So, yeah.

Here is where we can discuss canine cancers and treatment options to create a support system for those dealing with the disease.

Postby Brownies Mom » January 24th, 2010, 9:38 pm

I know you are devastated. I am so sorry. I wish no one ever had to get this horrible disease, or this kind of devastating news. :shake: There are lots of people on this board who are here for you. They have been through this, or are going through it, and will support you every way possible. Sometimes you will just need to talk about it, and this is a good place for that.

Sending up prayers now for you and Hoss.
:hug3:
Marianne
- A-Jay (APBT)
- Remy (English Setter mix)
User avatar
Brownies Mom
Just Whelped
 
Posts: 81

Postby LMM » January 24th, 2010, 10:42 pm

I'm so sorry :(
User avatar
LMM
I'll Kick Your Ass
 
Posts: 1834
Location: Bitch please....

Postby HappyChick » January 25th, 2010, 10:33 am

I am so, so sorry to read this news. I will give you this piece of advice and I hope it helps -- enjoy the time you have with Hoss. Spoil him as much as possible. Take lots and lots of pictures and videos. Make more memories that can comfort you when you need them most. You and Hoss will both benefit.

:hug3:
Angie & crew

http://www.epitome-dog-rescue.org

My beloved Vincenzo 07/22/05 - 11/16/09 forever in my heart. Cancer sucks.
HappyChick
Loyally Bully
 
Posts: 701

Postby TinaMartin » January 25th, 2010, 10:50 am

I'm sorry that you got news like this. You will be in my thoughts. :cry:
Not only am I a member of the Michelle says my dog is fat club I'm the president!
I can Alpha Roll hair!
User avatar
TinaMartin
The Hair Whisperer
 
Posts: 1240
Location: Rochester NY

Postby blabsforbullies » January 25th, 2010, 11:20 am

Ketra wrote:Thank you, everyone.

It was brought to my attention that it is really uncommon for osteosarcoma to show up in one elbow, but much less both.

So, I'm going to find a specialist in Albuquerque to send his x-rays to.


I was thinking the same thing.... it's usually away from the elbow and rarely in both legs. :|
We have a Mastiff... does that count??? :)
http://www.teamblabador.com

Akisa & Team Blabador
User avatar
blabsforbullies
Giver of the Wubba
 
Posts: 501
Location: Connecticut

Postby cheekymunkee » January 26th, 2010, 10:48 pm

I am so sorry :(
There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line.

Debby
User avatar
cheekymunkee
I Have Your Grass
 
Posts: 28540
Location: Dallas

Postby Libby » January 27th, 2010, 12:27 am

I spoke to the vet about doing a biopsy, that would pretty much give me a completely concrete answer one way or the other, wouldn't it?

I was also thinking that regardless of what the specialists say, I would probably opt for a biopsy anyway just to be 100% positive that is/is not what it is.

Are there negative side affects to having a bone marrow biopsy? I think I recall something about it severely weakening the bones, but I can't remember correctly.
Love me, Love my dogs.
User avatar
Libby
Snot Nose Bully Pup
 
Posts: 120
Location: Vanderwagon, NM

Postby Libby » January 27th, 2010, 2:03 am

I somehow managed to confuse myself on the osteosarcoma being in his elbow, when its actually in his left shoulder. :oops:

Ok, here is his left shoulder. I know its kind of hard to make out, but we took three separate x-rays and this was the best one.
Image

And his right elbow.
Image
Love me, Love my dogs.
User avatar
Libby
Snot Nose Bully Pup
 
Posts: 120
Location: Vanderwagon, NM

Postby Malli » January 27th, 2010, 4:06 am

I think the only time a Biopsy is not concrete is if they don't happen to get what they suspect in the biopsy.
I can only please one person per day. Today is not your day, tomorrow doesn't look good either.
_______________________________________
"You didn't know of the magical powers of the break stick? It's up there with genies and Harry Potter as far as magic levels go." SisMorphine 01/07/07
User avatar
Malli
E-I-E-I-O!
 
Posts: 6341
Location: CANADA EH?

Postby CinderDee » January 27th, 2010, 2:32 pm

Can you explain the xrays a bit?
Dee
User avatar
CinderDee
I'm The Bug Whisperer
 
Posts: 3414
Location: Forever in my heart...

Postby Brownies Mom » January 27th, 2010, 10:07 pm

I think the shoulder is a fairly common area for them to get OSA. My sister's dog had it in the shoulder.
How big is Hoss? Does he have to go up stairs to get outside or to the bedroom or anything? I'm just thinking that there may come a time when you will want to help him do stairs, and maybe even offer support during potty breaks. He may be too big to pick up and carry, but there are ways you can support him (they make harnesses and slings that can help).
Marianne
- A-Jay (APBT)
- Remy (English Setter mix)
User avatar
Brownies Mom
Just Whelped
 
Posts: 81

Postby plebayo » January 27th, 2010, 10:43 pm

I would definitely get it biopsied to make sure you aren't dealing with anything else, but it has the moth-eaten appearance, typical of osteosarcoma. I don't know if there is negative effects caused by biopsy but it can't be worse than whatever is eating away at his shoulder. :|

I am so sorry you are going through this.

