Short story- decision making with osteosarcoma in a dog

Dr. James Simcock discusses osteosarcoma diagnosis and treatment options.

[@LEONSMITHHH]

Anyone that reads this who has a dog recently diagnosed with bone cancer, I am so sorry. It’s really incredible how accurate this video was for my experience with bone cancer. I pray no dog owner ever has to deal with it. Such a brutal and heartbreaking thing to watch your dog go through. Lost my 160 pound mastiff mix Chubbs at 7 years. It progressed from a minor limp to a broken leg in 4 weeks. Exact spot as this video shows. spread to his lungs within 6 weeks. He made it about 3 months from the time we did X-rays and confirmed it until it was clear it was his time. I tried everything I could and it’s just such a brutal form of cancer. At my dogs age, and size, amputation had its own complications and risks, and I’m glad I did not put my dog through it because it had already began spreading. May god give you strength to do the best you can and give your pup the best life it can have for its remaining time on earth. Unless you catch it very early on, it’s an unstoppable disease. Been nearly 2 years now without my Chubbs, I have a new dog now named Ricky and to this day, I have PTSD like episodes every time my dog limps/ doesn’t feel good- Bone cancer didn’t just take my dogs life, but it’s damaged my mental health as well. Don’t be like me.. don’t let yourself suffer even after it’s over, you have to know you were doomed from the moment it was diagnosed, and if I could go back in time, I’d try to enjoy my final months with my Chubbs as much as possible, I would of cried less, and smiled more. I was unable to accept reality and I let it destroy me. Be stronger than me.

[@jetjaguar52]

I’m going thru the same thing with my English mastiff now. He has it in his rear left leg. 2 months ago he was fine and then turned to a slight limp. I have him on painkillers for now. He was 200 ibs and with the risk and cost of it is risky. He is still in high spirits so I’ll try to let him enjoy his time as long as I can.

[@dogmonday]

So sorry for your loss. Very heartbreaking. We are in the same boat but our mastiff is only 3. He’s the best most wonderful dog. Just a puppy really. It’s devastating and my guy is in the prime of his life.

[@shallonwood6902]

I just went through this with my 6 year old english mastiff. He was my world. I made the decision to help him cross the rainbow bridge yesterday. He was barely able to walk and just seemed miserable. I miss him so much.

[@SingaporeSam-yw2vw]

My deepest sympathy in your enormous losses. So very sorry. Regret that my 7.5year 75# male souldog has had sudden chronic front leg lameness which progressed quickly to recent non-weight bearing growing pain in front leg. No evidence of tumor & inconclusive for OS suspicious.With focus on pain mgmt during interim, following Dr.Steve Marsden integrated naturopathic approach without amputation. Facebook Ask Dr.Steve DVM 💗🙏

[@lilikise]

Thank you so much for sharing. My 7 years old Airdale Terrier has the same tumor in the same leg as it is showing in this video. I know he is in pain but he still wagging his tail and eats and plays. What should I do? Amputation is not an option because he has a bad knee and that is this was diagnosed, he was supposed to have surgery and on that day they found the osteosarcoma. I don’t want to put my dog down if he still seems to enjoy my company and wants to play, but I don’t want him to suffer and I want to avoid a fracture of his leg. How can I know when is the right time to put him down? My heart is braking slowly.

[@kekkelpenneypeckeltoot5700]

Just got this diagnosis in my 2 year and 2 month old dog. The same place and same presentation. He’s a 150 lb Great Dane. Thank you for the information.

[@VetDojo]

Your welcome. Good luck with the treatment

[@raresmircea]

Whatever you do, do it fast. It’s soul crushing to see people hesitating, postponing hard choices, lying to themselves that they might… eventually… get the money for a surgery. All you’re doing is condemning the dog to 24/7 suffering. Be clearheaded, determined & consider his wellbeing not yours. Putting your dog through immense suffering because "you love him too much to let him go" is irrational & sadly something that happens so often 😢

[@lifeforms7423]

My 10 year old Mini Australian Shephard has recently been dealing with some bladder/bowel control issues. We took her into our local vet and they noticed some tone issues with her backside, plus she had become quite incontinent by that point. We decided to do some x-rays and the radiologist said she's showing signs of an aggressive lesion on her left pelvic wing. We were then prompted to do some chest x-rays to see if there was any metastasis to the lungs, but they look good. What are the chances it's a case of Osteomyelitis as opposed to Osteosarcoma, given her breed and the location of the lesion? We are currently waiting for the radiologist to get back to us on abdominal x-rays before we take our next step, but she's completely incontinent and in a lot of pain in her back-side. Obviously we are hoping for something benign that has a less scary outcome, but the fact it's in her pelvis and she is already 10 has us concerned regardless. It feels like any decision we make will be difficult for her. Thank you in advance.

[@vangelispapachristos2599]

Don't you consider offering the client the option of bone cytology which, as some journal papers say, it's as accurate as bone biopsy without the cost, the turnaround time and the complications of the later? In many cases bone cytology can give even the specific type of the bone! neoplasia.

[@VetDojo]

Great question, I do offer but often don't push too hard with the owners for the reasons outlined in the video. It is certainly a good option though.

[@chanchikitjustin1610]

In terms of bone biopsy, you mentioned that 20-25% of histopathology results came back as reactive bone. Do you mind share the title of the paper/journal for reference please? Cheers

[@VetDojo]

Hi Chan, One of the original references is Powers et al: Jamshidi needle biopsy for diagnosis of bone lesions in small animals. JAVMA 193:205-210, 1988. I don't have access to the full article. This reference is sited in numerous other locations though. Hope that helps. Cheers J

[@stacik1903]

My 8 year old Great Pyrenees, my heart dog, was just diagnosed with this awful cancer this week. I’ve been spending every hour researching, setting up specialist consults (none of which seem soon enough). The video didn’t mention stereotactic radiation/chemo? That is one option I was presented with.

[@VetDojo]

Great option is it is available in your area and you are in a financial position to afford it.

[@murica1898]

Why is the survival time low if you do an amputation before it spreads ?

[@MrRobertpalen]

because it is blood borne and likely already present in the blood. metastasis is all but a foregone conclusion at the time of diagnosis

[@DaveInBridport]

Our 13yo lurcher has this. Quite quick growing. We don't know if we should act now and have him put to sleep.

[@stephaniejackson7016]

what did you decide. we're dealing with this now with our 10yr roti/lab mix he's finally gotten his appetite back but he looks so sad..

[@DaveInBridport]

@@stephaniejackson7016 Sadly we took the decision to have him pts - tumour was v aggressive and he was in pain.

[@jasminedolan4648]

My 22kg 9 month old puppy has just been diagnosed with this. I’m getting a referral for a second opinion. Should I do a biopsy too?

[@sc9885]

I am so sorry, that's so young for such a terrible disease

[@tiesto1102]

If you amputate do you remove the scapula?

[@VetDojo]

We always remove the scapula because functionally and cosmetically they do better.

[@mhenderson9230]

Thank you, so even with an amputation and the tumour gone plus chemotherapy the dog will still only survive for another 6-12 months? So it's terminal even with all of that done?

[@F_U23]

My vet told me amputation is pain management....Nothing more 😭