Hemangiosarcoma Of The Spleen - Has Anyone Had A Dog With This Cancer

[labsrule]

Hi Labsrule,

I'm very sorry to hear about the diagnosis of your boy. Haemangiosarcoma is a particularly frightening and uncontrollable form of cancer.

Our elderly greyhound Girlie, now deceased, was diagnosed with a tiny, very early stage splenic haemangiosarcoma lesion at nearly 14 years old. It was a fluke discovery - a particular type of blood cell showed up in a full blood panel I had requested to check her organ function, etc. Even at such an early stage, her prognosis was only 2, maybe 3 months without surgery. We didn't go ahead with surgery and chemo for her - the post surgery prognosis was just not good enough at her time of life to justify putting her through it. She had also had surgery for LP earlier that year and I felt that enough was enough . (It was my intention to monitor the lesion's growth monthly if necessary via CAT scan so that I could send her, with love, to the bridge before she suffered catastrophic internal bleeding.)

I did a lot of research while making this painful decision and I think you are doing absolutely the right thing for your boy, at his age. And, as you know, there is no alternative. From the research I read, chemo is an absolute necessity following removal of the primary tumor or lesion. Unfortunately, this is one of those forms of cancer where it once the primary is removed (and it must be because of the risk of life terminating internal bleeding), secondaries tend to launch aggressively into growth. Chemo is the only thing that can slow this down - therefore it is vital.

I did put Girlie onto a course of herbals specifically targeting haemangiosarcoma, but we did not get and chance to see whether this would slow the growth of the lesion. Girlie also had undiagnosed and unsuspected osteosarcoma. Three short weeks after a CAT scan revealed haemangiosarcoma, she suffered a serious, spontaneous leg fracture and we had to say goodbye.

I sincerely wish you a great deal more time with your boy and believe that you are taking the right course of action for him.

Hi Fastgals

Tks for your reply and support, as so nice to hear from someone that does have some experience with the insidious Hemangiosarcoma and does understand its impact and the necessity of Chemo for dogs like Fitzy. I am so sorry that your Girlie had a double whammy with both Hemangiosarcoma and Osteosarcoma and lost her battle I fully understand why you did not opt for the Surgery and chemo and if I was in your position, I would have done exactly the same.

[dianed]

Hi Labsrule. Yes my dog did have stage II hemangiosarcoma of the spleen. A biopsy of her spleen was taken and sent to Sydney. Before they operated the first time she had blood transfusions to bring her red blood cell count up.

The vet said her spleen didn't look that bad when they opened her up and took the biopsy, a little abnormal in shape. So it was not removed.

She was then treated for Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA)and given a high dose of cortisone each day.

Days later (it may have been a week) I received a call from the vet, who was a bit shocked by the results. The biopsy results showed she had Hemangiosarcoma Stage 2, and I was told it is very serious and things cant be any worse. I had to wean her off the cortisone and take her in next day to have her spleen removed. Two ops in one week!

I have no doubt that the cancer will return if it hasnt already, the tumor removed from her mouth recently is part of it I believe. I am monitoring a small black cluster lump below her nose. Its my decision not to have futher tests done on her, at the moment she looks really good, she,s over 11, eating well and enjoying old age so we will make the most of it.

She,s been extremely lucky to have survived this far. The vets own dog did pass away due to the cancer returning.

I hope Fitzy is as fortunate as Sophie and has a few more years... with or without chemo.

[Beauie]

My hearts goes out to you Labsrule & to everyone else that has lost a mate to this hideous disease.

Yes, I lost my much beloved boy 2 years ago from this disease too.

He was 8 years old, full of life, happy & showed no illness until one morning when I noticed he began to stagger.

Straight into the vets (a Sunday morning)...diagnosed as an enlarged spleen & bleeding, put on fluids to stablise him & hoped he would pull through the next 24 hours, for surgery to remove the spleen on Monday morning.

He made it through the night & surgery begun...I then get the phone call we all dread...it had metastasized through other organs & even if the spleen is removed, he would only have had about 2 weeks to live.

What choice did I have...

I still remember vividly the last eye contact we had & the kiss I gave him saying I will see you soon. I had no idea it would be our last hug N kiss.

[labsrule]

Hi Labsrule. Yes my dog did have stage II hemangiosarcoma of the spleen. A biopsy of her spleen was taken and sent to Sydney. Before they operated the first time she had blood transfusions to bring her red blood cell count up.

