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Get a second opinion. I am so glad we didn't listen to the oncologist we talked to first. Although you are in Santa Barbara make the drive to Murrieta. One of the nation's leading oncologists runs a place called California veterinary specialists. They have more than one location, but the Murrieta one would be the closest for you. Dr. Greg Ogilvie had a very different set of ideas about what to do for our golden than the first guy did. Ogilvie knows what he is doing. The[URL="http://www.californiaveterinaryspecialists.com"]www.californiaveterinaryspecialists.com[/URL] Go as soon as you can. The leading veterinary oncology program in the country is in Colorado. Dr. Ogilvie ran the program for 13 years.
I've been following your story, Rod, and was so sorry to hear about Hogan. I wish there was something I could say to make you feel better. Maybe just knowing that people are thinking about you and Hogan will help a little.
House of Goldens, I'd be interested in hearing about what in particular Dr. Ogilvie is recommending for nasal cancer. I am currently fighting nasal cancer--successfully, I might add--with my Golden.
I know who Dr. Ogilvie is and know that he supports nutrition as part of the cancer cure. He was one of my regular vets instructors at Colorado State. My vet claims he is one of the most intelligent people he had ever met.
What has he done that is so different in the treatment for your Golden and was it nasal cancer you were dealing with? Dashdog
Dear Rod,
I've been reading your posts and I'm so terribly sorry for your loss. I joined this forum when I suspected nasal cancer in my best friend, Dakota. Unfortunately, I lost my Dakota two months ago to to a nasty nasal tumor that metastisized into his brain. It came on so quickly without warning and I was not prepared. It was devastating and I too had to help him pass peacefully even though he was already in the process of doing it himself. I still cry everyday because I miss him so much. You need to let yourself grieve for however long you need. I am lucky to have some great supportive people in my life that still take my sobbing calls when I break down about Dakota - and I'll be honest - there are some people in my life who have been just cold hearted and insensitive and just brushed my loss aside by saying 'get over it - it's just a dog'. I guess my point is to surround yourself with only loving people who can support you through this difficult time and if coming to this forum helps - then post as much and as little you want. No one here would judge you as I have found much of my strength in getting through the tough days by coming to this forum. I would give anything to have one last walk or one last trip to the park or even to hear Dakota's tags dangling in the middle of the night...You have to trust that Hogan is at peace and you will see him again someday.
Sincerely,
Cindy
Thanx cindy And Eginalsk..At least I don't have to say to you guys "You don't know what I mean"
I just can't get my arms around what really happened. 3 weeks ago I am walking Hogan, now I am picking up his ashes. Nobody could stop the bleeding...He was put down because of this..I have had dogs for most of my life, none ever died like this..Well, this is question I will never find the answer too..
I feel for you Rod because I know how confusing it is with not knowing 'why'. The night we rushed Dakota to the E-vet where he suddenly passed, my husband and I just sat in vet emergency room with Dakota's quiet body covered with a towel and we were just silent. All I kept saying to myself was 'Why?' 'Why Dakota?' 'Why this sudden illness?' Even our 1 year old son and our other dog came with us that night and we all sat huddled in the room with Dakota after he passed and I can't explain the silence. It was almost deafening. A part of me felt some relief knowing Dakota was no longer suffering and I felt so guilty for feeling that relief but that is all part of the grieving process. He was the most outspoken, crazy and fun loving dog I have ever known...but during his illness he was a totally different dog and it was a tough pill to swallow to not see my good ol' Dakota jumping off the furniture and running into the walls whenever the doorbell rang. We were not able to come home that night and ended up going to a neighbor's house and just cried for hours. When we finally came home that night it was awful. I paced room to room with that awful memory playback of watching Dakota collapse and stumble. I couldn't go into my dining room for days because it was where he had his last collapse. It had been snowing for a few days before Dakota passed and his footprints were still on my deck. When the snow thawed a few days later - I had to pick up his waste in the yard and I just sobbed. I had actually refilled his prescriptions that day and there they were all lined up on the counter ready to be dispensed. It was just terrible. I didn't sleep for days and reserved the night for crying incessently because I had to keep a brave face for my one year old during the day...although I broke down many times - we're only human. I know for long time I kept beating myself up for not being able to save Dakota and a good friend of mine told me I saved him from unhappiness, pain, and misery. You did that for Hogan too and now he is free from that. My thoughts are with you.
