Adam's Page

Weight: 83
Breed: Greyhound
Age when diagnosed: 10

Tumors:

Adam was homed to us from a dog racing track on December 15, 2001. We adopted two other retired racers on the same day. Adam loved being silly. He would bound on our bed with a toy and toss it into the air, catching it on the way down while spinning in circles. He was a happy, people-friendly hound and had few illnesses. He was a gentleman in the house and rambunctious at play in the garden.

In September 2007, Adam developed a limp affecting the right, front leg. He occasionally yelped when he tried to run. He was diagnosed with cervical disc disease. The condition responded well to Robaxin and prednisone. Tramadol was given, as needed, for pain. Because of his age, he was not a good candidate for surgical management of the cervical disc disease. Instead, we opted for medical management of the disc condition. Adam resumed most normal activities, but with restrictions on his activity intensity. By November, he was pain-free and enjoying life.

In early December 2007, Adam began to limp and favor his left, front leg. We palpated a 1.5cm diameter swelling just above the pastern at the distal radius. X-rays confirmed osteosarcoma. Chest x-rays were negative for indications that the cancer had spread to his lungs. Adam's pre-op labs were within normal limits and his cervical disc had been stable for nearly four months.

We knew his disc problem would add risk to surgery. But, we also knew that the cancerous bone would eventually fracture. We elected to have the affected leg amputated. Barring complications, the vet gave Adam six months to two years of high quality life if the leg was amputated. The leg was amputated with removal of the scapula.

Adam recovered well post-operatively and our vet was almost giddy with the result. Adam came to us in the consultation room, wagging his tail and looking for something to eat. We obtained a "Walkabout" amputee harness to assist him and to decrease the strain on his spine as he adjusted to life on three legs. Like most dogs, Adam was able to manage quite well on three legs. The harness helped him greatly in standing using only one front leg.

On post-operative day three, the cervical disc became displaced and he was in great pain. We sedated him and tried a blast of steroids to reduce the swelling around the spinal cord. Sadly, a few hours later, Adam was fully paralyzed. He had no hope for recovery and our vet put him down on his bed, in our home, among confident, loving voices. His death came exactly six years (to the hour!) after we walked him to the track office to fill out his adoption papers.

We have no regrets about attempting the surgery, our vet's care, or bringing Adam to our home to live a good, but too-short, life with us. The disc could have displaced just as easily during play or spontaneously. In death, he joins our four Rottweilers...all of them were wonderful dogs...lost to cancers of various types (osteosarcoma, lymphoma and chondrosarcoma).

Pictures

Adam 12-22-97 to 12-15-07 Adam 12-22-97 to 12-15-07