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4 yr old Great Dane with Osteosarcoma
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Member Since:
10 May 2018
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10 May 2018 - 8:44 pm
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Hello to the tripawd community,

Mantovani (Monte) is my four year old male Dane diagnosed in March with right front distal Osteosarcoma.  He had a CT scan done in April with no signs of cancer spread.  I did not choose amputation to start but have done three Zoledronic acid treatments.  I had another complete blood work panel done today and all is good there. Monte is a large Dane, feeding dish stands at 27 1/2 to give you an idea, and at time of diagnose was 200 pounds.  He is now 186 (change of diet in order to not feed the cancer). Here is my question.  Are there any Great Dane members that are able to share their front leg amputation story or is it possible to see pictures?  

I have been told he was too large, until today.  He is so full of life other than this cancer.  

Thank you,

Elizabeth

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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10 May 2018 - 10:25 pm
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Hi Elizabeth and Monte, welcome. We are so glad you found us. Your future posts won't need approval so post away.

Monte sounds like one big handsome fella! Do you have photos you'd like to share? Here's a post about adding images to the forums. We would love to see his pictures!

So good job on helping Monte lose weight! That is pretty remarkable weight loss! And so helpful for him right now, whether or not you decide to amputate. Yes, 186 is a big boy but we've had many members in that size go on to have a good quality of life on three legs. Who told you he wasn't a good candidate for surgery? Did you get an opinion from an orthopedic vet? Oftentimes a second or even a third opinion can make all the difference in whether or not someone decides to proceed with amputation.

We've had many Great Danes here who did really well on three legs! Just search for "Great Dane" in the Forums and you'll see many of them. Our Tripawds News Blog post also has many stories about Great Dane Tripawds.

My best advice to you is to follow your heart. You know him better than anyone else. How do you feel about his ability to live on three legs? Do you have any doubts? Or are the doubts coming from others?

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



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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11 May 2018 - 6:25 am
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Hi Monte and Elisabeth 🐾 🌺

I am sorry you have to join us but this is the best place to be as we all understand what you are going through and are all here to help guiding you and Monte on your journey. 

My baby girl Eurydice was a very large Great Dane who weighed 170lb pre surgery, measured 98cm to the base of the neck and lost her right front leg to osteosarcoma. 

I was given the following options:

Keeping the leg and doing palliative treatment, with a life expectancy of 2-5 months

Keeping the leg and doing radiation treatments, with a life expectancy of 6-10 months 

Amputation and chemo, with a life expectancy of 10-12 months

I discarded the palliative treatment option as the surgeon explained there are no drugs powerful enough to contain this sort of pain in the mid/long term. At some point, we would have to release her and also there is the risk of a pathological fracture as the bone becomes frail, and this type of fracture never heals. Then, the only option would be to amputate the leg, if it was still possible.

I also discarded radiation therapy because the risk of a pathological fracture was still there and also the procedure requires full anaesthetics each time and we want to avoid this with giant breeds. Also, there is a maximum number of sessions (6 if I recall correctly) every 2-3 weeks. As with palliative care, if a fracture was to happen, the only option would be amputation, if still possible.

Amputation and chemo was what I chose as, statistically (and for whatever statistics are worth) I felt this was the best option, with hopefully the longest life expectancy.

I never, ever looked back.

I had serious doubts she would cope well on three legs because of her size and being a front leg, but boy, oh boy, did she cope well on three 😊

I was lucky that the team who looked after her were extremely supportive and assured me she would be able to have a happy life, it was just we would be dealing with a "new  normal".

She was five, so not much older than your sweet Monte.

Like you, we had a CT scan done prior to surgery and that was clear of mets. 

When stitches were removed we started carboplatin (IV chemo) and did 6 sessions every 3 weeks. 

Then we moved on to other chemo treatments which I will tell you about if you are interested.

I find regardless of chemo (which is a personal option) the crucial thing when dealing with osteosarcoma is amputation because this removes 100% of pain permanently.

Recovery can be difficult, especially with giant breeds, but it surely does not last forever and we are here to advise on what to do before and following surgery.

In Eurydice's case it was a demanding recovery due to her size and the loss of the front leg.

I had her wearing a tshirt under a soft harness at all times until stitches were out. 

Once stitches were removed she wore a ruffwear harness which is totally brilliant as it has a handle which allow us to guide them, getting them in and out of the car and for most of us here (but not Eurydice) helps them going up and down stairs.

I took special attention to traction as my home had slippery floors, got carpet which I cut to create paths around the house and placed rubber underlay under it, for extra security.

Yoga mats work really well too but, given the size of our babies, we need tons of them so rolls of cheap carpet are a better option.

Sweet Elisabeth, this diagnosis is always a terrible shock but I must say I am SO glad I choose amputation, my adored baby girl was pain free and deliriously happy once recovery was over and from then on was able to do everything as before expect going up and down stairs.

