Canine Bone Cancer

[Nancy2feathers]

So sorry to hear of Jack`s passing, Voyageur. I know it`s not easy losing a faithful companion. My thoughts are with you.

 

[Bluestar]

My condolences to you and your family after losing a cherished family member. My thoughts and prayers to you all.

I feel particularly sorrowful for young, Cassie. Jack was her teacher and she did not make many moves without him by her side. Even though she was present when he left, she looks for him to return, his smells permeate her world, and the mourning, the not understanding look in her eyes is hard. Some people may say that animals do not have a high emotional response; i would disagree, they exhibit, if closely watched, a connection of loss not dissimilar to human beings, osit.

Could not agree more, dogs do feel loss and can become depressed. Our boxer experienced a loss and was very depressed for a time. The love you and your family expressed towards Jack was shifted to Cassie and your attention will only help her through this difficult time.

 

[shellycheval]

I am sorry for your loss Voyageur--the pain is acute and of a special nature when our beloved animal companions pass on. Two of my dearests ever are approaching the same place--every moment is special. Your care and courage are inspirational. I am old and have lost many animals over the years. Waiting too long to help some of them pass is one of my deepest regrets in this life. Thank you for sharing--I aim to be as brave as you when they let me know the time has come.

Lastly, of course i'll always have feelings concerning this case of Cancer; this bad luck. It will twig on my past dietary unawareness as being a causation,

Don't be too critical of yourself. I too am grateful for the diet changes for myself and my animals. Undoubtedly poor diet in their past contributes to our pets health issues, but it is not the only cause. I have know many animals over the years live long and well on what I now know to be astonishingly poor diets. I think environmental pollution in the water and soil—things beyond our control most of the time--contribute to cancer in all species. When I think of how close to the earth, literally, our dogs live, it seems they may have more contact with pollutants and a smaller body to deal with them. Just my thoughts on it.

Thank you for the picture of Jack--his beautiful spirit shines through and is surely moving on.
My condolences to the rest of your family too--take care all.
shellycheval

 

[Keit]

Don't be too critical of yourself. I too am grateful for the diet changes for myself and my animals. Undoubtedly poor diet in their past contributes to our pets health issues, but it is not the only cause. I have know many animals over the years live long and well on what I now know to be astonishingly poor diets. I think environmental pollution in the water and soil—things beyond our control most of the time--contribute to cancer in all species. When I think of how close to the earth, literally, our dogs live, it seems they may have more contact with pollutants and a smaller body to deal with them. Just my thoughts on it.

Yep, I agree. Just the other day we were told during the Pathological Anatomy lecture, that while there are many theories about what causes Cancer, the most appropriate one seems to be the polyetiological one (several causes). Another thing to consider is, that dogs, especially large ones, do have greater predisposition to developing osteosarcomas.

Here, see this for example:
_http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/pet-health-information/article/animal-health/osteosarcoma-in-dogs/1048

Osteosarcoma should be considered in any large breed dog that suddenly develops lameness without an obvious cause. Rottweilers seem to have an unusually high incidence of osteosarcoma. In a recent survey of about 800 Rottweilers owners, one out of every eight Rottweiler dogs was reportedly developed osteosarcoma. Large breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Weimeraners, and Boxers are at greater risk for developing osteosarcoma. Other breeds commonly affected include Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Irish Wolfhounds.

"Dogs over 80 pounds have been shown to be at least sixty times more likely to develop an osteosarcoma than dogs weighing less than 75 pounds." Osteosarcoma is uncommon in small breeds of dogs.

 

[Voyageur]

I am sorry for your loss Voyageur--the pain is acute and of a special nature when our beloved animal companions pass on. Two of my dearests ever are approaching the same place--every moment is special. Your care and courage are inspirational. I am old and have lost many animals over the years. Waiting too long to help some of them pass is one of my deepest regrets in this life. Thank you for sharing--I aim to be as brave as you when they let me know the time has come.

I'm not so young either, shellycheval, and have had to make this decision before and may well again. Two of our dogs lapsed into more trauma at the time, and it was a regret also that i was not there for them sooner, yet some things happen and we do are best. In Jack's case, i was away the few days leading up to his passing and stayed in touch on how he was doing. Upon return the signs were progressing. That day, my partner could not be there - she knew and had gone though this before; my son also knew that he had said his last goodbye and has the memories he has of him in life. When my vet arrived, there was always the thinking that there might be an option to wait and see, however, trying to separate from emotion and listen to the vet (he was scientific), and more so, really listening to Jack, following the signs, the reality and progression of this disease, it was a "knowing", that it was his time, and thus, it would only be for me and the family, not for Jack, to wait.

