help, my dog may have rectal cancer....

[Scout]

just got back from the vet ... we have a biopsy scheduled Monday morning.

my sweetie is 11 years old, a lab.
she'd been doing some really intense doggie butt-licking to herself so I made her a vet appointment.
at first the vet thought it was impacted anal glands and took her in the other room to express them.
when she came back she told me it was only the right anal gland, that the left side was a large mass. she tried to draw fluid from it several times with no luck.
we didn't discuss a lot of detail until after the biopsy, but if we do have to remove the mass "half her rectum" will be gone and she'll be incontinent.
it hasn't grown enough to keep her from pooping yet, and doesn't seem to bother her when she does go... so maybe we'll have some time to decide whether or not to remove the mass.
maybe the biopsy will be negative and we'll have other options...
the vet did say that if it is cancer, it's not likely to spread elsewhere.

I'm trying to stay positive but I really have a bad feeling about this.

dear husband has taken both dogs for an outing, as usual on the weekend. I asked him to make sure she gets some really good frisbee time in.

anyone else had experience like this with their pooch?

[IndyOp]

1. I don't have any experience with this, but did a little Googling...

which is what I would do if it were one of my own who had just gotten the diagnosis. My thoughts are with you... :hug:

This looks like a good reference --
< http://www.helpyourdogfightcancer.com >


I don't know if you are open to alternative treatments, but maybe it is worth doing some online research...? If it is not too expensive and harmless...
< http://dogcancer.net/dog_cancer_stories.htm >
< http://mydogscancer.com/ >
< http://alohamedicinals.com/pet.htm >


Is there anything visible from the outside? Could it be a fistula - treatable with steroids...
< http://www.mediarelations.ksu.edu/WEB/News/NewsReleases/listdogscooting.html >

[BrklynLiberal]

3. If it does turn out to be a perianal fistula, there are support groups...

They are excellent and have lots of info...

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/pointe/1672/


http://members.tripod.com/~perianal-fistulas/MainIndex.html

[Scout]

4. excellent, thank you very much

I just kind of went numb for a little, couldn't think what to do..

I should have known DUers would come through.

I'll read the links you found. I am open to alternative treatments if it comes to that.

There's nothing visible from the outside, I'd not have known anything if she hadn't started with the excessive butt-licking due to the anal gland being full. So I guess that's something positive, at least it's discovered now, not six months from now.

Thank you so much
:hug:

[BrklynLiberal]

2. So sorry. Hope things turn out better than expected.

here are a few sites to check out.

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/healthypets.htm
http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/acancer.htm

http://www.caninecancerawareness.org/CanineCancerAdenocarcinoma.html
ANAL SAC ADENOCARCINOMA

http://www.labbies.com/cancer3.htm
Part 3: Treating Cancer in the Canine

[Scout]

5. more good links

thank you so much.

This will help, I need to feel like I'm doing something between now and the biopsy. Educating myself some is a good start to feeling better about it.

[Scout]

6. minor update

biopsy is done, but she is still very groggy and can't come home for a couple more hours.

I don't know if the vet will have any new info yet or if we'll just have to wait for biopsy results.

[roguevalley]

7. let us know, honey. we are with you in spirit.

[Scout]

8. thanks! n/t

[Scout]

9. minor update 2

home from the biopsy

vet said the tumor was a "solid mass" which is not very good.
official results should be in by Friday or Monday.

recovering from the effects of the valium IV would be comical if we weren't looking at cancer. she has to wear the plastic cone if she starts licking the incision. I put it on her last night and she would get it stuck on a corner of the chair, or forget to keep her head up and it would rub the carpet--so I took it off. she's still pretty sleepy although did eat and drink.

she was kind of pitiful during the night ... she'd wake up and wimper a little, then I'd talk to her and pet her and she'd lay back down. she finally came up on the sofa and slept with me and then it was better.

send positive vibes or pray if you're so inclined please!

thanks

[Grateful for Hope]

10. I am sending positive vibes, Scout

and some prayers.

My thought are also with you.

[Scout]

11. thank you very much, we appreciate it. n/t

[superconnected]

12. Oh I hope she's okay.

Sending prayers for her.

[Scout]

13. thank you, she's a sweet dog. n/t

[Branjor]

14. My father had a tumor on his jaw....

The doctor said it was a "solid mass" and that wasn't very good. Turned out that the thing was benign.

Prayers and good vibes that all will be well...

