Harley And Osteosarcoma

[sambea]

Hi Guys,

I thought I would start this thread as my darling Labrador Harley battles with Osteosarcoma.

Harley was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma (bone cancer) on the 25th July 2008 and the prognosis was 6 - 12 weeks left to live. It has been 7 weeks since diagnosis and he is still going really well.

Harley is 12 years old and I have had him since he was 8 weeks, he has been my best friend for these last 12 years and I am going to miss him terribly. (ok am back from having a little cry).

When I found the lump on his right foreleg, I immediately knew we were in trouble. He has had a lot of fatty cysts, but this felt completely different. It was hard, shaped like a cauliflower and it didn't move. We took him to the vet immediately , and 3 days later it was confirmed that he had Osteosarcoma.

I had never heard of this before, and so the research began. What a horrible, nasty cancer. Due to Harley having arthritis he was not a suitable candidate for amputation and I had the horrible realisation that there was really nothing we could do about it.

I cried constantly for 5 days straight and intermittently since then. I am trying my hardest to be upbeat and enjoy our last weeks together and will try my utmost to do this for the rest of our time. He is getting sot much love and attention and my digital camera will need replacing soon from over use.

I have also make a scrapbook of Harley which captures from when he was just 8 weeks old until now - it will be something I will look back on and treasure.

I will try to make weekly updates as to how Harley is progressing in the hope that this information can be of use to someone else. I have found that the hardest thing to deal with is that I don't know what is going to "get him". I have been told that it will either be his mobility (too painful to walk or get up anymore), his lungs (the cancer spreads to the lungs in 90% of dogs with Osteosarcoma), or a heart attack or stroke (the cancer releases chemicals that cause blood clotting).

At the moment Harley is eating well, walking with only a slight limp and still seems happy within himself. I actually found him on the couch the other day - I have no idea how he got up there as he hasn't been able to for about 5 years when he first did an anterior cruciate ligament. He is still playing (as much as his arthritis lets him) and I actually have to watch that he doesn't over extend himself. He attempts tug o' war with our beagle and of course he loves his pats.

The tumor did not grow much at all in the first few weeks, however, it is now the size of a tennis ball.

I have been researching home euthanasia vets - we are in Melbourne, and trying to find a Pet Cremation service that guarantee's individual cremation rather than mass cremation. I need to have everything organised before it happens as I know I will be in no state to do it when it occurs. I have been told by our vet that he will be fine and then all of a sudden his health will rapidly decline and he will be gone withing 48 - 72 hours.

Anyway, will let you know how we progress and I would appreciate any stories of others that have gone through this terrible disease.

Cheers,

Sambea

[Rockafella]

I'm so sorry that you and your beloved dog have to go through this. I know it's "life" and we all do in the end but it doesn't make it any easier.

My 9 1/2 yr old Rottie passed away (euthanased) mid July this year due to bone cancer.

He simply started limping and then the vet noticed the lump on his shoulder blade. He was in great spirits for many many weeks, eating and being his normal self.

He stayed strong and "normal" for around 13 weeks and then had a very rapid decline. The lump grew quite fast and in the end was bigger than a tennis ball. He stopped eating and lost a lot of weight 6kg in the end (when he never fluctuated in his weight his entire life). His decline was only about a week and we are just so grateful that we were able to put an end to his pain and be there with him at the very end.

I'm still very, very emotional over his loss (hence crying while writing this) and want you to know that I can totally 100% relate to your situation.

Much hugs to you and your puppy

X

[sambea]

I'm so sorry that you and your beloved dog have to go through this. I know it's "life" and we all do in the end but it doesn't make it any easier.

My 9 1/2 yr old Rottie passed away (euthanased) mid July this year due to bone cancer.

He simply started limping and then the vet noticed the lump on his shoulder blade. He was in great spirits for many many weeks, eating and being his normal self.

