Roxy is a 7 year old Rottweiler, she has a very calm nature and has been very affectionate ever since she was a pup. She is a great family dog and is loved by all the kids. We noticed that Roxy had started to lose her appetite and had started to limp slightly. That’s when we received the devastating diagnosis - Roxy had osteosarcoma which is a type of bone cancer in dogs. We wanted to try every option available to help her get her quality of life back. A friend recommended a range of different pet supplements and Roxy quickly started taking supplements for dogs with cancer.
So, did it help? Well, after a combination of a healthy diet, medication, and supplements working together, she now runs, jumps, and plays all the time. It has been almost a year and her cancer has not spread and her arthritis is under control. She has more energy and there is nothing better than to see her big smile on her adorable face as she plays. Roxy has come a long way from her struggle with immobility and arthritis and it was not an easy road.
When Roxy was first diagnosed, she was slightly overweight and struggled to walk. As life returned to this big cuddly girl, we quickly learned that her favourite things are stuffed toys, endless attention and anything that even looks like food!
Bone cancer in a dog’s hips is common in larger breeds of dogs and the signs are similar to dogs with arthritis. That is why it is so important for our pets to have regular check-ups at the vet, even if it turns out to be a slight injury rather than anything more serious.
What is osteosarcoma? It is a malignant tumour of the bone that arises from the abnormal production of cells that create and break down bone. Osteosarcomas appear to affect larger breed dogs more commonly than the smaller breeds and your veterinarian can diagnose the condition by taking an X-ray of the affected region.
How to select the best supplements for dogs with joint problems. It sounds very simple but you must look at the ingredients and understand what each one does to help your pets’ mobility. For example, Methyl Sulphonyl Methane (MSM) is a natural anti-inflammatory hormone, which is one of the major building blocks of glycosaminoglycans found in cartilage, D-Glucosamine helps treat a painful condition caused by the inflammation, Green Lipped Mussel has been found to have beneficial effects on soft tissue injuries and connective tissue repair and Chondroitin Sulphate, combined with glucosamine, is an important building block for cartilage, as well as supporting joint structure.
Unfortunately, bone cancer in dogs can be very aggressive and often proves fatal, even when treated with surgery and other therapies, so it is vitally important to get a diagnosis and start treatment as soon as you start seeing signs in your pup’s behaviour. We are grateful that we can share Roxy’s story with you and we look forward to your comments and your sharing your stories with us