We even did extensive traveling for months and months, my baby was the living proof life can be fantastic, exciting and deliriously happy on three!

I am including a link to some of our travels and hope this will reassure you as to how well your sweet boy can do😍!

http://tripawds.....mputation/

Please do not hesitate to reach out to us any time, we are all here for you and your boy.

And a picture of Monte would be lovely, too!

Sending you an avalanche of kisses and a zillion tummy rubs to Monte, you can do this and so can your cutie pie 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

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 :-) 

On The Road


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11 May 2018 - 7:53 pm
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Teresa thank you so much, I immediately thought of you and couldn't wait for you to share your experience.

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

Member Since:
10 May 2018
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11 May 2018 - 8:10 pm
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Jerry and Eurydice's owner,

Wow, thank you for the response.  I will add pictures soon.  Monte is brindle in color and steals the attention of many!

In answer to your question, yes, Monte went to his main vet, a holistic vet, and then his Oncology vet.  His size and body weight to balance was the concern if I were to choose amputation.  I didn't think of an orthopedic vet but will check.  At first the thought of amputating was a lot of information to process and yes, his size.  Not really sure I doubted he could manage on three legs because he's a strong willed Dane!  Just last Thursday he ran after a small dog like it was no tomorrow and I thought for sure he was going to break his leg.  What he was really showing me was his ability to carry on.  As he does now at times, compensates the pained leg with the other three and does fine.  At first, as I prayed and prayed about what to do, I didn't feel amputation was the road to go.  However, I look at so much life Monte has in him that I have now scheduled a consultation with the surgeon.  Might I also add that I too inquired about the vaccine for Osteosarcoma that is in trial stages.  I talked to a tech at Aratana and the closest veterinarian participating in the study.  My question to them was when will they try the vaccine with cancer being present? So, here we are.  Thank you for having such a great support systemheart I will look into all the suggested articles and the traveling site given.

Elizabeth   

Virginia







Member Since:
22 February 2013
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11 May 2018 - 11:05 pm
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Wanted to add another WELCOME!  Of course, we are all sorry you find yourself here.  As uou can already see though, there is no better place for support, first hand knowledge and understanding.  We know the shock, the fear and uncertainty when first trying to wrap yoir head around options.

I'm going to attach another thread that will inspire you.  It's  about a Dane who survived  FIVE YEARS  as a tripawd diagnosed with osteo.  You'll see a post on tnere by Atlas's Mom, anotner Dane who lived life to ghe fullest for almost two years.  She had two  Vets say she would not do well as a tripawd due to size and Wooblers.  She found a third one who thought  she would be just fine...and she was did jist fine!

http://tripawds.....eosarcoma/

The most important  thing you can do is follow EURYDICE'S  example!.  That dog crammed more joy into one day than most dogs get to experience in a lifetime!  Teresa  mastered the art of BEING MORE DOG...BEING MORE EURYDICE...and lived in the present and made each moment an adventure full of joy, happiness  and aooooo mich love❤  Eurydice  travelled  all across Europe and inspired everyone  she met  with her zest for life  and jer mastery of running  and playing on three legs.

After you finish your research and speak with the Ortho Vet, you'll have a more clear picture of what path you need to take.  We support you no matter what your decision  is.  You will make a decision  out of love, and that is always the right decision 

STAY CONNECTED  and let us know any questions you may have.

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:
21 May 2016
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12 May 2018 - 4:31 am
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Hi Elisabeth and Monte 🐾 🌺

So Monte is a brindle, my second favourite colour for Danes 💞 now we do need a picture !

There are other members who are trying osteosarcoma vaccines, I found this thread which has some info on the Aratana trial.

http://tripawds.....new-trial/

There are other threads on the subject but I can't find them ... dah ... sorry ...

Sally, thank you so much for bringing Ami's thread here, I did not know about that amazing and gloriously beautiful Dane (yes, harlequin is my favourite colour) 

Also, thank you so much for your lovely words re Miss Cow, oh, I just heard a happy laugh up there in the clouds 🌟🐮💕

Elisabeth, sweetheart, you are such a great advocate for your boy, I'm sure you'll make the right choices for him.

If I had known about the osteo vaccine when my baby was still here I would not have hesitated in going for it. 

Please keep us updated and ... some pictures ? ...

We are all here for your lovely self and your baby boy, any time  💓

Sending you lots of hugs and XXL ear scratches to your cutie pie 😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

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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21 May 2016
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19 May 2018 - 8:04 am
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Hi Elisabeth and Monte 🌺🐾

Just wondering how you are doing ? 

