Diesel's Dilema *GOOD UPDATE*

[Iowa Roo Mom]

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Believe me, I know all about that. I've lost many a beloved pet, including a dog of 18 years before Diesel, and a Dobe, to cancer as well. Chloe (the dobe) had bone cancer, untreatable. (and a few cats) I know all too well the pain of euthanizing a beloved member of the family. He will not die a slow and painful death alone with strangers. That is one promise I can and will keep.

Thanks for the input

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

Thank you everyone, for your kind words, advice, and concern. I really do appreciate it.

 

[KDbeads]

Whoa.... without testing how can your vet be so sure it's cancer? Even a seasoned vet can't always tell. Don't jump that far until the results are back. Research the treatment options etc and prepare for the worst but please don't assume the worst yet!!
One of our fosters had 8 lumps removed the other day and even though the vet was 90% positive is was cancer because of how they looked the results came back benign on every single one. On another of our dogs the same vet tried to convince me a massive lump was no big deal but once it was removed and biopsied it came back as a type that can become cancerous very quickly.
I usually have worrisome/erupted lumps removed but leave the ones the vet terms as 'fatty lymphomas' and just keep an eye on them. Many lumps can be excised with no further problems occurring as long as there is enough margin taken with the lump.

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

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He has a lipoma on his chest, but this one felt different. I wondered, too, if it wasn't a lymph node but was unsure of the location of lymph nodes in dogs. I edited my OP to hopefully clairify the fact that she did not say it was cancer for sure, only that it is a possibility. I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions, but I've always been the type to prepare for the worst.

Though this vet is fairly new to the area (Diesel's favorite died last year) I have complete and total confidence in her, she is amazing.

Thanks for the advice, it's just hard not to worry.

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

It is better to at least be prepared for the possiblity, that way you aren't trying to make a decision at the last minute, as to what you might do. Though, no matter how much time and thought is put into it, regardless of what you decide, you are never ready. It's an emotional road, and it is best to go into it with eyes wide open, like you are. Good luck to you and Diesel!

 

[gritsar]

I am so very sorry to hear this.

 

[debilorrah]

Oh no!!!! My Bella has a lump on her back and I know I need to get her in. I need to pay rent first though. Poor Diesel!!!

 

[Iowa Roo Mom]

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I hear you Debit... Here's hoping Bella's lump is a lipoma!

 

[Southernbelle]

Terrah, honey, I'm so sorry to hear this!

This summer I lost my Boston Terrier to cancer of the Lymph nodes. He was 12 1/2 years old. It was right around my oldest DD's birthday and I noticed him shaking his head once in a while. He'd never had an ear infection before and I thought he might be getting one, nothing else was out of the ordinary, so I decided to keep my eye on it. Two days later at my DD's birthday party, I noticed 2 huge lumps under his jaw. They came up that quick. I call the vet as soon as they opened and they said all his Lymph nodes were swollen and they were 99.9% certain it was cancer since he had no signs of infection. They offered me chemo, but I opted not to do it. They told me it might give him 6 months to a year and I just couldn't justify putting him through it when there was so little time offered in return. Not to mention the expense. When I felt he was starting to suffer, I had him put down. I still miss him so much!

Give me a call if you need to talk.

 

[lemurchaser]

I have worked for a veterinary oncologist before and know a few friends that have treated lymphoma in their dogs.

So here are a few things: 80% of dogs that get chemo do not get sick from it, and only 7% need hospitalization for the side effects. Most dogs do really well with it. The goal of the chemo in dogs is to extend QUALITY life (which is very different than with humans where it is to cure and save their life) and the goal is not usually to cure them. So chemo protocols are changed if the dog gets sick from them. This is why you would want to go to a veterinary oncologist and not just have a local vet do it, they see nothing but chemo and know when and how to alter the drugs.

My friends that have treated lymphoma in their dogs generally have bought an extra year or 2 for their dogs. All of them did well on it the first round, but a couple of people did a second round and the dogs didn't do as well. They all went into remission after the first treatment, one stayed in remission for almost 2 years, another only for 6 months, so it varies.

Best of luck with it. Let us know what the results are.