Shawn Hughes wrote:
I have a 12 year old male beagle (Willow) that was diagnosed with
late-stage cancer on Thursday. The Vet said that his chest X-Ray
revealed that the cancer has spread all over his lungs, and likely to
other places. She suspects the cancer originated in his liver since it
was very enlarged. She said he has only months to live. He lost 13 lbs
(44 to 31 lbs) in 2009 and has been sluggish. However, over the past
week he seems to have recovered somewhat, his appetite is better and he
is more chipper. I am getting a second opinion from another Vet
tomorrow. Willow also has Cushing's Disease and I'm hoping that this
increases the chances that the cancer diagnosis is incorrect.

1. Is this a possible mis-diagnosis?

2. What can I do for him? Are there any holistic/alternative solutions
that have been found to help?

Whatever ideas you may have, please pass along. I am desparate. I have
had him since a pup and have no children, he is like a child to me.

I'm sorry to hear Willow is having problems. I don't know if a
cancer misdiagnosis is likely with Cushing's, so getting a second
opinion is a good idea.

If it does appear to be cancer, do you have access to a
veterinary oncologist? These folks are in the best position to
give you information on treatment options.

If it is cancer, you will need to balance your need to treat your
dog against the costs (it can be very expensive), and likelihood
of success and side effects on the dog (do you want to put your
dog through it?). Your dog's age and typical life expectancy are
also factors you'll need to consider. And none of this is easy!

My experience with treating a dog with cancer was that the
treatments were expensive, the side effects were minimal, and
treating the cancer bought her another 3.5 years - but she was
7.5 when the treatments began and the cancer had not spread to
any major organs. It would be different for an older dog with
advanced cancer.

I hope you find answers.

FurPaw

--
Don't believe everything that you think.

To reply, unleash the dog.