So sorry about the bad news, but you've come to a great place for support and advice. 

I know how it must rip you up to have your options limited by finances.  I'm in that boat now too.  We tried carboplatin, but lung mets came before his fourth and final round anyway, and now I don't have much left to work with.  I don't have any knowledge of Hepalin, but someone else might.  I'll be interested to hear myself!  I know they'll have lots of suggestions for other routes besides chemo to go.  I am sifting through advice and old posts myself this weekend so that I can run any that sound might appropriate by Yoda's oncologist on Monday.

If amputation is an option financially, that really gave Yoda back his quality of life for the past 2 1/2 months and I feel it would have been worth it even it was just for those couple months.  Recovery is rough, takes about two weeks, but after that they're pain free and gradually can get back to running and playing - living a full doggy life during the time they have left.  Results vary, but Yoda was back at the dog park just a month after his amputation.  (I hope you don't mind me throwing out this input when you didn't ask) 

Hello, sorry to hear you are going through this too...

We are giving our Horacia an Uncaria Tomentosa (cat claw) infusion thrice a day. It is widely used in humans in alternative medicine and looking through the web we found it does have anti-cancer qualities. Maybe just as back up it could help.

And... very important, she seems to like it and drinks it without complains.

Thanks Pam for the fish oil comment, i'll include it!

Cecilia & Horacia

Sorry to hear about Winston!  But most of us here are in the same boat, so you've come to the right place.  Jack had his amputation surgery on June 3, and goes in every 3 weeks for adriamycin chemotherapy (our oncologist decided on this drug, and, as a bonus, it's cheaper than carboplatin…about $375 per dose whereas carboplatin was around $500).  I also took it upon myself to research herbal supplements, just so I could feel like I was doing something, so here is what Jack gets:

Morning:

2 IP6 and Inositol tablets

2 Astragalus tablets

1 shark's cartilage capsule

1 Flax Oil Capsule, squeezed over his food

Evening:

Same as above except I add 2 Pau d'Arco capsules into his food (just empty the powder over some wet food and he doesn't even know the difference)

We also had him on K9 Immunity and Transfer factor, but we ran out now and it's too expensive to re-order at the moment…stupid chemo sucks the cash right out of ya

I would like to have him on Artemisinin , but will have to order it online as our local stores didn't have any.

I have heard of using Cat's Claw like Horacia gets, but Jack is already on so many supplements, I figured another one was toooooo many.  Be sure to check with your oncologist or vet before starting Winston on anything as sometimes even herbs can have adverse effects.  There are still a ton of options, so don't give up hope yet, OK??  It's all about how your dog battles the disease, and each doggy is different.  Best Wishes to you and your family!!

<3 Laura and Jackers

I'm so sorry to hear about your diagnosis.  We all know how it feels.  You're expecting news of a sprain or something like that, and then your life is turned upside-down with the C-word and you have to make some major decisions very quickly.

You've come to the right place for information...and a shoulder to cry on, help when you're scared, and lots of hugs and prayers and good thoughts for the bad days.

My doctor advised me to take two or three days and do a lot of research before making the decision to amputate (or not).  I started out thinking that the cost might outweigh the benefit.  I changed my mind, and have not been sorry.  Cemil is an Anatolian Shepherd, around 150#, left-front amputee.  He's doing fine and I'm very happy for the seven months I've had with him since (and more to come!).  His insurance covered about half the cost of the surgery and I chose an alternate method of treatment because chemo wasn't a financial option.  There are as many treatment options as there are dogs and owners, so you'll find the way that's right for you and Winston.  Keep asking about the things that concern you.

Welcome to you and Winston.

Mary and Cemil

Hi there,

I'm so sorry to hear about Winston's diagnosis. I know how awful you must feel and all the choices you have to make. Jake is almost 1 month post his amputation surgery (also diagnosed with osteosarcoma), and so far is doing well. We also couldn't afford the chemo, but have changed his diet and are adding extra supplements. We don't know how long he has, but we are enjoying every single minute of his life for as long as he is with us. Please post soon and let us know how you and Winston are doing...

Jake's Mom