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02-28-2015, 11:24 PM | #1 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: California
Posts: 38
| Prostate cancer/bladder wall cancer Two weeks ago I took my 15 year old William to get his teeth cleaned. He'd had a history of pancreatitis in the past and was on a low fat diet. They checked his labs before the procedure and also his weight. He'd gone from 4 lb 14 oz last year to 4 lb 6 ½ oz so the procedure wasn't done. I asked the vet to refer him to the medical vet school 2 hours from here for an ultrasound and nutritional consult. I'd been making him chicken and rice with RC low fat canned food but he's very picky and wouldn't eat veggies. When they did the ultrasound, the scanned his whole body and discovered an irregular prostate and bladder wall and told me they suspected cancer. Chest x ray was normal. Biopsy revealed cancer. Today is Saturday and on Monday I am calling to get a consultation with an oncologist. My understanding is that this type of cancer is treated only with chemotherapy every 3 weeks. I'm an RN and have given a lot of chemo. The med student told me it's not like human chemo with the side effects. He is totally asymptomatic. Once I started feeding him 4-5 X a day his weight went to 4 lb 11 ½ oz. He walked ½ mile today. Wants the ball thrown. Pees and poops fine. No pain. Anybody have experiences with this kind of treatment that might help me with my decision? |
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03-01-2015, 09:15 AM | #2 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| Bless your heart.....such hard, complex decisions we face and make. I am doing some checking with "professionals" I know, I will see what they think they would do, and I will get back to you, perhaps giving you some additional help with which way to go. ( I personally have no experience with cancer in my pets, family is another story, also being an RN, having done a VERY brief employment stint in MD Anderson) ...asymptomatic, 15 year old senior with prostate/bladder wall cancer, opt for chemo and questionable side effects, or stay the course in this care free, happy little senior, allowing him to continue living out what time he has naturally been blessed to have on this Earth.....tough, tough decision. Hopefully, people that have had experience with chemo in their pups will be able to give you guidance....I would ask the vets is this cancer slow growing in pups? How advanced is it as we speak? What kind of time are you looking at without treatment? Quality of life vs quantity, tolerance to chemo in pets if it isnt like in humans?...... Last edited by Yorkiemom1; 03-01-2015 at 09:17 AM. |
03-01-2015, 09:48 AM | #3 |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | I have not had experience with that type of cancer but of lymphoma and as my dog was very young, elected to do the chemo. Her cancer was an aggressive one judged to be at sStage 4. She tolerated the chemo quite well, had some nausea and diarrehea, but basically did okay with it. How-ever the chemo was not successful. She died about 8wks after diagnosis. I would not make the same decision to treat with chemo today. The chance of success is quite minimal for the above type of cancer, and is very expensive. I would ask about success rates, and of course the chemo affects. You have had a long life with your dog and are in the uneviable position of making the decision to treat or not to treat. My prayers go out to you and my hope that you and your boy have many more happy days together.
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 |
03-01-2015, 09:55 AM | #4 |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| Today being Sunday, all my "professionals" have gone to ground! I did look up what "The Veterinary Cancer Center" had to say about chemo in dogs, and they also said it is very well tolerated in pets..... |
03-01-2015, 11:21 AM | #5 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: California
Posts: 38
| I will be asking the Oncologist about their ability to stage his cancer. No point in putting him through this if it's already spread. My concern is that if it has not yet spread, it will, most likely I suspect to the lungs (chest X-ray clear now) and bone. Bone mets are very painful. Have one friend who treated her dachshund with chemo which her 18 months with no regrets. Another had melanoma treated with radiation, cancer free now 8 months. Each one is different. I do know that left untreated he will become symptomatic with pain, incontinence and eventually unable to urinate. Once pain medication no longer keeps him comfortable, I will immediately send him to the Angels and everlasting Peace. I will not let him suffer. Complicating matters is that I am supposed to leave April 30 with 10 family members for two weeks in Germany. I appreciate any information you can share with me. I am, of course, devastated by this news that has come out of nowhere. I hear his little feet right running past me right and I can't concentrate on anything other than how he is depending on me to make the right decisions for him. Thank you so much for anything you can offer us. Betsy |
03-01-2015, 12:25 PM | #6 |
T. Bumpkins & Co. Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: New England
Posts: 9,816
| My coworker is doing chemo on her 15 yo dog for ovarian cancer. The dog has gotten another year out of life and she's had very good days. If this were my dog and I could afford it, I would go for it.
__________________ Washable Doggie Pee Pads (Save 10% Enter YTSAVE10 at checkout) Cathy, Teddy, Winston and Baby Clyde...RIP angels Barney and Daisy |
03-01-2015, 01:49 PM | #7 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: California
Posts: 38
| Wow! How wonderful for both of them! I'll bet your coworker knows the right decision was made. I just wish I had a crystal ball right now.... |
03-01-2015, 02:10 PM | #8 |
YT 2000 Club Donating Member | I truly believe you will know which way to go, once your visit with the oncologist has happened. These choices are never easy and my heart goes out to you..
__________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018 |
03-01-2015, 04:55 PM | #9 | |
Rosehill Yorkies Donating YT Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 9,462
| Quote:
And I would even treat him if it HAS spread.....with him asymptomatic, he isnt deteriorating and I would go for it! If he starts suffering, then reasses the situation.... Last edited by Yorkiemom1; 03-01-2015 at 04:57 PM. | |
03-03-2015, 01:03 PM | #10 | |
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03-03-2015, 02:14 PM | #11 |
Resident Yorkie Nut Donating YT 20K Club Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Texas
Posts: 27,447
| Prayers for you and William.
__________________ |
03-09-2015, 09:20 PM | #12 |
Donating YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: SW USA
Posts: 2,505
| Prayers for William and Betsy Hopefully the oncologist visit tomorrow will be able to better diagnose and grade his cancer, and hopefully suggest a treatment that the family are comfortable with. Thoughts and prayers please. Get well soon dear William.' |
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