Hi Everyone,

Our 9 1/2 year old Rottie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma early August 2013 after we woke up one morning to her being extremely lame in her front shoulder. We went to the vet with tests revealing the 'worst case' scenario. We were told without surgical intervention we would get 2 weeks to a maximum of 2 months out of our dearest baby girl. She was put on a hefty dose of Tramadol 3 times a day which basically knocked her out all day.

A couple of days later we were seeing the orthopaedic surgeon, he wanted to book her in for surgery and amputate her leg the next day, followed up with chemotherapy etc. Following that we were told we might get 6-12 month out of her. Trouble for us though is she had a partially ruptured ACL which could have complicated her ability to walk. We went home to 'think' about the terrible decision we had to make. We decided NOT to go ahead with the surgery and keep her pain free for as long as possible and then face the terrible choice of euthanising our baby in the very near future.

We went and saw the oncologist to look for other options and thankfully he had a few for us. She is having an infusion once a month now of 39mg of pamidronate (Bisphosphonate) used in humans for Osteoporosis etc. Onsior (robenacoxib) 40mg once a day and Gabapentin 600mg twice a day. Apparently its quite experimental but we continue to be amazed as do the vets at the University Vet Hospital here in Sydney.

She is totally pain free, not using Tramadol at all, using all four legs without favouring any limb, running, digging, eating, just her happy normal self. We know this isn't a cure but its believed to have slown down the tumour and the pamidronate is leaving her with bone regeneration (they think) and is what's stopped the pain with the other drugs playing a supporting role.

I post this not to give people hope that this treatment will work for those facing the same issue, but to let people know there is a potential alternative. We will be continuing this for as long as she is the way she is which honestly us and the vets don't see an end in the near future (could change any day, eek or month).

Cowla