He stayed strong and "normal" for around 13 weeks and then had a very rapid decline. The lump grew quite fast and in the end was bigger than a tennis ball. He stopped eating and lost a lot of weight 6kg in the end (when he never fluctuated in his weight his entire life). His decline was only about a week and we are just so grateful that we were able to put an end to his pain and be there with him at the very end.

I'm still very, very emotional over his loss (hence crying while writing this) and want you to know that I can totally 100% relate to your situation.

Much hugs to you and your puppy

X

I am so sorry to hear of your loss Rockysmum - it is one of the hardest things to go through and my thoughts are with you as I know you miss him dearly.

Thank you so much for you kind words and sharing your loss, it is heartbreaking. I am constantly monitoring everything Harley does, everytime he gives a little cough or groan my heart accelerates as I think "Is this it?" I read Rainbow Bridge for the first time a couple of weeks ago, how beautiful but I couldn't stop crying for the rest of the day. Your boy will be playing there, fit and healthy and my boy will join him soon and they will play until we join them. Ok, now I am crying again.

Thank you for your hugs, the support means the world.

Sambea xoxo

[Sam&Saki]

Oh I am so sorry to hear it :D

My Kia was 13 1/2 when she was diagnosed with hemangiosarcoma, I'd had her for exactly half my life and couldn't really remember life without her.

Kia was given 10 days to live but went on strong for another 6 weeks before becoming sick / in pain.

Enjoy the time you have left as much as you possibly can and postpone your grief until Harley is gone.

I'm so glad I had that time with Kia.

Keep Harley by your side for as long as is compassionate and treasure every moment.

*hugs* x

Edited September 11, 2008 by Sam&Saki

[Ci]

So sorry to hear of such sad news.

If you pop into the unwell Rotti thread - you will see that Cavnott is going through this with her beautiful girl as well. She has done an amazing job with her girl. Maybe have a chat to her.

[Diva]

So sorry that you and Harley are going through this. I lost a dog to this disease some years ago and it broke my heart.

Best wishes

[Allerzeit]

Hi Sambea, and welcome to the forum

Our Stewie also had Osteo in the right front leg - I will see if I can dig up my old thread about his journey. There might be some useful information there for you.

I can highly recommend giving natural therapies a go - they aren't going to do any harm, and they just may provide some extended quality of life for Harley

When Stewie was diagnosed, we expected a similar timeframe - having been through Osteosarcoma before - we immediately started Stewie on a raw, unprocessed food, diet and combined this with herbal treatments. Stewie had 10 months of very high quality life, and for the vast majority of that he required no or very minimal conventional pain relief.

Have a look at cavNrotts thread about Sophie as well - it is inspiring, to say the lease ( to you and to Soph, cNr)

Edited to add: Here is the link to the thread about Stewie - http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?show...c=30927&hl=

Edited September 11, 2008 by Allerzeit

[Staffyluv]

Sorry to hear about Harley - it is very hard when we hear our muched loved dogs will be taken from us before their time.

What treatement are you using for him at present?

Sometimes vets just throw their hands in the air because it is easier for them.

There are plenty of supplements available to keep Harley as well as possible for as long as possible.

Our boy has a different cancer to Harley but we were told 18 months tops, that was nearly 3 years ago - he is only treated holistically now (although did have chemo in the very beginning but did not finish the whole course).

Find a good holistic vet and have a chat, it is amazing what they can do for us and our dogs.

All the very best to you and Harley

[dogbesotted]

sorry that you and Harley are facing this.

My girl lucinda was dxd with a different kind of cancer way back in late august 2002. I was advised by her oncologist to take her home for a few days to say goodbye... with help from a wonderful practise of holistiv vets and Lucindas local vet she celebrated her 11th Birthday last month.. so six years later my Lucy has become a rather elegant if a little doddery old lady. Lucinda has been treated holistically for the past 6 years. It has allowed her to have great quality of life.