Lastly, of course i'll always have feelings concerning this case of Cancer; this bad luck. It will twig on my past dietary unawareness as being a causation,

Don't be too critical of yourself. I too am grateful for the diet changes for myself and my animals. Undoubtedly poor diet in their past contributes to our pets health issues, but it is not the only cause. I have know many animals over the years live long and well on what I now know to be astonishingly poor diets. I think environmental pollution in the water and soil—things beyond our control most of the time--contribute to cancer in all species. When I think of how close to the earth, literally, our dogs live, it seems they may have more contact with pollutants and a smaller body to deal with them. Just my thoughts on it.

When i said "always" this seems a bit too permanent, and really, I can't know. This referenced "bad luck", which my vet said the same thing and the 3rd vet was shocked following the second x-rays from seeing how well he was doing, there just seems something to that term. When the second x-ray was viewed, i was taken aback at its clear pronouncement, as i'm sure Keit and Z were much more clear as to the trouble this would be. Nevertheless, my mind has wandered to possible causation's; was it a result of being almost exactly near the time when all those smart meters first appeared close by, was it from the rain laden radioactive toxins that came across the sea and mountains from Fukushima in 2011 and collected in the snow pack the next winter - i've seen deer with large growths since. Yet as Keit describes by quoting vcahospitals:

Osteosarcoma should be considered in any large breed dog that suddenly develops lameness without an obvious cause. Rottweilers seem to have an unusually high incidence of osteosarcoma. In a recent survey of about 800 Rottweilers owners, one out of every eight Rottweiler dogs was reportedly developed osteosarcoma. Large breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Weimeraners, and Boxers are at greater risk for developing osteosarcoma. Other breeds commonly affected include Great Danes, Saint Bernards, Great Pyrenees, Newfoundlands, Bernese Mountain Dogs, and Irish Wolfhounds.

"Dogs over 80 pounds have been shown to be at least sixty times more likely to develop an osteosarcoma than dogs weighing less than 75 pounds." Osteosarcoma is uncommon in small breeds of dogs.

Jack was that, 80 Lbs +, and a sixty times ratio of development osteosarcoma is staggering - so very sad for large breeds. :(

Take care of your two dearest ones, shellycheval, they will let you know as only they can.

Thanks Keit! Also N2F and Bluestar; Cassie is getting lots of attention and she will come into her own, she may even need to become a new friend and parent to a younger one - will see.

 

[Rabelais]

My deepest sympathies Voyageur. I lost my beloved old Aussie-mix, Ruby, to bladder cancer a few years ago. It was one of the most stressful times of my life watching her progress toward the exit. I was fortunate that I found a cordyceps mushroom cancer formulation for dogs that rallied her for an extra good year of life beyond the vet's prognosis, but the end is inevitable. She was a few weeks away from 14.

I have lived with a guilt, that no amount of EE seems to diminish, that I should have let her go sooner than I did. All is lessons. I won't make that mistake again. I used to always say to her, give me a kiss, and she would lightly kiss my earlobe. Near the end, when I would ask for a kiss, she would look away. That was the clue. That was the time.

 

[webglider]

quote from voyageur:

Even though she was present when he left, she looks for him to return, his smells permeate her world, and the mourning, the not understanding look in her eyes is hard. Some people may say that animals do not have a high emotional response; i would disagree,

I am so sorry for your loss voyageur. I KNOW from watching the interactions between my two dogs that they have a wide range of emotional responses. I can see that they take comfort in each other, and that they have a sense of justice and fair play. It must be quite difficult for all of you right now.

 

[Voyageur]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Rabelais. Fwiw, my Vet said something that i thought about. He said, if your dog (in this case) are happy to be with you, show interest in their environment, they are eating, and should they have pain that is manageable without being over the top, that is one thing. It is very difficult each and every time to know with a particular animal; we do our best, we make error sometimes and wish for something else, yet as you said, all is a lesson that helps us to decern ourselves and others a little more clearly - we hope. I would agree that you knew the time (the clues) and that is what you were able to do.

Thank you also, webglider. I lay in bed last night and could visualize him all happy to see us, getting all excites as he banged his tail against the couch - i miss him physically, yet he lives on.

 

[Gwenllian]

I am also very sorry for your loss, voyageur.

The fact that you gave Jack a bit of chocolate just before his passing is so considerate and kind, such a lovely gesture and how good of you to remember.

I lay in bed last night and could visualize him all happy to see us, getting all excites as he banged his tail against the couch - i miss him physically, yet he lives on.

I think that this is so true. I still miss our Cat and it is like a void and it is indeed physical. I can also picture her being stroked by the three of us at the same time and being very happy, but the void still feels physical and some of the joy that she brought to our lives is gone. It is just not the same without her and the place feels empty somehow.

