Isa's Not Doing Very Well :-(

[Montage]

My 13 and a half year old SBT has had a really rough 12 months. She was diagnosed with Grade 2 mast cell carcinomas in August last year has had two rounds of surgery but for 8 months there has been no sign of any more tumours. She's slowed down a lot but she's still very active for a dog of her age and loves her walks, cuddles and most of all, food. We were hoping she'd still be with us for a few more years.

Unfortunately for the last three days she's been coughing a lot, mainly in the mornings after exertion so we took her to the vet. A chest x-ray has picked up some sort of growth in her mediastinum (chest cavity). They are unsure of what it is and she needs a special ultrasound. The vet said the best outcome would just be an enlarged thymus gland but warned us it could be nasty.

I've had Isa for 13 years and I can't imagine life without her. I can't stop crying and I'm getting married in 6 weeks and don't even want to go through with it now with this happening.

Edited August 16, 2011 by Montage

[dogbesotted]

oh my goodness. i can imagine how terribly worried and distressed you are..

try to stay calm and wait until the ultrasound give a better diagnosis ( yes i know how hard that is) You dear Isa is still with you so dont let your fears ruin these days..

maybe a consult with a reputable holistic vet may also provide additional support for Isa.

In the meantime Isa is tucked into my heart and prayers

stay strong

Blessings

Helen

[Montage]

Thank you so much for the kind words.

I guess we'll just have to take this one day at a time. If this is the worst case scenario then I'm grateful to have had 13 years with her which is more than some people. It's just breaking my heart to see her coughing like this.

[k9angel]

Thinking of you Montage.

Please try and stay strong, I know it's easier said than done.

Enjoy every day you have with your precious girl.

Dogbesotted is right. Don't let fear and sadness ruin these days. Enjoy them.

Crossing everything here that everything turns out ok.

[Montage]

Update: Well the ultrasound has come back. The good news is that tumour is not on Isa's heart. The bad news is they couldn't determine type of cancer/tumour because the lungs were in the way of the u/sound. I was given the choice of going for a CT scan or MRI which would give us more of an idea of what we're dealing with. I have decided against all these tests because I am not putting a dog of her age through chemotherapy and surgery, if she was younger I'd want this treated more aggressively. She's been slowing down a lot over the last 12 months and I think what Isa deserves is to be comfortable.

She is on oral steriods which we've been told can halt the tumour growth. There may be side effects and the dosage may need to be changed.

This has been a very difficult decision for me and I want to thank all of you on here who have offered me support through this.

[dogbesotted]

sorry the news was not better.

I would be looking at Milk thistle supplements whilst yr pup is on cortisone.. it helps detox and protect the liver..

can you afford a consult with a reputable holistic vet?

H

[Staffyluv]

I am so sorry for the news Montage..

At 13 Isa is doing very well indeed...

I agree with you not doing chemo or surgery at her age - Ollie is 14 now and 6 years post dxd MCT grade 2 with no clear margins and already in his lymph system...

We just take one day at a time - so long as they are comfortable, eating and happy, I see no reason to change anything...

The milk thistle tablets would be great (like Helen suggested) and seeing an holitic vet to supplement Isa can make a world of difference...

All the very best for you and Isa

Jodie and Ollie dog

[skyesblue]

So sorry to hear of about your staffy Montage.

My 11 1/2 year old staffy has a similar problem (i have a thread in this section called SBT with lung cancer) so i really feel for you during this difficult time. When i first found out about my staffy i cried every day for a week wondering how i would cope without her. Our staffy still has very good quality of life several months later with no treatment except pallative care. I cherish every day we have her with us and we even make sure she sleeps every night on our bed, i just want her to know that she is very loved even to the last day. We did not go down the chemo path either after consulting a specialist.

This is the hardest part of owning a pet and no matter how long they live it is never long enough. Some things of life are just unfair. My thoughts are with you and i hope you stay strong.

Edit: I am doing both modern and natural treaments for my staffy that i think has worked well (my next do neighbour is a naturapath) so this may be work looking into.

Edited August 23, 2011 by skyesblue

[k9angel]

How is Isa doing Montage? how is the cough? any better?

I hope you're both holding up ok.

I also think you are doing the right thing by not putting her through surgery/chemo at this age.

I know it's easier said than done but please try and stay strong for Isa. They pick up on our moods/feelings so easily.

Take care.

Rach.