kelpiegirl Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 I posted a while back about something called an adenoma. One of my Kelpies who is only 6, had a growth removed from her rectum, actually, you couldn't see it unless it prolapsed out. It was a decent size for such a small dog (she is only 23 lbs). Anyway, I had to wait a week for the results, trying not, as my mother would say to "borrow trouble". Well, I got a call from the vet last night. It is something called Plasma Cell Sarcoma. So, yes, it is is cancer. It is known to be locally invasive. The next step is to see an oncologist (just typing this makes me weep). She mentioned radiation, and xrays to make sure it hasn't spread. I am a complete wreck over this. It is going to be really hard, but we are going to just do our normal every day routine, and we will continue our agility. Anyway, why I am writing, is if anyone has experienced cancer in their dogs, what sort of things did you do wrt diet, did you see a holistic vet? What if anything should I be doing? Thanks Julie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pax Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 I don't have anything to add except sympathy. I'm so sorry you have to deal with this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc friend Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 Julie, I'm sorry to hear about the diagnosis and I don't know the prognosis with that specific type of cancer, but I wouldn't give up hope - some cancers are treatable and/or curable. While not in a dog, I had an old cat that had neurofibrosarcoma which was treated when she was 20 and she lived to be 23 - something unrelated caused her death. I'll keep you in my prayers for good news from the oncologist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 Hi Julie. I'm sorry to hear about the bad news. I would defnitely consult a holistic vet and put that vet on my treatment "team." Often holistic vets have much greater knowledge in the area of nutrition and of course alternative therapies. I would count on my holistic vet to get my dog the supportive therapies/supplements she needs to better tolerate whatever cancer treatments your allopathic vet/oncologist decides to use. I would also make sure that the oncologist and the holistic vet coordinate treatment (i.e., communicate with one another) if at all possible. The good news is that locally invasive means to me that it's not as aggressively invasive as some cancers. If it remains pretty much localized (which is what I take locally invasive to mean), then it should be easier to treat with a good expected outcome. But of course your oncolgist will be the one to be able to give you the details on prognosis, etc. Good luck. I'll keep you both in my prayers. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurae Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 Hi Julie, I'm so sorry to hear this. I don't know a whole lot about cancer diets, but I do know that cancers thrive on sugar, so I'd stop or at least decrease feeding grains if possible. A raw diet is probably optimal overall, but I'm sure there are more specific foods to feed to benefit your girl's immune system. I agree with Julie P's advice to seek out the advice of a holistic vet. Good luck. And try not to panic or be too discouraged. I've known several dogs with cancer who lived relatively normal lives for quite a long time after being diagnosed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyrasmom Posted March 30, 2007 Report Share Posted March 30, 2007 I'm so sorry to hear about the diagnosis. It's always really rough to hear it but believe me, once it settles, you learn to react to it. A frank discussion with your vet, oncologist, and a good holistic vet or nutritionist is the best place to start. My Kyra had mammary cancer, as I've posted in the past, and I later put her down because of osteosarcoma....but in between the first diagnosis and the last, I was gifted with three additional years. We did not do radiation so I have no experience with that, but we did do chemo for amost 6 months at regular three week intervals. The chemo was relatively easy on her, she had an off day the day of but otherwise it didn't affect her at all. She was also a diabetic so was on a pretty restricted diet that I cooked for her, I supplemented her diet as per the nutritionist at Davis U with amounts of calf liver, raw but lean meat and plenty of exercise. I did have a neighbor a few years back whose dog had (I believe) a plasma cell sarcoma and after surgery with wide margins and radiation, went on to live for an additional 4 years. She was a large breed and already 7 when diagnosed. Don't give up hope!! I learned the hard way to attempt to mimic my dogs' reactions because my own human reactions were not doing either of us any good. Take care, Maria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kelpiegirl Posted April 1, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 Just wanted to thank you all for writing in your support. So far I haven't gotten any more information from the vet, so on Monday I will be requesting the path report. We will continue to have our normal life, and hopefully this whole thing was removed. Here are a couple of pics of my girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna frankland (uk) Posted April 1, 2007 Report Share Posted April 1, 2007 aw hun i am sorry to hear this if you want to try homeopathy, i will gladly pm you the details of the homeopath who has saved tikki's life. sending healing vibes your way xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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