well my dog has cancer I found out

[happynewyear]

Big huge tumor under the front leg was removed a little over a week ago. The poor guy has about 30 stitches in him I think. The vet says the biopsy came back and it is positive for cancer. I wonder how long he will last? He is about 10 years old.

He had surgery 1 week ago and seems ok now except he keeps licking his paw that they shaved the hair off of. I hate having to put this big ugly collar thing around his head. It makes me think of the hooded prisoner scenario.

Yikes.

Any tips, advice, word of wisdom? What would you do?

HELP!

DTC

[salin]

1. Love him...

enjoy him and let him bask in your attention. Even if all turns out okay - both of you will feel richer for the extra companion time.

[happynewyear]

3. he's getting lots of extra treats and attention

He is spoiled rotten to be honest with you. I am really upset about it - shocked and awed to death almost. I think I need some blood pressure pills or something.

Maybe you are right, maybe the vet got all of the cancer but they found a whole bunch more of them too and removed them as well but they were luckily all benign.

Makes me real sad. Was my late Dad's dog ... no one left in my family much and the dog is the last of that whole time in life so to speak.

[Maestro]

2. We had a Belgian Malinois

that developed several cancerous tumors in her leg. The vets said that surgery was simply not a region saying that this would cause the tumors to spread in most cases. So we just monitored the tumors on her legs. They grew, but didn't cause her any pain and didn't affect her in any way. She later, years later, died of old age.

As far as keeping him away from the wound, I'm afraid the collar is about all you can do besides wrapping the wound with gauze every so often after the dog licks and bites at it enough.

[happynewyear]

5. I've been putting the collar on him at night

The problem isn't him trying to lick or chew at the wounds because he cannot reach them because of the type of dog he is (short legs and he cannot reach to clean himself so he has to be groomed by a groomer).

It is the damn leg he keeps licking that they shaved. It was turning red and about to break open into a festering sore and I put the collar on him (this was a few days ago). I can see that some of the fur is starting to grow back where they shaved his paw. He doesn't seem to want to lick it as much. However, I think the minute I'm not keeping my eye on him he might try to do this so its that collar until I'm sure he has stopped or the fur is back so he cannot break the skin by licking it.

The wounds are healing up quickly and he is getting around surprisingly well. I don't want to let him outside because he runs and that is not good for him right now I don't think.

I hope he lives a long time. I sure to love him a lot! Maybe the cancerous tumor won't come back! Thanks for the hope! :)

[candle_bright]

4. Sorry to hear this

and I hope he bounces back soon.

Do whatever you have to do to make sure he doesn't chew the stitches. If he does do serious damage by chewing things could be a lot worse.

[RebelOne]

6. I am so sorry and I just hope your doggie pulls through.,

I know those collars are awful. I had a foster doggie that had to wear one and I felt that it was cruel, but knew it was best because it prevented the dog from hurting itself.

I just took out insurance on my dog. She is 7-1/2 years old and the insurance companies will not insure a dog past 8 years old.

[Lefta Dissenter]

7. Oh,

I'm so sorry. :hug:

as to the licking - have you tried bitter apple? You can use a q-tip or something to paint that where they shaved him. Go right up TO the IV site (just not right ON the IV hole because it burns on open skin), and that should stop him from being interested in licking.

I know you don't need advice on the rest of his care. Just love him and appreciate each and every day you have with him. He's probably as worried about you as you are about him.

[happynewyear]

10. yes I got bitter apple

and he hated it and he licked it off believe it or not. So much for that stuff (tried 3X with it and it just made him lick more). Maybe that is what he has been licking - the IV site - I never thought of that!

He is better now and I just hope he continues to improve. It is sure sad, that is all I can say. The vet told me not to let him see me cry or act upset. However, my cats won't go near him. I'm sure they know he is sick and he knows too. I was getting up every day and cooking him breakfast for awhile as they vet advised. He sure liked that a lot! :)

Hopefully with time it will get better.

Thanks everyone! I really do appreciate it more than you'll ever know (I'm really in a state of shock).

[ikojo]

8. I'm sorry to hear this about you dog buddy.

Give him lots of love.

[Wcross]

9. I'm so sorry to hear this....

Give him stuff to distract him, maybe he will ignore his paw.
I dread my dogs final days, I know I am going to cry like a baby when my guys pass. I have decided I will not take them to the vet if they need help in leaving this world. I will allow them to go at home in a comfort and familiarity surrounded by myself and other members of the pack. My only wish is as they go, they know they were loved.

[happynewyear]

11. I too hope he dies at home

I hope I just find him gone someday rather than to have to take him and have him put down. I've had to do this in the past with other pets and it sure sucked.

