Moose the Wonder Dog
Moose, our 4 year old Harlequin Great Dane was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer on August 23, 2005. We noticed a lump on his right leg and took him the next day to the veterinarian. We were told that this diagnosis is very serious with few good options. Needing more information to make a good decision, we turned to the Internet. We quickly found a on-line group dedicated to canine bone cancer: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bonecancerdogs/

And a great website with lots of information:http://www.bonecancerdogs.org/

With advice from the great people on the two internet groups, two local veterinarians, other dog lovers, and our own gut feelings we made the difficult decision to have his leg amputated and to follow with chemotherapy. One person on the internet support group mentioned that UC Davis Veterinary Teaching Hospital had an osteosarcoma study that Moose might be able to participate in. One of our local veterinarians contacted UC Davis and Moose was accepted for the study. Moose has received all his treatments at UC Davis, so we can make the 4 hour trip in our sleep.

Moose's bone cancer treatment:
September 14, 2005 - Photodynamic Therapy Experiment on tumor
September 16, 2005 - Right Front Leg Amputated
September 19, 2005 - Discharged from UC Davis
September 28, 2005 - Round 1 of Chemotherapy (Carboplatin)
October 26, 2005 - Round 2 of Chemotherapy (Carboplatin)
November 23, 2005 - Round 3 of Chemotherapy (Carboplatin)
December 14, 2005 - Round 4 of Chemotherapy (Carboplatin), chest x-ray: No growths detected
January 11, 2006 - Round 5 of Chemotherapy (Carboplatin)
February 8, 2006 - Round 6 of Chemotherapy (Carboplatin)
March 13, 2006 - Exam and Chest X-Ray: No growths detected
June 14, 2006 - Exam and Chest X-Ray: No growths detected
September 20, 2006 - Exam and Chest X-Ray: No growths detected
December 20, 2006 - Exam and Chest X-Ray: No growths detected
March 14, 2007 - Exam and Chest X-Ray: No growths detected
May 16, 2007 - Exam and Chest X-Ray: No growths detected
August 8, 2007 - Exam and Chest X-Ray: No growths detected
About the UC Davis Study

The purpose of the study was to test the use of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of bone cancer in humans. The researchers needed a way to test this experimental bone cancer therapy. Because most treatment of osteosarcoma in a dogs leg begins with amputation of the affected limb, the researchers proposed testing the experimental photo dynamic therapy on a dog's leg that was afflicted with osteosarcoma. Because the leg would be amputated anyway, dogs with osteoscarma in the leg offered a perfect opportunity for the researchers to test and fine tune this new treatment, before testing on humans. The study paid for the amputation and 4 rounds of chemotherapy.

Moose adjusted to his amputation amazingly well. He was able to hop out of the hospital two days after the amputation. After a couple week period, he was able to do everything he did before amputation. He plays wild with our other dogs, hunts for squirrels, can jump in and out of the car, and even has figured out how to dig for gophers with only one front paw. Click here for a video of Moose digging for gophers. He had only minor side effects from the chemotherapy. Only about 10% of the dogs with osteosarcoma make it to two years without the cancer returning, even with amputation and chemotherapy, so we are so grateful that Moose appears to be in the lucky 10%. We have been grateful for each day of good health that Moose has enjoyed.

If you have a dog with bone cancer and would like further information, we can be contacted at:

ashowboat@aol.com
Moose's Second Challenge- Wobblers Syndrome

Click here to see a video how well Moose is doing after one month of treatment

Click here to see a video of Moose waving hi to his fans

Within days of the two year anniversary of his cancer diagnosis, Moose began to show symptoms of the neurological disorder, Wobblers Syndrome. This condition is caused by something pinching the spinal cord in the neck area and results in loss of control of the back and front legs. Wobblers is bad news for a four legged dog, it can be a disaster for a tripod. Within a week of noticing symptoms, Moose was unable to walk on his own.

Again we researched on the Internet, and kept finding references of success in treating Wobblers by Dr. Durkes of Marion, Indiana. We contacted Dr. Durkes and he recommended a treatment of a custom neck brace, acupuncture, and prednisone. Moose has responded well to this treatment and after a month he is greatly improved. We have begun to wean Moose from the prednisone and soon will only be receiving acupuncture and using the neck brace. We don't know how long this progress will continue, but as we did with the cancer, we are focused on enjoying every minute of good health.

On November 11, 2007 we lost our wonderful Moose.  Moose developed acute pneumonia as a complication from megasophagus.  There were no signs of the return of the cancer, but we will never know exactly what happened.  Regardless, we will never loose the wonderful memories of the courageous MOOSE THE WONDERDOG!