Possible bone cancer? Any experience?

[Chilli]

Hi all,

My beloved Tank (British Bulldog) went to the vets yesterday for his routine jabs. I mentioned to the vet that he sometimes has trouble getting up the stairs , but only after being asleep for a while, so I put it down to being a bit stiff. Other times he flies up there with no problems.

Anyway, the vet checked his leg and 1 was quite a bit thinker than the other one. It's not a sist or a lump under the skin, but a think or big bone. Mrs C mentioned cancer and the vet said she couldn't rule it out. Then the tears started and we've been depressed ever since.

I'm hoping that its just an old wound or a sprain or a twist or something....if this little fella has to go it will destroy us.

Does anyone have any thoughts as he due to be sedated and x-rayed on Wednesday...I'd love to avoid this, but happy to do what the vets recommend.

Cheers.

[Jasandjules]

There are some natural treatments like Zara's herbal tea which can help IF it is cancer.

Did the vet mention arthritis?

[rumple]

Chin up mate, it may be arthritis or other joint problems, he may have years left in him.

[Chilli]

Thanks gents. Not heard of the Herbal stuff, so will do some research.

I've been speaking to a friend, and came out with another thought. How would I feel if the fella didn't come round after being sedated (as I understand they are prone to do), and it turned out it was a sprain or something not serious. I'd be devastated.

[bexVN]

Trouble is you can't not investigate early detection of any ailment is better. We have a mastiff on the books with an osteosarcoma (bone tumour) caught early and is responding really well to a drug called Masivet (actually a couple dogs are on it.)

Anyway the breed have many health predispositions but I'm not aware that bone tumour is one of them. Hopefully it's arthritis but it is good to know so treatment can be started to help your friend be comfortable.

Nb we deal with a lot of bulldogs (boss has one) and as long as their airway is carefully maintained they are at no more of a risk than most breeds, so a full ga (so they can be intubated) is usually better than a heavy sedation.

Edited by bexVN on Sunday 14th July 21:50

Edited by bexVN on Sunday 14th July 22:00

[Gaffer]

Oh no Nick. Fingers cross for Tank. He is awesome.

You need to put a gratuitous picture up of him

Claire

[Chilli]

Thanks all, appreciate the advice. I THINK we have decided not to do anything. We have a good friend is a vet and she is saying that even if it is cancer, there's little we can do about it. Mrs C and I both think that his leg has been slightly warped since we've had him. Other than a couple of nights last week, he';s not been in any pain...he even jumped out of Mrs C's Ford Expedition yesterday and he's not limping today.

Here he is, just chilling on a lounger...





Just saying hello...




God I love that dog.

[C3BER]

My rottie had bone cancer in his back leg. It felt like a lump on the bone which I suppose it is. We had a piece taken and sent to Liverpool for checking to confirm. We had two choices at the time one being to take his leg off or pain killers until I had the balls to say it was time to say goodbye.

The leg off on a very big rottie was a none option and after he squealed twice in a day the choice was made. He was put down in my garden on a beautiful sunny day by a vet who was fantastic. He's buried under what was then a small oak tree I grew from a sapling which is now a huge oak tree of 22 years.

[Chilli]

C3BER said:

My rottie had bone cancer in his back leg. It felt like a lump on the bone which I suppose it is. We had a piece taken and sent to Liverpool for checking to confirm. We had two choices at the time one being to take his leg off or pain killers until I had the balls to say it was time to say goodbye.

The leg off on a very big rottie was a none option and after he squealed twice in a day the choice was made. He was put down in my garden on a beautiful sunny day by a vet who was fantastic. He's buried under what was then a small oak tree I grew from a sapling which is now a huge oak tree of 22 years.

FFS, now I have tears in the office. I love that idea of the tree, how lovely...hang on a mo (runs off to get a tissue).

The second opinion vet said that it would be tender to touch, he'd be off his food, and would be quiet and withdrawn. He is none of those things. He knocked the Pug foe 6 last night...completely felled him, and stood there waiting to play. If it wasn't for the yelps in bed the other night, and the 2 times he really didn't want to climb the stairs, nothing would be happening.

[bexVN]

There is more that can be done now (you saw my post didn't you?) Also if it is it will gdf painful so at least you'll know how to pain manage him. And if it is arthritis it will still help with future care of how to reduce discomfort and reduce trauma to the joint etc.

Bone cancer in dogs is still an aggressive cancer and average life span with treatment is still not great I know but you can assist with quality of life during that time which is the important thing. Also you are going too worry about worse case scenario when you might not have to, xrays could mean peace of mind.

If you are worried re sedation/ga see if your vet could try doing it conscious, not easy but some dogs allow it.

[Chilli]

bexVN said:

There is more that can be done now (you saw my post didn't you?) Also if it is it will gdf painful so at least you'll know how to pain manage him. And if it is arthritis it will still help with future care of how to reduce discomfort and reduce trauma to the joint etc.

Bone cancer in dogs is still an aggressive cancer and average life span with treatment is still not great I know but you can assist with quality of life during that time which is the important thing. Also you are going too worry about worse case scenario when you might not have to, xrays could mean peace of mind.

If you are worried re sedation/ga see if your vet could try doing it conscious, not easy but some dogs allow it.

Thanks Becky, appreciate it.

We've taken the decision that if the vet can x-ray without knocking him out, then all well and good. I mean, he hardly moves as it is, so this shouldn't be a problem. However if they insist on that, then we won't do it.
We have a vet coming round nest Tuesday for dinner and she will give him the once over...we'll do whatever she says, I think!

Thanks again.

[bexVN]

No worries. As long as your four legged friend is ok that's all that matters. I'm sure your vet friend will bs14 able to help more once they've looked at him