My "Sister" Has Bone Cancer

My "Sister" Has Bone Cancer

by Lacey

My beautiful 9 year old lab/rott mix Midnight was diagnosed with bone cancer about a month ago. We are extremely saddened by this as she means everything to us.

Our vet gave her rimadyl and tramdol but it seemed to put her in a high state. We have decided to reduce tramdol to a smaller dose and drop rimadyl altogether as it has very bad side effects. I have learned from searching the internet that it kills more than any other medication and destroys the kidneys and liver. Why let her life get cut short from medicine. I don't want her on those harmful medications til her dying day. I want her to live a normal life.

We have opted to go natural as it seems to help. I hope and pray that she can survive this. If anyone has any suggestions as to what can help please let me know.

My world will be shattered and a piece of my heart will go with her. We will try everything we can to help her live longer. I will never forget her. She has always been there for me and I will be for her. She will always be my "Sister". She will forever be the greatest dog I will ever have. She is our family.

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My "Sister" Has Bone Cancer

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Jan 27, 2012
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Bone Cancer
by: Eric

I am so sorry to hear about your Midnight.

We lost our beloved Great Dane on Tuesday to bone cancer. It was horrid to think she was suffering. The vet prescribed the same Rymadol, Tramadol, and Doxycycloine. We also had to cut her Tramadol down as she was very drugged up. Towards her last days we increased it to ease her pain. It was very sad to watch her lose the ability to use her legs. We miss our Gentle Giant.

Cancer has robbed many lives. I hope you find peace, we know that she suffers no longer. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Jan 17, 2012
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Medicines
by: Lacey

Sorry to hear about Ricky. Yes Midnight seemed fine no crying etc. on just the natural pain medicine. All dogs are different though. My baby walked and went to the bathroom on her own right up to her last day. The other 2 medications had horrible side effects.

I wish you the best. It is horrible. My miss my Midnight every day. She changed my life forever.

Sorry to hear about Dakota. I know how you feel.

Jan 16, 2012
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Sorry to hear about Ricky...
by: Anonymous

We made a very difficult decision to have Dakota peacefully put to rest after she was diagnosed with an inoperable tumor on her shoulder four weeks ago.

It's heartbreaking to watch their bodies fail when they are fine in all other ways. She developed swelling in her feet and legs which can be common in dogs with cancer (lyphodema is fluid build up that the body can no longer absorb).

Prior to her passing she was on deramaxx to help with the pain and a natural supplement called bovine cartilage. In some cases this supplement has actually helped decrease blood supply to the tumor and decrease its size. An all natural diet as well as other supplements (e.g. fish oil, etc) can also help.

It's a very difficult thing to go through and I know exactly how you are feeling. We have 3 other dogs, but losing our Dakota has really changed the household. It's too quiet and our other dogs seem to be grieving right along with us.

There are no words to help you, but keep him as comfortable as possible and monitor him daily for any changes he may show. He knows what he means to you and don't feel guilty for any decisions you must make.

You and Ricky are in my thoughts and I wish you the best. Try to keep your head up and be strong for him, he needs you <3

Jan 16, 2012
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Sharing your sadness
by: Nancy

I am so sad to hear about your loss. This is a sad but inevitable part of having our wonderful pets. They do not live as long as we would wish (forever!)

Our Boxer Ricky is hopefully going to turn 12 on Jan 25. We got him soon after my mother passed away... I can't believe that has been 12 years. Ricky has lymphoma. We just want him to be as comfortable as possible.

Do you think that any of the medications you have used were helpful in reducing the pain?

I am so scared and sad. I hope that you are starting to feel a little better.

Jan 13, 2012
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Sorry about Dakota
by: Lacey

I don't know where to begin. It is a very tough heartbreaking road. Midnight was diagnosed with bone cancer Dec. 1st and died Jan 6th so it was very fast.

The vet recommended tramadol and rimadyl for pain but she seemed high and lethargic from it so we opted for a natural pain medicine called traumeel. Midnight seemed to be fine on that and comfortable on that as she rarely cried but yours may be different. We didn't want her drugged up for the rest of her life.

