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Wow...I don't check the forum for a few weeks and everything breaks loose. I am so sorry to hear about Buddy, Kota, and Tillie.
Buddy's Mom - I am sorry to hear about the diagnosis. I have found this forum to be very helpful and supportive. Keep your head up and enjoy the good times you have with Buddy. As far as the prednizone, I don't think that indicates the "stage" of the cancer. It could just be the method your vet uses for these types of cancers. As far as medications, Sage is on proxicam (NSAID), doxycycline (antibiotic that helps with mucus), fish oil, shark cartilage, and an immune system booster I picked up at PetSmart. The fish oil and shark cartilage is something I put him on, not the vets.
Kota's Mom - Seizures...wow...I don't know much about that. I have heard that it does indicate that the cancer has spread to the brain. What is the vet saying about that? Is there medication you can give for that?
Tillie's Mom - That is crazy that he may have sneezed out some of the cancer. I don't think I have seen that from Sage. Wonder what that means.
Update on Sage. Sage seems to still be doing pretty good. He maybe having a little more blood/mucus. He now has to stay in the kitchen when we are not around because he seemed to be leaving us surprises in the carpet and on our furniture. He had a nausea spell a couple nights ago and we gave him Pepto Bismol which helped. Sage is still getting spells where he is frisky and plays around with his toys. Tonight he came in from outside and was eating and running around like a puppy. He ended up vomiting the food he was eating. Guess he shouldn't eat and run around. We are trying him on a food we got from PetSmart called Authority. It seemed to be ok for his cancer "diet". Is anyone else using this food?
Happy New Year everyone
I haven't been on the forum for a long time. Kisses has had his 16th. birthday and is still doing very well. He's had about 4 great months with no alarming health issues. His appetite is off the chart and he's getting to be a bit pudgy. The hair turned white on his head where the radiation was and it pretty much fell off his nose, but that's a small price to pay for life. It's now been 5 months since his CyberKnife treatment at CSU, and we are thankful for each and every day! I can now say that I am seriously glad we decided to send him for treatment, and it was well worth it! So, hang in there all, and do everything you can to keep your canine buddies well and thriving.
Happy 16th birthday Kisses! I was wondering how he was doing so am so happy to see that he is doing well and that you found his trip/treatment well worth it Hope he continues on the path he is on and that next year we hear about his 17th birthday. Jan
Arlene, I found a big nugget of stuff last summer--it was very weird! His was accompanied by a decent amount of blood and almost look like a clot--bright to dark red and gel-like. It was a good 3/4 inch in diameter. Not sure what it was, but it wasn't pretty.
Scout's been having some pink/brown drips and a bit more sneezing. Hoping it's just irritation in that poor nose of his. Other than that, he's great! We've had him hooked up to my daughter's snow tube, and he's been pulling her down the ski trails--running at top speed. I'd get a picture, but he's too fast!
I just lost my boy Dakota a Siberian Husky to nasal cancer. He was always happy and talked all the time and everyone adored him. He had nasal fibrosarcoma. It was diagnosed by my vet after taking a biopsy and sending it to UOM. They gave the option of radiation therapy at over$4,000.00. Which if it had better results I would have gladlt done for him. They said he would only live up to a year at most. It could even make him blind. The lump was right btween his eyes.He would also have to be left there for a month. I couldn't do that to him. He has always been with me and cried whenever I didn't take him with me. He was my kid. So I opted out of that. I looked into the Neoplasene. I went to a hollistic vet and actually bought it. But when Ihad no comparisons from the vet for use on nasal cancer and only one person as a referal for jaw cancer. The dog didn't live anyway and it spread to the other side of the jaw. I saw horrible pictures online of other dogs with chest and leg cancer and so forth. None with cancer in the nasal area between the eyes. It supposedly would eat through to the bone and even the bone depending on where the cancer is. Leaving an open wound or massive hole. I couldn't even imagine the pain that would have to cause! The only pain relief prescribed was a tens unit used on the head. I didn't think this would possibly subside that amount of pain. I couldn't put him through this either. So I found a cancer diet o fresh cooked meats and green vegetables and mainly cabbage family. I fed Dakota this. Hoping it would help. I even bought some supplements for dogs with cancer hoping this would help. Last Saturday 1/16/2009 I to him to the vet because his nose was bleeding from 5 pm friday night. To around midnight. Then He was having a hard time breathing through his nose and head to keep his head up and mouth open to be more comfortable. I was up most of the night with him on the bed. Falling asleep and waking up quite often checking an Dakota. His nose was still blotting blood in the morning. So anyway I took him to the vet Sat. morning and on the way over he started sucking down through his nose with his mouth closed and shuttering his mouth for 75% of the 16 mi. ride to the vet. I tried to help him as I was driving trying to calm him down and open his mouth to breath. Nothing worked and I was frantic driving as fast as I could to get him to the vet. We got a couple miles away and the erratic breathing stopped right before he looked like he was going to pass out. He was diagnosed with epilepsy 2 years ago and never had it prior. We got to the vet and he saw a cat there and got all excited and was doing better. I asked the vet if he could do anything for his restricted breathing and bleeding?He said no. Prednisone might make it worse. He said the symptoms are going to get worse. I was sick!Hurting for Dakota and what he was going through. He sneezed out some more blood in the room. Not alot but if you had a cut you definitely wouldn't expect it to go on this long. He was perfectly healthy otherwise. The vet said he thought the lump had gotten bigger form last week. I called my sister and asked her advise. She said she thought it was time. I didn't want to take any time away from him that he had but I was afraid he could end up bleeding to death. Or not breathe and die that way wich would be pure torture. I went through with it. I stayed with him and told him how much I love him and to find everyone else that have died in our family in heaven and be happy because I love him. I am dying inside now! It has been 4 days now and seems like a lifetime. I talk to him all the time and tell him I want him to be happy! I miss him so much! The other 2 dogs hardly make a noise anymore. He was the life of our family. Allways happy. Always talking and saying Woo! Woo! Rushing to greet you and say hello. Always trying to help when you were doing something.