Thinking of you and sending you a big hug and XXL cuddles 😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🐮

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 :-) 

Member Since:
1 October 2017
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19 May 2018 - 8:51 pm
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Elisabeth and Monte,

Just getting here to read your story. I'm hoping so hard that you're all doing ok. You've had some awesome info given to you Sally (Benny) has been here a lot longer than I, Eurydice was the first pup I thought of. Teresa and Eurydice rocked life on three, if you get a chance to read her story, please do... It's just heart lifting 💖💖

I hope you are all doing ok. I'm sure life is hectic right now but when you have a moment please check in so we can follow your journey.

Jackie and Huck ❤️

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Member Since:
10 May 2018
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21 May 2018 - 10:34 am
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Hello to all,

Monte and I haven't been on the site due to a death in the family.  I will say dogs are amazing at knowing humans are sick and wanting to share their dog hugs!

As for Monte's actual update, we will be seeing the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow and also having an echo-gram done of his heart.  Then Wednesday he will have a CT scan, praying for no spread of cancer, if all clear they will proceed with amputation.  The tumor has just about outgrown the skin;  meaning I don't think the skin can stretch anymore.  The Zolendronate treatments may have strengthen the bone which is a good thing but this cancer is aggressive.  Please say prayers for us in that we have the chance to proceed.

I've tried to share pictures but not having any luck in doing so.  I'm not technology savy so pictures will come soon. 

Thank you all for the information and support you all provide here.  Truly needed when you're willing to do what it takes to keep our fur babies happy and healthy!  Thank you Theresa for sharing your story!  Eurydice's story helped me through that hard decision.  Praying we still have the opportunityheart

Elizabeth and Monte

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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21 May 2018 - 10:47 am
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Elizabeth you have my deepest condolences, I'm sorry about your family member. Sounds like Monte was there for them though, what a beautiful thing.

I'm glad to hear you've done all that homework and Monte will see the ortho doc. We are sending lots of love and good wishes for a green light on surgery. Please keep us posted OK?

P.S. If you'd like to Private Message me (the little envelope icon to the right of my name at the top of this post), you can send me a link to your photos and I'll help get them up here. We would love to see your handsome boy.

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



Member Since:
21 May 2016
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21 May 2018 - 2:23 pm
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Hi Elisabeth and Monte 🌺🐾

SO lovely to hear from you 💕

Miss Cow also had a CT scan prior to surgery but I have to say, knowing what I know now, even if they had found tiny little lung mets at the time, I would still go for it. 

But I am as confident as one can be you will not find any of those!

You’re tackling cancer in the early stages, let’s not forget it.

Plus, you are getting rid of the pain 100%.

Eurydice is laughing her happy laugh at the thought she might have helped you and Monte with the surgery decision, it is definitely the right decision 💕🐮💕

We are all here for you, sweetie, you’re in our thoughts and in our heart 💗

Please keep us updated, sending you an avalanche of kisses and XXL tummy rubs to Monte, cannot wait for pictures !

😘😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

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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21 May 2016
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23 May 2018 - 5:13 am
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Hi Elisabeth and Monte 🌺🐾

Just wanted to wish you all the best today and am hoping CT scan is clear !

Angel Eurydice is keeping a good eye on Monte today, she won’t leave his side until surgery is over, you can be sure of that, sweetie 🕊

Sending you all the pawsitive energy I can master, please update us when you can 😘😘🐮💫✨🌟🌹

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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23 May 2018 - 8:31 am
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We are all thinking about you and wishing you the best wishes for healthy results. Sending tons of hugs, positive healing warmth, and lots and lots of love. 💞💝💖💝💞

Hugs,

Jackie, Bo, Andy, Oscar, Phoebe, and the coolest feral tripawd kitty Huckleberry

Huckleberry's Blog

Member Since:
10 May 2018
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24 May 2018 - 10:27 am
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Hello to all,

The CT/ surgery was postponed till next Wednesday.  Here's what I found out in my orthopedic consult.  Monte can have the surgery, clear CT pending.  However, the echocardiogram shows early stages of DCM.  The tumor has thinned the skin and to keep Monte from licking the area to make it worse I'm having to keep it bandaged.  Which I'm sure most of you know is impossible.  I came back from getting his peanut butter and the original bandage from the vets office was all over the floor.  Goober!  Gotta love 'em!!  So here we are waiting.  Monte is still getting around but exerts energy quicker than before.  Oh, and the concern for the surgery was his aftercare because he's a large dog and I'm 5'2" and would I be able to get him up and around.  His harness arrived today so I'm going to make fitting adjustments when he decides to stand up long enough.  On the paperwork its suggesting to crate him after surgery.  My question to you all is this:  I have a spare small room that he likes to sleep in.  I'm purchasing an orthopedic XXL dog bed for him as well.  Am I ok to go this route or definitely set up his crate?  He kind of outgrew it!  (It's the largest one they make.)   

Pre surgery thoughts or recommendations?  I am all about positive energy so if there is a downside, please don't let it sound too discouraging.  I know everyone has had different situations; good and bad.  It's just me and my big boy!

Thank you,

Elizabeth and Monte

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