My 10 year old mix shepherd, husky has been diagnosed with Mast cell tumors. I have had her operated on three times so far to remove them as soon as I find them. One on her back leg, abscessed, had to be removed. The other 4 were under her groin where she had been fixed, in the fatty tissue. The stupid doctor went in and got two, but left two. Then he had to go in and get the next two, each time a drain tube was necessary because so much moisture around the incisions. That was horrible! Well, now theres another one by the first incision, its cancer from what the aspiration says. I just couldn't do the chemo, or radiation, I can't put her thru that. Well, we tried the prednisone, 2 times a day. Boy, that was hard on her, she started shaking inside, so I called the vet, and we cut it down to half. Now we are leaving it at that, its not that much, just 10 mg a day. But she's picking up weight, and she already was heavy. What to do? Has anyone else had to go thru this? She's on tagamet too, and its just one dosage a day. Please.....any input would be appreciated. Her quality of life so far is good. ************************************************************************ 01-28-06, 11:34 AM Lydia I'm sure you've likely searched the web for information, but THIS SITE seems to be pretty informative.
I do not have any experience in this, so can't offer more than an opinion of what I might do in this same situation. I would have a long talk with my vet and see what he would recommend for long-term prognisis. Right now, her quality of life is good, but how do they expect this will change given the current course of treatment? I would also try to find another vet who has experience in dealing with the treatment you are giving her today as well as one who has experience in the chemo/radiation aspect. Depending on how much treatment they feel she needs, it may be something to consider. While you don't want to put her through that, it might be the better option, rather than continuing with the prednisone treatment. Think short term, but act long-term (if that makes any sense). While you want her comfortable right now, you also want to do everything you can for her for the remainder of her life. Consider both options and then make your decision.
Good luck and I hope things go well! ~Lydia
01-30-06, 03:35 PM soaringhorse Lydia, thanks for the link, and yes I have checked that one out as well as anything I can find on mast cell tumors on dogs. I really am tearing myself up inside, you see I have spent over 1500 dollars in fees for three surgeries which they have to take at least 2 - 3 cm. around the tumor(s) and it has pretty much been really horrible. They had to put in drain tubes the last two times, which were pretty terrible. But she is a good doggy and let mom doctor her. I have gotten to the point of witch this next tumor she may not be able to take the surgery, because the last one she was pretty sad, when I picked her up. To hear a dog cry is not a good sound, she was in pretty much pain, and literally was crying when I tried to transport her. Now the doctor says, chemo which will be over several weeks, and very expensive(1500 dollars). The radiation therapy would be several thousand of dollars, so you see I do not have a good choice here. This is after surgery, so I'm trying to get the tumor shrunk down, its on her thigh and I really do not think there's enough tissue to take with it, even the vet agrees with me. So the prednisone kind of suppresses her immune system which what its supposs to do, she's releasing too much antihistamine, and I think the tagemet helps with her stomach. I really can not afford any chemo or radiation, which is sad. I am a single parent, and am making paycheck to paycheck so you can see it's been quite a roller coaster ride with my finances. I just wish I were rich, but then again, do I want to put her through that? What would her quality of life be? Any special prayers for poochess and me would be very much appreciated, because I have prayed to God myself, but this is a really tuff time, and it looks like it's not going to get easier.
06-05-06, 09:44 PM soaringhorse Rest In Peace, My bestest doggie in the world, I will surely never forget you. Poochess 1995-2006
06-06-06, 05:32 AM Sherasi I am so sorry that you lost your puppy. Frown
I am sure she is in a much better place running and playing and in no pain waiting for you to join her. Frown
06-06-06, 11:15 AM misty45 soaringhorse, i feel your pain. i lost my 13 year old cat to cancer two days before thanksgiving. i am so sorry. God is taking care of him for you until you can get there and be reunited. just know, he's in good hands.
06-08-06, 07:50 PM soaringhorse Thanks for understanding, I'm just so depressed now. I really enjoyed walking with her the last year, she was a good walker. I'm just torn up inside because I really miss her. I just hope and pray that we will be together again some day.
06-19-06, 10:11 PM bugster I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. Have you ever heard of the Rainbow Bridge Poem? If not you can find it here.
06-23-06, 11:16 AM soaringhorse Bugster, thanks for the link, I had visited it before but had forgotten how to get to it, so you helped! I read the story about how that site got started, wow, was shocked what happened to the parents and granparent of the little girl. Naturally, I cried and cried while reading some of it, but I guess I needed to.
Here's a prayer that I ran across:
A DOG'S PRAYER
Treat me kindly , my beloved master, for no heart in all the world is more grateful for kindness than the loving heart of me.
Do not break my spirit with a stick, for although I should lick your hand between blows, your patience and understanding will more quickly teach me the things you would have me do.
Speak to me often, for your voice is the world’s sweetest music, as you must know by the fierce wagging of my tail when your footstep falls upon my waiting ear.
