Isabel964 Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 My most beautiful West Highland Terrier Jindi (10 years old) started limping a couple of months ago. Vet said they couldn't see it. Took her back, vet said probably arthritis, but since she was cortisone for an allergy, nothing else they could give her. a week ago they said arthritis and prescribed a pain killer - previcox. I said Arthritis doesn't feel right to me, a gut feel. I also found dreadful information on previcox so didn't give her any. I got a referral to the Melbourne Specialist Vet Clinic. XRAYS yesterday should no cause for the limping, including arthritis. So we went and got an MRI. Unfortunately the MRI shows Jindi has a tumour in or next to her spinal cord in her neck. It's putting alot of pressure of the spinal cord. So unfortunately this means best case scenarios is this is a tumour that is 'next' to the spinal cords and not within the spinal cord, they can surgically get what they can out, it is s tumour that can be tested with chemotherapy or radio therapy, and responds very well - she may live for another 12 months. OMG I was so shocked and devastated, Worse case is the tumour is in the spinal cord. We may have days or weeks left with her. The tumour will be identified in the next 24 hours, then we do nothing, do surgery, do chemo/radio therapy or a combination depending on where and what it is, and what decisions we make. I am inconsolable. I am in shock. I never thought I could lose this little one so soon. But the important thing for me to do now is focus on giving her the best of her time left and making the best decisions for her. She is home for now and the specialist vets said Previcox will be ok, be sure to give it with food - and all things considered, I decided to go ahead and give it to her 1 x 57mg tablet once a day- I want her to have relief from the pain. If you have any tips on what I should ask the vet, different things to consider, please let me know. I am very experienced with cats and dogs, but never have I had this scenario to deal with. I'll let you know when I get more specific information on the tumour and the recommendation from the vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 Devastating news, Isabel964. I have no advice - the only experience I have had with cancer is one of my own dogs many years ago, but by the time it was discovered and when he died it was only 6 weeks - I just wanted to pass on my best wishes. I hope you get some good/work with news from the tumour identification process. :heart: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 I'm so sorry to hear Isabel. As a fellow westie owner and having lost one of mine only back in November, and knowing it was going to happen, I do know how devastated you must feel. And the trouble with westies is they can be so stoic! They can be in quite a lot of pain before showing it. So my suggestion at the moment while you wait for your path results is to get Jindi's pain relief under control as much as possible. Good pain relief will make a big difference to her quality of life. I made a decision to put my Mac on long-term once a day Loxicom (pain relief and anti-inflammatory) despite it not being recommended for long-term use - I discussed it with his specialist vet and we decided that on balance, effective pain control was the most important for the remaining time he had - however long that might be. Good luck tomorrow and come back to talk anytime. We'll be here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel964 Posted January 12, 2016 Author Share Posted January 12, 2016 Thank you both. Yes Westie's are very stoic. The vets said that given the size of the tumour and how much it is already squeezing the spinal cord, they would expect more impact. I saw the tumour in the MRI at different angles - its big. Its sitting in a tube like thing that has room only for the spinal cord and some fluid. There is no room for this tumour, its taking over where the spinal cord should be and squishing the spinal cord - hence the impact on the front right leg, limping and pain. Its been such a shock diagnosis, I couldn't stop crying. But Im getting better. Tomorrow I will be able to ask the vet alot more questions than I could today - and they will call me when they have more detailed information on the tumour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougal Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 I am sorry to hear your precious baby is unwell. I do not have any experience with this type of diagnosis or medication, just wish you well. It is so hard to come to terms with is type of diagnosis, 10 years is still so young for a hardy terrier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 12, 2016 Share Posted January 12, 2016 So sorry Wishing Jindi pain relief, and you , support and love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel964 Posted January 13, 2016 Author Share Posted January 13, 2016 (edited) Update: Vet called. The tumour seems to be outside the spinal cord but has invaded the spinal cord. They feel they could get most of it out but then would need chemotherapy. They think it is a meningioma type tumour but don't know exactly without surgery and a biopsy. To get it out they drill a hole into the bone of the spine to create a window they can operate in. It's major surgery. Most take 3 weeks to start walking again after this surgery. Some dogs never walk again after this surgery. Recovery once they start walking again is slow. Chemo therapy has to follow and can only be done in Brisbane, she would be hospitalised for three weeks, and get several bursts of chemo. She will be radioactive during this time so has to stay in the hospital. Then there is recovery time. If we do everything the vet thinks she has 6-8 months. We may have three months or so with her if we just manage the pain. But she will be at home living a normal life. She will get worse in time and when she can't walk anymore because the leg keeps collapsing that's when we have to let her go. We want her to have quality of life. We are getting an additional pain relief for her. That way she has anti inflammatory pain relief and nerve pain relief. The nerve one needs to be compounded and that's being organized today/tomorrow. Edited to add, thank you for your support and kind words xx Edited January 13, 2016 by Isabel964 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Two Best Dogs! Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 I'm sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted January 13, 2016 Share Posted January 13, 2016 Deepest sympathies. :heart: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 So very sorry for you and your little dog. Hard times ahead either way. I admire the way you're balancing the options .. I'd like to think I'd go with quality of life given the best case scenario is not a big increase in time. So very hard. it I want to say thank you to you and others who share their stories .. it takes courage, but know that IMO it helps other DOLers who may have to face similar sorts of challenges, and have the chance to consider options in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 (edited) I'm so sorry Isabel. This is heartbreaking news and a Hobson's Choice. In a sense you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. Sheez... I'm really not sure what I'd do, but based on the little we have here I think I'd go with the quality of life option too - the surgery and chemo option sounds horrendous - and horribly hard on her and on you for probably relatively little gain. And if she gets to the point where she has lost mobility but can still use her front legs, maybe a doggie wheelchair might be a possibility. I've seen them improve many dogs lives immeasurably even if only for a few months. Anyway, just some initial thoughts. Big hugs. Edited January 14, 2016 by westiemum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 I also forgot to add - as I'm sure your vet discussed with you, you need to weigh up the possibility of losing her during surgery too???? - as I'm sure it will be not only risky but lengthy too. Awful decision to have to make... Prayers with you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 We all have to make our individual choices and my rule of thumb (even though it can be damnedly difficult) is: what is best for the dog. The operation and the aftermath, the additional time it MIGHT give Jindi as described here I cannot see to be in her best interests. Personally, I would rather a dog have a short, happy life than a long one punctuated by illness, discomfort, pain, etc. Such a sad and difficult time for you all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*kirty* Posted January 14, 2016 Share Posted January 14, 2016 I think you have made the right choice. My dog was diagnosed with a renal carcinoma and told 12mths with surgery or 6mths without surgery. We decided against surgery and he lived 2 years post diagnosis. As long as the dog is comfortable and happy, that is all that matters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel964 Posted January 14, 2016 Author Share Posted January 14, 2016 You are all so wonderful. and I'm hearing a number of stories where dogs live for alot longer than vets predict without treatment. Jindi is very happy, and at least she can now go on walks. The local vet said no walks as she needed complete rest due to arthritis. Now we know its not arthritis, the specialist vet said she can walk as long as she is comfortable, and so thats good. We of course don't do full walks now, but she goes into the park or around our block. Jindi thinks life is normal, and just adores it. she is very happy. Yes there is a chance of losing her during surgery, plus a chance she would never walk again. We are definitely not going down the surgery/chemo route. Her quality of life is what counts. We have started her on an anti cancer diet - hormone and chemical free meat, vegies, immune boosting supplements etc thanks to George at dogcancer.net.au I still have lots to learn about how to stop the cancer from growing, make it go away or slow it down. The doggies wheelchair is a great idea - I'll look into that. I have seen the wheels that support the back legs where the front legs do all the work - but don't know what can support the front when one leg won't work anymore (Its working fine at the moment) - I will look into that for sure. Thank you all for your support and well wishes. It sure helps so much during a time when there is shock, confusion and grief. Now there is calm and positivity :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 I hope you and Jindi have many many more good times. She is in the best hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Isabel you've worked your way through this this far really well. If you get to a point where you would like to consider a doggy wheelchair for Jindi, I can put you in touch with a great friend of mine who is an expert in the area and can help with advice. Just send me a PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel964 Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 Oh yes thank you so much - I'll definitely do that Westiemum. The only concern is its her front right leg that is going to get worse. Thats harder to have wheels help. I could also use a pram type wheelie thing so we push or pull her along on walks (we are always a two dog family). We'll tackle things one at a time. Thank you again for your kind offer and always being so supportive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westiemum Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 (edited) Yes her front leg might be a problem for a doggie wheelchair - and it might not. Cross that one when you come to it. I reached a point with Mac where he still loved pottering around in the park, but couldn't walk that far anymore. So I started looking for a solution and Perse found it for me - a second hand Phil and Teds 3 wheeler pram thingo - one I could put Mac in, wheel one-handed and still manage the other two westies on the double lead. Yes we created a great stir when people realised it was an elderly dog and not a baby! It was $50 on Gumtree and all I bought was a new tire and a new handle bar grip - all off eBay from memory. Here's Mac in the Macmobile: Hope it helps. Edited January 15, 2016 by westiemum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loving my Oldies Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 The Mac Mobile could be transformed into Jindi’s Jaunter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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