Understanding Osteosarcoma
Talking about osteosarcoma is deeply personal for me. This aggressive bone cancer claimed my beloved greyhounds, Missy and Tyson. Sharing their stories brings tears to my eyes, but I hope it will help others facing similar battles.
What is Osteosarcoma? Osteosarcoma is a malignant bone cancer that causes immense pain and rapid progression.
Signs of Osteosarcoma:
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Lameness
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Swelling
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Sudden fractures due to the brittle nature of the affected bone
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Significant pain
Dogs at Highest Risk: Large breed dogs, often older, are more susceptible, but it can also affect younger dogs. Breeds at higher risk include:
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Boxer Dogs
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Doberman Pinschers
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Golden Retrievers
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German Shepherd Dogs
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Great Danes
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Greyhounds
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Irish Setters
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Irish Wolfhounds
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Rottweilers
Diagnosis:
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X-rays: To image the affected limb.
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Chest X-rays: To check for cancer spread, though microscopic spread is not detectable
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CT Scan: To look for evidence of metastasis (spread of cancer to other organs)
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Biopsy: A bone biopsy is needed to confirm the diagnosis, though immediate amputation can be considered.
Treatment Options
Amputation: The primary treatment for osteosarcoma in dogs. This guarantees we are removing the dog's immediate source of pain which is the cancer that is eating away at the bone making it very brittle and the leg very painful. Most dogs adapt well to being on 3 legs, although careful consideration is needed in those with significant obesity or orthopaedic issues in other legs.
Limb-Sparing Surgery: An alternative method involving the removal of the cancerous bone and replacement with a graft or implant. This specialized procedure requires a referral to an experienced surgeon.
Radiation Therapy: Mainly for pain relief. It provides relief in about 75-80% of dogs, though it can take up to two weeks to become effective. Referral to a specialist clinic that offers radiation therapy is required.
Prognosis:
When discussing survival times for dogs with osteosarcoma, you'll often hear the term "median." The median is a way to find the middle value in a list of numbers. Imagine you have a group of dogs with different survival times, and you line up all these times from the shortest to the longest. The median survival time is the one right in the middle of that line-up.
For example, if we have five dogs with survival times of 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 months, the median survival time is 7 months, because it's the middle number. If there is an even number of dogs, say four with survival times of 3, 5, 7, and 9 months, the median would be the average of the two middle numbers (5 and 7), which is 6 months.
The median is helpful because it gives a better sense of what's typical in the group, especially when there are extreme values that could skew the average. So, when we say the median survival time for dogs with osteosarcoma is around 5 months with just surgery, it means half of the dogs live less than 5 months and half live more than 5 months.
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Palliative Treatment (pain relief only): Median survival is less than 3 months
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Amputation Alone: Median survival is about 5 months, with 10% surviving 1 year and 2% surviving 2 years post-surgery (if there is on evidence of cancer spread at the time of diagnosis)
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Amputation + Chemotherapy: Median survival extends to 10-12 months, with a 15-20% chance of surviving 2-3 years, considered a cure in some cases.
Missy and Tyson's Story
Missy - the tail that never stopped wagging
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Missy was diagnosed at age 10 with the cancer found in the upper shoulder (humerus)
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There was no evidence of metastasis (spread of cancer) to the rest of the body
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Missy underwent a forelimb amputation, followed by 6 x weekly intravenous chemotherapy treatments. She took the chemotherapy really well and didn't exhibit any side effects.
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Missy lived 9 months post-diagnosis, filled with love and lots of adventure!
Finally home after surgery
Missy on a farm in rural Victoria, right before she did zoomies
Tyson - the couch potato gentle giant who became best friends with a stray kitten
Tyson & Tyler
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Tyson was diagnosed at age 9 with the cancer found in the femur near the knee
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The CT unfortunately showed evidence of spread of the cancer to the lungs and the spine
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Despite only being given 1-2 months, we chose to proceed with amputation because we knew it was something that would alleviate the pain
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He underwent chemotherapy treatment as well and thankfully had no side effects.
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Tyson survived 7 months post-diagnosis, defying expectations with his strength and spirit. I really think his friendship with Tyler, a little stray kitten I brought home, gave him that extra push to stay around for a little longer...
Tyson & Tyler
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Life as a Tripod...
Aids for Recovery:
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Belly Sling: For supporting their weight while walking (https://www.dogsinmotion.com.au/product/belly-sling/)
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Help Em Up Harness: Provided extra support (https://helpemup.com/)
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Yoga Mats: Prevented slipping on smooth surfaces.
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Barney Orthopaedic Bed: to keep them as comfortable as possible when snoozing (https://barneybed.com.au/products/barney-bed?variant=45883268596021)
Rehabilitation:
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Hydrotherapy: Underwater treadmills strengthened muscles and improved balance.
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Laser Therapy: Enhanced and sped up healing through light interaction with tissues.
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Acupuncture: A part of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, restored energy balance and promoted healing with fine needles at specific points.
Missy on the underwater treadmill
Tyson getting laser therapy
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Both Missy and Tyson showed remarkable resilience and maintained a high quality of life post-surgery, pain-free and happy. Their courage continues to inspire me every day. If I had the choice to go through this again, I 100% would. Once they recovered from the amputation surgery, they were back to their bubbly bouncy selves and the most important thing, is they were pain-free. We spared no effort in ensuring their final months were brimming with happiness, treating them to winery outings, pet-friendly farm stays, and beach adventures—each moment saturated with boundless love.
Sharing this journey is my way of honoring Missy and Tyson's memory. They were more than pets; they were family. Their stories are filled with love, bravery, and the unwavering bond we shared. I hope this offers comfort and guidance to those dealing with osteosarcoma in their furry friends.