The vet said her spleen didn't look that bad when they opened her up and took the biopsy, a little abnormal in shape. So it was not removed.

She was then treated for Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia (IMHA)and given a high dose of cortisone each day.

Days later (it may have been a week) I received a call from the vet, who was a bit shocked by the results. The biopsy results showed she had Hemangiosarcoma Stage 2, and I was told it is very serious and things cant be any worse. I had to wean her off the cortisone and take her in next day to have her spleen removed. Two ops in one week!

I have no doubt that the cancer will return if it hasnt already, the tumor removed from her mouth recently is part of it I believe. I am monitoring a small black cluster lump below her nose. Its my decision not to have futher tests done on her, at the moment she looks really good, she,s over 11, eating well and enjoying old age so we will make the most of it.

She,s been extremely lucky to have survived this far. The vets own dog did pass away due to the cancer returning.

I hope Fitzy is as fortunate as Sophie and has a few more years... with or without chemo.

Hi dianed

Thanks so much for clarifying about the biopsy and definitive diagnosis of Hemangiosarcoma. Sophie obviously defied the odds and that is fantastic news and it is so great to hear such positive outcomes amongst all the negative doom and gloom associated with this awful cancer

It is interesting what you say about Sophie's operations, as Fitzy's tumour was detected through an ultrasound after blood tests results indicated he had anaemia, after my Vet's physical examination suspected he had an enlarged liver or spleen. Both the specialist vet and specialist surgeon told me that the spleen and tumour must be removed, as there was a great risk that it could rupture and could bleed out and essentially kill him and ,I was also warned that during the Splenectomy surgery, there was also a risk of a bleedout . During the consults prior to surgery they also discussed with me why a biopsy alone, could not be done in this situation and that Slenectomy was the only course of action. They wanted to operate the same day, he had the Ultrasound which detected the tumour, followed by xrays to check the lungs and it was so devastating and stressful to receive this news :cry: , as I had to leave him at the specialist clinic for them to do all the tests and there was no way I could cope with him having fairly major and risky surgery,without me seeing him beforehand and spending some time with him, in case the worst case scenario was realised . I told them I wanted to pick him up and bring home for the night, so they rescheduled the surgery for the next day and I took him back the next morning. Best thing I ever did, as gave us both a chance to be together and we had such a wonderful night, curled up together on my bed, which is where he normally sleeps and I woke up feeling very relaxed and positive the next morning and just knew he would be ok during the surgery.

Sophie must be one tough girl with a real fighting spirit to not only come through two ops in the one week , but to also go against the survival rate without chemo in spectacular fashion, as she has survived 3 years instead of the 2-3months average survival rate without chemo . That truly is amazing and I am so happy for both Sophie and yourself that she has defied the odds so spectacularly and I hope my beautiful boy can do the same .

My boy is also a pretty tough guy with an amazing spirit , which will no doubt help him through what he has to face and hopefully help him defy the odds and if he is able to get any extra time over and above the average survival time, it will be so cherished.

[labsrule]

My hearts goes out to you Labsrule & to everyone else that has lost a mate to this hideous disease.

Yes, I lost my much beloved boy 2 years ago from this disease too.

He was 8 years old, full of life, happy & showed no illness until one morning when I noticed he began to stagger.

Straight into the vets (a Sunday morning)...diagnosed as an enlarged spleen & bleeding, put on fluids to stablise him & hoped he would pull through the next 24 hours, for surgery to remove the spleen on Monday morning.

He made it through the night & surgery begun...I then get the phone call we all dread...it had metastasized through other organs & even if the spleen is removed, he would only have had about 2 weeks to live.

What choice did I have...

I still remember vividly the last eye contact we had & the kiss I gave him saying I will see you soon. I had no idea it would be our last hug N kiss.

Oh Beauie, I feel your pain and loss, it is so devasting to lose your much beloved boy, to this terrible cancer You had the call I was so dreading and had to make the awful decision that goes along with it and you definitely made the right choice, as would I have done, if I was in your position. To allow them to go thru a fairly major surgery like a Splenectomy and find that the cancer had metastasised through other organs and allow them to wakeup and live for a couple of weeks, is "cruel" and unforgivable IMHO .