Cancer, if that is what it truly is, sucks. :hug3:
Suzanne
Seth, CGC & LiLo
♥♥Sofie - Always in my heart. ♥♥
User avatar
plebayo
Mrs. Dr. Kildare
 
Posts: 943
Location: Oregon

Postby furever_pit » January 28th, 2010, 11:48 am

((hugs))

I am sorry you are going through this. Hoss is lucky to have such a caring owner as yourself.
I'll be thinking of y'all and sending good thoughts your way.
User avatar
furever_pit
Supremely Bully
 
Posts: 1138
Location: NC

Postby Libby » January 28th, 2010, 11:34 pm

I'll try to explain as best I can.

Image

The area I circled in red is the affected area, which is his shoulder blade. The cloudy/moth eaten looking parts on the bone is what we suspect being osteosarcoma.

Image

Again, look at the area I circled (which is pretty much all in this one, haha). The white spots and lines are what we are looking at in this one, and the vet suspects that is also osteosarcoma.
Love me, Love my dogs.
User avatar
Libby
Snot Nose Bully Pup
 
Posts: 120
Location: Vanderwagon, NM

Postby maberi » January 29th, 2010, 11:53 am

I'm so sorry to hear about poor Hoss. Please keep us in the loop on his progress and the outcome of the biopsy if you decide to get one.
Look beyond what your own eyes see
User avatar
maberi
I Save My Empty Calories For The Bottle
 
Posts: 2781
Location: rochester, ny

Postby blabsforbullies » February 18th, 2010, 8:29 pm

How are you and Hoss doing? :hug3:
We have a Mastiff... does that count??? :)
http://www.teamblabador.com

Akisa & Team Blabador
User avatar
blabsforbullies
Giver of the Wubba
 
Posts: 501
Location: Connecticut

Postby Patch O' Pits » February 18th, 2010, 10:03 pm

Hugs and prayers! I'm so sorry! I hate reading new DX's :(

Hang in there!
Patch O' Pits Pursuit-O-Perfection

Run Hard at the Rainbow Bridge My Angel Sock-M! I Love You Baby Girl! Now that your Mom Starlit is up there too, please help her learn the ropes, love and keep her company until I can see you both again. Starlit I love you!
http://i14.tinypic.com/2a8q345.jpg
User avatar
Patch O' Pits
Welcome Wagger
 
Posts: 4426
Location: Northeastern, USA

Postby Libby » January 20th, 2011, 4:02 am

Its been a bit since I've been on here, and a lot has happened. Hoss went to the bridge on September 11th of 2010, and I still miss him so much my heart aches. I just thank God every day that his passing was very peaceful, and that he is no longer in pain.

We had upped his pain medications to Gabapentin and Tramadol, at the highest doses. He started crying at night because he could not get comfortable, and he was slowing down and losing weight. His fur started to get spotty and brittle...and through all that, he kept that sparkle and love for life in his eye. The smile never fell from his face.

I took him in for another x-ray shortly before the end, and we were all shocked. It was a miracle he was still walking, and that his leg hadn't broken. The bone was so deteriorated that the doctor told me it could break at any time....he also told me it was time to say my goodbyes.

So I did.

I spent the last week of Hoss' life spoiling him rotten and taking him with me everywhere. I tried to cram the ten years I wanted with him into a few short days. I tried to show him how much I loved him.

On the morning of the 11th, I took Hoss on a walk early that morning, through the trees. We just kept eachother company, me trying to send him all the love and comfort vibes I could, even though I was constantly crying and it felt like my heart was being ripped out.

The vet was kind enough to come to my house instead of taking Hoss to the clinic where he was never comfortable. We sat on the back porch, in the warm sun. Hoss and I stretched out on a blanket, and we all just spoke for a while. Hoss went to sleep, peaceful and happy. We sedated him, and he never moved. He passed peacefully from his dreams and into Heaven. It was a beautiful way to go, and I'm so glad that it was like that.

I miss him so much. I can still hear him sometimes, his fussing in the crate at night, his bark. I look at his collars and the pain in my heart makes me catch my breath.

Hoss was a special dog, and I wish so much that I could have given him years longer. But I am so, so blessed and thankful that I had the time with him that I did. I don't regret a second of it.

I pray that he knew then, and knows now, how much I love him. I hope I gave him all he had lacked before.

Image
Love me, Love my dogs.
User avatar
Libby
Snot Nose Bully Pup
 
Posts: 120
Location: Vanderwagon, NM

Postby plebayo » January 20th, 2011, 5:18 am

:hug3:

Hoss knew and knows how much you love him. You made the hardest decision ever but it was clearly in his best interests. It's just never enough time, whether you spend 6mos together or 14 years, it's just never enough.
Suzanne
Seth, CGC & LiLo
♥♥Sofie - Always in my heart. ♥♥
User avatar
plebayo
Mrs. Dr. Kildare
 
Posts: 943
Location: Oregon

Postby pitbullmamaliz » January 20th, 2011, 8:19 am

Oh Libby, my heart breaks for you. But what a wonderful, loving way to let him go. :hug3:
"Remember - every time your dog gets somewhere on a tight leash *a fairy dies and it's all your fault.* Think of the fairies." http://www.positivepetzine.com"

http://www.pitbullzen.com
http://inaradog.wordpress.com
User avatar
pitbullmamaliz
Working out in the buff causes chafing
 
Posts: 15438
Location: Cleveland, OH

PreviousNext

Return to Canine Cancer

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users

cron