Hank's story

by Tina K
(Fresno, Ca)

Our big boy (he's a black lab) was diagnosed with bone cancer a year ago! That's right, a year. His leg was very painful and swelling at the joint above his paw on his front leg, x-rays showed that it hadn't spread to his lungs.

Since he is older and has other health issues, we decided against chemo or surgery, since it would only add a few months to his life. A hard decision, especially when the pain meds stopped helping after about three months. The vet said it was time to consider the "options" (time to put him down). At the time he was taking Tramadol. We are so glad we found another vet who refused to accept this and gave us alternative pain and anti-inflammatory meds. That was in January (it's now November!). 

We switched to Amantadine (200 mg once a day) and Previcox (227 mg once a day, we do one am, the other pm). Our boy is about 80 pounds.  We also changed his food from the average Iams food to one made with salmon and sweet potato (available at Costco), and I've been giving him vitamin C 2x a day. When we changed his meds and his leg was painful we put his leg in a "spoon" splint for about a month or so (maybe a little longer) to keep him off it.

It's been a miracle! The size of the growth on his leg has actually shrunk and he stopped limping. He's been such a happy boy; it's been a joy to see him playing and swimming, living his normal happy life (though we try not to let him get too crazy, just to be safe).

I know he's not "cured", it's still just a matter of time for him, but every extra day we have with our big baby boy is a gift!  

I hope this information helps someone help their own furry loved one.