Comments on: How Long Does My Dog Have? http://www.dogcancerblog.com/how-long-does-my-dog-have/ Dr. Demian Dressler, DVM, the dog cancer vet blogs about canine cancer Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:37:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Dr. Dressler http://www.dogcancerblog.com/how-long-does-my-dog-have/comment-page-1/#comment-2423 Dr. Dressler Sun, 21 Feb 2010 22:41:39 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=614#comment-2423 Dear Cami, the data is all over the place. Here's a reference for you: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119822218/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0 Bottom line is that first a diagnosis needs to be made and secondly the tumor should be removed surgically for maximum survival time. It also depends on how much spread of the (presumed) tumor there is. As you can see, in terms of tumor shrinkage, the majority of dogs did not respond to vinorelbine by itself very much. I hope this helps. You may want to consider getting the info on quality of life and other important factors that will be coming up for you in the<a href="http://www.dogcancersurvival.com" rel="nofollow"> Guide</a>. A good portion of the book deals with some of the more slippery ideas and how to make decisions that work for both you and your Lab. Best, Dr D Dear Cami,
the data is all over the place. Here’s a reference for you:
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/119822218/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Bottom line is that first a diagnosis needs to be made and secondly the tumor should be removed surgically for maximum survival time. It also depends on how much spread of the (presumed) tumor there is. As you can see, in terms of tumor shrinkage, the majority of dogs did not respond to vinorelbine by itself very much.
I hope this helps.
You may want to consider getting the info on quality of life and other important factors that will be coming up for you in the Guide. A good portion of the book deals with some of the more slippery ideas and how to make decisions that work for both you and your Lab.
Best,
Dr D

]]> By: Cami http://www.dogcancerblog.com/how-long-does-my-dog-have/comment-page-1/#comment-2412 Cami Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:29:26 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=614#comment-2412 Dear Dr. Dressler: I'm in the same boat as the reader Jared from May 11th, 2009. My choc lab was also diagnosed with primary lung cancer with a large tumor pushing her heart to one side of her chest and many other metastases in both lungs. My vet isn't experienced in chemo for small animals so she sent me to another clinic here in town. Kona is now on Vinorelbine and has started her first treatment. My vet doesn't have much experienc with this med and is referring to a local university vet clinic for advice. I would like to know what I can expect from this treatment as he claims to not know but we'll re-xray her in two weeks and see if there's any improvement. I now have to force feed her special RX dog food since she won't eat even the tastiest meats i cook for her. She isn't throwing up food but does thrown up water daily. Can I expect the tumor to shrink? Her quality of life right now isn't very good. She continues to lose weight, is very tired all the time and sleeps 95% of the day. She also seems depressed. When I'm home she just follows me around the house and plops down to sleep. What is the expectation with this treatment realistically? Dear Dr. Dressler:

I’m in the same boat as the reader Jared from May 11th, 2009. My choc lab was also diagnosed with primary lung cancer with a large tumor pushing her heart to one side of her chest and many other metastases in both lungs. My vet isn’t experienced in chemo for small animals so she sent me to another clinic here in town. Kona is now on Vinorelbine and has started her first treatment. My vet doesn’t have much experienc with this med and is referring to a local university vet clinic for advice. I would like to know what I can expect from this treatment as he claims to not know but we’ll re-xray her in two weeks and see if there’s any improvement. I now have to force feed her special RX dog food since she won’t eat even the tastiest meats i cook for her. She isn’t throwing up food but does thrown up water daily. Can I expect the tumor to shrink? Her quality of life right now isn’t very good. She continues to lose weight, is very tired all the time and sleeps 95% of the day. She also seems depressed. When I’m home she just follows me around the house and plops down to sleep. What is the expectation with this treatment realistically?