I just lost my boy Dakota a Siberian Husky to nasal cancer. He was always happy and talked all the time and everyone adored him. He had nasal fibrosarcoma. It was diagnosed by my vet after taking a biopsy and sending it to UOM. They gave the option of radiation therapy at over$4,000.00. Which if it had better results I would have gladlt done for him. They said he would only live up to a year at most. It could even make him blind. The lump was right btween his eyes.He would also have to be left there for a month. I couldn't do that to him. He has always been with me and cried whenever I didn't take him with me. He was my kid. So I opted out of that. I looked into the Neoplasene. I went to a hollistic vet and actually bought it. But when Ihad no comparisons from the vet for use on nasal cancer and only one person as a referal for jaw cancer. The dog didn't live anyway and it spread to the other side of the jaw. I saw horrible pictures online of other dogs with chest and leg cancer and so forth. None with cancer in the nasal area between the eyes. It supposedly would eat through to the bone and even the bone depending on where the cancer is. Leaving an open wound or massive hole. I couldn't even imagine the pain that would have to cause! The only pain relief prescribed was a tens unit used on the head. I didn't think this would possibly subside that amount of pain. I couldn't put him through this either. So I found a cancer diet o fresh cooked meats and green vegetables and mainly cabbage family. I fed Dakota this. Hoping it would help. I even bought some supplements for dogs with cancer hoping this would help. Last Saturday 1/16/2009 I to him to the vet because his nose was bleeding from 5 pm friday night. To around midnight. Then He was having a hard time breathing through his nose and head to keep his head up and mouth open to be more comfortable. I was up most of the night with him on the bed. Falling asleep and waking up quite often checking an Dakota. His nose was still blotting blood in the morning. So anyway I took him to the vet Sat. morning and on the way over he started sucking down through his nose with his mouth closed and shuttering his mouth for 75% of the 16 mi. ride to the vet. I tried to help him as I was driving trying to calm him down and open his mouth to breath. Nothing worked and I was frantic driving as fast as I could to get him to the vet. We got a couple miles away and the erratic breathing stopped right before he looked like he was going to pass out. He was diagnosed with epilepsy 2 years ago and never had it prior. We got to the vet and he saw a cat there and got all excited and was doing better. I asked the vet if he could do anything for his restricted breathing and bleeding?He said no. Prednisone might make it worse. He said the symptoms are going to get worse. I was sick!Hurting for Dakota and what he was going through. He sneezed out some more blood in the room. Not alot but if you had a cut you definitely wouldn't expect it to go on this long. He was perfectly healthy otherwise. The vet said he thought the lump had gotten bigger form last week. I called my sister and asked her advise. She said she thought it was time. I didn't want to take any time away from him that he had but I was afraid he could end up bleeding to death. Or not breathe and die that way wich would be pure torture. I went through with it. I stayed with him and told him how much I love him and to find everyone else that have died in our family in heaven and be happy because I love him. I am dying inside now! It has been 4 days now and seems like a lifetime. I talk to him all the time and tell him I want him to be happy! I miss him so much! The other 2 dogs hardly make a noise anymore. He was the life of our family. Allways happy. Always talking and saying Woo! Woo! Rushing to greet you and say hello. Always trying to help when you were doing something.
Hello.
