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Message
Anyone have suggestions on dealing with canine cancer
Posted on 12/28/17 at 6:45 pm
Posted on 12/28/17 at 6:45 pm
My 6 year old German Shepherd was diagnosed today with malignant lymphoma. We found a mass in his neck the day before Christmas Eve. We took him to the vet on Tuesday and the vet called today and said the fine needle biopsy they took was positive for cancer.
We were optimistic and weren’t expecting this at all. He has been seemingly healthy and normal. My wife talked to the vet and I plan to call tomorrow because she was speechless and didn’t know what to say....but I’m not sure what I want or should even ask. The only two options he gave were go to LSU for chemo or steroids to possibly slow the growth.
Everything I have tried to read in the past hour says chemo may lengthen his life by months or maybe years...but it’s a gamble and doesn’t seem to be very positive with lymphoma. Not sure what to do....any thoughts OT brethren? I don’t want to put him through chemo if it’s as rough on dogs as it is on people just to selfishly buy a few extra months.....BUT I am not ready to lose him either.
ETA - Sorry for the text wall
We were optimistic and weren’t expecting this at all. He has been seemingly healthy and normal. My wife talked to the vet and I plan to call tomorrow because she was speechless and didn’t know what to say....but I’m not sure what I want or should even ask. The only two options he gave were go to LSU for chemo or steroids to possibly slow the growth.
Everything I have tried to read in the past hour says chemo may lengthen his life by months or maybe years...but it’s a gamble and doesn’t seem to be very positive with lymphoma. Not sure what to do....any thoughts OT brethren? I don’t want to put him through chemo if it’s as rough on dogs as it is on people just to selfishly buy a few extra months.....BUT I am not ready to lose him either.
ETA - Sorry for the text wall
This post was edited on 12/28/17 at 6:47 pm
24
Posted on 12/28/17 at 6:47 pm to ArchiTiger
Just get that one tooth pulled.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 6:51 pm to ArchiTiger
Sorry to hear. I would let him live his life the same way he has since you have had him. When the signs begin to show and it becomes a problem or if pain is involved do not let him suffer. Enjoy him now and good luck on whatever you decide. My .02
Posted on 12/28/17 at 6:51 pm to ArchiTiger
quote:
BUT I am not ready to lose him either.
Do nothing until his quality of life goes down. Then you bite the bullet and have him put down humanely.
It sucks, I know.
Just enjoy the time you have left with him and treat him like royalty.
Sorry man.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 6:53 pm to ArchiTiger
I think the typical thing is that you put the animal down. Really only talking to the vets and the staff at LSU to get an idea of costs and the probability of effective treatment will really shed light on this for you. Typically it is more money than most people can reasonably afford to spend on their pet and I don't think it typically has a great prognosis either. People are forced to either put the animal down or pay for expensive treatment that probably won't work and they can't really afford anyway.
If paying for that is something that you can do then more power to you, but I don't think you should feel too bad if you can't do it either. Just bad luck for your poor dog to get it so young. Good luck and sorry for the bad news.
If paying for that is something that you can do then more power to you, but I don't think you should feel too bad if you can't do it either. Just bad luck for your poor dog to get it so young. Good luck and sorry for the bad news.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 6:55 pm to ArchiTiger
My dog was diagnosed with leukemia and was put on steroids and he lived about 5-7 years after the diagnosis. I was greatful but I'm almost certain he was in horrible pain at times because he would lay in his bed and never had energy so I felt horribly guilty that I didn't put him down but chemo was just too expensive and the vet only recommended steroids as treatment along with some Chinese herbs that he ordered from overseas.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 6:55 pm to ArchiTiger
quote:
Anyone have suggestions on dealing with canine cancer
When a dog stops being a dog and becomes more of a patient, then it is time to do the right and humane thing for them.
However, no one knows when that will be. So enjoy your pup for as long as you can. My neighbor's dog had cancer for years (not sure of the kind). He lived a quality life up until the very end. And you'd never know that he had cancer.
Hopefully your dog will have the same quality of life that my neighbor's dog did.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 6:58 pm to ArchiTiger
Put the dog down when he no longer is happy/functioning.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 6:58 pm to Peazey
I'm sorry to hear that. If the dog is doing well currently, I would ride that until health diminishes and it is no longer enjoying life. Once it is a struggle, then put down. No way I would put a dog thru chemo.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 6:59 pm to ArchiTiger
I had a 7 year old lab with same thing. She lived indoors with us so it made it even harder. I had to remember she was still just a dog so I didn’t go through the chemo expense which just would prolong it. We went with the steroids. My vet told me she had 2 weeks to 2 months. She never showed any signs of sickness until about 2 weeks from the end we noticed the tumor growing. About 10 days later she wouldn’t eat much. One Saturday morning she had trouble getting up and standing but again she didn’t show pain but you could tell she was done. I took her to the vet and put her down. She was one that responded to the steroids and she lived a total of 5 months after the diagnoses. My biggest concern was knowing when to put her down. Thankfully I knew it was time when it came. Good luck with this
This post was edited on 12/28/17 at 7:00 pm
Posted on 12/28/17 at 7:00 pm to FLBooGoTigs1
What FL said.
Sorry y’all are going through this.
