How to Treat Bone Cancer in Dogs

Manage your dog's quality of life with medication, rest and nutrition.

Osteosarcoma---bone cancer---ranks as one of the most aggressive canine cancers. Often the best a dog owner can do is improve the dog's quality of life to the best extent possible. Veterinarians describe the pain associated with osteosarcoma as the worst, and dog owners must be proactive about pain management. In fact, managing pain with medications and amputation when possible can extend the life of a dog with bone cancer. According to Bone Cancer Dogs, "Statistically, the longest survival rates are seen with a combination of amputation and chemotherapy."

Things You'll Need

• Pain medicine
• Containment fencing or X-pen
• Blankets
• Quilts
• Non-slip rugs
• Omega-3 foods

Instructions

At-Home Treatment

1. 

   Veterinarians say bone cancer is one of the most painful ailments a dog can acquire .

   Manage pain with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) medicine to control inflammation and short-acting narcotic pain relief to control break-through pain. Administering medications on a regular schedule maintains stable blood levels of the medication as opposed to an "as needed" basis, which can create a "see-saw" effect, says Bone Cancer Dogs. Sticking to a consistent schedule may also decrease the dose your dog needs for relief.

2. Prepare an area in the house where your dog can rest and recuperate following amputation. Set up a dog pen to contain your dog, placing clean bedding--usually old blankets or quilts that are easily washed--inside the containment area. Install baby gates near stairs and stairwells and cover slippery floors with rubber matting or non-slip rugs to ensure against accidents. Bone Cancer Dogs recommends painting the toenails of the limb scheduled to be amputated ahead of surgery to remind technicians and veterinarian which leg is afflicted, especially if swelling is not present.

3. Find out from the veterinarian the list of medications your dog received following the amputation and when the next dose is due. Maintain a written log of medicines and check them off after you have dispensed them. Organize medications in a pill box, by the day of the week and time: morning, afternoon, evening.

4. Protect the incision area from your dog. Use loose boxer shorts on rear-amputation dogs if they try to chew at the stitches. Put the boxer shorts on backwards, slipping the tail through the slit. This provides a comfortable cover-up that prevents your dog from getting to the stitches.

5. Feed a balanced diet to support health. Avoid feeding simple carbohydrates. Cancer feeds off simple carbohydrates, according to Bone Cancer Dogs. Introduce polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega 3s) to the diet slowly. Bone Cancer Dogs explains "Fatty acids do not feed the tumor, yet can still provide energy to the dog." Omega-3 fatty acids provide anti-inflammation benefits to your dog and support its kidneys and heart. Flaxseed (ground or crushed), fish and olive oil provide rich sources of omega-3 fats that the body absorbs quickly.

6. Mix high quality proteins and amino acids to your dog's diet, especially if it is an amputee. "Tumors tend to utilize the body's protein," says Bone Cancer Dogs. Quality proteins like whole meats offset the drain the cancer puts on the body while assisting the body through muscle changes following amputation.

References

• Bone Cancer Dogs: Pain Management