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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Just found out my boy has bone cancer

59 replies

Lizbiz89 · 10/01/2021 08:38

Last Tuesday we had the most heartbreaking news that a lovely almost 7 year old bullmastiff has bone cancer in his front right ankle. We are completely crushed. We have brought him home for palliative care and to give him as much love as possible. Can anyone give me any advice of what to look out for in terms of when they're ready to go? He's sleeping lots now but that might be the tramadol he's been prescribed. It's so hard to decide when a good time is for us let him go and I don't want him to suffer in any way. Also with the bullmastiff breed it's very difficult to determine how they're feeling as they have a very high pain threshold. Any advice would be really helpful.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lizbiz89 · 12/01/2021 22:48

@HerMammy yes that's the shame with these big breeds. They always seem to have problems with their legs. Like you said bullmastiffs are so eager to please, they don't let on when they're in pain. I think the main thing will be the food and walks. Then I know his quality of life has gone. Our vets have said we can do it outside as they have a garden so we can be there.

OP posts:
Ladybird69 · 12/01/2021 22:59

Hi @Lizbiz89 I lost my dear lab from bone cancer a couple of years ago. From my experience I can say that our darling dogs hide a lot of pain from us and also bone cancer is a rapidly spreading cancer, I had the decision taken from me when the last X-ray showed excessive growth of the cancer and the vet advised not to wake him from sedation. When I spoke to the vet afterwards he said he would rather put the dear dog to sleep earlier rather than later when they are in so much pain. You’re in my thoughts and sending you love tonight x

HerMammy · 12/01/2021 23:04

I wish you strength for the time ahead and lots of love to your lovely boy, mine was a brindle rascal and he’s missed every day, our other dogs grieved him too.
Such wonderful personalities and so full
of cheekiness and fun, he was one in a million.
I’m sure your boy has gave you all his love and trusts his mum to do her best for him xx

caringcarer · 12/01/2021 23:05

I would ask vet about amputation. I had a neighbour years ago and her dog had a limb amputated to save it's life. It went on to live another 6 years of good quality life. Just depends if it can all be cut away. Her dog could still run about and ho for walks. They adapt to 3 legs.

ThursdayPLaine · 12/01/2021 23:16

@Lizbiz89 Ah I see, I hope you didn’t mind me mentioning amputation - I only wanted to mention it as our vet told us that often it is not mentioned by vets in this country as an option (for dogs who are suitable candidates), unlike in the US where it is far more common, and that often they only mention palliative or chemo. I’m sorry that this isn’t an option for your dog.

In terms of palliative care - if the bone cancer is an osteosarcoma then our vet said it most often spreads to the lungs and so to keep an eye on his breathing. We do a regular (weekly or slightly more often) count of how many breaths he takes a minute and track this to check that it is not increasing. Hopefully, this will help us make the decision at the right time if he doesn’t beat the odds.

Anecdotally, we have been told that dogs often take themselves off / find a place to hide when they know the end is near. Friends have also mentioned periods of prolonged staring as if their dog has been trying to tell them something.

I am sorry that you and your dog are going through this - I wish you the happiest of remaining days together. Your dog will know how much he is loved. My thoughts are with you Flowers

HerMammy · 12/01/2021 23:30

Amputation isn’t an option as stated previously by OP, these dogs are deep chested with the bulk of their skeletal weight at the front so the remaining leg can’t support the weight, our mastiff couldn’t have amputation either. It’s not an option for many dogs sadly,especially ones who weigh between 7/10 stone.

Lifeispassingby · 13/01/2021 05:03

Hope things are still going ok OP xx

SheldonesqueIsUnwell · 13/01/2021 05:52

OP - I’ve not experienced this type of cancer in my dogs but just wanted to say I’m sorry. The mere mention of the type of cancer my last girl had is prone to make me cry.

I wish you and your boy joy in your time left together - despite the shadow of sadness. Flowers

darklane

a very old experienced fellow exhibitor once said to me, “ to take their suffering onto yourself”. To take their pain & turn it into your grief

How it should be always. I shall hold that phrase with me going forward. Thank you. Flowers

Original poster
Lizbiz89 · 13/01/2021 09:52

Thank you everyone for your messages of support. Like @HerMammy has said amputation isn't a option for this breed. If it was I would do it in a heartbeat. He's definitely starting to slow down and putting less weight on his front leg. Going to keep a close eye today. Very hard to know as he did this on Saturday and then the next morning woke up wanting his walk and wagging his tail. We'll see how it goes over today. Just such a horrible situation to be in. Waiting for the inevitable to happen 😢.