When it is cold and wet, please take me inside, for I am now a domesticated animal, no longer used to bitter elements. And I ask no greater glory than the privilege of sitting at your feet beside the hearth. Though had you no home, I would rather follow you through ice and snow than rest upon the softest pillow in the warmest home in the land, for you are my god and I am your devoted worshiper.
Keep my pan filled with fresh water, for although I should not reproach you were it dry, I cannot tell you when I suffer thirst. Feed me clean food so that I may stay well to romp and play and do your bidding, to walk by your side, and stand ready willing and able to protect you with my life should your life be in danger.
And beloved master, should the Great Master see fit to deprive me of my health or sight, do not turn me away from you. Rather, hold me gently in your arms as skilled hands grant me the merciful boon of eternal rest... and I will leave you knowing with the last breath I draw, my fate was ever safest in your hands.
--- Beth Norman Harris ---
07-17-06, 04:36 AM Wildflower63 I am so sorry about your loss. Your initial post didn't sound good. I know how much it hurts. It took me a full year to even look at my loved Lab's grave.
It might help to go to the pound and give another dog a shot at life. It did for me, a new puppy. It lifted a lot of grief, not that I forgot my adored Lab, but my Boxer is adored.
This is a very personal decision, but getting that pup helped us. She is drastically different than my Lab, but that's ok.
My Boxer pup allowed me to love again. It might help you to give another dog a shot at life. It helped me more than words can describe.
07-17-06, 09:51 PM soaringhorse I have thought about getting another, but then I worry about being able to put enough time into training a pup, beings I'm at work pretty much of the day. I've also considered a dog that was a little bit older, but can't make a decision. I now have five cats, and quite honestly, I think they would try and tear the dog up while I wasn't at home. My beloved Poochess had them all minding, they really started acting after she left, bouncing all over the place, off the furniture, etc. I now know who was the queen of this house, lol. Now our city has passed an ordinance of only 5 pets total, so I really better just take care of the ones I have. I have a silver tabby that has renal kidney failure right now, and so I'm having to play nurse, anyways. Fluids under the skin. Epikat powder in his food,(to try and help out his phosphorus level), as well as pepcid ac. I really hate this, watching my pets die, it's just not any fun. From what I hear, this could go on for years, with the kidney problem, I just want to make sure he isn't suffering, because I didn't want my dog to suffer either. I don't think she was ready to go, by far, but it was getting pretty uncomfortable for her. She was starting to show pain, that's when I couldn't let her go thru it anymore.
07-19-06, 12:15 AM Wildflower63 I understand exactly what you are saying. I'm good with one cat and a very demanding Boxer. My son is trying very hard to dump his two cats on me. I am dealing with two of his male cats and my female, not too nice, Main Coon. She cannot get used to The Skitties, as I call them.
My son needs to take responsibility for his cats! I am overwhelmed. I can imagine how you feel, with five cats. A pup may be a bit too demanding. I understand why you may like another dog, but reality is, you cannot house break them without caging a pup.
This does seem like a long time in a cage to me also when you have no choice but to work full time. I agree with your idea of an adult dog. I also think that you will be saving a life with a animal shelter dog. Everyone wants a puppy. That may not fit your needs or a dog that isn't going to live too long, as an adult, at the local Animal Shelter. Time isn't exactly on the adult dog's side there!
I am so sorry to hear about your cat's kidney problems. This is so hard to deal with. You will know, just as I did with my Lab, when your loved pet just gives up. They are so depressed and you can't miss lack of will to live. Then, you know it's time to stop their suffering, just as I did. As you know, this is so hard.
I adore my pets too, except for my daughter's iguana! This guy needs a better home. I think that my son should take responsibility for his cats. I like them a lot, but distance myself from them, which isn't easy.
His cats are un-altered males since he will not pay for even to heir shots, much less neutering these guys. They are sweeties! My Main Coon female isn't exactly impressed. She refuses to get along with these guys. She is declawed and mean towards them. The guys think she isn't using claws and do not hurt her.
I do have a huge issue with territory marking of not using litter boxes. My cat will not let up! She will even fight over any cat hang out place. She will wage war thinking these male cats are taking over her space.
My son got an apartment with his girlfriend. Mom does not approve! I am overwhelmed with the cats! My Boxer adores all of them and thinks it is her job to protect them. She is a fun dog! My cat will not tolerate them, after an entire year! I have this whole zoo thing going on in my living room! This is too much.
I am very understanding of what is realistic. Although buying my adored Boxer really helped my family heal from the death of our loved Lab, she has been a very time consuming and challenging breed, which I wouldn't give the recommend to anyone to own a Boxer, if you realistically do not have the time to train them and they will challenge you. Boxers don't like their people gone and get into everything. They completely stress out over being without 'thier people'.
I do strongly feel that another dog does help with the pain of loss. I agree with you, an adult dog is the way to go, if you feel that you want another dog.
Let us know how you and pets are doing! I wish you the best. This is so hard. We love our pets as a part of the family.
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Posts: 1031 | Location: Greater Cincinnati Area | Registered: 06-03-02