I dont know if you have contacted the caninebonecancer group at yahoo.. but a lot of support and experience is there for all who find themselves fighting this fight.

here are some links to canine cancer support groups:

http://www.caninecancerawareness.org/html/...portGroups.html

Hugs

Helen

[gemstone]

Sorry to hear about Harley, it is so hard when you get the news.

Give him a hug from me and Callie the foxy

[cavNrott]

Sophie's story is in the Unwell Rotties thread. She was given 3 weeks left last December.

Her time is due tomorrow so I'm not capable of intelligent conversation at the moment. I'm happy to share information of the treatment I gave Sophie if you wish. She's had just over a year from the first biopsy of her osteosarcoma.

[scorpio]

Sophie's story is in the Unwell Rotties thread. She was given 3 weeks left last December.

Her time is due tomorrow so I'm not capable of intelligent conversation at the moment. I'm happy to share information of the treatment I gave Sophie if you wish. She's had just over a year from the first biopsy of her osteosarcoma.

R.I.P beautiful Sophie. You have amazed everyone by your gallantry and courage.

Scorpio

[Mooper]

You've already been given great advice, so I'll just send my best wishes that Harley beats the odds like so many DOL dogs before him, and has many happy painfree times with you.

[sambea]

Hi Guys,

Been a while since I have been on here, have been sooooo busy, looking after Harley, a new pup and our 3 year old Beagle- but I am pleased to say that Harley is still going...He is amazing, it has been 18 weeks now since he was diagnosed and he has gone much longer than expected. He is only now starting to show discomfort and the lump on his leg is gigantic. His leg and paw are now swollen due to the tumor blocking blood vessels, and it is a day by day assessment now. The hardest thing is that he still wants to play with his toys, have lots of pats and cuddles and his appetite is still huge!!!! Typical Lab

We had our Samoyed puppy arrive home 5 weeks ago (were expecting Harley to have been gone by then) but thank goodness it has not made a negative impact on Harley. If anything, I think it has helped as our 3 year old Beagle now has a friend to play with and is giving Harley some peace.

The only medication that Harley is taking is Derramax which he was already on for his arthritis and this seems to be minimising his pain - I think staying inside all the time in his comfy bed helps too.

It is so sad to read about all of the sick dogs on here and the wonderful dogs that have now passed away, but also comforting to know that there is a place to come to, to share our stories, where we know that people understand that they are more than just a dog. I am sick of work colleagues saying "but he is just a dog" - it really hurts that they don't understand the pain of it all.

Thank you for all of your kind words and thoughts and Harley is getting all of your pats and love.

Best wishes and my thoughts are will all that are going thru illnesses with their pets and those that have lost a much loved family member.

Sambea

[sambea]

Sophie's story is in the Unwell Rotties thread. She was given 3 weeks left last December.

Her time is due tomorrow so I'm not capable of intelligent conversation at the moment. I'm happy to share information of the treatment I gave Sophie if you wish. She's had just over a year from the first biopsy of her osteosarcoma.

RIP Sophie - and my thoughts and condolences are with you. I am so sorry I did not see this post sooner and could give you my best.

I hope you have been coping and that the pain but not the memories are starting to ease.

[gemstone]

go Harley

hope you get some more quality time with him

good luck

[sambea]

Unfortunately Harley is deteriorating rapidly and I am so sad to say that I think I will be saying goodbye to him this weekend.

It is the hardest thing I have ever had to do but I know that he is no longer happy and I want him to have some dignity left. He is now stumbling quite

a bit and his leg and paw are 2 1/2 times bigger than they should be, so I think it is now time.

This week I bought a photo frame that comes with a clay imprint kit and I made an imprint of his paw last night - so on one side is his photo and on the other is his paw print. It will be a nice memory.

Anyway, I will probably not post again until after I have said goodbye to him as I am pretty incoherent at the moment - many thanks to all and their kind wishes.

Sambea and Harley

[dogbesotted]

OMG I am not sure how i missed this.....

I am sorry to hear this news....

Helen

[Flaves]

Sambea - hugs to you and your family