My Dog Has Osteosarcoma: Should I Allow Amputation?
ByHi Everyone.
Osteosarcoma is a common cancer in the dog. Most of the time it occurs on the long bones of the legs in large breed dogs. And most of the time a veterinarian or veterinary oncologist will recommend amputation of the affected leg.
You will likely have some strong feelings about it, as one who loves a living, breathing being facing the removal of a limb.
This is a heavy duty question. Since it has a lot of emotional charge for those interested in preventing pain and suffering, it can be a hard choice. The choice warrants careful contemplation to make sure you are able to cope with the situation.
At least two factors should be considered. The first is life quantity, which is also life expectancy. The second is life quality, which of course is how good life is.
Let’s look at life quantity first, or life expectancy.
First, get an idea of the average life expectancy of your dog. Be careful with this. These numbers are just averages, just like they are for people. There is an excellent review of dog life expectancy here.
Once you have ascertained what a dog’s potential life expectancy is, you need to weigh how much more time are we looking at for your dog. Your vet can help with this by discussing the impact of your pet’s individual health problems.
We want to see whether, at the time of diagnosis, your dog has already reached the expected life length for most dogs like yours.
If your dog is close to what one would expect for average life length, the motivation or payoff for the surgery should be considered carefully. If your dog is not yet there, one might consider going ahead with the surgery.
It should be noted that most dogs with this kind of cancer do not survive beyond a year, with amputation alone (read more here).
However, this does not mean that your dog will pass away within a year, as you have access to continued treatment from your vet, oncologist, and the information contained here. There will be more in upcoming publications being edited right now.
One last intangible is your particular dog’s personality. Some dogs just have this will to live, and sometimes one can perceive this pretty clearly. They just want to keep going. They are driven. This will to live, a tenacity, boosts lifespans. Remember to consider this factor too.
That’s life quantity.
This is the first step. Next we look at life quality on three legs. We will look a little at the surgery itself, some issues that affect life quality on three legs, and more.
I will post more on this issue in the next entry.
Regards,
Dr Dressler
About the Author
Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM is known as the "dog cancer vet" and is author of Dog Cancer Survival Guide: Beyond Surgery, Chemotherapy & Radiation. Visit his blog and sign up free to get the latest information about canine cancer. Go to http://DogCancerBlog.com.
24 Comments
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Thanks so much for such an honest and professional opinion about amputation for dogs. I also had osteosarcoma, and lived a wonderful life on three legs from 11/06 to 10/08, almost a full two years. My parents and I encourage anyone who finds themselves in the unfortunate situation of coping with this disease, to consider amputation as the best way to immediately end the pain of bone cancer, and allow for even a shorter period of time together with their furry family member.
November 2nd, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Oops, I meant to say, “allow for even just a little while longer together….”
November 5th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Gasoline, Petroleum and the plastics made from it are the single largest cause of cancer in the world. This is a known fact, verified by thousands of studies which the oil industry counters by paying pundits to say: “Well, we just are not sure yet”. Now are are sure. The TPH array in petroleum and petroleum products exists as microscopic particles which leach off of plastic materials, (ie: the plastic in water and baby bottles) and float in the air as vapor, (ie: the fumes around gas stations). These particles are absorbed into the body and broken down to a cellular level and then to a DNA level. As the DNA replicates, a constant process, these TPH materials cause the replication process to make mistakes and create genetic mutations. TPH is a very particular array of items so the “mistakes” that it causes occur as the same thing over and over. We call this repeating mistake: “cancer”. Other materials in our environment cause other kinds of genetic mutations that do not manifest as onerous, or extremely negative, or obvious things. TPH manifests cancer.
The TPH chemical array has killed more Americans than every terrorist since the beginning of time.
The petrochemical bisphenol-a, or BPA, causes precancerous tumors and urinary tract problems and made babies reach puberty early.
Every gas pump has a label on it that oil and gas causes cancer and a host of lethal medical problems.
Archeologicial digs show that ancient peoples living near tar pits got cancer.
When there is an oil spill, you are not allowed on the beach because most agencies classify oil as toxic.
