Help with Bone Cancer

Hi, I would appreciate any ideas on what is best for my best friend "Bear" who was diagnosed with bone cancer in his rear leg Friday. My husband left for Iraq a week ago and then I find out that the limp in his leg is not from arthritis but bone cancer. He is 120 lbs and has arthritis in both hips and I dont think that amputation will be an option as he has a hard time already. I am hoping that somehow he can make it and be comfortable until August when my husband gets to come home for a week so he can be here to say goodbye. He is 11 1/2 yrs old and is a malamute/wolf from Alaska... he has the best personality and is my best friend. I would do anything I could to help! They have him on Rimadyl and Tramadol right now - one table of Rimadyl twice a day and when I can sneek the Tramadol in something where he doesnt find it he ususally gets it 2 times a day. The vet said that is lungs are clear and his bloodwork (heart, liver, kidneys) are all very healthy. I have heard of people where they were told 8 weeks to live and their dog lived for 10 months.. the vet said he didnt think he would live more than couple months - does anyone have any past experience?? I have begun feeding him a diet of all protein and trying to sneek in Co Q-10 into his food but he is smart and finds pills then wont eat... He still is eating well .. I would appreciate any help and if anyone wants to email me please Pm me for the address. I could love to hear from all.. could definately use the support. I cant stop crying... thanks so much! Tanya

I don't have any suggestions - no doubt others will - but just wanted to say that I am very sorry about your dear Bear and that you have to deal with this alone. Did the vet think that chemo would be helpful? Dogs handle chemo quite well, where it is indicated. The vet could also be wrong about his longevity - such things are hard to predict - and his overall health is in his favour.
Fingers crossed for the three of you.

I am so sorry :sad: I don't have any experience with bone cancer. I did have a golden who past away last year from another type of this disease. Try putting the pills in peanut butter, it never fails. Or in bananas , works great too. Good luck :grouphug:

Hi Tanya,
My eyes are welling up as I read your post. We just found out on last Sat. that my 4 years old has a tumor like lump on his tail and I just couldn't stop crying every time I see him. I just can't imagine what you are going through.


We give George's med in drySalmon skin treats, we got them at the Petsmart store.

Hang in there, big {{{{{hugs}}}}}}.


SaraGeorge

I am sorry to hear about Bears illness.

My girl friends cat had bone cancer and had to have a leg amputated. She was told her cat would probably only live several months and she survived the cancer for several years.

It is a difficult time for you with your husband’s deployment and Bears illness. Follow your Vets advice to keep Bear as pain free as possible and give him lots of love.

I worked for many years as a nurse and I don’t think anyone can accurately predict how long either a person or an animal can live after a diagnosis is made. I had many patients that were given several months to live and they lived for months and even years beyond that.

I don’t want to give you false hope but I don’t want you to give up hope. My best wishes to all three of you.

Missinak, try posting here:
http://www.handicappedpets.net/viewforum.php?f=11
I'm on this forum myself (it is especially for pets who have had/will have an amputation) and I know that there are others with large breed dogs who have dealt with bone cancer, especially a gal named Tessa who has a large dog named Xena. They might be able to offer some advice/encouragement...I have found them very encouraging.
Good luck