Who's had a dog with cancer...treatment options

[Turkey Feeder]

My dog Shadow..a Border Collie had an anal sac tumor removed this past Friday. Shadow is a few months shy of 13 years and the cancer tumor was just shy of being lemon size....both not a good combination.

The treatment options are surgical removable with or without radiation.

I would appreciate hearing any case histories. Hopefully Shadow will come home tomorrow and be with his mate Tiffany...and us.

Thanks,
Jim

[Flatdog]

Jim sorry to hear, But.... It is Quality of life not Quantity, Hes your best friend,, have the op and stand ready, if it works all well and good if not, then you know in your heart what needs to be done....
It is ruff but... What else can anyone say.

[Fortunamate]

i had a 5 year old black lab who i as a child grew up with we got her when i was 5 and i remember that night. and somehow she fractured her leg at 5 years and 9 months old and we didnt know she didnt limp or nuthing then we noticed a lump growing on her leg come to find out she had bone cancer so we had a surgery done and it came back she had to be put to sleep 1 month before her birthday which was christmas day she just had gotten to the point of no return wasnt eatin or sleeping and neither was i

[Turkey Feeder]

My wife and I just came back from visiting Shadow. Took him and Tiffany for a walk...gave him his medicine. He's doing well after the surgery...good appetite and having bowel movements OK.

The big question for me is, is radiation treatments the best course. That's a decision to be made in next few days.

I just bought a custom 24 bay boat last November.... Young Boats, Inc. ....here's a pic.

Thanks for the replies...they mean a lot.
Jim
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[Capt Cotton]

Jim

You guys will certainly be in my prayers. I went through it about 6 years ago and after watching a certain dog movie, "Marlie and Me" this weekend all those tough memories came rushing back. It is rough. Just cherish every day that you have him.

With my dog Beau, the first thing to go was the appetite. Just weigh in your heart whether at his age, is it worth putting him through any kind of harsh treatment, even if it is for the medical treatment of cancer. Has he lived a full life and is it worth putting his body through it. I'm sure your Vet has gone through all of that with you though.

My approach was just to make sure that he took his meds and also getting him to eat something every day and as often as possible. When he wouldn't eat his dog food, I kept a full pack of hot dogs in the fridge just for him and that is what he would eat. He knew it was a treat and couldn't pass it up. When he finally did, it broke my heart because I knew what that meant.

When the tough times would come, I just did not him in any pain. And when it came time, thats how he went - no pain.

Take good care of him and keep us updated. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.

Chris

[tunatamer4]

TF-

I had a Dobie some years back that got lymphosarcoma. Show the same symptoms as Capt. Cotton's pal, along with the tumors. I was making arrangements to move to NC so I could bring him to the best of the best for treatment but he just went downhill so rapidly after his initial surgery.

Once he wouldn't eat the roast beef anymore, which was all he would eat after getting sick, I too knew it was time to let him go.

I'm not telling you this to get you down, just to let you know, be ready, you never know. I don't know what the survival rate is for your buddies illness, but I truely hope he has a few more GOOD years with you.

I know anyone who has a pet operated on instead of just put down has a heart that is going to break, here's praying yours isn't broken for awhile.

Good luck.

[hotshot1]

The decision on further treatment depends on the type of tumor. Do you have a biopsy result?

[rampage38]

We had a lab that got cancer when she was about 3 1/2. We did the chemo for as long as possible, but in the end we chose to put her to sleep because it was just overwhelming for her. I would talk to your doctor because each person on this site probably has a different situation. I am sorry to hear that your friend is sick, it is not fun.

[LuckyLady]

I had a similar problem with my beagle many years ago.

As sad as it sounds what my vet told me was painful to my ears.

My dog was 14 years old 2 years past that's breads normal life expectancy. He said that surgery is possible but the odds of him recovering from it completely is unknown. We could get in there and things be way worse than we expecting and its too late to turn back.

He lived another 1-2 years, tumor didn't get any bigger. He passed due to old age.

Sorry to be so negative and blunt but I am really glad that I choose the path that I did. Every pup is different.

Sure miss em!

Best of the best with what ever you choose!

[Fish Hard Fear Nothing]

Sorry to hear this....We've been through this twice...TWICE. Its hard on everyone especially the kids. That said we spent a TON of money on the first dog and not that much on the second and the result was the same. I do know of a few that treatment has pro-longed their life but it just seems its the same result.

Chris