Well, we met with the surgeon last week and go the staples out and clean bill of health from the surgeon.  The biopsy results of the leg did confirm osteosarcoma but no mestatisis in the lymph nodes.  He said she was clear to start chemo so we made an appointment with the oncologist which we met with Thursday.  After talking with her, she was ready to start her first treatment so we went ahead and started it. 

Sierra's treatment will be four carbaplatin IV treatments every three weeks.  We are not sure we will do all four but decided to get it started since it sort of sounds like it is really the only option for osteosarcoma.  We have also been working with an integrative vet so may mix in some other treatments as well.  We had already started Sierra on herbs and have been shifting her food to 'real' foods.  One option is to mix in vitamin c IV with the chemo.  I know there is some potential conflict with chemo because of the oxidants.

Does anyone here have any experience with vitamin c or other alternative treatments for osteosarcoma?  Also, what experiences do folks have with carboplatin?

Emily was in a combined drug study with carboplatin  and another drug.  The only side affect she had was she had the initial red blood cell count after treatment and a secondary one  around day 14.  Her chemo was then scheduled every four weeks instead of every three weeks.  When her red blood cell dropped she was a little sleepy but truthfully  we hadn't even noticed it until her blood test after the first treatment.  Then when we watched for it after her other treatments we saw it.  Other than that she had no side affects.  Dogs generally don't have he same problems with chemo that people do.  

Emily had four treatments.  There has been talk that dogs may have longer results after six treatments.  

We only had Emily ten months after her amputation but they were good months until the cancer spread to her spine.  

Good luck with Sierra.  I don't know know anything about adding supplements but I wanted to extend my welcome to tripawds, a group no one wants to join, but a group that will always be here for you.

Debra