This was one of the reasons why I wanted to bring my boy home for the night, and reschedule his surgery to the next day after he had the ultrasound which found the tumour and the chest xrays which found that it had not yet spread to the lungs, as it allowed the both of us to have some special time together, just in case I would have been confronted with the same decision you had to make to not let him wake up from the surgery if there was evidence during the surgery, that the cancer had spread to his other organs. I was fortunate that Fitzy's tumour had not yet ruptured, had it done so, then the surgery would have been immediate and I would not have had the luxury of our special night together. I hoped and prayed I would not be put in the position you were, and thank God I wasn't, so my heart goes out to you and it must have been horrendous and devastating for you to lose your beautiful boy this way

[Beauie]

Oh Beauie, I feel your pain and loss, :rofl: and it must have been horrendous and devastating for you to lose your beautiful boy this way

I guess when awful things like this are diagnosed, we try to come to terms with the prognosis, but when it is so sudden & so very unexpected, one doesn't get time to comprehend it and well, its just devastation & mega heartbreak.

I will hold the very best of hope & wishes for Fitzy that he can & does beat this horrendous disease.

Please keep us posted

In memory of my beloved Brimmy 5/3/1999 ~ 14/5/2007

[4Kelpies]

Labsrule I am so sorry to hear your news. It's so devastating to hear the diagnosis of cancer. I have had two dogs with this disease - one (oral squamous cell carcinoma) who had surgery with clean margins and is still going strong three and a half years later, and one with bladder cancer (TCC) who was pts a year ago. I found the caninecancer list http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CanineCancer/ a wonderful help with so many people with experience and expertise in different types of cancer sharing their experiences.

I also used the B-Naturals cancer diet with its high protein low carbs

http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/cance...age=Jun2004.php

Best of luck and all my healing thoughts to you

Edited May 10, 2009 by 4Kelpies

[labsrule]

Labsrule I am so sorry to hear your news. It's so devastating to hear the diagnosis of cancer. I have had two dogs with this disease - one (oral squamous cell carcinoma) who had surgery with clean margins and is still going strong three and a half years later, and one with bladder cancer (TCC) who was pts a year ago. I found the caninecancer list http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/CanineCancer/ a wonderful help with so many people with experience and expertise in different types of cancer sharing their experiences.

I also used the B-Naturals cancer diet with its high protein low carbs

http://www.b-naturals.com/newsletter/cance...age=Jun2004.php

Best of luck and all my healing thoughts to you

Hi 4Kelpies

Many thanks for your post and the links it contained Great news about your dog still going strong 3½ years later and very sorry about your loss of one through bladder cancer The last couple of weeks have been such an emotional rollercoaster and a devastating nightmare, My beautiful boy is one of those, once in lifetime dogs, who is extremely special to me and his diagnosis has rocked me to my core :cry:

I have now joined the Canine Cancer yahoo group and have received the approval to join and it will be invaluable to communicate with other dog owners in the same position and understand what you are going through and can offer support, advice and share experiences and I can do likewise

In addiiton to info and advice I received from Fitzy's Oncologist for his Nutrition requirements, I have been doing copious amounts of research on Nutrition for dogs with cancer and found some excellent material, including some books, one of which I have ordered and others I am evaluating. Tks for your link, as well Whilst pior to his cancer diagnosis, he was already on a very good diet of approx 75% RMB and 25% kibble (various super premium brands including Artemis Fresh Mix for Lge Senior Breeds) plus raw fish and tinned sardines weekly, yoghurt, veges, egg weekly etc, I have had to make some changes to his diet to ensure at all times he is on a high protein, low carb diet and I have also had to make further changes whilst he is on Chemo. I have also changed his kibble over to Artemis Fresh Mix Maximal Grain Free and am in the process of slowly swapping him over to it. In consultation with his Oncologist, I will continue to tweak his nutrition and try some of the cancer diets in the info I have been provided with/found during research and in the books I purchase.

He had his first chemo treatment on Friday and so far so good :D as he is now in day 4 without any side affects and nearing the end of the period (2-5 days) when any side affects become evident and I have been extra vigilant during this period. Since his chemo, there has been no change in him at all and he has been his normal very happy and bouncy self He had his stitches removed last Tuesday and we are able to resume his daily walks the next day, as the surgeon is very happy with his excellent recovery from the splenectomy .

[Staffyluv]

Firstly let me say, we all feel for you, but I am not going to say what you want to hear.

We all know of cases that when people are in hospital under going chemo being so ill.

You hear the family say in such sorrow...you wouldn't let it happen to a dog would you ?.