]]> By: Dr. Dressler http://www.dogcancerblog.com/how-long-does-my-dog-have/comment-page-1/#comment-2397 Dr. Dressler Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:53:51 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=614#comment-2397 Dear Mary, It is critical to get a diagnosis. An ultrasound is needed as the next step. Dog life quality assessment is important you should read up on this...covered in detail in the book which is an important resource...also http://www.dogcancerblog.com/life-quality-in-dog-cancer-dr-dresslers-joys-of-life-scale/ Best, Dr D Dear Mary,
It is critical to get a diagnosis. An ultrasound is needed as the next step.
Dog life quality assessment is important you should read up on this…covered in detail in the book which is an important resource…also
http://www.dogcancerblog.com/life-quality-in-dog-cancer-dr-dresslers-joys-of-life-scale/
Best,
Dr D

]]> By: Mary http://www.dogcancerblog.com/how-long-does-my-dog-have/comment-page-1/#comment-2332 Mary Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:13:07 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=614#comment-2332 Hi, We have a 15 year old cocker Spaniel Mix, Hanna, who has been retaining fluid in her abdomen. We had 3lbs (of fluid) drained atthe vet last week and had all kinds of tests run...came back that her organs were fine, she was slightly anemic and the fluid contained no blood only high level of protiens, x-ray did not show any significant mass...She has been on salix (diuretic) and the last two days has lost her appitite...The Vet now perscribed predisone to see if we could get her to start eating...Any suggestions?? She has been taking short walks and is still very interested in the family and what everyone is doing...Any suggestions would be appreciated!!! Hi,
We have a 15 year old cocker Spaniel Mix, Hanna, who has been retaining fluid in her abdomen. We had 3lbs (of fluid) drained atthe vet last week and had all kinds of tests run…came back that her organs were fine, she was slightly anemic and the fluid contained no blood only high level of protiens, x-ray did not show any significant mass…She has been on salix (diuretic) and the last two days has lost her appitite…The Vet now perscribed predisone to see if we could get her to start eating…Any suggestions?? She has been taking short walks and is still very interested in the family and what everyone is doing…Any suggestions would be appreciated!!!

]]> By: Dr. Dressler http://www.dogcancerblog.com/how-long-does-my-dog-have/comment-page-1/#comment-2287 Dr. Dressler Mon, 01 Feb 2010 01:55:12 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=614#comment-2287 Dear Laura, check out the life quality assessment portion of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide. There is also a blog post that can help: http://www.dogcancerblog.com/life-quality-in-dog-cancer-dr-dresslers-joys-of-life-scale/ You need to consider your dog's life quality for his time here. You are the best judge, but get the information you need first. Best Dr D Dear Laura,
check out the life quality assessment portion of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide. There is also a blog post that can help:
http://www.dogcancerblog.com/life-quality-in-dog-cancer-dr-dresslers-joys-of-life-scale/
You need to consider your dog’s life quality for his time here. You are the best judge, but get the information you need first.
Best
Dr D

]]> By: Laura http://www.dogcancerblog.com/how-long-does-my-dog-have/comment-page-1/#comment-2247 Laura Tue, 26 Jan 2010 14:24:40 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=614#comment-2247 Dr. Dressler, My 11 year-old shepherd mix Jakey had recurring hemangiosarcoma on his back left leg. My vet and a nearby vet school recommended amputation to extend his life by "hopefully" 6 months. That was 3 years ago next month! I'm so thankful for the past 3 years! But this past Sunday he was diagnosed with lung cancer, probably mets from the hemangio. He can't stand up for long, but does seem excited to get up and go outside, will eat this special game meat food I found and seems to enjoy being around people, so I'm not ready to end his life yet. He is on regularly scheduled pain meds and does not appear to be in any distress. My dilemna is that I don't want to leave him alone for long and I work 12 hour night shifts. My pet sitter has agreed to stay with him overnight, but do you think making these changes would be more disruptive to him than to just leave our schedule the way it has always been? I don't mind paying for the overnight visits at all, but I don't want to freak Jake out. Do you think it would be comforting for him to have someone with him all the time? He knows the pet sitters, they've been with us for years, so they aren't strangers, but they don't usually spend the night. My vet said he might live another 2 weeks or maybe another 2 months...if he was actively dying I would just stay home with him, but we're in this in-between state right now and I don't know what would be best for him. Any advice you have would be appreciated. Dr. Dressler,

My 11 year-old shepherd mix Jakey had recurring hemangiosarcoma on his back left leg. My vet and a nearby vet school recommended amputation to extend his life by “hopefully” 6 months. That was 3 years ago next month! I’m so thankful for the past 3 years! But this past Sunday he was diagnosed with lung cancer, probably mets from the hemangio. He can’t stand up for long, but does seem excited to get up and go outside, will eat this special game meat food I found and seems to enjoy being around people, so I’m not ready to end his life yet. He is on regularly scheduled pain meds and does not appear to be in any distress.