He knows he is loved, that is for sure. He is the happiest he has ever been in his life since I've had him being he has a big yard and cats to play with now. Before I had him he was on his own more or less living in a car and being fed McDonald's hamburgers. Not good. I can't help but wonder if this had anything to do with the cancer coming on (the awful diet he was being fed - ?).

I hope your dog dies peacefully at home. Actually, I wish for everyone in the world, human or animal to be able to die at home in peace!

[Lefta Dissenter]

12. when the time comes (hopefully YEARS down the road)

you might see if the vet can come out to your place to put him down, if need be. Or maybe your vet can recommend someone who would come out. It's a lot less stressful on you and your dog than taking him in to the clinic. I know it isn't always possible, but it's worth checking out ahead of time, just in case something can be worked out.

Sorry the bitter apple didn't help. My dogs run if they see me with the bitter apple bottle.

Again, best wishes to both of you... :hug:

[Cadence]

13. Instead of the collar if you can, try getting

the stick to itself bandage that you can wrap around it. They sell it at Petsmart and Petco. It will prevent him from licking and he doesn't have to wear the collar.

[Blue Diadem]

14. That's what was used on our dog

The vet always wrapped his IV sites and his paw surgery site with a stretchy neon colored tape that stuck to itself.

[madison2000]

15. My dog is a 5 year cancer survivor

((((( dumtacetclamat ))))) I am so sorry, I've been through this twice.

My last dog was a border collie, and she had a tumor on her leg that was called a "hemangioparisitoma". She was 12. My vet removed it surgically- I could not afford radiation therapy at the time. The tumor eventually grew back, but by the time she died she was 13 and a half and had numerous other health problems. It wasn't the cancer that killed her.

My current dog is a 12 year old leonberger, and he developed a "fibrosarcoma" when he was 7. At first they thought it was bone cancer, which would have been much worse. A fibrosarcoma does not usually spread but the tumor can become very large, and the vets often recommend amputation. My dog has always had structural problems so losing a limb would be a death sentence. He was treated with an experimental therapy at the University of Wisconsin vet school (injections of Interleukin-2) and it worked! He still has a lump on his paw but it hasn't changed in years, and all of his follow up biopsies have been cancer free.

The decision to treat is tough- it can be very expensive and it depends on the age of your dog and the life expectancy. But you should know that there are very good oncology treatments at the veterinary school hospitals- I can say that with specific knowledge about Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, and California. Sometimes they even have studies that reduce the cost.

I kept Harry's incision well bandaged and he licked a lot but never really disturbed it. I feel so lucky that he made it through the treatment and is cancer free 5 years after diagnosis. Feel free to email me if you'd like.

[fortyfeetunder]

16. Sorry to hear about your buddy

He sounds like an adorable little guy. Just spoil him rotten (within limits). Play games with him to distract him.

Is it possible the stitches are itching? Maybe the vet can prescribe something to dull the itch there.

[Scout1071]

17. I feel for you. Lots of love.

I just lost my 11 yr old yellow lab 3 wks ago. Hardest thing I've ever had to do. My heart goes out to you for a speedy recovery and a few more good years.

[SoCalDem]

18. Our cat had cancer, and after 2 surgeries and chemo,

we just had to stop the treatments and let nature take its course.. She was 13, and on the day she died, she still purred and played.. She never lost her appetite, but she did lose weight. She died in my husband's lap...purring. We were devastated, but after trying so hard to keep her alive, we realized that the only thing she needed was our love..and the one thing we wanted to give her, we could not... time :cry:

She lasted about 2 months after we stopped treatment.

Our labs both died of cancer within 2 months of each other..mother/daughter 13 and 10.. The vet told us that the cancer was invasive, and with their ages (old for large dogs) that we should just enjoy them while we could, and they would "let us know" when it was time to help them..

This is the thing that REALLY SUCKS about having pets.. Those precious llittle kittens and puppies just do not live long enough, and in the end we usually have to help them leave us :cry:

:hug: to you and your fur-baby.. Ask your vet for advice, and just follow your heart :cry:

[auntAgonist]

19. not tips or advice.

You love the dog, 'nuff said.

just a huge hug.

:hug: :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:

[barb162]

20. did the vet tell you how long he/she thought your dog has

or did they get it all or ???? I would ask some more questions here if the vet din't tell you more than what you are relating here. My cat died of pancreatic cancer 14 months ago. I took my cat to a Board Certified Oncologist (check these specialists on the web or at your state vet school) Some of the cancers are highly treatable / and curable and some aren't. You are in need of and entitled to a lot more info here. Also you might want to see a Board Certified Internist. Don't delay, okay?

[marzipanni]

21. "Rescue Remedy"

A cat person on D.U. recommended "Rescue Remedy", a calmative homeopathic remedy which you rub into the ear flap. If the hair growing back on his paw is itchy maybe this or something similar would help. Ask your pet supply store or veterinarian.