I was wondering if someone could give me advice about my rottweiler. He has had a runny nose for a few months now and his vet has prescribed him antibiotics to rule out an upper respiratory infection and dental infection. He has not responded to either so the next step is to do a rhinoscopy to rule out a possible fungal infection or nasal cancer. my rottie sheldon is six years old and besides the running nose he is still himself. Just to diagnose the problem is 3 thousand dollars. This will be a huge financial issue for me but I want the best for my dog..he's my best friend. If anyone could give me advice on the chances of him having either or diagnosis and what the prognosis is. I am trying to research my options but would benefit from advice of people who have gone through this.
I don't think anyone can really tell you what it is without the tests. I will say that $3000.00 seems too much for a rhinoscopy or is there a CT involved too?Even that it seems like alot. When Dash had his rhinoscopy done My vet could have done it with a ridged scope for about $300.00 but warned me that often he can not see what he needs to see and may have to call in the specialist that has a flexible scope so would require a 2nd scoping. The fees for the specialist were about $400.00 plus the $300.OO for the actual procedure. I went for the specialist who came up from LA ( 90 miles) to do it and Dash had his scope and Xrays all the same day so he had to only be put under once.and it was under $1000.00 including the pathology report.
Later when I did have a CT done to make sure it had not spread so I knew it the IMRT was worth doing that was about another $1000.00
Have they tried doing a Xray to see if his nasal cavity looks blocked? Have they tried several different antibiotics? There are so many resistant bugs out there now. Have they considered something like nasal mites and treated him for that? Is he sneezing at all or does he have a reversed sneeze? How about something like a foxtail imbedded way up in a sinus? A friends Aussie had that and had a running nose and nasal infection that lasted for a long time until they discovered the problem then a hole was drilled at the top of the sinus and it was flushed out.
If it is cancer the financial impact can be high as look at how much it will cost just to find out then radiation costs upwards of $3000.00 and then some depending on if it is standard , IMRT, Cyberknife, Palliative or definitive and of course a CT another $1000.00 plus to see if it has spread and to make certain that the radiation hits the exact spot. It is not cheap so you have to consider the impact on you too. Alot of people do opt not to go that route and try holistic things and diet changes and some of those dogs have done well too and to be honest often all treatment does is buy more time as cures are rare. You also have to consider the dogs temperment and what is best for him as my other dog Jazz would not have tolerated the frequent vet visits and the radiation treatments so I doubt if I would have done the IMRT with her despite her being my special once in a life time dog.
I do not regret the money I spent on Dash but I happened to be in a position where it would not be a hardship on me and that can make a huge difference. My advice is do what you feel is best for you and your dog as there really is no wrong thing to do if you do indeed learn he has cancer. You have to just make a decision then not second guess it or let any regret creep in as regret causes guilt and guilt holds on to grief.
Wish there was an easy answer but if Money is an issue maybe just starting with an Xray and seeing if there is something and where it is located would be the way to go thou then agan it could also just be swollen tissue of inflammation or a pocket of infection, though doing a scope on the same day can save money as you only pay for the anesthesia once.I myself have a need to know even if it is bad news and expensive so I did the scope right away.
Hope this helps and I will pray that you dog does not have nasal cancer. Jan
odd behavior this week. she seems alternately happy and disoriented. it could be that her sight is disappearing completely and so she does not know where she is. the other morning she paced back and forth, not heading outside and not nearing her breakfast either. then, after some coaxing, she found breakfast, went outside to do her business, and seemed fine. the bump on her head does not seem to be growing but my other thought is that cancer could be spreading to the brain causing disorientation but since she is not showing signs of seizures that may not be what's happening.
as she has for the past months she does keep her head up frequently, trying to get comfortable with all that is going on in her nose. i have just gotten some tramadyl (sp?) for her to see if that will help her discomfort. we will just keep watching her as the roller coaster continues..
Arlene, I will keep my fingers crossed that Tillies cancer is not progressing and causing the trouble. When I decided to put Dash on Tramadol I frequently used only 1/2 the dose as the full dose often knocked him down too much and he seemed comfortable and more active on 1/2 the dose. I figured at his age his liver/kidneys may not be functioning as well so the drug may be slower leaving his body which you see often in elderly people too.
I hope the tramadol helps her as pacing can be a sign of discomfort. I know it is hard to see any downward turns so please know you are not alone as too many of us here have been through it and are here to help you if you need it. Tillie is one tough dog and you have done so much for her . She is a lucky dog to have you as her owner and you have been blessed to have this time with her and hopefully still have alot of time to go. Maybe she has a nasal infection that is causing discomfort? I remember there were times I thought the end had come and instead it was just infections causing problems and everyone here helped me get through those periods. She remains in my prayers. Jan
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Hope he continues on the path he is on and that next year we hear about his 17th birthday. Jan
Dakota
