Cancer

[Kingbob]

My little boy Fred has cancer ;)

I took him in for his vaccinations yesterday, and mentioned a small (10mm) lump i'd noticed on his inner left thigh. When i first found it, it looked big, but over the next couple of days it shrank so I put it down to an insect bite. A few weeks later it returned. He was due for his vaccinations anyway so it was the vet for him.

He took a biopsy, and called me with the results a little while ago, and it is a tumor. I was outdoors walking Fred at the time and didnt catch the name of the type of tumor it is, but he said it's like a melanoma in that they have to remove a chunk of "healthy" flesh around it to try and get it all. That then goes to the lab to be tested. He said if its not contained in the removed part it could spread and re-occur.

Does anyone know what kind it is, and what the odds are? He's only 2 1/2, a beagle cross, but far bigger than a beagle, may have some shepherd, labrador, or border collie in him. He goes in for surgery next thursday, but he's young and strong so of course my fingers are crossed they get it all.

I just want to hug him and not let him go. Only 4 weeks until his first birthday with me (he was a rescued dog).

[Gretel]

Sorry I've no advice for you but I just wanted to send some good wishes for Fred. He looks a lovely, happy boy. Fingers crossed all goes well and he lives a long and happy life with you ;)

[Greytmate]

It sounds like a soft tissue sarcoma, but it could be one of many different types. Some are aggressive, some spread slowly. You are fortunate to have caught it early, good on you for being observant of these things. Get a referral to a canine oncologist if you can, cancer can be serious, but there is a lot they can do these days with some cancers.

[goldens]

What a cute fellow you have that. Love that face. My siser has a beagle, Jazz, who is 13 and spoiledrotten.

But back to you problem. My golden retrielver mix Honey just had a grade 2 mast cell tumor removed from the outsdie of her left leg about even with hr knee last Thursday. We had foundd the odd looking place--looked and felt like a tiny balloon halffull of liquid. Our vet removed it and snt itof just n theafe sd--he ad reoed att tumofro er chstlat ug--n tereport came back as the mast cell tumor. He wnated to make sure he had it all so more surgery last rturdays

He cut out a large area, going about an inch or so on all sides of the originial inciesion and down to muscle. He is sure he got it all, but of course we will not know til report comes back. Said it appeard it was all skin and not down below skin. But of course, that is just his observation. And since MCT's give off histamine, she is on heavey pred as a precaustion and I guess she will be unil we know for sure it is all gone.

Hoping for th bewt for that cute boy of yours.

Edited May 13, 2009 by goldens

[Staffyluv]

Sorry to hear your news. It is great that you noticed it so early.

The reason they have to take some much around the lump is to ensure they get clear margins (they want to know there is no cancer near the edges of what they removed, to be sure they get it all).

My boy has Mast Cell Cancer and is proof that not all cancers react the way they think they will - he was originally given only 12-18 months (over 3 years ago now). MCT is one of those tumours that goes up and down. He takes polarmine (antihistamine) to limit the histamine release that MCT causes - it is like an allergic reaction.

Let us know how you get on - there are quite a few of us here that have dogs with cancer or have our beloved pets pass over to rainbow bridge.

Diet is very important in treating cancer dogs.

It might pay to look into holistic therapy as well - my lad is treated conventionally and holistically.

All the best for a clean excision with clear margins.

[labsrule]

My little boy Fred has cancer

I took him in for his vaccinations yesterday, and mentioned a small (10mm) lump i'd noticed on his inner left thigh. When i first found it, it looked big, but over the next couple of days it shrank so I put it down to an insect bite. A few weeks later it returned. He was due for his vaccinations anyway so it was the vet for him.

He took a biopsy, and called me with the results a little while ago, and it is a tumor. I was outdoors walking Fred at the time and didnt catch the name of the type of tumor it is, but he said it's like a melanoma in that they have to remove a chunk of "healthy" flesh around it to try and get it all. That then goes to the lab to be tested. He said if its not contained in the removed part it could spread and re-occur.

Does anyone know what kind it is, and what the odds are? He's only 2 1/2, a beagle cross, but far bigger than a beagle, may have some shepherd, labrador, or border collie in him. He goes in for surgery next thursday, but he's young and strong so of course my fingers are crossed they get it all.

I just want to hug him and not let him go. Only 4 weeks until his first birthday with me (he was a rescued dog).

So sorry to hear your boy has cancer It is very frightening and devastating to hear this terrible word and I feel for you, as my beloved black lab boy has recently been diagnosed with cancer (Hemangiosarcoma of the Spleen which is an aggressive cancer of the blood vessel cells ) and he had to have fairly major surgery to remove the spleen and tumour and had his first chemo treatment last Friday.

