quietly freaking out

[Bula's Lady]

I just found out that my 9yo mix has nasal carcinoma (sp). That is why she is having pulips form in her nose. The vet also believes that a lump on/near her larynx is also cancer. The tests she had done on that though came back negative but she thinks it is all related.

 

She said that my options are radiation and/or chemo. They can put her on a drug called feldem(sp) that is for arthritis but would help ease some of her pain now. Radiation would cost around $1500 at least and be very aggressive with sessions 4 days in a row. The chemo would be less expensive and session would be about once every 3 weeks. She needs an mri to tell exactly how much cancer she has and the location of it all.

 

I want every bit of wisdom and opinions and info any of you have! I am 26 and all these decisions lay on me with my dog. No, I cannot afford any of the treatments - but hopefully my fiance has a credit card I can run up.

 

Beamer's nose hasn't bleed in a couple days. Her energy level is really low. She will eat, drink, and go outside with me, but has stopped playing with my border collie puppy Bula. I didn't ask the vet her survival outcome just yet but I was doing research and untreated is 3-5months from discovery.

 

I haven't told Beamer yet. I think she already knows. She has been giving me lots of love lately.

 

This is a picture of her with one of our cats.

[juliepoudrier]

I am so sorry to hear about Beamer's cancer. I think the best thing for you to do is talk to your vet and try to figure out with her how much additional time any treatment will give Beamer, and what sort of quality of life she can expect during that time. There are probably no hard and fast answers, but I think it will be easier for you to decide what to do if you know what you're really facing. If treatment buys her, say, three extra months, but those months are full of suffering, is it really worth it? If treatment could provide her with years of normal life, then another decision may be in order. But I really think that's a discussion you need to have with your vet--explore all options and how each will affect Beamer's life and life expectancy, and then make your decision from there.

 

On another note, if Beamer is lacking in energy, is it possible that the bleeding episodes have caused her to be anemic and that's why she has no energy? That's another question for your vet I suppose, but for now I think I'd supplement her with some foods that have iron, like liver, and maybe even add some vitamins so see if you can't get her energy level improved.

 

If all is "normal" in that regard and she's just really feeling punky because of what's going on in her body (the cancer), then her current disposition may be something you'll want to factor into any treatment decision (that is, if she's already feeling this poorly, can she take the proposed treatments?).

 

It's a tough one, and my heart goes out to you.

 

P.S. That's a *wonderful* picture! Beamer and the kitty look so happy and relaxed.

 

J.

[Kyrasmom]

Very sorry to hear about this. I don't have any first hand experience with radiation treatment (knock on wood) but I have had dogs undergo chemo withouth any unpleasant side effects beyond being a little off the day of and needing to supplement the diet with liver, red meat, etc etc.

 

Having said that, I concur with Julie that what is important is a very frank discussion with your vet about the quality of life and life expectancy. I'm not familiar with this type of cancer. When my vet gave me a good prognosis about both life expectancy and quality, I didn't hesitate to do the chemo and it bought us an additional two years. When the same dog can down with bone cancer and treatment would have not have added a "heck of a lot" of time and it would have been full of pain and suffering, I opted for euthanasia.

 

Best of luck as you learn more and make your choices, I hope you'll share your thoughts or simply know that there are more than a few shoulders here.

 

Maria

[Allie Oop]

So sorry about poor Beamer. That kind of news is so hard to take. I lost a dear dog to cancer almost two years ago and the treatment to extend his life would have been painful, drawn out and very expensive. It also would not have guaranteed him that much more time. We opted not to treat, but had to end his suffering a month or so after the diagnosis. Once you've had a chance to review all of your options, you will be better able to decide what you need to do.

 

Best wishes.

[Tassie]

You poor thing - that really sucks. And such a beautiful dog - obviously loved by her kitty and her mom.

 

I can only echo what the others have said - especially the bit about there being plenty of shoulders here. Thinking strong thoughts for you as you go through the decision making process.

[bc friend]

I don't have anything to add except my sympathy. I agree with everyone that a frank talk with the vet is your first step. Beamer's quality of life during/after treatment would be my first concern. Again, I'm sorry to hear the diagnosis.

[Bula's Lady]

Thanks All...

 

Yah my SO and I were talking about it a lot last night once he got home from work. As long as Beamer seems restfull and happy we will go with what we can. I am going to look into getting her some liver products, getting her protein up, and maybe some pain medication. I just can't imagine the headache she must have. I hate sinus pressure and headaches!!

 

My little one, Bula, seems to understand something is going on because she is happily playing by herself today, and when we were outside she layed on the porch and let Beamer follow me around without bothering her.

 

I just don't want her to be in pain. So yes, I need to have a honest conversation with the vet and figure out the pain scale, and learn more about the signs of being uncomfortable. I think dogs do a great job of keeping discomfort to themselves, at least until they need your help.

 

Thanks for keeping her and me in your thoughts! My great man made a good point last night, he said, "most people tell their kids that there animal have gone to the farm when they die. Beamer is living on the farm now! She doesn't have to be on a leash, she can go outside when she likes, she can dig in the dirt, hunt for chippy's, lay in the sun, run through the grass, and eat as much horse manure and grain she wants!!" I thought that was a great point!

[Sue R]

I have to agree whole-heartedly with what Julie and Maria have said. This is never easy but an open talk with your vet and your concern for what is best for Beamer will help you make a good decision.

 

If you are like me, you will always be second-guessing yourself, and that makes things so much harder. Keeping her quality of life and the potential outcomes of treatments in mind will help you choose what to do.

 

Best wishes, good thoughts, empathy, and prayers for you all.

[DixiesDad]

Right now I can't add anything to what everyone else is saying, I just don't have the knowledge but I'm trying to read up on it. The main thing is we wanted to say Beamer and all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.

[Kat's Dogs]

Nothing to add except that I am very sorry.

Lots of good thoughts going Beamer's way.

[diane allen]

I too send my thoughts and sympathies for you.

When my 9 yr old mix got oral melanoma, after much consideration, we opted for a teaching hospital treatment of chemo and radiation. The chemo did not sit well with him, so we stopped that, but continued the radiation. I'm sure everyone did the best they could, but I will always kick myself for not stopping that too. I distinctly remember the radiation specialist telling me that his mouth would have what could be compared to a "pizza crust burn" or "hot coffee burn." The oozing, raw skin that developed was so much worse than any burn I've ever gotten from food! Maybe if you put your mouth INTO the pizza oven or coffee pot....Anyway, that alone actually didn't seem to bother the dog all that much. but it sure made life miserable as it picked up hair and other debris and I'd have to pick it out. It also got to where it was painful to eat - I hand fed him for nearly a year (at least his appetite was mostly good!). I would guess (but don't really know) that the location of this problem in your dog may cause similar issues. So, I would definitely be asking those kind of questions.

 

Just know that he loves you, he knows you love him, and you'll do the best you can for him.

 

Best of luck.

 

Diane

[Bula's Lady]

I have to admitt I have been on a heck of a roller coaster ride with my emotions about this.

 

Today is a good day though. The sun is shining, and its getting really warm out. Beamer seems to be acting like herself yesterday and today as well. It confuses me so much, but I think I have finally found that place were I can deal with things logically, at least for now.

 

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, prayers, tail wags, and stories. I will keep you updated on her progress.

[Liz P]

I am so sorry to hear about Beamer. That sort of news is always very hard to deal with and making decisions nearly impossible. At least you have time to say goodbye and make sure she knows she is the center of your universe.

 

I lost a dog to cancer about 6 months ago. When he was a few years old and still healthy my friend advised me to make an end of life "plan" for him. I knew he hated being separated from me, got depressed when he was feeling off and couldn't stand catheters or being at the hospital. Based on his personality this is what I came up with...

 

If he was healthy and could have a high quality of life for years with treatment we would go to great lengths to save him.

 

If he was not healthy or very old or would not have added years of quality life we would just keep him happy for as long as possible then put him to sleep.

 

I am glad I had already made that decision because when I got his diagnosis I freaked out. I was told he had maybe 2 weeks without chemo, 4 weeks with chemo. I told my vet what I wanted and she was great at helping me through everything. When Duncan had a bad night and I pannicked she calmed me down, got Duncan back on track and sent us home without doing anything invasive or painful. She helped us make the end of his life a dignified and painless as possible.