Osteosarcoma accounts for 80-90% of malignancies involving bone cancer in dogs. The typical patient is an older, large breed of dog, and male. Osteosarcoma begins on the surface of the bone and progresses inward, disintegrating the bone. There are various forms, but the treatments are similar and the information you’re about to read applies to all varieties of the disease. The promising news is that, with proper treatment and immune support, some 80% of dogs with osteosarcoma can be put into remission if the disease is discovered early enough. The problem is that the usual symptoms, lameness and pain, don’t usually develop until the cancer is already advanced. It might at first seem like a case of arthritis or a muscle pull, but any lameness or swelling on your dog’s legs or ribs should be checked out as soon as possible. If the symptoms appear, it's important to look for pronounced bone swellings or lameness. Osteosarcoma is primarily a failure of the body to recognize the aberrant cancer cells and ward them off -- in other words, an immune dysfunction disease. Amputations and radiation therapy can be effective, but it’s the dog's own immune response that can hopefully overcome the disease. If the osteosarcoma goes untreated, a dog can be expected to live for only two to four months after diagnosis. But proper treatment, along with immune system support, can increase the odds of remission. In many cases this treatment has provided a long-term positive outcome, but it depends on how early the disease is diagnosed and treated. What about your dog's diagnosis? Your dog is depending on you. Once you’re beyond the initial shock of the diagnosis, it’s essential to act fast in turning this disease around. Waiting can drastically reduce the chances for long-term survival, and generally the quicker you start treatment, the more positive will be the outcome. IMPORTANT NOTE: there are fungal bone infections that cause symptoms and appearances on x-rays similar to osteosarcoma. Your veterinarian may call for Pythiosis, a screening to rule out the fungal culture. Pythiosis is a simple blood test and your vet can contact Pavlab at 800-856-9655 for details. After other causes are ruled out, your vet will want to perform a biopsy for osteosarcoma. Once the tumor has been positively identified, the affected limb is usually amputated. In some instances the tumor can be removed without amputation, but that is rarely the case. Radiation therapy may also be an option in place of amputation. Each case is different, however, and your veterinarian will know best. Chemotherapy is generally prescribed as a follow-up to amputation or radiation. Immune system therapy is important. Surgery and chemotherapy don’t address the underlying cause of the disease (immune dysfunction) and alone almost never result in a cure. In fact, the cancer comes back in over 99% of cases. Immune therapy greatly enhances your dog's chances. Research into the combination of immune modulation therapy and conventional therapy, however, has shown that ultimately it’s the patient's own immune system that will overcome the cancer.

Read Testimonials from dogs with bone cancer

See what our customers have to say

I am so glad I found you guys!! I know you have saved my sweet baby Samantha's life. You are always so nice and helpful and understanding. Samantha lost her leg to bone cancer and I know the supplements have saved her. Thank You!! 

 by Kathy Groth on 04/15/2011

K9 Critical really works!

After finding out our beloved Rottie mix had gotten cancer (bone) I was devastated. I looked on the internet, and was directed to this site offering supplements to improve a dog's health. Needless to say, I was extremely doubtful, but as we were given only 2-4 weeks for our girl to be with us I figured I would try it out. Well, that was shortly after Christmas, and it is now after Valentine's day, so we have already passed the date the doctor's said (and we didn't even get her leg amputated because of her age.) As soon as I began giving the pills to her, I noticed she was different. It literally was only 2-3 days before she began getting up and moving around, whereas she had been lying on her pillow not even going outside at all. Also, her eyes became much clearer- which surely is a sign that something was working. Since then, we have had blizzards and ice storms, yet she continues to move around outside. She even went on a hike with our kids sledding, running (although slowly!) after them. She was out walking this time at least an hour! I had my doubts, but now truly believe these products do what is claimed. I have ordered my second pack, and will soon be needing my third. I am very happy with this product, and would recommend it to anyone. 

 by Michelle on 02/15/2011

we received our order very quickly. Our Great Dane Maddie was diagnosed with bone cancer and we started her on the critical care and trans factor within a week of the diagnosis. She is also on meds to help control her pain. We know that at 8 1/2 yrs old our only option is to keep her comfortable. We seem to be accomplishing this. Maddie's appetite has returned and she is getting around well. She still has a limp but goes outside to patrol the yard. The growth appears to be growing on her leg but not bothering her in any way. As long as Maddie is happy and eating well we will keep her on these products. It has been 2 weeks and we are very pleased.

 by renee on 01/10/2011

Considering the bad news our Vet gave us on Duke's bone cancer, it was nice to get immediate understandable info on the disease & how we could build up Duke's immune system to help fight it. The Web page is organized & easy to read, as is the product description & ordering. Thanks. Rick B.