It is important that you contact your Vet to get the exact name of the cancer, so that you can write it down and then do some research and find out as much as you can about it on the web, to not only inform yourself all about the type of cancer your boy has, but also to ensure you do not receive any conflicting or misleading info. if you do not know the type of cancer your boy has. Also your vet or specialist if you have been referred to one, should also provide you with the information you need. Nutrition for dogs with cancer is an extremely important issue as well and you should receive advice on that as well as research, once you know what you are dealing with.

Youth is definitely on Fred's side and I send lots of best wishes for Fred's surgery next week and lots of healing vibes for his recovery and a positive outcome My thoughts are with you during this very worrisome and stressful time.

[Kingbob]

It sounds like a Mast cell tumor, because the vet did mention the anti-histamines.

It was the fact it's gone up and down which was the big suspect, initially such a small thing, shrinking i assumed it was an insect bite. But as soon as I saw it had returned off we went to the vet.

I'm sure Fred has absolutely no idea whats going on, but it's got me reduced to tears!

Fingers crossed for the surgery, i'm taking the day off work as theres no way in hell i'd get anything done anyway thinking about him in surgery.

[mona]

Hi Kingbob...

I am so sorry to hear about Fred - I can well imagine your shock.

But as others have said, it is good that you have caught it early

Sending healing vibes to Fred and keep us posted......

[julesluvscavs]

Sorry to hear ab out Fred's results...

They can be scary, I personally have experienced it with my last dog (and myself).

Not all is doom and gloom tho with cancer, if picked up early enough and treated...

Your Fred looks so sweet and healthy in those pics of him !

On a positive note my dog's breeder had one of her Cavs diagnosed with a cancerous lump (around her throat area). The Cav is our Renae's Mum, so she isn't that young.

The breeder has been taking her Cav to a holistic vet for a year now, with lump getting smaller, and the last test she had at the normal vets revealed that the lump has totally gone now ! wohooo!

Thinking of you and wishing for a positive outcome for Fred !

[goldens]

I said Honey was on pred and I meant Benadryl. I had just come from a golden retrieve forum and we had been talking about pred and it was on my mind.

I love that last picture, Made me want to reach up and kiss him right on the nose!

There are so amny kinds of cancer. Ilost my Irsh Stter to bncance ackl 9,197 n golden Retriever, KayCe to gatintestina stromal tumor May 25, 2008, and now Honey diagnosed with Mast Cell,. Three dogs diagnosed with cancer and all different.

The Morris Animal Foundation here in thestates is doing extensive research into a cancer vaccine and things are looking good. It may be years before proven, but hoepfull it will.

[goldens]

I said Honey was on pred and I meant Benadryl. I had just come from a golden retrieve forum and we had been talking about pred and it was on my mind.

I love that last picture, Made me want to reach up and kiss him right on the nose!

There are so amny kinds of cancer. Ilost my Irsh Stter to bncance ackl 9,197 n golden Retriever, KayCe to gatintestina stromal tumor May 25, 2008, and now Honey diagnosed with Mast Cell,. Three dogs diagnosed with cancer and all different.

The Morris Animal Foundation here in thestates is doing extensive research into a cancer vaccine and things are looking good. It may be years before proven, but hoepfull it will.

[Kingbob]

That second photo is my all time favourite photo of him. Not only because he's gorgeous in it, but because it's the very first photo i took of him, on the first day i got him.

[Staffyluv]

Dogs with MCT can and do live full lives - let us know what type and grade and we can offer advice on how our own are treated, it may help.

Fingers crossed for a good outcome with clear margins

[Kingbob]

Spoke to the Vet a little while ago, and confirmed, it is a Mast cell tumour. Wont know the grade until they get it out.

Thanks for the good vibes, we really appreciate it.

[ninahartland]

Aaww! He looks so gorgeous with his blanket on

Sending healing thoughts for Fred and give him a big hug from me.

[puggy_puggy]

Fred looks like one happy boy and he is very lucky to have such a caring owner..

Dogs with MCT can and do live full lives

I have heard alot of good outcomes with MCT if they are removed with clear margins. With dogs leading normal lives afterwards.

Fingers crossed that Freds margins will be clear.

My suggestions would be to get rid of the carbs in Freds diet as cancer cells thrive on carbohydrates. Replace these carbs with Omega Fatty Acids as these feed the dog and not the cancer.

[Staffyluv]

Fred looks like one happy boy and he is very lucky to have such a caring owner..

Dogs with MCT can and do live full lives

I have heard alot of good outcomes with MCT if they are removed with clear margins. With dogs leading normal lives afterwards.