Cindy,
I picked up Hogans ashes today. If there were any tears left, they came out. I know what you are talking about regarding cleaning up your dogs business for the last time.
I realize people here are trying get info to help there buddies fight. Always talking about the death of our dogs might be a downer. I am sorry for that. If I knew how serious things were with Hogan I would have spent more time with him. About 3 weeks ago before all this started to get serious, Hogan was laying next to my bed. I looked down at him and thought, some day I will look at this space and Hogan will no longer be here. I got chills down my spine and a heavy feeling in my chest..I said stop that thinking Rod, you have plenty more time with old Hoag..Famous last words..
Hogan was an import from Germany...His name was Harris. My wife didn't like that name so after we bought him we changed it to Hogan. He was from a show line and people always stopped me and comment on his looks..I loved it...I used to take him to petco, he loved other dogs..I stopped taking him because jumping up and down into my suv was getting harder on him. I was so afraid of his hips going..To think it was the other end that did him in..I really don't know if I can get another GSD. I have gone to a few shelters looking for another buddy. Maybe this is too fast..Tomorrow will be a week...Hard to believe...Good night folks...hoping all your dogs continue to fight the fight..
Rod
I am so sorry for your loss. My sister's dog Violet had nose cancer as well. It was a very sad time. for the whole family.......My sister did not want to have her go thru anymore pain.. they wanted to remove her nose.. So she was put to sleep.. A lovely dog that raised 2 wonderful girls.. my nieces..God Bless you and Hogan
Time for some good news. Dash has a new job that really seems to have put a spark in his life. I have added a 8 month old silken windhound to my pack. I am calling him Dazzle as he is a prancy happy guy and the name combines Jazz and Dash then adds to it too.
The swelling on Dash's muzzle seems to be slowly growing even despite his sneezing more tissue out the other day at the park so I do not know how much longer he will be with me but as long as he seems comfortable we will keep going.He seems to have appointed himself Dazzle's babysitter which is great as if Dazzle is alone he starts to howl that has stopped now that Dash hangs out with him.
I was afraid adding a new dog might stress Dash but he seems to enjoy having a young pup to watch. The jury is still out on how Jazz feels as she ignores him or charges him when she feels he breaks one of her rules.
I am hoping that some of Dash's behaviors rub off on Dazzle as well as some of Jazz's as they both will be used to help train the boy and that way they will live on not only in my heart but in Dazzle as well. I will post some photos in a few days when I have more time.
Rod don't let yourself play that "what if " game as all it brings is heartache. You are not responsible for what happened to Hogan, things happen and that is just life.There will always be what if's so the best way around them is just not to let your mind go there. As for getting a new dog as you can tell with me it is never too soon.It is an individual thing and I am sure when you are ready you will know.
I have been reading some of your blogs about dogs with nasal cancer. Our dog did some reverse sneezing and then started sounding congested. We took her to the vet for some tests and noticed some blood coming out of one of her nostrils. We did blood tests, chest xrays, heart xrays, skull xrays and the vet scoped her and did some biopsies and cultures. Everything was negative, but she did not get better with meds, so we were sent to a vet specialists. After MRI, more advanced rhinoscopies, and additional biopsies and cultures, we found out that she had nasal cancer which has started invading her soft and hard palate and is blocking one nostril in the back. After spending $3000 to diagnose her, we were told that radiation therapy would be an additional $6000. She is a 10 year old lab mix and we could not bear to put her through all that, but I am heartbroken every time I look at her. She sounds OK in the day, but makes a lot of licking and gagging sounds at night when she is sleeping with her head down. I have been reading on the internet about feeding her an all protein diet and I came home armed with a lot of things yesterday. She ate the treats and food willingly yesterday, but today she is turning her nose up at food, although she anxiously goes for a walk. She has the long treads of blood tinged congestion coming out of her nose, but it is not too bad. She has osteosarcoma of the nose, which is supposed to be uncommon. We have decided to do everything to keep her comfortably alive until the point comes that she doesn't want to go on........except I don't know when that will be or if I will be able to tell. I am terribly afraid that she doesn't want to eat today and that this tumor is causing her problems with breathing and making it hard to eat. She no longer is interested in eating doggie bones which she used to love. I read about Neoplasene therapy that some of you were using, but don't know if my vet will do that or if it is possible to reach the tumor which is way back in her nose. Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.
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Hogan
I will post some photos in a few days when I have more time. 