And no, I wouldn't let it happen to a dog, even if I was billion air.

JMHO, but I do wish you well in what ever you decide to do.

For the record you obviously know nothing about canine chemotherapy treatment.

Dogs don't get 'sick' like people do because they are not given the doses that humans are given as there is no option for a bone marrow transplant. Canine chemo is given in low doses to kill off the cancer cells but as we all know, chemo attacks good cells like bone marrow as well, hence the reason for the low doses, so it does not kill off the good cells like it does with humans. Blood tests are taken weekly to ensure that the white cell count is high enough to have the next dose - just because they are dogs, does not mean they are not afforded the best treatment you can give them.

Ollie had chemo for six months and it was the chemo and holistic treatment that has kept him alive long past what was originally suggested. I researched canine chemotherapy before I made the decision to go ahead (however it was our only option because he had multiple tumour sites and it was already in his lymph system)... he lost a bit of hair off the tip of his tail and where they used to shave him for the canula took months to grow back.

Yes you are entitled to your opinion but maybe it is best to research topics

[dianed]

Hi Labsrule, How are things with you, glad to hear Fitzy is going ok with the chemo and he is healing up after his surgery. Hopefully his hair will grow back fast, I had to go buy a rug for Sophie, it was the middle of winter and damn cold that year and she didnt have any excess fat on her.

Its good that you can get back to your daily walks in the autumn sun. All those normal things help the healing process for both of you. As time goes by you begin to relax a little within yourself and accept that each day you have them is a bonus.

One decision I did make 3 years ago was that I would cut down the amount of dry food from my dogs diet. I feed mostly roo meat from our property that I butcher myself with the occasional chicken bits & pieces. Dry is offered but mostly left untouched these days.

If Soph can do it so can Fitzy!

[goldens]

I am so sorry you and your boy are facing this. On the large golden retriever forum I belong to, many have lost their dogs to this forum of cancer. Usually it was found way to late for any treatment to work at all. Here is hoping thchemo works for you guy.

[4Kelpies]

Hi Labsrule,

I really think that although there is no cure for cancer, we can do a lot with diet to help the body fight this horrible disease and help healthy cells to stay that way. It sounds as if Fitzy's diet is already close to the recommended cancer starving diet. I have a lot of faith in Lew Olsen of B-Naturals. Although she is not a vet, she has a PhD in animal nutrition and all of her articles quote or contain links to studies that have been done. She has been happy to answer my questions on the list as well as private emails and doesn't mind giving advice free of charge.

I'm glad the chemo has gone well and Fitzy is happy and bouncy. As you will hear many times on the caninecancer list, our dogs are not dying of cancer, they are living with cancer. I've lit a healing candle for Fitzy and will be thinking of you.

Make sure you take the time to look after yourself. I know how exhausting this kind of stress can be.

[Diva]

He had his first chemo treatment on Friday and so far so good as he is now in day 4 without any side affects and nearing the end of the period (2-5 days) when any side affects become evident and I have been extra vigilant during this period. Since his chemo, there has been no change in him at all and he has been his normal very happy and bouncy self He had his stitches removed last Tuesday and we are able to resume his daily walks the next day, as the surgeon is very happy with his excellent recovery from the splenectomy .

That's good news labsrule, thanks for the update

[labsrule]

Firstly let me say, we all feel for you, but I am not going to say what you want to hear.

We all know of cases that when people are in hospital under going chemo being so ill.

You hear the family say in such sorrow...you wouldn't let it happen to a dog would you ?.

And no, I wouldn't let it happen to a dog, even if I was billion air.

JMHO, but I do wish you well in what ever you decide to do. :p

For the record you obviously know nothing about canine chemotherapy treatment.

Dogs don't get 'sick' like people do because they are not given the doses that humans are given as there is no option for a bone marrow transplant. Canine chemo is given in low doses to kill off the cancer cells but as we all know, chemo attacks good cells like bone marrow as well, hence the reason for the low doses, so it does not kill off the good cells like it does with humans. Blood tests are taken weekly to ensure that the white cell count is high enough to have the next dose - just because they are dogs, does not mean they are not afforded the best treatment you can give them.

Ollie had chemo for six months and it was the chemo and holistic treatment that has kept him alive long past what was originally suggested. I researched canine chemotherapy before I made the decision to go ahead (however it was our only option because he had multiple tumour sites and it was already in his lymph system)... he lost a bit of hair off the tip of his tail and where they used to shave him for the canula took months to grow back.

