Staffyluv Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Thanks for all the kind words, it means a lot to me. We picked him up a few hours ago, he was happy to see us and wagging his massive tail as always. She did bloodwork and ultrasound . They couldn't find anything else in him that would cause the rapid weight loss and muscle loss. She said the wall was thicker than it should be around intestine and one other spot ( I can't rem I was too upset) which she said indicates cancer. She said at best a few months but it would be this week, if we can't get any weight on him, he lost 10kg in a matter of days. Have special diet and he ate a bit when we just fed him and the three year old just slipped him a sausage which he ate. No throwing up or burping but vet said he was doing the burp thing through the night. We got one week of pills and she said come back in a week get him weighted and looked at agin unless he goes downhill. I don't know, I am leaning towards a few days see how he is and then a second opinion . I am so happy he is home with you now. Please get a second opinion now - if it is cancer, maybe the specialist could do surgery. I had an 8 year old stafford who had multiple mast cell tumours - we were originally given a time frame of 12-18 months with surgery and chemo. We jumped up and down, got a second opinion, got a specialist on board and also contacted an holistic vet for diet and supplements. Ollie lived 6 years.. I'm not saying that is going to happen for you, each case is different. But getting that second opinion and running the relevant tests to be certain of what you are dealing with (instead of the vet thinks it is cancer) is so important. Knowing what you are dealing with is half the battle (what type of cancer, what stage it is at, is it systemic) - I wish you loads of luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katdogs Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 And listen to your dog. He will tell you when it's all too much. Eating and tail wagging sounds like it's a good day today :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flame ryder Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 It's a nightmare when our dogs are sick, and you're right...only dog people truly understand. I have no advice but sending hugs and positive vibes. We are all here for you and hope things improve soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coogie Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Swazzie, so very sorry to read this - there are fabulous Oncologists at BVSC at Albany Creek. They have a surgical, medical and radiation team. They are truly lovely and it would be worth speaking to them. They treated our girl for a different type of cancer earlier this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coogie Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 Facebook link Website Hopefully others will have suggestions too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swazzie Posted July 8, 2015 Author Share Posted July 8, 2015 I really appreciate all of you taking the time to comment . It's all such a shock for us . Bru is our first dog, we got him a few months after we got married. He's the most placid , cuddly dog and always has been. He was never really the crazy lab, he just wants to please all the time. When our son was born he planted himself beside the baby and never leaves him. He's the dog that ds goes to whet he just wants to be still or wants a cuddle(he learnt very early on to not lick????), they have this amazing connection. I'll do anything to keep him alive , but i won't let him be in pain or go through surgery unless it will help him . weve decided I'll ring the vet in morning to see about a referral , (I could barely talk today so really I was useless) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 So sorry yo hear this. My dog was diagnosed with cancer in his kidney and given 3-6 months to live. We put him on carprofen tablets (lower end dose every day) as apparently it can help stabilise certain cancers. He put weight back on and lived another 20 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coogie Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 The specialists saw us the day we got the referral, I understand the shock, I was at work when I got the call and just started to cry at my desk. It is a terrible feeling, but at least you know that here there are lots of people who have been through a similar experience, and have similar connections with their dogs. Whilst they may not exactly be in your shoes, they will be here with an empathetic and sympathetic ear when you need them. Hopefully you will get a quick referral and be able to make a plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 We are going to see about an mri - does anyone know good specialist around Brisbane- or is that a referral? I see that Coogie has recommended someone for you to see . And there is the vet at Kedron. Coogie do you know her name? I recall Ams used to take all her dogs there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coogie Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 (edited) DDD that would be Dr. Susan Dawson at Anvet Kedron, she uses both QVS at Stafford and BVSC for specialist referrals. So likely she would refer on for something like this - she is fabulous, my twin's dogs and Canetoad's Jonah are/Were also customers! I am suggesting BVSC because I had such a good experience with all the Oncologists,and they have everything on site - x-ray/MRI/Ultrasound and what I think is the only Linac Accelerator in the country for animal use - hoping someone else will chime in to confirm or offer options. I liked the fact they saw us so fast, were super clear on what options we had, likely outcomes, they were easy to talk to and not dismissive of my questions about herbal/ natural support through treatment. They could do all the staging and necessary tests right there. They were extremely kind to Issy and to us and the follow up has been very good. Edited for typos. Probably more. Edited July 8, 2015 by coogie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swazzie Posted July 8, 2015 Author Share Posted July 8, 2015 Thank you He's eaten again and is now asleep on my foot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Issy Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 So sorry I would certainly suggest a specialist too as my heart dog Kingston lived a year when I was told he would be lucky to live another 3 months. Granted he had heart disease but specialists can definitely provide a better diagnosis and treatment long term. Fingers crossed for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 swazzie - That diagnosis certainly sounds very bad - so yes, a specialist opinion will either confirm and explain and guide - or perhaps give other news. I wish you all the strength needed . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 The specialist centre at springwood are amazing also. I have used this guys for Bon when she needed ortho surgery but they do all medicine too http://www.vss.net.au/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labadore Posted July 8, 2015 Share Posted July 8, 2015 (edited) Truly sorry that you are going through this with your beloved Bru and like others have recommended, you need to take him to a specialist. Apart from the fact that he will be in the best hands possible and help correctly diagnose what is wrong with your boy, it will also give you peace of mind that you have done everything possible for your boy to ascertain a correct diagnosis and treatment options if they are available. I know only too well the shock, the devastation and helplessness you must be feeling right now. Keeping Bru and you and your family in my thoughts and sending positive thoughts, lots of hugs and healing vibes Bru's way for the best possible outcome. Hang in there Edited July 8, 2015 by labadore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Thanks Coogie. Brisbane sounds blessed with some excellent centres. Thinking of you and yours today, swazzie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swazzie Posted July 9, 2015 Author Share Posted July 9, 2015 (edited) We got a cancellation at BVSC for tomorrow, our vet did referral just waiting on them to hurry on a get paperwork over to BVSC . I've been home all day, was getting teeny bits of food into him but just now he threw up all he ate today and maybe what he had yesterday . He's so sad and tired looking today I think- allthough still tail wagging . I was looking at pic of taken of him end of May and he's seems to have aged in face about 5 years- he looks like much older dog I think. Edited July 9, 2015 by swazzie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Hopefully more answers and positive treatment tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 Just make sure he gets some fluid tonight .. and get some sleep . Tomorrow will be a big day . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffyluv Posted July 9, 2015 Share Posted July 9, 2015 We got a cancellation at BVSC for tomorrow, our vet did referral just waiting on them to hurry on a get paperwork over to BVSC . I've been home all day, was getting teeny bits of food into him but just now he threw up all he ate today and maybe what he had yesterday . He's so sad and tired looking today I think- allthough still tail wagging . I was looking at pic of taken of him end of May and he's seems to have aged in face about 5 years- he looks like much older dog I think. Great news. Our canine oncologist was in Brisbane - Rod Straw and he is at BVSC :) He will be picking up on your mood and stress - I know it is easy to say (everyone used to tell me) but try to take it easy. Remember to breathe and be kind to yourself (it is a lot of stress to go through for the humans as well). Enjoy the time you have together and deal with each issue as it is comes to light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now