't! Just look into his druggy eyes and tell him what a good boy he is!! And when you do finally take a glance, just be prepared for the fact thst they get mighty clipper happy when it comes to shaving fur.

And btw...erase "grapping straws" (because you love him and want him around), with "giving Zeus a chance" (because you love him and want him around)! And if you're like most of us, you woukd have second guessed yourself like crazy if you didn't try! You'd be asking over and over, "What if I DID try and it DID work??? You
are strong and brave for "trying"...and for loving Zeus enough to try.

Get some good sleep while you can! You might not get much sleep the first several nights.

Remember, we are all right here with you for support and information AND understanding!!

Lots of hugs!

Sally and Alumni Happy Hannah and Merry Myrtle and Frankie 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!

Livermore, CA




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22 December 2016 - 9:02 pm
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Zeus was in extreme pain from the bone cancer, you know what the outcome would be if you didn't amputate.  You said Zeus was in otherwise good health.  You are taking away his pain and you are giving him a chance!  That is not selfish, that is the love you have for your boy.

As has been said the recovery period can be full of ups and downs.  You will at some point doubt your decision to go ahead with surgery- almost all of us went through that phase.  Stay positive for Zeus and take note of each little victory along the recovery path. 

Karen and the Spirit Pug Girls

Tri-pug Maggie survived a 4.5 year mast cell cancer battle only to be lost to oral melanoma.

1999 to 2010

 

              Maggie's Story                  Amputation and Chemo

Member Since:
15 July 2016
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23 December 2016 - 11:03 am
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Hi,

Sorry I missed this thread.  I live in Groton, MA.  We found a great team of doctors for Milo.  Hopefully, you are happy with yours, but in case you end up with an issue or doubts......  We worked with oncologist Dr. Erin Romanski.  He spends 2 days a week in Westford (Westford Emergency), and a day or two in Manchester, NH, and I believe he also has a third clinic he supports.  He helped us get Milo into a clinical trial at Tufts, where we were thrilled to work with Dr. Lisa Barber.  During the initial weeks of tests and decision making, I had my regular Groton vet, and Dr. Romanski, and Dr. Barber all calling me multiple times a week, and each other, and coordinating tests and drugs, sometimes at 10PM at night!

After the amputation, Milo, like most dogs, would over do it, get sore, and get his big ole body and back out of whack.  We had a consultation with an anesthesiologist/pain management vet at Tufts, Alicia Karas.  While she does acupuncture and such, she recommended Dr. Laura Rogers at Bolton Integrative Health for chiropractor work.  It was amazing.  Milo bounced everywhere after seeing her.  

I realize you are just entering the hardest week of this process and are a million miles away from thinking about the physical therapy work down the line, but I wanted to answer before I forgot.  Know that the first few weeks are the hardest as you try to find the right pain meds for Zeus.  Be sure to get the drugs you need for the holidays.  We did run out of Tramadol and CVS wouldn't refill at first because we had used it "too fast", according to the opiate police, aka, CVS pharmacist.  We used it because we had to drop a different med and the vet had us double up on Tramadol.  The Tufts vet subscribed more, but again the opiate police questioned why prescriptions from two different places.

Sorry for rambling.  Good luck with Zeus.  Reach out to this group whenever.  These people are amazing!

Peace,

Jenifer & Milo 

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23 December 2016 - 1:27 pm
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I am so glad that your Zeus came through his amp surgery well.  Best wishes for your little guy and whatever decision you make for any treatment!

Sketch and Mom

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