Every week something new came from the cancer. She would stumble, red eyes sometimes they would roll, towards the end she really wouldn't eat at all. She would just lay around. She also started to have blood in her urine. She was a trooper through it all but all dogs are different. She did not seem to be retaining water as I would look into the deramaxx to see if that's the cause.

We tried to keep her as comfortable as possible with beds, 8 layers of blankets, and rugs in the kitcken so she wouldn't fall. It is one of the hardest things to go through, I miss my Midnight every single day. We also gave her be well supplement. Please know this is just my opinion, do what you feel is best for your pet. Also, dogaware.com is a helpful website. I wish you the best.

Jan 12, 2012
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Sorry for your loss....
by: Anonymous

We also have a lab/rott mix named Dakota. She will be nine this fall.

A couple weeks ago she was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor on het shoulder, which sadly is not operable due to its location. I hate to ask you to rehash all the pain you have been through with losing your beloved Midnight, but am hoping you could give me some insight as to what to expect.

We have started a couple of supplements as well as deramaxx for pain control. She has also been retaining fluid in the last couple days and wondered if that is something you experienced also?

Again, I am very sorry for your loss as I know exactly what you went through :(

Jan 07, 2012
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Memorial page I created
by: Lacey

I created this page in memory of my dog Midnight. http://sisterlovesmidnight.critters.com/

Jan 06, 2012
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My Sister Has Died.
by: Lacey

Very early this morning my preciuos baby girl died at home in bed. I am so distraught over this. I miss her so much. She is being cremated so she can be at home with us.

I have a need to gather all my pictures and everything of her to keep near me. I have been crying all day. I will never ever forget her. I don't know how I'm going to get through this I'm used to seeing her every day.

Last night I'm glad I got to lay with her wrapped in a blanket. We knew she was going to go soon because she stopped eating, all she would take was her be well supplement.

I hope she wasn't suffering and is now happy in heaven. I hope I get to see her again someday.

Jan 05, 2012
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Thank You
by: Lacey

I'm so sorry to hear about Bear. I hope that you find peace that Bear is no longer suffering. Thank you for your encouraging words. My poor baby now also has an abscessed tooth.

Jan 04, 2012
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I Feel Your Pain
by: Jennifer

My dog Bear was euthanized on December 28, 2011. I cannot stand it here without him, I miss him so much, this is so hard to bear. I will pray that you find something to help your baby. My Bear had cancer, I did not really find out what kind, as he was cremated. He will be with me always.

I am so sorry and I pray you can find something that will work for your beloved pet. I am so sorry! Don't give up!!

Dec 27, 2011
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A herbal option?
by: Anonymous

Hi Lacey,

I'm sorry to hear about Midnight and I applaud you for not giving up and looking for other options.

There is a herbal tea called Zara's Herbal Tea which was named after a dog called Zara whose life was saved after being given two weeks to live by the vet when she was diagnosed with cancer (she recovered and lived another five years, until she was 15).

You need to contact the company direct as they have had to remove a lot of the information about it from their website but it is not expensive (about the cost of one appt at the vet's) and I would have thought worth a try as it certainly can't do Midnight any harm:
http://www.grammasintl.com/html/products/products_zht.asp.

Please let us know how things go and keeping our fingers crossed for you!

Jules
x

Dec 24, 2011
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Thank You for your prayer.
by: Lacey

Thank you. I will try my very best. She means the absolute world to me. We have been finding and researching natural foods for her. Sorry to hear about that. I hope you find peace in that you did your best and that Maximus is no longer in pain.

Dec 22, 2011
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Our Prayer for Midnight
by: J Weatherford

Dear Lacey,

Our prayers are with Midnight and you as you venture down this road. I pray you will find Midnight relief and a way to fight this horrible disease.

We were where you are only 4 weeks ago as we discovered our Mastiff, Maximus, had bone cancer in his rear femur bone. We had to carry his 140 # frame and watch as he lay in pain. A few days was all I could stand to watch him dwindle.

Fight for Midnight's life!

I am sorry we did not try harder!

We must find an answer to how to best protect our animals from cancer! The articles on this site regarding fresh food options and homeopathic medication and care have good advice.

Love Midnight and remind yourself often that you have given her a wonderful life, too!

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