OP posts:
Veterinari · 13/01/2021 19:53

@caringcarer

I would ask vet about amputation. I had a neighbour years ago and her dog had a limb amputated to save it's life. It went on to live another 6 years of good quality life. Just depends if it can all be cut away. Her dog could still run about and ho for walks. They adapt to 3 legs.
I can guarantee that dog didn't have an osteosarcoma. Even if amputation was a possibility it would only be palliative to prevent pain from the bone tumour. By diagnosis these rumours have generally already spread to lungs/liver
HerMammy · 15/01/2021 20:24

@Lizbiz89
How’s your boy?

Original poster
Lizbiz89 · 15/01/2021 20:56

@HerMammy he's ok today. Yesterday he wasn't good so I called the vet and she said to give him a tablet and a half of paracetamol and see how he goes. Anyway by the evening he had perked up again! Today he's been up, eating and asking for belly rubs so he seems to be a lot better. It's such a rollercoaster. I can only just take it one day at a time. Just cherishing every good day we have. Thank you for asking. Very kind of you 😊.

OP posts:
SheldonesqueIsUnwell · 15/01/2021 21:39

These cherished days will be happy and sad but the love is shining out brighter than sunflowers 🌻 🌻 x

Veterinari · 15/01/2021 21:43

[quote Lizbiz89]@HerMammy he's ok today. Yesterday he wasn't good so I called the vet and she said to give him a tablet and a half of paracetamol and see how he goes. Anyway by the evening he had perked up again! Today he's been up, eating and asking for belly rubs so he seems to be a lot better. It's such a rollercoaster. I can only just take it one day at a time. Just cherishing every good day we have. Thank you for asking. Very kind of you 😊.[/quote]
I'd really suggest evaluating his preventative pain relief rather than waiting for him to be painful and treating it reactively and intermittently. Drugs like paracetamol and gabapentin can really help.

Original poster
Lizbiz89 · 15/01/2021 22:18

Thanks @Veterinari. Yes we're keeping up with his pain relief regularly now. Currently having 3 tramadol in the morning and evening. And having paracetamol morning and evening too. This seems to be keeping him happy. We were giving him inflacam as well but it was making him sick. Could there be an alternative to this we could ask the vet for?

OP posts:
Veterinari · 15/01/2021 22:22

@Lizbiz89

Thanks *@Veterinari*. Yes we're keeping up with his pain relief regularly now. Currently having 3 tramadol in the morning and evening. And having paracetamol morning and evening too. This seems to be keeping him happy. We were giving him inflacam as well but it was making him sick. Could there be an alternative to this we could ask the vet for?
Yes there are lots of other anti inflammatory drugs that he might respond differently to. One I like is Galliprant - it seems to be well tolerated.

Alternatively your vet could prescribe an antacid/stomach protection to take alongside the anti-inflammatory to prevent side effects. Def have a chat with them.

Original poster
Lizbiz89 · 15/01/2021 22:35

@Veterinari thank you so much! I will give them a call tomorrow. Fingers crossed for a good day tomorrow as well 🤞

OP posts:
Veterinari · 16/01/2021 07:15

Hood luck@Lizbiz89 Thanks

Bilgepumper · 16/01/2021 07:18

So sorry to read this. 😭🌺

HerMammy · 18/01/2021 19:21

@Lizbiz89
How are you and the big lad?

Original poster
Lizbiz89 · 18/01/2021 20:06

@HerMammy he's doing ok thanks. Even went on a little walk today. I've got him on the pain relief religiously now so he seems a lot happier. Fingers crossed we get a few more happy days out of him.

OP posts:
HerMammy · 18/01/2021 20:18

That’s good to hear, as long as he’s keen and eating and not in pain that’s good and let’s you both enjoy your time together.

HerMammy · 22/01/2021 21:20

Just me again, wondering how you are both doing x

Original poster
Lizbiz89 · 23/01/2021 12:48

@HerMammy he's still here. He's doing ok still. He does seem to be slowing down but that's to be as expected I guess. Every day is a winner at the moment 😊

OP posts:
SheldonesqueIsAnExVirgin · 25/01/2021 11:08

Sending brightness and love 🌻 🌻 x

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