My dilemna is that I don’t want to leave him alone for long and I work 12 hour night shifts. My pet sitter has agreed to stay with him overnight, but do you think making these changes would be more disruptive to him than to just leave our schedule the way it has always been? I don’t mind paying for the overnight visits at all, but I don’t want to freak Jake out. Do you think it would be comforting for him to have someone with him all the time? He knows the pet sitters, they’ve been with us for years, so they aren’t strangers, but they don’t usually spend the night. My vet said he might live another 2 weeks or maybe another 2 months…if he was actively dying I would just stay home with him, but we’re in this in-between state right now and I don’t know what would be best for him.

Any advice you have would be appreciated.

]]> By: Dr. Dressler http://www.dogcancerblog.com/how-long-does-my-dog-have/comment-page-1/#comment-2033 Dr. Dressler Sun, 13 Dec 2009 22:26:08 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=614#comment-2033 Susan, please read and really consider the following post: http://www.dogcancerblog.com/the-most-important-question-in-dog-cancer-care/ You also need to gather data about survival times and odds related to side effects or adverse reactions. Suffering needlessly may or may not be a part of your dog's future. It is time for more information gathering from those providing the treatments so you can, with a clear mindset, be your dog's number one health care advocate. You may want to read the e-book I wrote to help in this process too. Best, Dr D Susan,
please read and really consider the following post:
http://www.dogcancerblog.com/the-most-important-question-in-dog-cancer-care/
You also need to gather data about survival times and odds related to side effects or adverse reactions. Suffering needlessly may or may not be a part of your dog’s future. It is time for more information gathering from those providing the treatments so you can, with a clear mindset, be your dog’s number one health care advocate. You may want to read the e-book I wrote to help in this process too.
Best,
Dr D

]]> By: Susan http://www.dogcancerblog.com/how-long-does-my-dog-have/comment-page-1/#comment-2016 Susan Thu, 10 Dec 2009 18:20:59 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=614#comment-2016 My 9 year old precious Maltese, has just be diagoised with Oral Malignant Melanoma. Stage 1. Should I put her through Chemo and radiation, as well as the immunization shot? I don't want her to suffer needlessly with these treatments, only to have her die in a couple months. She is acting normal right now. Please help. The doctors want to start treatment on Tuesday. My 9 year old precious Maltese, has just be diagoised with Oral Malignant Melanoma. Stage 1. Should I put her through Chemo and radiation, as well as the immunization shot? I don’t want her to suffer needlessly with these treatments, only to have her die in a couple months. She is acting normal right now. Please help. The doctors want to start treatment on Tuesday.

]]> By: Dr. Dressler http://www.dogcancerblog.com/how-long-does-my-dog-have/comment-page-1/#comment-1947 Dr. Dressler Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:14:49 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=614#comment-1947 Judy, surgery is your best chance for both increased survival and possible cure. Get a skilled vet or a board certified surgeon. Transfusion before surgery is standard when you have severe anemia before surgery. See the blog post on yunnan baiyao: http://www.dogcancerblog.com/chinese-herb-for-bleeding-dog-cancers/ best, Dr D Judy,
surgery is your best chance for both increased survival and possible cure. Get a skilled vet or a board certified surgeon. Transfusion before surgery is standard when you have severe anemia before surgery.
See the blog post on yunnan baiyao:
http://www.dogcancerblog.com/chinese-herb-for-bleeding-dog-cancers/
best,
Dr D

]]> By: Shawn M. http://www.dogcancerblog.com/how-long-does-my-dog-have/comment-page-1/#comment-1938 Shawn M. Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:01:11 +0000 http://www.dogcancerblog.com/?p=614#comment-1938 Hi- Camden passed away yesterday. She fought hard, but the cancerous tumor on her spleen caused her to hemorrhage for the third time in a month. She went quietly and at home. Good luck to all of you fighting cancer with your dogs. Hi-
Camden passed away yesterday. She fought hard, but the cancerous tumor on her spleen caused her to hemorrhage for the third time in a month. She went quietly and at home. Good luck to all of you fighting cancer with your dogs.

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