Hi,
I have a 12 1/2 year old female mix who has developed a tumor on her face.
It started as a cyst on her forehead and has grown into a huge mass in her mouth palate in the last 8-9 months to her mouth palate which bleeds quite often.
Almost every vet we visited suggested to just and make her comfortable and nothing more. So they have prescribed prednisone, iron, multi-vitamins and something to stop her bleeding.
A new doctor we met recently encouraged us to pursue chemo.
My parents are not so confident about this option as they feel she is old and this would only cause more discomfort.
I was wondering if you could give us some suggestions as to the success rate of chemo in senior dogs and pros and cons of not getting chemo, in terms of her suffering as time goes. And based on your experience would you put a senior dog through this?
Thank you very much.
Tags: canine cancer, canine tumor, carcinoma, dog with cancerous growth, prednizone for dogs
Dear A,
I am writing as the blog administrator to say that I am so sorry to hear about your dog’s ailment. We are posting your question for our pros to look at, but from what you write, the veterinarians who have seen your dog seem to be giving you sensible advice.
When more than one veterinarian tells you that the best course is to keep your dog as comfortable as possible, you know it’s because that is what they feel is best for both your dog and for you.
And my advice? I advise looking deeply into your dog’s eyes and asking your dog what she would like you to do.
I suspect that she will tell you that she wants to spend the rest of her time with your family loving you and sharing as much time as she has left, and when it becomes too much to bear, she’ll let you know that she is ready to go.
Sincerely,
Linda
http://www.vetlocator.com
depends on tumor type as to success. the bigger it gets though, the less the success.
yunan baio is a great chinese herb for bleeding
So sorry to hear about your best friend.
In my experience dealing with cancer, acupuncture has done wonders for reducing tumor size and boost overall wellness.
You could work with a nutritionist, sometime just switching to a more nutritious food, adding probiotics and supplement can reduce the tumor and prolong the quality of life. Our bodies always strive for balance or homeostasis and were made to designed to heal themselves through proper nutrition.
Energy work, Reiki or Medical Qigong, can reduce tumor size, de-stress, release pain and tension, and promote wellness. It also works super on humans.
Blessings and healing to you,
Marie
I went to a teaching hospital Matthew Ryan Veterinary hospital in Phila Pa. and they saved my dog Tigger from a liver tumor. He is still going strong and never had any problems with the chemo. I also use herbs and many vitamins given to me by a holistic vet. Hang on to postive energy.
my 12 year old aussie has chf and just had a large tumor removed on october 13 and made it thru reasonably well. we just got the biopsy back and it was malignant. Now I’m trying to decide if chemo is an option. she was diagnosed with heart failure over a year ago and was doing very well with it. right now you wouldn’t know anything was wrong with her. this is tough.
Don, my heart goes out to you as a fellow aussie Mom. My dog had a heart murmur, class 4, I go tit down to almost gone with Hawthorne, CoQ10, Magnesium, L-Carnitine, healthy diet, energy work, etc
In my work for Holistic Canine Wellness, especially with senior dogs, i refer all cancer cases to my trusted, beloved vet, Charles, Loops, DVM, 60% of his cases are cancer cases.
He helped me with my Aussie who had Chronic Immune Disease and she lived a very happy 15 years despite her many health challenges including renal failure and heart murmur, vestibular disease, you name it except for cancer.
He is someone you can talk to via phone, receive holistic advice/homeopathy,/nutrition/diet, etc and still work with your local vet for check-ups, diagnosis, too.
http://www.charlesloopsdvm.com/cancer.html