A study of childhook leukemia in England mapped every child with the diserase and found they all occurred in a circle, in the center of which was a gas station.
Alberta’s oil sands are one of the world’s biggest deposits of oil, but the cost of extracting that oil may be the health of the people living around them. High levels of toxic chemicals and carcinogens have been found in the water, soil, and fish downstream of the oil sands. The local health authority of Fort Chipewyan, Alberta comissioned the study in response to locals’ claims that the oil extraction projects upstream were damaging the health of citizens. Petrochemicals and their byproducts, such as dioxin, are known to cause an array of serious health problems, including cancers and endocrine disruption.Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) is a term used to describe a large family of several hundred chemical compounds that originally come from crude oil. Crude oil is used to make petroleum products, which can contaminate the environment. Because there are so many different chemicals in crude oil and in other petroleum products, it is not practical to measure each one separately. However, it is useful to measure the total amount of TPH at a site.TPH is a mixture of chemicals, but they are all made mainly from hydrogen and carbon, called hydrocarbons. Scientists divide TPH into groups of petroleum hydrocarbons that act alike in soil or water. These groups are called petroleum hydrocarbon fractions. Each fraction contains many individual chemicals.
Some chemicals that may be found in TPH are hexane, jet fuels, mineral oils, benzene, toluene, xylenes, naphthalene, and fluorene, as well as other petroleum products and gasoline components. However, it is likely that samples of TPH will contain only some, or a mixture, of these chemicals. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that one TPH compound (benzene) is carcinogenic to humans. IARC has determined that other TPH compounds (benzo[a]pyrene and gasoline) are carcinogenic to humans.
Benzene causes leukemia. Benzene as a cause of leukemia had documented since 1928 (1 p. 7-9). In 1948, the American Petroleum Institute officially reported a link between this solvent used in many of their industries used and cases of leukemia in their workers. Their findings concluded that the only safe level of benzene exposure is no exposure at all (2).
The largest breast cancer incidents are in Marin County, California which is tied to the air, water and ecosphere of the Chevron Oil refinery right next door.
The oil industries spend tens of millions of dollars on fake pundits and disinformation to make sure the above information is never known by the public. Cure Cancer: Stop oil. It is a national security need in more ways than one.
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:42 pm
My rotweiller has osteosarcoma in the mouth. I refused the surgery. I have him on tetracycline (14 pills per day) as I found in my research that it shrinks tumors in dogs. It is working so far and with the K9 Immunity and Raterdex for pain. His tumor has shrunk and he is running around like a puppy again.
March 7th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
Great news!
Keep up the good work,
D
March 10th, 2009 at 6:17 am
My dog was recently diagnosed with Osteosarcoma a few weeks back. I went with the difficult decision of amputation of the limb (right front leg). Since then I am happy to report that she has adjusted very quickly to running around on 3 legs and has has even started wrestling with my other dog again. I had a VERY rough time going with the amputation because of my own pshycological thoughts. If anyone has any questions about this terrible disease and or the surgery please don’t hesistate to shoot me an email. BrandonKofer@hotmail.com
March 10th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
We went ahead with amputation for our dog with Osteosarcoma. We’re now deciding on whether to pursue chemotherapy treatments? Anyone with a success story either way?
March 10th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
Consider functional nutriments professional cooperative supplement trial:
http://functionalnutriments.com/clinical-trials/how-to-apply/
Best,
Dr D
March 10th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Brandon,
great news and great input. Thanks!