Yes you are entitled to your opinion but maybe it is best to research topics

Agree Staffyluv and unfortunately, research on canine chemo normally begins when you are confronted with the devastating news that your beloved dog has cancer . Unless you have been in that position, you have no idea on what choice you will make and up to this point, you would not know much at all about canine chemo and some owners would not even know it even existed as an option. Hope Ollie is doing OK

Hi Labsrule, How are things with you, glad to hear Fitzy is going ok with the chemo and he is healing up after his surgery. Hopefully his hair will grow back fast, I had to go buy a rug for Sophie, it was the middle of winter and damn cold that year and she didnt have any excess fat on her.

Its good that you can get back to your daily walks in the autumn sun. All those normal things help the healing process for both of you. As time goes by you begin to relax a little within yourself and accept that each day you have them is a bonus.

One decision I did make 3 years ago was that I would cut down the amount of dry food from my dogs diet. I feed mostly roo meat from our property that I butcher myself with the occasional chicken bits & pieces. Dry is offered but mostly left untouched these days.

If Soph can do it so can Fitzy!

Hi dianed

Fitzy's undercoat is regrowing well and hopefully it will soon be followed by his top coat, so that he is fully covered, insulated and protected from the cold as we move into the cold winter months. When he was recovering from the surgery and wasn't allowed to climb up on beds/furniture etc, and had to sleep on his own bed which I moved into my bedroom at night, he had a nice big warm luxurious blanket on his bed which kept him nice and warm and I also put my heating on for him for the first few nights and would also put a lighter blanket on top of him, which he normally kicked off a few mins later. Now that he has had his stitches out, he is allowed back on my (our ) bed where he belongs and on these colder nights we have been having, often gets in my bed under the blankets and loves to sleep down the bottom of the bed snuggled up to my feet . When he gets too hot, he crawls out and sleeps on the top snuggled up to me. He has done this since he was a youngster

Fitzy's diet has always consisted of a variety of RMB and kibble and over the last 3 years, I have been improving all my boys raw and kibble diet by adding more variety including roo, as our local petfood shop gets in fresh roo very regularly, so we have a constant supply and the kibble was changed to a super premium brand. Approx 12mths ago, I started decreasing the kibble and increasing the RMB with the aim of converting them over to 100% RMB. In the end I settled for a 75% RMB and 25% super premium kibble, with some days only RMB and other days RMB & kibble. Since Fitzy's cancer diagnosis, I have been doing lots of research on nutrition for dogs with cancer because of their special requirements and also getting advice from his Oncologist for his nutrtional requirements, both whilst he is on chemo and after chemo as whilst he is on chemo, she advised that some antioxidants can interfere with the chemotherapy drugs. In addition, I am waiting on delivery of a book I have also purchased and am evaluating some other books listed on the canine cancer group I have just joined and others I have found through my research. The biggest change I have had to make to his diet since his diagnosis is to convert to high protein, low carb and whilst his existing raw diet was high in protein anyway, I changed his kibble to the Artemis No Grain Maximal, increased his Omega 3 and fat content. l continue to tweak his diet as required with additional supplements, as his diet requirements form a crucial part of his treatment.

Wow to you for being able to butcher your own roo being a city slicker, I can buy mine from a shop . I take strength from dogs like Sophie and others I heard about, who despite having Hemangiosarcoma, have defied the incredible odds stacked against them with fantastic survival rates and I am hoping and praying, my boy will be one of these too Obviously whatever you are doing for Sophie is working and hope she continues to do well.

I am so sorry you and your boy are facing this. On the large golden retriever forum I belong to, many have lost their dogs to this forum of cancer. Usually it was found way to late for any treatment to work at all. Here is hoping thchemo works for you guy.

Tks so much goldens - yes I believe German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are the two breed most afflicited by this awful cancer and unfortunately, Labs and some other large breeds are also over represented

Hi Labsrule,

I really think that although there is no cure for cancer, we can do a lot with diet to help the body fight this horrible disease and help healthy cells to stay that way. It sounds as if Fitzy's diet is already close to the recommended cancer starving diet. I have a lot of faith in Lew Olsen of B-Naturals. Although she is not a vet, she has a PhD in animal nutrition and all of her articles quote or contain links to studies that have been done. She has been happy to answer my questions on the list as well as private emails and doesn't mind giving advice free of charge.

