Hi guys,
Our chihuahua terrier was recently diagnosed with possible Osteosarcoma of the spine from an Xray and consultation.
He already had arthritis and luxating patella in both hind legs so were used to him needing extra time and care. He was put on Loxicom daily for these issues and was doing great.
We came back from holidays and he couldn’t move. He was rigid , yelping and constantly unsettled. Brought him to the vets immediately and they gave us extra painkillers and xray the next morning.
They rang and said it’s arthritis and I went to get him and then they brought me in to show me his X-rays with “moth bites” in his spine and said it looks to be osteosarcoma. I was in bits.
Fast forward a week later after a week of hell- too much medication gave him an ulcer and he was in agony as well as not being able to walk. We brought him to emergency vets at 5 am and thankfully he was dosed with everything until our vets opened. (Monday)
They told us that it’s kind of last resort now as can’t seem to completely ease the pain so we arranged for him to say goodnight the following evening . (Tuesday)
Woke up Tuesday and he was a new dog. Back to before everything - he was running around and jumping. No issues whatsoever in his back legs even. Miracle dog, went to the beach for the day and he slept perfect at night.
This morning he is a little stiff but expecting however he started to cry out again and shake but it passed.
The vets saw him bouncing and were cautiously optimistic that the meds were working but said not to lose sight of where he was as he could relapse.
My question is-
Could this be his tumour has moved and not causing as much pain or maybe the pain meds are finally working?
I’m not delusional I know he isn’t fully better I’m just trying to understand it.
He’s on -
Loxicom
Gabapentin
Lozec
Synulox
Calpol
Codeine (At night)
And if needed a syringe of buprenorphine as an emergency.
Should I be expecting a decline? Was this just a fluke ? I don’t wanna leave it too long and end his life in pain but I also don’t wanna let him go too early but I know the saying is “it’s better a month too early than a day too long”
He is only 10 years old and the happiest boy ever.
Any help appreciated.