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12 year old GSD with mammory tumor
Please forgive the cross posting, but I am posting to breeds and behavior
groups too since I know that not everyone checks out the messages on the dog health newsgroup. Our much beloved 12 year old German Shepherd, Josey, had a mammary tumor removed a week ago. She tolerated the procedure very well and is healing quite nicely. However, today the biopsy results indicated that the tumor material was cancerous. The vet said that he got "clean margins" around the surgical area and that her lymph nodes do not appear to be enlarged. Factors: She has always been a healthy active dog, but has slowed down a lot during the last six months. She has been diagnosed with mild DM, which has just now started to give her some minor trouble with her right rear leg. Her senior exam bloodwork revealed that she probably has the beginnings of Cushing disease, but no symptoms have appeared yet. She still goes up and down the stairs pretty frequently, but is starting to have trouble holding her bowel if there is "a round in the chamber". Josey is still happy, eating well and really enjoys going swimming a couple of times a week. We go for short walks rather than long ones these days. She shows no signs of discomfort at this point. My vet is going to talk to me about chemotherapy today. My question is, is it worth it? I love this dog with all of my heart and want to do right by her. I know that we are lucky to have been blessed with her for 12 years of good health. Being that I am involved in rescue, I have heard from many, many folks who have lost their pets at much younger ages. I want Josey to have a wonderful life, and not be wracked by side effects of Chemo. If she has limited time left here on earth with us, I want her to enjoy it. Any advice from those out there who perhaps have been through a similar situation? Yours in dogs and rescue, Lea S Sterling VA www.shepherdrescue.org |
#2
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Oh cripes, the heading should read mammary tumor. Sorry about that!
Lea |
#3
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Oh cripes, the heading should read mammary tumor. Sorry about that!
Lea |
#4
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House\"O\"Dogs wrote:
Please forgive the cross posting, but I am posting to breeds and behavior groups too since I know that not everyone checks out the messages on the dog health newsgroup. [snip description of mammary tumor, surgery, general state of dog's health.] I want Josey to have a wonderful life, and not be wracked by side effects of Chemo. If she has limited time left here on earth with us, I want her to enjoy it. Any advice from those out there who perhaps have been through a similar situation? Hi, Lea - I'm really sorry to hear about Josey's tumor. The fact that it was extracted with clean margins and no lymph node involvement evident are really good signs. Re chemo: we had to make that decision for Dylan (GSD), who was 7 when her squamous cell carcinoma was found. Based on our discussions with the vet oncologist, we decided to go ahead. He said that dogs normally aren't nearly as affected as humans. One reason is that they use lower doses on dogs, because they are not trying to keep them alive for another 20 or more years. We decided that if she were showing side effects enough to make her seem sick, we'd stop it right away. As it turned out, she sailed through radiation and chemo with minimal side effects, and she is still with us in good health nearly two years later. In your case, it may be different because Josie is 12 and has other health problems. You may choose to let her live out her life in comfort, even if the cancer shortens it. Questions to ask your vet include, will she be able to tolerate the chemo? What side effects are likely, especially given her incipient Cushings, etc.? How long will it be given for, and how often? What is her prognosis with and without chemo? How and when will they know if it's working? Is your vet an oncologist, or can you consult with one? We are lucky enough to live 20 minutes from a clinic that has two excellent oncologists. An oncologist is more likely to be up on the latest treatments and research than a GP vet. One other factor is cost. Chemo is expensive. The drugs do vary greatly in price, and sometimes they need to try another if the first one isn't effective. Depending on your financial status, you may have to factor the cost into your decision. Your vet should be able to provide you with estimated costs of treatment. It's a tough decision, not one I'd wish on anyone. I wish the best to you and Josey. FurPaw -- There's no reason to give credence to anything spoken above 90 decibels. To reply, unleash the dog. |
#5
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House\"O\"Dogs wrote:
