osteosarcoma in dogs

[shivvy]

I received the bad news today that my darling dog has osteosarcoma in her lower jaw.  I have a really good relationship with our vets and they have informed me of how grim the situation is, but I just wondered if any of you answerbank people have had dogs who have gone through this?

[Eels]

I'm really sorry to hear this, what awful news for you. 

I have a little experience of dogs with this condition.  The hardest thing is managing the pain - you may find that medication is necessary to keep it under control.  The fact that her jaw is affected might cause her problems eating, so perhaps now is the time to find soft foods that she enjoys.  Usually the disease affects a limb, which can then be amputated to relieve pain, but obviously this is not likely to be an option in your case.

Try to stay positive, and remember that for the most part she is unaware of the grief that you are feeling.  Make her time with you special and fun, and take loads of photos - you'll be glad you did.  Take care x 

[shivvy]

Thank you so much Eels for your advice and kind words. 

At the moment she is still in relatively good form but I know that she will deteriorate quickly.

The bit that I am finding most heartbreaking at the moment is knowing when the right time is to 'let her go'.  She has been through an awful lot in her life so far (a rescue dog who has battled with an autoimmune disorder) and I do not want to wait until she is in a lot of pain.  Will it come to the stage where I will need to book her in to the vets some day to have her put to sleep?  The thought of setting a date for her to go just kills me.

Thanks again for your response - it really did help more than you know.

[Kingaroo]

My sister in law's dog had most of its lower jaw amputated, and lived happily for several years after. I don't know if this is an option for your dog.

Of course the dog had to eat soft food after that -- outside because it was messy.

Ask your vet, but I think they would make time on short notice for an animal that clearly needed to be put down. I know of a few dogs who had been ailing, and one day took dramatic turns for the worse, and the owners were able to take them in right away.

Good luck, and make happy memories in these last days or months .

[iluvmyvx]

i'M SOOOORY. that you are loosing ur beloved pet. I found out in September last year that he had osteosarcoma of the upper jaw and was given 3 months to live. It is now march and he has his good and bad days, We are using every natural remedy there is and we vitamise all he's food. I put a quater of a cup of cottage cheese in each meal, a quater of a cup of flaxseed oil that's imported from South Australia, as it's organic. Then his vitamized chicken of lamb. If he eats it he gets a chocolate flake as a reward. Good Luck with your baby. when the time comes and you need to talk let me know.

Cheers Linda

[jason1980]

hi - im hoping shivvy for you to reply to me. I found this thread because when I posted my own question about my dogs jaw this came up afterwards.

My dogs jaw is clunking and like shutting really quickly. Its happening more now. The only way a human could simulate this is to relax the jaw place a hand underneath and push upwards quickly. Did your dog suffer this?

[shivvy]

Hi Jason

No, her jaw didn't do that. She had a lump under her fur (along the back part of her jaw line) which kept getting bigger as time went on. At the end of her life, her jaw looked as if it had dislocated/shifted to one side and it closed quite quickly and you could hear her teeth touching when her mouth closed, but it still doesn't sound like the same thing.

If you haven't alreeady, take him/her to the vet and get it checked out.

If you get a minute, let me know how things work out for you.

Take care

Shivvy

[iluvmyvx]

Hi Shivvy,

My beloved mate was diagnosed with this in September of 2005. I was told he had between 2 weeks to 3 months. He was put to sleep yesterday, the 19-4-06. It was the hardest decision we have ever had to make. Unfortunatly YOU are going to have to do the same and it's heartbreaking!!!!!. But you will have to do the best for your dog. I asked the vet if I could'nt deal with it could I leave. That wasn't a problem my Husband and Daughter were with him. I was a mess and said to them I can't do it. Then I thought he was there for me when I got home from work, at my side when I went to bed ect: so I had to be there for him. It was soooo quick!! he looked at me I looked at him and within 5 seconds it was over!. If you need to talk please email me as I know what ur going through. mccaig500@hotmail,com. Your in my thoughts.

Cheers Linda