[Scout]

15. I hope you're right ... thank you very much.

I'm kind of hoping it turns out not to be anything. The "jr. vet" of the practice is the one who looked at her ... after biopsy results are in, I'm talking to the senior vet. We've been having her take care of our dogs for several years, and I have a good relationship with her.

[BrklynLiberal]

18. Sending positive energy and lots of white light for you and your sweet

furbaby.
However it turns out, you will deal with it together. As long as she knows you love her and are there with her, she will be happy.

And should it not be the best case, we will be here with lots of love and support no matter what.

Please keep us posted, and give her and extra little ear scratch and belly rub for us.
:hi: :loveya: :grouphug:

[demnan]

16. I hope the tumor isn't cancerous

And that Scout has a good restful sleep tonight.

[Scout]

17. she seems much more herself today

now that the valium is wearing off.

I think she will have a better night tonight ... and so will I!

thanks for the good wishes.

[Grateful for Hope]

19. It's good to hear that she is more like herself

I hope both of you sleep well tonight.

:hug:

[sweetheart]

20. Bodies getting old and falling apart

Amba had trouble pooping, that was how i found out she was 2 weeks or so
away from her death. When a dog approaching its 15th birthday starts
not wanting to eat, something must be wrong inside. I took Amba to the
vets and they said she was suffering of a big tumor that was either her
spleen gone bonkers or one of her kidneys, but no mind, the thing had formed
a mass in her lower abdomen and was interfering with her bowels... i suppose
it cold have been bowel cancer as well... i should not have fed her my leftover
macdonalds frenchfries all those years.

Well, the vets said that i could spend a lot of money and Amba would probably
die on the operating table "OR" they could just put the dog to sleep right there.
I then insisted that "or" was not happening, and that i would be taking her home
to die. And so she diminished by not eating for 2 weeks until her blood became
anemic, her breathing became laboured and her lungs with fluid, until finally she
stopped breathing. During that time, i spent every moment at her side, sleeping
in a cot by her bed, carrying her outside to do her business when she was too weak,
and washing her bum when she sat in her shit. I was glad to act as a hospice nurse
for my dearest little sweetie. But in my buddhist heart, i could find no place
to have her killed. In human medicine, we don't "kill" them to put them out of their
misery, we give them some pain killers and and honest diagnosis.

So i noticed this tendency to outsource death of pets to the vets... "put it out
of its misery" they say, and the vet kills the animal humanely of course, but in a
room away from you, not understanding. And for me that is undue suffering for the
animal. Amba rather has died surrounded by everyone who lived with and loved her,
when everyone gave her kisses and wished long goodbyes. People came to visit to say
their last respects.

I watched her the moment she stopped breathing, her eyes lit up with this ecstatic
joy, like i've not seen in her since she was a puppy, and i realized how the heavy
old body had burdened down her sweet doggie soul. It was much more emotionally
difficult to live though her death so intimately, so directly, yet i feel complete
for it, that no love was lost, no kisses forgotten, no blessings not given, and
wouldn't i wish such a grand death for anyone whom i loved so dearly.

But i have noticed now, how its a full time job to help your dog die, and it really
is easier to let a vet do the dirty. But i no longer accept that it is putting the
doggie out of its misery. It is convenient euthanasia. A loved one should die in
the arms of their loved ones... it is their soul's life on earth, and every moment
so precious.

[BrklynLiberal]

21. Your note, like your beautiful photographic and poetic tribute to Amba,

brought tears to my eyes.
The love you two shared was incredible...and I am sure it endures beyond the passing of her mere physical presence.
You gave her the ending such a love deserved. It would be wonderful if we could all have such a devoted and adoring attendant at our final moment.
:cry: :hug:

[sweetheart]

25. thank you

:hug: I just made her grave today, planting a tree in the middle of
her curled up body, a "buckthorn alder", a whins bush (gorse bush) by
her feet, an aspen tree and a korean pine. I have an ash tree around
here somewhere and i was going to add that to amba's glen.

Then i planted 2 more aspens, a red alder, violet willow and goat willow
nearby, that in some time, Amba's glen be a place where my old bones
find peace.

In a local scottish pub not too far away, there used to be a guy they
called "the bard", and he had many poems he would read. Well at a local
kailee (live scottish music dance gathering in a community hall), one of
his poems was about sammy his dead ferret. And Amba heard the poem
being there at the kailee, and i guess she wanted one too, as that
came off my fingers tooo easily... whilst she sat there talking
with me with her luminous black eyes pouring out a lifetime.