Please forgive the cross posting, but I am posting to breeds and behavior groups too since I know that not everyone checks out the messages on the dog health newsgroup. [snip description of mammary tumor, surgery, general state of dog's health.] I want Josey to have a wonderful life, and not be wracked by side effects of Chemo. If she has limited time left here on earth with us, I want her to enjoy it. Any advice from those out there who perhaps have been through a similar situation? Hi, Lea - I'm really sorry to hear about Josey's tumor. The fact that it was extracted with clean margins and no lymph node involvement evident are really good signs. Re chemo: we had to make that decision for Dylan (GSD), who was 7 when her squamous cell carcinoma was found. Based on our discussions with the vet oncologist, we decided to go ahead. He said that dogs normally aren't nearly as affected as humans. One reason is that they use lower doses on dogs, because they are not trying to keep them alive for another 20 or more years. We decided that if she were showing side effects enough to make her seem sick, we'd stop it right away. As it turned out, she sailed through radiation and chemo with minimal side effects, and she is still with us in good health nearly two years later. In your case, it may be different because Josie is 12 and has other health problems. You may choose to let her live out her life in comfort, even if the cancer shortens it. Questions to ask your vet include, will she be able to tolerate the chemo? What side effects are likely, especially given her incipient Cushings, etc.? How long will it be given for, and how often? What is her prognosis with and without chemo? How and when will they know if it's working? Is your vet an oncologist, or can you consult with one? We are lucky enough to live 20 minutes from a clinic that has two excellent oncologists. An oncologist is more likely to be up on the latest treatments and research than a GP vet. One other factor is cost. Chemo is expensive. The drugs do vary greatly in price, and sometimes they need to try another if the first one isn't effective. Depending on your financial status, you may have to factor the cost into your decision. Your vet should be able to provide you with estimated costs of treatment. It's a tough decision, not one I'd wish on anyone. I wish the best to you and Josey. FurPaw -- There's no reason to give credence to anything spoken above 90 decibels. To reply, unleash the dog. |
#6
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"House"O"Dogs" wrote in message
... Please forgive the cross posting, but I am posting to breeds and behavior groups too since I know that not everyone checks out the messages on the dog health newsgroup. Our much beloved 12 year old German Shepherd, Josey, had a mammary tumor removed a week ago. She tolerated the procedure very well and is healing quite nicely. However, today the biopsy results indicated that the tumor material was cancerous. The vet said that he got "clean margins" around the surgical area and that her lymph nodes do not appear to be enlarged. Factors: She has always been a healthy active dog, but has slowed down a lot during the last six months. She has been diagnosed with mild DM, which has just now started to give her some minor trouble with her right rear leg. Her senior exam bloodwork revealed that she probably has the beginnings of Cushing disease, but no symptoms have appeared yet. She still goes up and down the stairs pretty frequently, but is starting to have trouble holding her bowel if there is "a round in the chamber". Josey is still happy, eating well and really enjoys going swimming a couple of times a week. We go for short walks rather than long ones these days. She shows no signs of discomfort at this point. My vet is going to talk to me about chemotherapy today. My question is, is it worth it? I love this dog with all of my heart and want to do right by her. I know that we are lucky to have been blessed with her for 12 years of good health. Being that I am involved in rescue, I have heard from many, many folks who have lost their pets at much younger ages. I want Josey to have a wonderful life, and not be wracked by side effects of Chemo. If she has limited time left here on earth with us, I want her to enjoy it. Any advice from those out there who perhaps have been through a similar situation? Try getting onto a GSD list and asking if anyone else has put their senior GSD through Chemo and how the dog did. I fully understand your wish to not subject Josey to suffering as I'm the same way. I firmly believe in quality of life over quantity of life but that's just me. Whatever decision you make, I don't believe anyone would have a right to find fault with you. Find out all you can about the side effects of chemo in an older dog and go from there. -- Tara |
#7
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"House"O"Dogs" wrote in message
... Please forgive the cross posting, but I am posting to breeds and behavior groups too since I know that not everyone checks out the messages on the dog health newsgroup. Our much beloved 12 year old German Shepherd, Josey, had a mammary tumor removed a week ago. She tolerated the procedure very well and is healing quite nicely. However, today the biopsy results indicated that the tumor material was cancerous. The vet said that he got "clean margins" around the surgical area and that her lymph nodes do not appear to be enlarged. Factors: She has always been a healthy active dog, but has slowed down a lot during the last six months. She has been diagnosed with mild DM, which has just now started to give her some minor trouble with her right rear leg. Her senior exam bloodwork revealed that she