Take care of yourself and yours, voyageur, thank you for sharing your love for Jack and for sharing his life and death with us. This is a very precious thread, osit.

Added:

Lastly, of course i'll always have feelings concerning this case of Cancer; this bad luck. It will twig on my past dietary unawareness as being a causation, nevertheless, if this thread offers anything, i truly believe that great care of diet can help maintain healthy being or even fight back disease; Jack made a good show of this for a time, which will not be forgot.

I know that I felt guilty for weeks after the passing of Cat. Keit posted an article about the stages of grief and one of them was bargaining and I realised that was what I had been doing. Don't know if this helps.

 

[Voyageur]

I know that I felt guilty for weeks after the passing of Cat. Keit posted an article about the stages of grief and one of them was bargaining and I realised that was what I had been doing. Don't know if this helps.

Thanks, there is a process involved as time goes on. In this case with Jack, there were many possibilities which revolve around acquiring information, interpreting information, separating emotions that may cloud information, and then acting with information. I can't go back, i wish i could and must live with these lessons, painful or otherwise, and learn from them.

As an update with Cassie; she visited her holistic vet and the first thing the vet did when she saw her was recognize Cassie's needs. She immediately gave her a B12 shot and discussed her being, her separation and psychological hurts. The vet did a skeletal alignment on her, which she was much better with this time around. Discussed her diet as being on the right track and continued offering her support. She had just helped her last dog-patent to depart this world; incidentally, by the same name - Jack. This took her aback she said, she has being doing this for so long that her path has now changed to basic caring and the more commercial veterinarians will be refereed to for this help - i can understand her difficulties of doing this for the last 30 years. She said of Jack, that he had a presents which was stronger than most dogs she has ever treated, which was very kind of her; I know for us he was that, too. With Cassie, she is not going outside without us, she has no care to do so and it was mentioned that with some dogs they do not last more than 6 months after their companion passes - her heart is in struggle. Being in a small community, people network and through them the universe can send things your way. There is a puppy (12 weeks) living in a foster home, and only went there because he was the last pup in a litter that did not go. Cassie has gone out right now to meet this little guy.

Post Edit: I ended this above when i heard our car come up the driveway - Cassie stepped out of the back seat, as did this new little one who came into the house in loving arms - he is currently asleep in Jack's most favorite spot. :)

 

[Leòmhann]

Post Edit: I ended this above when i heard our car come up the driveway - Cassie stepped out of the back seat, as did this new little one who came into the house in loving arms - he is currently asleep in Jack's most favorite spot. :)

voyageur, a new addition, a new puppy dog ? :D ;) AWESOME!!!

... picture s'il vous plait (when you get a chance) :P

 

[SeekinTruth]

Post Edit: I ended this above when i heard our car come up the driveway - Cassie stepped out of the back seat, as did this new little one who came into the house in loving arms - he is currently asleep in Jack's most favorite spot. :)

voyageur, a new addition, a new puppy dog ? :D ;) AWESOME!!!

... picture s'il vous plait (when you get a chance) :P

Great news, voyageur. May the new addition to the family continue to lift all of your hearts (including Cassie's). :)

 

[Nienna]

I'm glad to hear that you got a new companion for your family, including Cassie. The new companions we bring into our home can never take the place of those we've lost, but they do help us to move on.

 

[Keit]

Post Edit: I ended this above when i heard our car come up the driveway - Cassie stepped out of the back seat, as did this new little one who came into the house in loving arms - he is currently asleep in Jack's most favorite spot. :)

Big hug to you, Cassie, and the new puppy! :)

 

[Voyageur]

I'm glad to hear that you got a new companion for your family, including Cassie. The new companions we bring into our home can never take the place of those we've lost, but they do help us to move on.

Indeed they do, Nienna, thanks. It has been such a long time since having a puppy around - oh how quickly one forgets their energy . Cassie on the other hand is not impressed, or so she acts, she plays aloof and does not want to be pestered, yet she is watching more intently then she lets on. She is going out for walks with him - keeping her eye on the little guy and her mind seems little by little to be diverted from her trauma of loss.

The picture we were sent of him somehow got distorted without a point of size reference (glossing over the 12 week old age fact), he just somehow looked larger, like a puppy with some experience. This of course is not so, he is just a tiny little thunderbolt and will be a joy to raise. He comes from a wonderful foster home, full of care and love, he shows listening, interest and good response skills, so he is off to a good start. He came with a bag of kibble and we will transition him to a new diet in the not to distant future. He slept through the night (waking a hour past Cassie) and is good about letting us know he has important business to do outside. I've yet to find a suitable name.

Thank you all for the remarkable support. :)

He is the little tyke: