Hello Everyone! I am new to the site and am seeking advice from people with experience in a similar situation. My beloved 13 year old golden retriever, Sydney, was diagnosed with an anal gland Adenocarcinoma about 4 weeks ago and it has been an extremely emotional last couple of weeks for me. I am only 21 and I have had Syd since I was a child. He is my best friend.
HISTORY:
For the past 2 years his mobility has declined. He still can get up and goes on a 15 minute walk in the morning and 20 minute walk in the evening but his entire front end gets up before the back end and I can tell it causes him discomfort. I put him on a joint supplement and gabbapentin to combat the pain he is most likely feeling from his hips and back legs. In recent months he has started to drag his paws on walks (vet thinks its a neurological disorder that causes this). For the past year he has had on an off gastric issues where he will be fine one day and the next he is straining very hard to dedicate but nothing but mucus comes out, then within in about 3-4 days he's back to normal again. My Vet can't determine what is causing this, even after thousands of dollars of scans and tests.
OPTIONS:
To say the options to treat Syds cancer have been overwhelming is an understatement. I feel so torn on what to do and how to make the right decision for him. My number one goal is that is quality of life is good, for however long that might be.
1. I had a CT Scan done and oncologist said there is no spread to lymph or lungs which means its localized in the anal sac area and about the size of a blueberry right now. We can surgically remove the mass for around $4,000. However, possible complications include incontinence, highly likely they won't get all of the tumor since its difficult to get clear margins in this area without taking out healthy tissue, and I am worried about my senior dog with mobility issues having a risky surgery.
2. We could do palliative radiation (5 doses) to minimize the tumors effects around $3,000. He has to go under anthesisia for each dose and I am concerned about the side effects.
3. We could give him comfort drugs (metronomic drugs) and let him live out the rest of his days until it is clear he is not having a good quality of life anymore (not eating, playing, walking) about $100 per month. I am concerned with this that in the end he will be in so much pain from the tumor spreading to the lymph. The oncology surgeon says that when it does eventually spread to his lymph nodes they will enlarge and block him from dedicating completely, which is painful and we would have to put him down. I don't want his last days to be painful.
Right now he is still a happy dog who enjoys eating, walking and getting tummy rubs from me and I feel like there is not good route for me to take for him. I am really hoping somebody can weigh in on this situation and shed light on what they would do if it was their dog. I love him so much and I am trying to stay strong but it is so hard and I am alone in this. Thank you.
HISTORY:
For the past 2 years his mobility has declined. He still can get up and goes on a 15 minute walk in the morning and 20 minute walk in the evening but his entire front end gets up before the back end and I can tell it causes him discomfort. I put him on a joint supplement and gabbapentin to combat the pain he is most likely feeling from his hips and back legs. In recent months he has started to drag his paws on walks (vet thinks its a neurological disorder that causes this). For the past year he has had on an off gastric issues where he will be fine one day and the next he is straining very hard to dedicate but nothing but mucus comes out, then within in about 3-4 days he's back to normal again. My Vet can't determine what is causing this, even after thousands of dollars of scans and tests.
OPTIONS:
To say the options to treat Syds cancer have been overwhelming is an understatement. I feel so torn on what to do and how to make the right decision for him. My number one goal is that is quality of life is good, for however long that might be.
1. I had a CT Scan done and oncologist said there is no spread to lymph or lungs which means its localized in the anal sac area and about the size of a blueberry right now. We can surgically remove the mass for around $4,000. However, possible complications include incontinence, highly likely they won't get all of the tumor since its difficult to get clear margins in this area without taking out healthy tissue, and I am worried about my senior dog with mobility issues having a risky surgery.
2. We could do palliative radiation (5 doses) to minimize the tumors effects around $3,000. He has to go under anthesisia for each dose and I am concerned about the side effects.
3. We could give him comfort drugs (metronomic drugs) and let him live out the rest of his days until it is clear he is not having a good quality of life anymore (not eating, playing, walking) about $100 per month. I am concerned with this that in the end he will be in so much pain from the tumor spreading to the lymph. The oncology surgeon says that when it does eventually spread to his lymph nodes they will enlarge and block him from dedicating completely, which is painful and we would have to put him down. I don't want his last days to be painful.
Right now he is still a happy dog who enjoys eating, walking and getting tummy rubs from me and I feel like there is not good route for me to take for him. I am really hoping somebody can weigh in on this situation and shed light on what they would do if it was their dog. I love him so much and I am trying to stay strong but it is so hard and I am alone in this. Thank you.