  by Rick B. on 11/15/2010

After doing some research online regarding options in caring for (and hopefully keeping her happy and a bit healthier as long as possible) in dealing with my dog, Cricket's, bone cancer I called BirkDale with some additional questions. They were very sympathetic and extremely helpful with suggestions regarding the proper nutrition and nutrients that might be helpful for Cricket. I was really impressed that they suggested it might be more economical for me to get natural food at my local pet store (to avoid excessive shipping costs) and even gave me the names of several brands to try. They did, however send a sample of their "PetMix" food along with the Critical Care Power Pack that I ordered. I was amazed that the package arrived within two days so I could get her started on the regimen right away. Cricket seems to prefer the BirkDale food over the natural kibble that I got at the store so I plan to order more of that from BirkDale. In addition, although she's still limping, she seems to be a bit peppier than she had been recently. She even "insisted" on walking around the lake at the park over the weekend, rather than just going into the dog park area to sit with me, so I'm hopeful that this is a good sign that the regimen is beginning to help already. 

  by Linda White on 10/26/2010

Hi Tom:
I promised you to write the story about Max. Also you see attach photos: Photo one is Max in the backyard. Photo two is after Max had radiation treatment on his bone cancer on September, 2008. Max is a 10 years and 8 months old Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog. I had him while he was two months old.

First, Max was diagnosed for bone cancer last August , 2008. Vet wanted to perform amputation on his leg in order to help him to live another 4-10 months. Otherwise, he would live for up to three more months without surgery. Well, it was a heartbroken moment for us to make decision what to do. Later we decided not to do the amputation because let him live a quality life is more important than living longer but suffering especially he is such a giant dog truly needs his four legs. No matter how painful he was from the bone cancer, he still used his four legs.
Because he was not going to get more treatment than radiation, I got help from Tom to give Max the nutrition supplement. I love Max very much and I didn't want him to suffer any pain. Max started the K9, fish oil, the factor on the beginning of September, 2008.
Later on
October, 2008 Vet found out Max had not only bone cancer (Osteosarcoma) but another two cancers: Apocrine gland adenocarcinoma of anal sac (Perianal tumor) and Splenic tumors. Because of the three types cancer, Vet decided not to do anything at all but just keeps giving Max Deramaxx Pain killer)
I can't tell you how much I cried but I insist to give him 11 pills of K9, one factor and fish oils everyday. It is not a easy job because he is too smart to spit out the pills from cream cheeses cover or peanut butter cover. But I got to be stronger than him in order to save his life.
We all thought he would not live to see the Thanksgiving but he did. He spent Thanksgiving with us and got Turkey meat as dinner. Then we celebrated Christmas Eve together.Then we celebrated New Year eve and New Year of 2009 together.
He is living the seventh month now from the date he was diagnosed cancer. Remember what the Vet said that he would have only up to three months life if we didn't do the surgery to cut off the cancer leg?
He can still walk on his four legs and we still take 10 mins walk in the neighborhood. You should see his face all smile, his tail up and he walk like flying. He even pull us to opposite direction from home while we finish the walking. He is very active, happy, energetic and alert like Guard Dog he suppose to be. And he is playful and cheerful like puppy.
K9 and Factor really works. It is miracle to us. Max takes only half pill of Deramaxx per day now and he shows no pain at all. He doesn't look any way nears to a cancer dog to us and he still eats like pig with great appetite. Of course, I give him high protein food and less grain made food.
Thanks Tom for your great help. You are a great listener and you understand.
We truly appreciate you from our bottom of our heart.

Jennifer

Hello,
As I received my regular order from Birkdale today, I thought about how fortunate I am to have found your company and I just wanted to say thanks. Two years ago, my darling rottweiler, Dakota, was diagnosed with bone cancer and had one of her back legs amputated. After one year and many rounds of chemo, I was told that the cancer had spread to her lungs and that she had 3 months at most to live - that was 1 year ago.
I thank God that I found your company. Today, Dakota is a very healthy and happy dog and our vet has no explanation he can offer. But I don't need an explanation - I know why, Birkdale. Thank you so much for giving us another year with our dog - you will never know how much it means to us.
Sincerely,- Jill

Hi,
I just wanted to thank everyone at Birkdale Medicinals for such a great product. On October 30th, 200 our wonderful Lab mix, Brandie, was diagnosed with advanced bone cancer that had spread to her lungs. She was only 7 and my family was devastated. Our veterinarian prescribed some pain meds and told us she only had about month or so left to live. I found your site and decided to give your products a try.I had nothing to loose. At the time Brandie started on your supplements she was listless and non weight-baring.
But within just a week of starting her on K-9 and Transfer Factor we started to notice a profound change.her appetite was back and she was playing like a puppy again! Her quality of life improved so drastically that even our vet was stunned. Because of your phenomenal products we were able to spend another 13 months with our beloved friend. Words can not express how thankful we are for that additional time. I truly believe that if we had caught the cancer earlier, and started K-9 sooner, we would've had even more time together. We said goodbye to Brandie on December 8th, 2006. As difficult as it was to let her go, we are forever grateful to you and your products for helping our family friend. And I will gladly refer all our "Dog Friends" to your website as I sing your praises. :-)Many blessings for a Happy Holiday and prosperous New Year.
Sincerely,
The K Family