I'm glad the chemo has gone well and Fitzy is happy and bouncy. As you will hear many times on the caninecancer list, our dogs are not dying of cancer, they are living with cancer. I've lit a healing candle for Fitzy and will be thinking of you.

Make sure you take the time to look after yourself. I know how exhausting this kind of stress can be.

Tks 4Kelpies

I leave B-Naturals website open all the time as am constantly referring to it and printing out various articles and diet info and tks for the link and also the info about being able to email Lew Olsen. Yes the stress can be exhausting and I was struggling to stay on top of it for the first couple of weeks when I was having to deal with the possible diagnosis after his blood test results, then his ultrasound & xrays, then his surgery, then the ultimate worst case scenario diagnosis and all the decisions that had to be made. Now that he has recovered from his surgery very well and has had his first chemo and his immediate nutritional requirements have been sorted, I am relaxing more. as I need to stay strong, not only for him, but also for my other boys, who have been just wonderful throughout this ordeal and a great source of comfort to me, particularly when Fitzy was in hospital for 4 days . It has been extremely important for all of us to get back to as much a normal routine as we can and that is happening Thanks for your thoughts and healing candle for Fitzy.

[Charles Kuntz]

Hi, Charles Kuntz here. Just by way of review of what is known about haemangiosarcoma, here goes. It is a malignant cancer which occurs commonly in the spleen of large and giant breed dogs. Other sites include liver, heart (right auricle), skin, subcutaneous tissues, and muscle. The ones that occur in the spleen, liver, and muscle (also chest wall) are invariably pretty nasty, with a median survival time of only a few months. Chemotherapy has been shown to increase median survival time to about 6 months for tumours of the spleen. Chemotherapy usually involves a single agent call doxorubicin. The quality of life on chemotherapy is good in 80% of dogs. It is not as intense as chemotherapy for lymphoma. Stage does not seem to affect prognosis.

It should be noted that haemangiosarcomas which occur in the skin are generally benign and respond to surgery alone with good survival, although local recurrence is common. It is solar -induced and commonly occurs on the stomach of non-haired dogs who like to sunbake on their backs. Hope this helps.

Charles

[labsrule]

Hi, Charles Kuntz here. Just by way of review of what is known about haemangiosarcoma, here goes. It is a malignant cancer which occurs commonly in the spleen of large and giant breed dogs. Other sites include liver, heart (right auricle), skin, subcutaneous tissues, and muscle. The ones that occur in the spleen, liver, and muscle (also chest wall) are invariably pretty nasty, with a median survival time of only a few months. Chemotherapy has been shown to increase median survival time to about 6 months for tumours of the spleen. Chemotherapy usually involves a single agent call doxorubicin. The quality of life on chemotherapy is good in 80% of dogs. It is not as intense as chemotherapy for lymphoma. Stage does not seem to affect prognosis.

It should be noted that haemangiosarcomas which occur in the skin are generally benign and respond to surgery alone with good survival, although local recurrence is common. It is solar -induced and commonly occurs on the stomach of non-haired dogs who like to sunbake on their backs. Hope this helps.

Charles

Tks Charles for your input. Since my boy was diagnosed with Hemangiosarcoma of the Spleen, I have gone from being totally ignorant of this type of cancer, in fact never had heard of it, to doing copious amounts of research on it, in addition to the info I was provided with by the Specialist Vet and the Oncologist and am now, unfortunately, very informed on this nasty beast.

My boy's first chemo treatment went very well without any side affects at all and his blood test he had on Friday, a week after his first chemo, was normal and looking good so he is scheduled for his 2nd chemo this Friday. He is doing extremely well, is definitely back to his normal crazy self :rolleyes: and specialists are extremely pleased with how well he is doing and outwardly, he looks very healthy, is very happy and you would not know there is anything wrong with him. In fact, when I was at the Specialist Clinic on Friday waiting for his appt for a blood test, a gentleman was sitting in reception with his dog waiting for his appt and he commented to me what a very happy and healthy looking dog I have there. Very hard to explain and accept that this very happy and healthy looking dog, has a very aggressive cancer in his body with a grim prognosis

Whilst the median survival time for this awful cancer is grim, I am heartened by some wonderful stories of dogs with this cancer who defied these grim odds and lived way beyond expectations of 2-4 years with and without Chemo, so I will hope and pray my beautiful boy will also be one of those dogs that beats the odds and every day he is with me after the median survival time, I will deeply treasure.