Dr D
March 13th, 2009 at 1:09 am
My dog Charlie is a 2 1/2 yr old Bernese Mountain dog. He was just diagnosed with bone cancer about a month ago in his right hind leg. The tumour characteristics are so rare (as confirmed by a bone biopsy) that the vets have been unable to clearly classify the cancer as osteosarcoma…all they have been able to tell us is that it is a very agressive cancer and is being classified as terminal. Let me also mention that a little over a year ago, Charlie underwent total hip replacement surgery to correct displaysia due to a fractured pelvis when he was just 1 month old. Needless to say, Charlie has been through so much in his short lifespan this far and has had to live with a very high threshold for pain for most of his life. My husband and I are not financially able to provide Chemo to Charlie but we were struggling with the thought of amputating him. We are just so concerned, with what he has go through so far until now, whether or not putting him through another surgery is the best for his ‘quality of life’. The vets have estimated that Charlie would have approximately 4 months left but that his leg, due to the size of the tumor and the biopsy, is at risk of a pathalogic fracture at any time…we don’t know what to do. We are faced with the possibility of euthanizing to prevent further pain and discomfort in Charlie before anything worse happens. I do have to mention though that Charlie has a love for life like I’ve never seen before and he is a fighter. Any advice anyone has to offer would be so very appreciated. Thank you, Tania
March 13th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Thank you for responding to a question about Jake, my rottweiler, a few wks ago. Sadly I had to euthanize him yesterday, but I want to share w/ you & your readers some 20/20 hindsight. I’m so glad I amputated his front leg & humerus–he obviously felt better within 2 days & adjusted easily to 3 legs. But I very much regret doing the 4 trmts of chemo. The oncologist said he’d probably live 6 mos without it & possibly 18 mos if we did it. He only lived 4 mos., and that was w/ a clear x-ray of the lungs & no lymph node involvement from the day we did the amputation. Yesterday both lungs were full of cancer, to the point his breathing was labored, & the surgeon said he maybe had 2 wks left. The chemo bill was $2600, and I truly believe w/ your diet, supplements, K-9 Immunity from Aloha Medicinals, & pure water, all of which he had, he would have lived longer with no chemo AND his quality of life would have been better. And if I were going to ever do chemo again(which I won’t), I would only allow one treatment each of the 2 drugs, instead of 2 each, which they alternated. Do you know of any real cases where these chemo drugs have actually helped a dog w/ osteosarcoma? I’m so glad you’re sharing the ill-effects of too-early spaying & neutering. We wouldn’t want to sterilize a child at age 5. Jake had already been neutered at a young age when I rescued him off the streets around age 1, and he only made it to age 5. Please also share w/ people how harmful the Rabies vaccine is to German Shepards, in particular, and to always request a killed vaccine only. My holistic vet, Dr. Norman Ralston, practiced 57 yrs. & taught me to only give one type of vaccine at a time, a month apart, & ONLY when they’re healthy. He said most will last a lifetime–he was not a big fan of vaccines. They are an insult to the immune system, & can cause cancer at the injection site, especially in cats. I had never given Jake one, but someone probably did when he was neutered. Thank you, Dr. Dressler, for writing this much-needed book & all that you’ve been doing for the animals. We absolutely have to be educated in order to stand up to some of the vets that are misguided in order to be our pets’ best advocate. Kat Meyer
March 13th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
Tanya,
This sounds very, very hard for everyone involved. Here may be a solution:
http://functionalnutriments.com/clinical-trials/how-to-apply/
Touch base with your vet, have them fill it out and fax it in so you can get started. You can combine it with k-9 immunity and transfer factor.
best,
Dr D
March 13th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Kat,
I am so sorry for your Jake. Sending you all my best in this sad time of departures.
Remember there is a part of Jake that is indestructible, and that part of you will be with that part of him…again.
Thinking of you
Dr D
March 17th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
My dog was diagnosed yesterday with osteosarcoma in her front leg. Is there anything I can do or any information someone can help me with in making her quality of life better? Shes 10.5 years old and I dont want to see her suffer.
March 19th, 2009 at 12:41 am
Brian,
this is a huge, massive question…I do not know where to start.
I’ve got to refer you to the book
http
March 22nd, 2009 at 1:34 am
http://dogcancersurvival.com
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:17 am
Dr Dressler
my dog was just 2 weeks back diagonosed of bone cancer inhis front right hind leg
the vets as usuall suggested amputation or chemo
after reading your articles,feel there is a treatment besides the above
treatments
all thanks to you…there is hope for my dog and i am praying that god sees us thru this
i have enrolled for functional nutriments
pls can ou tell me if k9 immunity and transfer factor will be good for him and where can i get them
pallavi
india
March 23rd, 2009 at 1:19 am
Dr Dressler
i have enrolled for functional nutriments
pls can ou tell me if k9 immunity and transfer factor will be good for him and where can i get them
pallavi
india
March 26th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
новости спорта
Go on this way. You’ll find an interesting issue to develop.