probably has the beginnings of Cushing disease, but no symptoms have appeared yet. She still goes up and down the stairs pretty frequently, but is starting to have trouble holding her bowel if there is "a round in the chamber". Josey is still happy, eating well and really enjoys going swimming a couple of times a week. We go for short walks rather than long ones these days. She shows no signs of discomfort at this point. My vet is going to talk to me about chemotherapy today. My question is, is it worth it? I love this dog with all of my heart and want to do right by her. I know that we are lucky to have been blessed with her for 12 years of good health. Being that I am involved in rescue, I have heard from many, many folks who have lost their pets at much younger ages. I want Josey to have a wonderful life, and not be wracked by side effects of Chemo. If she has limited time left here on earth with us, I want her to enjoy it. Any advice from those out there who perhaps have been through a similar situation? Try getting onto a GSD list and asking if anyone else has put their senior GSD through Chemo and how the dog did. I fully understand your wish to not subject Josey to suffering as I'm the same way. I firmly believe in quality of life over quantity of life but that's just me. Whatever decision you make, I don't believe anyone would have a right to find fault with you. Find out all you can about the side effects of chemo in an older dog and go from there. -- Tara |
#8
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House\"O\"Dogs wrote:
Any advice from those out there who perhaps have been through a similar situation? I'm really sorry to hear about Josie, Lea. I don't have any personal experience with this as you know, but hope that these links can help: http://66.13.229.109/mature_pet_articles_p151.asp http://www.vetinfo.com/dmammary.html http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body...__canine_.html I don't have access to this journal, but this one might be a worthwhile read if you can get your hands on it(maybe Dr. B has access?). Principles of treatment for mammary gland tumors. Novosad CA. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract. 2003 May;18(2):107-9. From everything I have read, it looks like the histologic subtype, the size of tumor and its stage are influential factors in the survival rate, so you might want to ask about the specifics of the tumor and ask what the implications are. Good luck to you and Josie, Lea. You'll be in our thoughts. You know how to get a hold of me if you want to talk. Suja |
#9
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House\"O\"Dogs wrote:
Any advice from those out there who perhaps have been through a similar situation? I'm really sorry to hear about Josie, Lea. I don't have any personal experience with this as you know, but hope that these links can help: http://66.13.229.109/mature_pet_articles_p151.asp http://www.vetinfo.com/dmammary.html http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body...__canine_.html I don't have access to this journal, but this one might be a worthwhile read if you can get your hands on it(maybe Dr. B has access?). Principles of treatment for mammary gland tumors. Novosad CA. Clin Tech Small Anim Pract. 2003 May;18(2):107-9. From everything I have read, it looks like the histologic subtype, the size of tumor and its stage are influential factors in the survival rate, so you might want to ask about the specifics of the tumor and ask what the implications are. Good luck to you and Josie, Lea. You'll be in our thoughts. You know how to get a hold of me if you want to talk. Suja |
#10
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Marcel Beaudoin wrote in
. 1.4: Suja wrote in : I don't have access to this journal, but this one might be a worthwhile read if you can get your hands on it(maybe Dr. B has access?). I don't, but I asked a friend who is dating someone in vet school to see if I can get an electronic copy. In the mean time, if someone speaks spanish, they should try goinmg to this site http://www.al-dia.cl/sistema/tablas/...x-vf.asp?id=25 (or http://tinyurl.com/iifs )and then go to Clinical Techniques in Small Animal Practice. Scroll down to pages 103-106 and then click on the Obtener link. It looks like you can register for free and pay a small amount to get access to the journal and get a copy of the article. I *think*. I know my alma mater doesn't carry it. Also in the mean time, you might browse through the following google search: http://www.google.ca/search?num=50&h...-8&newwindow=1 &safe=off&q=principles+treatment+mammary+gland+tum ors+chemotherapy&btnG=G oogle+Search&meta= or http://tinyurl.com/iig2 It might prove to be useful. It looks like it is mostly reports on types of treatment, but I don't know. Here is a search page on Dog mammary tumor http://www.google.ca/search?num=50&h...-8&newwindow=1 &safe=off&q=dog+mammary++tumor&btnG=Google+Search& meta= or http://tinyurl.com/iigg Good luck and my thoughts go out to you. -- ******************************************* Marcel Beaudoin & Moogli ******************************************* 'If people could put rainbows in zoos, they'd do it.' -- Hobbes ******************************************* |
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