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Lung mets and hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy
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Wirral, England, UK
Member Since:
6 April 2011
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1
13 September 2011 - 12:38 pm
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I haven't posted on here since Winston's amputation back in April. He made a fantastic recovery from the surgery, after overcoming an infection. He then went on to have 6 rounds of chemotherapy with carboplatin. His last one was about 8 weeks ago. We have had a wonderful few months with him, he has been back to his usual self. I was hopeful he would be one of the dogs that made it to a year post amputation. A couple of weeks ago things changed and he seemed in pain with his other legs and they were swollen. Yesterday he went for a chest & leg xray. Turns out he has one large and several small tumours on his lungs and they have caused a condition called hypertrophic pulmonary osteopathy. This causes new bone to grow along his limbs, causing pain and poor mobility. He is on metacam and tramadol for pain and zitac & sucralfate to prevent digestive problems. I don't think he has got long.

I was wondering how long dogs survve with lung mets and if anyone has any experience of the hypertrophic pulmonary osteopthay?

I am devastated, obviously I knew this would happen one day, but I was hoping it would be a long way on the future. My poor boy is only 3 and he loves life, he doesn't deserve this.

 

Rachel

Winston started limping in Feb 11, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right front paw in March 11, amputation April 11. Six rounds of carboplatin. Diagnosed with HO and lung mets September 11.We sadly said goodbye on 24 May 12, sleep tight Winston dog xx

California
Member Since:
8 May 2011
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13 September 2011 - 12:48 pm
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Hi Rachel,

I can't offer you any answers on this yet as I am in exactly the same boat as you are with my 2 year labrador Misty. She had limb sparing surgery in May but is now scheduled for an amputation next week as the cancer has grown back at the surgery site. Everyone that I have had contact with regarding OSA has said even if the lungs appear clear the cancer will have already spread there and it is just a matter of time. I am living everyday hoping that the chemo will prevent this for a long time but I will not know until it happens. What I do know is that OSA is such an ugly and devastating cancer. It seems like nothing can stop it. Unfortunatley for our young pups we have to realize that it has been there since they were born and nothing we could have done could have prevented it. I hope we can stay in touch since we are on the same path with our fur babies.

 

Fiona

Misty's blog: http://misty.tripawds.com

Sister to Millie, 9 yr old choc. lab

Sister to Lola, 6 yr old choc. lab

Sister to Toby, 7 yr old rottie mix (officially my sons dog, but I'm still his mama!)

Sweetness to Fiona and Bill

teresa808
3
13 September 2011 - 7:21 pm
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Hello Fiona and Rachel,

We are all a part of the Young Pup Cancer Club sad

Our Girl Brandy just turned 4 on June 16th.  Her original tumor popped up before she had even turned 3.  She had her front left leg amputated on May 18th, 2010 due to Osteosarcoma.  She went thru months of infection after the initial amputation and we really had second thoughts putting her thru such a traumatic surgery.  Thankfully, she handled the chemotherapy like a champ and had no serious complications.  Right at her year ampuversary in May, I found a small hard bump that had appeared on her left rear remaining leg.  We raced her straight to the vet to have it checked out.  At that time, they really felt this was just an infection so she was put on long term antibiotics.  At the same time, we had her chest and blood work done.  All Clear!  We were so relieved.  However, as the months passed, the bump grew and her mobility began to diminish.  We took her back to the vet in early August.  She had xrays and biopsy done which gave us the news we were dreading...Osteosarcoma was back.  The chest xrays were not clear anymore either, there were 2 small tumors and one of her ribs had what the doctor called a "hot spot".  So, sadly there is nothing more that can be done for her besides pain control.  She is still feeling pretty good, still eating and drinking.  Going to the bathroom for her has been a struggle but she is still managing.  She swims daily and enjoys some good tug of war with the other dogs.  We pamper the heck out of her and just enjoy every second that god has given us with our girl.

I am so sorry to hear about your babies, it is so tough to see our sweet kids go thru this.  Originally, Brandy was only given a max life expectancy of 6 months even with the amputation and chemo.  She is almost at 1 year and 4 months!  Fiona, you are so right, these situations were completely out of our hands.  Cancer had already chosen them from the start.  Try not to think of how little time Winston has, just try to make every second really count with him.  Feel no guilt if and when you decide to set him free.

