More sad veterinary news

[Jennasis]

This has been just an awful year for us. I just got back from taking our greyhound, Janky, to the vet. She had a swelling on the left side of her jaw that seemed to have popped up over night about two weeks ago. I thought it was a bug bite and then maybe an impacted tooth or an infection.. You know where this is going right?

A very aggressive tumor. Mouth tumors are generally aggressive according to the vet due to the vascular nature of mouths. Squamos Cell Carcinoma or another type of aggressive malignancy...I kind of went numb after she said tumor. This dog is our baby, or rather DH's baby to be precise. She's 12 and we've had her since we rescued her from the racetrack at 4. I'm waiting for Dh to get home from work right now so I can tell him. When he called from work a while ago to see how the appointment went I had to lie...no WAY could I tell him this and expect him to be able to drive home.

He LOVES this dog...I love this dog. I'm heart-broken...and numb at the same time. Feels like it isn't really happening. She isn't sickly YET, but the vet estimates 6 months, maybe more. She expects the tumor to grow rapidly and spread (it probably already has) and eventually impede her ability to eat and then spread to her lungs.

Since I haven't spoken to DH yet I don't know what we're going to do, but I think we will most likely let nature play out. We'll keep her comfy and happy as long as we can, and let her go peacefully when it's time. I can't imagine subjecting 12 year old dog to Chemo and radiation (which may not work).

Pray for us. DH is going to take this very very badly.

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[Jennasis]

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[Belle0101]

To the both of you. I just lost my greyhound last month to mega-esophagus. Very hard.

I lost my first grey back in 2003. She was supposed to have had the same cancer as yours. Popped up overnight too. She had the surgery to remove it and it never reappeared. I know that's probably a one in a million freak thing though.

PM me, email me ... if you want to. I could talk greys all day.

Her being 12, I commend you for not putting her through what could be a difficult time. And as you said, this is an aggressive cancer, it may or may not give her much time. Keeping her comfy, loving on her, taking more pictures ...

What's her name?

She's gorgeous!

 

[princesslibby]

I'm so sorry.

 

[taylor3297]

I am so sorry to hear about your dog. My cat was diagnosed with Squamos Cell Carcinoma in Oct of 1997. She passed in Feb of 1998. I did not do the chemo or radiation but the Auburn Vet school tried an experimental drug that had worked in dogs but had not been tried on cats. Since the drug would not hurt my cat I agreed to let them try the drug on her. The vet there injected the medicine right into the tumor. Though this did not kill the tumor, the tumor was beginning to shrink when she died.

Also, when she began having trouble eating, the vet at the Auburn school gave me a high calorie paste/get that she could lick off a spoon. She was able to eat this without hurting her mouth.

If you live near any vet schools, you may want to see about taking your dog there.

Again, I am so sorry and my prayers are with you and your dh. When a family member is sick, it is hard to go through.

 

[FLAngie]

My thoughts are with you guys. We lost our (much smaller) dog two years ago this August. She had a multitude of problems including several tumors. Since she was 13, and many of her health issues could not be resolved, we just made sure that she was happy, comfortable and spoiled rotten. I am so thankful that she went peacefully in her sleep. I still tear up when I think of her. Know that you have been able to give Janky a great life- especially since she is a rescue- and that she and you have been fortunate to have each other for family. I can tell by the photos that you love her very much. I know that there are no words that will help you and your DH through this, but remember that there are complete strangers out here that wish you well.

 

[perdidobay]

 

[kirbydog48]

What a beautiful dog. I'm so sorry. This is the lousy part of having furry family members.

 

[MermaidsMom]

Ahhh, your story brought me to tears. How sad for all of you. I hope your hubby will be OK. Big hugs for all of you and your sweet puppy.

 

[safetymom]

I am so sorry.

 

[WDWBarb]

She's beautiful. I am so, so sorry...

 

[dhcoffey]

from one greyhound mom to another, I know how special these dogs are and I'm very sorry. Prayers being said here.

Heather

 

[chisnpeke]

I'm so sorry. You have a sweetheart.

 

[Bonnie40]

Thinking about you and your dog tonight.

 

[Pigeon]

I'm so sorry. She looks like such a sweetie.

I think you are taking the right course. We had a old cat that had cancer, and the vet offered chemo. Having gone through chemo myself, I can't imagine putting an elderly pet through all that.

I hope she has some wonderful times still ahead.

 

[Muffy]

So sorry to hear your news.

 

[louey]

from one greyhound mom to another, I know how special these dogs are and I'm very sorry. Prayers being said here.

Heather

Exactly what Heather said.
We adopted our grey at the age of 4 1/2 she will be 11 this year. They are the sweetest dogs, here is a link to a greyhound forum, lots of info.
http://forum.greytalk.com/index.php?act=home

 

[mrsstats]

I am so sorry. It is so hard to have to have our pets sick. Best of luck

 

[DawnCt1]

To the both of you. I just lost my greyhound last month to mega-esophagus. Very hard.

That' how I lost my first standard poodle, Annie. She was wonderful. The vet felt the mega-esophagus was due to myasthenia gravis. I am sorry. To the OP, is there a tolerable chemo that will slow the growth of the tumor and keep here comfortable?

 

[doxdogy]

I am so very sorry.