Fingers crossed that Freds margins will be clear.

My suggestions would be to get rid of the carbs in Freds diet as cancer cells thrive on carbohydrates. Replace these carbs with Omega Fatty Acids as these feed the dog and not the cancer.

Puggy my boy Ollie was given only 12-18 months because he has grade 2 with multiple tumour sites (no clear margins on excision of a few tumours) and it had already spread to his lymph system and he is now more than 3 years post diagnosis.

He had chemo for six months and was and still is treated holistically. Even the canine oncologist thinks he has the longest remission in the history of veterinary science.

He still has MCT - still has a few tumours but he is well and still loves his walks, his food, his family and his toys. While he is well I will do whatever it takes to keep him that way.

Dogbesotteds girl Lucinda only went the the bridge this year and she was 6 years with grade 3 MCT (no surgery).

So even without clear margins they can and do live great lives.

I totally agree with your opinion on the carbs and fatty acids (we use fish oil and flaxseed for Ollie with his meals).

[Kingbob]

I generally feed Fred a raw meat/bone diet. I go shopping saturday afternoon and buy whatever the butchers/supermarkets have on special. He'll have beef, lamb, or pork mince, lamb or mutton chops, chicken necks, wings or drumsticks, and the odd chicken carcass (had a turkey drumstick for christmas dinner), gravy beef, blade steak (with or without bone), even a roast if its going cheap! His favourite would be lamb off cuts, a good 400-450gm chunk of lamb with a bone, keeps him busy for a while.

He gets a can of dog food a week for the vitamins etc, and does get RAW patties, again once or twice a week.

I do add mixed veggies, cauliflower, snowpeas, carrot, broccoli, capsicum, even a bit of pineapple. (i buy a frozen stir fry veggie pack). He'll get some rice mixed in whenever i have some, about once a week. And he gets a raw egg once or twice a week. He'll generally leave 75% of the veg behind, except when they're coated in egg!

With the exception of chicken necks and carcasses, i could happily cook up what i feed him and eat it myself. In fact there are nights he eats better than i do! Buying it on special like that is generally cheaper than dog food, and he loves it far more! Tonight he had a 300gm blade steak with bone in that i got for $1.57.

Can you tell he's spoilt rotten?

I'm sure the vet will recommend a few things, but are there any additives i should consider?

[goldens]

Honey will not touch raw meat of any kind. I cook her chicken thighs and necks along with either gizzxards or beef liver and the sweet pototates, apples, green beans and sometimes squash. That she LOVES. I am thinking of adding spincah or otherleaf green. It is also my understanding that yellow/orange veggies are really good for dogs with MCT.

Mayvbe you should call your vet and find out about getting him on anti-histamines if he isn't already, and I don't remember you mentioning him being on them. Honmey just had her morning dose of 2 benadryl tablets-she i 72 pounds and the dosage is 1 for ech 25 pounds and since she is so close to 75 pounds, she gets 3.

You guy is jst to cute. The more pictures I see of him, the more I want to snatch him right off my screen and keep him for myelf.!

This is me and my Honey taken last iNOv. A young frind of mine and I were going fishing (he adopted us as his parents) and he wanted to get a picture of Honey to show his wife. Had been a while she she ad seen Honey. I know I look a fright--was just geting over my broekne nose and stitches in mymy face and broekn thumb from a fall. And hubby hates my short hair--but it is so easy to care for!

Edited May 14, 2009 by goldens

[puggy_puggy]

He gets a can of dog food a week for the vitamins etc, and does get RAW patties, again once or twice a week.

I do add mixed veggies, cauliflower, snowpeas, carrot, broccoli, capsicum, even a bit of pineapple. (i buy a frozen stir fry veggie pack). He'll get some rice mixed in whenever i have some, about once a week. And he gets a raw egg once or twice a week. He'll generally leave 75% of the veg behind, except when they're coated in egg!

With the exception of chicken necks and carcasses, i could happily cook up what i feed him and eat it myself. In fact there are nights he eats better than i do! Buying it on special like that is generally cheaper than dog food, and he loves it far more! Tonight he had a 300gm blade steak with bone in that i got for $1.57.

Get rid of the canned food & rice. To many carbs.

Buy fresh veggies and fruit and put them through a food processor along with whole eggs with shells.

Always feed raw. Don't cook his meat, bones, veggies, fruit, eggs etc.

Soft bones like lamb and chicken are generally better as the dog is able to fully consume them. Beef bones are usually to hard to be firstly processed properly by the dogs teeth and then by the dogs body.

Add some Omega Oils to his diet either by supplements or with fatty fish or both.