Teresa - Brandy's Auntie

krun15
4
13 September 2011 - 7:33 pm
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Hi Rachel,

I'm sorry to hear about Winston's new diagnosis.

The only pup I can remember who was diagnosed with Hypertrophic Osteopathy was my local friend Caria Sue.  Her mom only made one post about it- you can find it HERE.  Unfortunately for Caira it was diagnosed at the end of her cancer battle.  Caria Sue's mom is not currently active at Tripawds.

A search of the forums for hypertophic osteoapthy only brought a few matches, one of which is the one above.

 

Karen and the pugapalooza

Las Vegas, Nevada
Member Since:
14 August 2009
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13 September 2011 - 8:33 pm
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I'm so sorry to hear that Winston has developed lung mets and hypertropic pulmonary osteopathy.  I'm sorry I don't have any information.

It is just so unfair.

 

Sending you lots of warm thoughts through this terrible time.

Her Retired AvatarComet - 1999 to 2011

She departed us unexpectedly  January 23, 2011 at the age of 12 1/2.

She was born with a deformed front leg and a tripawd all of her life.

On The Road


Member Since:
24 September 2009
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6
13 September 2011 - 8:43 pm
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Thanks for finding that Karen, I went by memory alone and totally spaced that CS had that condition.

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

San Diego, CA
Member Since:
29 October 2010
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13 September 2011 - 8:57 pm
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Hi Rachel,

So sorry to hear Winston's story. We are in a similar boat, Abby just turned two, is 10 months post amp and has lung mets. However, we do not have the added problem of the HPO that sweet Winston has. Sorry I can't offer any advice/input there.

The only thing that helps me when thinking about Abby and her having cancer at such a young age is that she doesn't know that she is getting short shrift. As far as she knows, she has a great life, she is loved and spoiled like crazy, and she doesn't know what's coming. She is a happy girl. I'm sure Winston is in a pretty similar situation - lots of loving and he doesn't know that he's got this crappy disease.

Try to hang in there and just be at peace with the fact that you have given him a great life and also gave him every chance at extending it.

Big hugs and thinking pawsitive thoughts for Winston,
Jackie, Abby's mom

Abby: Aug 1, 2009 – Jan 10, 2012. Our beautiful rescue pup lived LARGE with osteosarcoma for 15 months – half her way-too-short life. I think our "halflistic" approach (mixing traditional meds + supplements) helped her thrive. (PM me for details. I'm happy to help.) She had lung mets for over a year. They took her from us in the end, but they cannot take her spirit! She will live forever in our hearts. She loved the beach and giving kisses and going to In-N-Out for a Flying Dutchman. Tripawds blog, and a more detailed blog here. Please also check out my novel, What the Dog Ate. Now also in paperback! Purchase it at Amazon via Tripawds and help support Tripawds!

Sebastopol, CA
Member Since:
11 June 2011
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8
13 September 2011 - 9:34 pm
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Rachel, I'm so sorry that Winston is dealing with such a difficult diagnosis. This disease is just so unfair. You are doing everything you can for him.

Sending much love & huggs & pawsitive thoughts,

Joanne, Lylee's Mum

xoxoxo

http://lyleegir.....ipawds.com

Wirral, England, UK
Member Since:
6 April 2011
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9
14 September 2011 - 1:27 am
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Thanks for all your kind words and for the link to the previous post. I just wish he only had the lung mets to deal with, I have a feeling this HPO will cause him too much pain and will take him before the lung mets. He has the desire to play with his toys and go on walks but his legs just get too painful after awhile.

Fiona and Teresa, it is so hard to accept that this can happen to such young dogs, it sounds like yours are both doing well though. It sounds like Brandy is a real fighter.

Winston started limping in Feb 11, diagnosed with osteosarcoma in his right front paw in March 11, amputation April 11. Six rounds of carboplatin. Diagnosed with HO and lung mets September 11.We sadly said goodbye on 24 May 12, sleep tight Winston dog xx

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