Sorry y’all are going through this.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 7:01 pm to ArchiTiger
A walk, a steak, a bullet and a shovel.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 7:03 pm to Will Cover
I have a similar story, though non-cancer related, with a German Shepherd we had when I was growing up.
My idiot younger brother took him into the front yard to play catch and the football went out into the street. The dog went after it and ran leg first into the side of a passing car. Needless to say his front shoulder was shattered.
My parents decided to drive 2 and a half hours up to Mississippi State and paid $1,100 on emergency surgery. It fixed the issue for two years and then arthritis set in. By the time my dad finally decided to put him down, over the objections of my piece of shite brother, the dog could barely move. His last 6 months were fricking miserable.
My idiot younger brother took him into the front yard to play catch and the football went out into the street. The dog went after it and ran leg first into the side of a passing car. Needless to say his front shoulder was shattered.
My parents decided to drive 2 and a half hours up to Mississippi State and paid $1,100 on emergency surgery. It fixed the issue for two years and then arthritis set in. By the time my dad finally decided to put him down, over the objections of my piece of shite brother, the dog could barely move. His last 6 months were fricking miserable.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 7:05 pm to ArchiTiger
Thank you all for your responses....even Pectus (it made me laugh).
The dog is my buddy and was a Christmas present, brought by Santa, to my girls six years ago. He has been an amazing animal, gentle and patient with my 3 year old and protective of my entire family. I could not ask for a better pet.
The dog is my buddy and was a Christmas present, brought by Santa, to my girls six years ago. He has been an amazing animal, gentle and patient with my 3 year old and protective of my entire family. I could not ask for a better pet.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 7:09 pm to ArchiTiger
Ask doctor what method he suggest, and go with it. Enjoy the dog as lomg as you can. You will know when its time. Hell he may live for many more years.
This post was edited on 12/28/17 at 7:10 pm
Posted on 12/28/17 at 7:10 pm to FLBooGoTigs1
quote:
Sorry to hear. I would let him live his life the same way he has since you have had him. When the signs begin to show and it becomes a problem or if pain is involved do not let him suffer. Enjoy him now and good luck on whatever you decide. My .02
This is the answer. I had a pup with those tumors all over his body. A few the size of baseballs. It didn't give him any trouble. He lived till a little over 16. Had to put him down due to strokes. He was a big dog that weight in just under 100 lbs. Not many dogs his size live pass 12 years old.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 7:11 pm to ArchiTiger
Let him go. It will hurt like a motherfricker for a few days. Show your children how do deal with grief in a healthy way. They will remember it. Be there for them.
Unfortunately we have to learn how to deal with losses and keep on living. Best of luck. I've been there, it sucks.
Unfortunately we have to learn how to deal with losses and keep on living. Best of luck. I've been there, it sucks.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 7:20 pm to ArchiTiger
Piroxicam is an NSAID that occasionally causes remissions.
You also want to alter the dog's diet so it's less than 20% carbs. Cancer cells feed on carbohydrates, so by cutting those, you starve the tumor and feed the dog. You want a diet made up of fats and protein - for example, liver, ground turkey, fish oil, etc.
You also want to alter the dog's diet so it's less than 20% carbs. Cancer cells feed on carbohydrates, so by cutting those, you starve the tumor and feed the dog. You want a diet made up of fats and protein - for example, liver, ground turkey, fish oil, etc.
Posted on 12/28/17 at 7:30 pm to Bestbank Tiger
Thank you for the information - Bestbank
Thank you all for your responses.
My wife and I have been talking and with finances being what they are we will most likely plan to let this play out naturally but give him whatever help and advantages (diet change, steriods, etc) we can to give him a quality of life, hopefully longer than expected. Of course, I will still talk with the vet tomorrow and see if there is any more information I can get.
Thank you all for your responses.
My wife and I have been talking and with finances being what they are we will most likely plan to let this play out naturally but give him whatever help and advantages (diet change, steriods, etc) we can to give him a quality of life, hopefully longer than expected. Of course, I will still talk with the vet tomorrow and see if there is any more information I can get.
This post was edited on 12/28/17 at 7:35 pm
Posted on 12/28/17 at 7:32 pm to ArchiTiger
Absolute best dog I ever had was diagnosed at 12 years old. I swore I wouldn't let her suffer for my own selfish wants.
LSU vet is a racket and wanted like $4K for a couple radiation treatments that "probably won't work" and then made me feel like a horrible person for not doing it. My vet gave see syringe with some solution that would make her gums stop bleeding but as soon as that stopped working I knew I had to put her down. I promised I wouldn't let her suffer, she was too damn good of a dog. Top 3 hardest thing I've ever had to do. It's been almost 8 years and I still get choked up about her. She was happy until that day and never showed signs of horrible pain but I know she had to be.
New dog is a total idiot and I can't stand her
LSU vet is a racket and wanted like $4K for a couple radiation treatments that "probably won't work" and then made me feel like a horrible person for not doing it. My vet gave see syringe with some solution that would make her gums stop bleeding but as soon as that stopped working I knew I had to put her down. I promised I wouldn't let her suffer, she was too damn good of a dog. Top 3 hardest thing I've ever had to do. It's been almost 8 years and I still get choked up about her. She was happy until that day and never showed signs of horrible pain but I know she had to be.
New dog is a total idiot and I can't stand her
This post was edited on 12/28/17 at 7:35 pm
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