She died surrounded by 14 scottie dogs, "her" pack. And she being spayed
herself, the first dog, our love has filled the room with little feet.
And maybe when some of those feet find new homes, Amba will subtly charm
the life of another by the very existance of puppies that would not exist
without the mighty heart of the goddess.

[BrklynLiberal]

30. She passed as any goddess should, surrounded by her followers...

How appropriate, and magnificent. If I remember correctly, those youngest puppies were born just days before her passing.
Amba's Glen will become a place of sweet memories and peace.

She died surrounded by 14 scottie dogs, "her" pack. And she being spayed herself, the first dog, our love has filled the room with little feet.
And maybe when some of those feet find new homes, Amba will subtly charm
the life of another by the very existance of puppies that would not exist
without the mighty heart of the goddess.

[Scout]

22. major update

it's NOT cancer!!!! :woohoo:

yippppeeeeee! :bounce: :party: :beer:



it is still an icky mass, but not cancerous.

I'll have the exact name of it tonight, when DH brings home the medication and a note from the vet.

Dog is not acting sick at all, now that she has recovered from the biopsy/vallium. She still is trying to lick her butt, but who can blame her? I don't make her wear the cone-head thing unless after two warnings she won't stop the butt-licking. (She has to leave the incision alone to heal.)

We can try first to reduce the size of the mass with anti-biotics, and if that doesn't work, then it is possible to remove a good part of the mass without having to damage the rectal tissue.

So we still have some work ahead of us, but I'm hopeful for a few more years of wonderful companionship with my fur baby.

THANK YOU all so much for the support, kind wishes, good vibes, prayers, positive energy. :loveya:

[SW FL Dem]

23. Great News!!

Give her a big hug from us. Glad she has more time to be a part of your lives.

[Beaverhausen]

24. YEAH!!! Great news

:hug: so happy to hear it's not cancer. :woohoo:

[Branjor]

26. Yeah!

I am so glad! Just like with my dad...give her a big hug and kiss from me! :woohoo:

[livetohike]

27. What great news!

May you all have many more years together :-). This is such good news. Give her a hug and a big "arf" from my Cindy and Murphy.

[Grateful for Hope]

28. Scout, this is such good news!

Hooray!!!!Yippee!!!!

:party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party: :party:
:toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast: :toast:

[IndyOp]

29. Yeah!!! That is *wonderful* news!

Thank you for letting us know and congratulations to you and yours - scares like this remind us all to appreciate it all!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[BrklynLiberal]

31. That is the best news I have read in weeks!!! Hooray for both of you!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :bounce: :hi: :hi: :hi: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :loveya: :loveya: :loveya: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :grouphug: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :applause: :applause: :applause:


Lots of hugs and ear scratches and belly rubs .....

[SiouxJ]

33. Awesome!

I haven't been around in a while so I just saw your post and started at the top and was almost crying and then I read the update! I can't even imagine your relief! So great to hear good news for a change! Good luck!

[serryjw]

36. What great joy for both of you

Its shows we have so little time together, enjoy each other while you can.

Namaste

[Scout]

32. Chronic, necrotizing, fibrosing, pyogranulomatous cellulitis

that's what she's got that isn't cancer

"Inflammation of this type could be initiated by infectious, foreign body, traumatic or idiopathic pathogeneses. There was, however, no evidence of predisposing factors such as visible infectious agents or embedded foreign debris discernible in the sections examined.

Cultures could prove useful in the clinical management of this inflammatory focus."

She's on antibiotics for two weeks, to see if we can reduce the size of the mass ... we will talk about doing another "biopsy" to obtain sample for the cultures, but I'm not sure I want to do that yet.

Thank you everyone for your good wishes ... I'm off for some googling!

[IndyOp]

34. This does not sound pretty, but it *does* sound manageable!

Knowledge is power - and for your baby, relief!

:hug:

[Scout]

35. update--good news

after several weeks on antibiotics, the mass is MUCH smaller!!!!

Yay! we're continuing the antibiotics until vet determines mass is as small as it will get. Then I'm not sure what. As long as the mass remains small, she should be ok I think--since it's not cancerous.

thank you everyone for all the good wishes and hugs
:loveya:

[roguevalley]

37. this is more than wonderful news, sweetie. hug your baby for us!

[BrklynLiberal]

38. Congrats to both of you!!!! That is wonderful news.