vozingrangder
April 7th, 2009 at 9:57 am
My rottweiler/husky mix was diagnosed with possible osteosarcoma 3 weeks ago and underwent amputation of his left front leg and shoulder almost one week ago. He’s still recovering from the major surgery but is getting around on 3 weeks and trying to chase buses. He just turned 6 years old, 88 lbs. I’m inclined to not pursue chemo and he’s been on a totally allergy/holistic diet for the past 3 years. Any thoughts/suggestions etc. Am I making the right choice. He’s also on thyroid medication and hates his periodic blood tests. We hae to sadate him for those and I’m concerned that the remaining time will be spent in vet offices and stressed out. Thanks.
April 15th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Deborah, this is a complex question. You need to become confident in your decision making. As I talk about in the book, osteosarc usually has spread by the time amputation is done. This means it will likely be present later, in your dog’s chest often. This is not a guarantee, just a probability. It sounds like life quality for your dog is a big factor, and you should pay attention to this. If his last 6 months is absolutely miserable due to stress, what is the point of treatment after all?
I will answer your question in more detail in the webinar:
http://mydogvet.com
Best,
D
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:26 pm
My 6yr, 170# St Bernard, Simon has just been diagnosed with osteosarcoma. I have scheduled a chest xray for Monday. My question is simply this: do you or anyone on this forum have experience with an extra large breed dog front leg amputation? I am ready to do it if only to eliminate his pain (I am not pursuing chemo). Any advice or things to consider would be so helpful at this point. I am considering K9 immunity and transfactor, but at 170# it will be pretty expensive.
Thanks in advance.
June 1st, 2009 at 4:21 am
Dear Dr. Dressler,
I found this blog for osteosarcoma and do not find anything for liposarcoma. I have this message under Do Numbers Really Matter Blog.
I thought to try this blog.
I have learned as of May 29th, my Jack Russell, Abby has liposarcoma in her right foot below her so called wrist. It is between her toes and removal of middle toes would make her imbalanced and no guarantee they could get it all. I have had a 2nd opinion by the University of Wisconsin Veterninary Science School with an Oncologist and finalized the diagnosis after roundtabling with their pathologists.
Originally, the diagnosis leaned toward liposarcoma with Abby’s vet and the biopsy was read by a different lab. UW wanted a definite diagnosis and consider it now at this time soft tissue low-grade. My options, I am told are amputation as early as possible for full recovery. This is including her shoulder. She is otherwise healthy and 10 1/2 years old. There has been lymph node testing to rule out melanoma prior to the final diagnosis and a lung xray. Those are negative.
Abby is a very athletic dog and I am told that radiation could be an option but a portion of the paw would need to be radiation free to keep the support of the foot. They would run the risk of not radiating all the cancerous tissue and destruction of the foot. Also, chemo does not affect this type of cancer.
She does have 2 lipomas 1 on her right side by her chest and an area closer to her hind leg below her ribs on the other side. The apirations confirmed this.
I am having a very hard time comprehending that her whole right leg and shoulder will be amputated in the next 2-3 weeks to have full recovery. At this point it is slow growing but told that if I wait another month they would need to have another chest xray to determine if it metastisized.
I am interested in learning all I can about this cancer and so far I have learned that it is rare, for Abby it is in a difficult spot and if there is amputation now, she will live to be her normal age intended and die of something else.
I am interested in obtaining thoughts on this and not finding how to have contact with you. I would be interested in alternative treatment and diet changes to insure the rest of her life be cancer free and if you think amputation is the only option. I am told dogs do well on 3 legs but the thought bothers me. I would be interested in downloading your book and need to understand if there is more than amputation available for recovery.
I have read some of the comments and not finding any relating to my situation. Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Kathleen
June 7th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
This is Kathleen again and I have not yet found anything regarding Liposarcoma nutritionally or alternatively to amputation. My dog is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday. All notes seem to be for Osteo sarcoma. Any suggestions? Thank you in advance. Kathleen