As you describe the different types of pains associated with different types of cancers - HOW can YOU know if it is “burning” or “throbbing” or “pressure associated” or “sharp”, etc. when an animal can’t talk? These are very specific pains but an animal cannot tell you if it is sharp or burning, etc. As a human with a severe disability doctors and nurses have always asked me to rate and describe my pain and it is difficult enough for me let alone an animal that cannot explain pain. I would have to say that the only REAL way to know if there is any pain at all (let alone the type) is by any different behaviors in the animal as you go on to describe. But I am still curious as to your second paragraph.

I am glad that you brought up mast cell tumors/cancers because my husband and I have a beautiful 9 1/2 yr-old female Golden Retriever who is both an early retired service dog as well as a full-fledged family member and only daughter to my husband and I. To our surprise and absolute horror — she was diagnosed on Aug 7th with Mast Cell Carcinoma - Grade 3. The only sign was a growth on her tummy that went unnoticed for numerous reasons. There were no outward signs like her licking the area, etc.. It was pride pickling invisible to the naked eye and pretty much had to be felt for diagnosis. She had just been to the same doctor exactly 5 months prior for her shots and he always spends a great deal of time feeling around her underside. And he felt nothing then.

As soon as WE noticed this flat, somewhat scaly growth on her underbelly we called our veterinarian for an appointment right away. We took her in on July 30 and our veteran Veterinarian (25-30 yrs) shaved the entire area for a better look and then came to us saying that, from the looks of it, it was most likely nothing “bad” but certainly something that should be removed. He is not one to hold back information to make one feel good so that was not the case. He did surgery on the same day and when we came to pick her up — he told us that he had to go a little deeper than he thought he would “to get it all” but that was all. There were about 25 or 30 stitches to be removed 10 days - 2 weeks later. Our girl was not even phased by their presence either.

He wanted to have a biopsy done either way but, just prior to going to get her, my husband and I did not think we wanted to go ahead with the biopsy because if it WAS cancer we would not allow any further surgeries (any more openings to ANY species including humans) make it “Oh happy day” for cells to metastasize much quicker than leaving well enough alone. In addition to the money factors of further surgery and her age. And if it was NOT cancer — waste of a biopsy.

But our veterinarian made many good points as to why we should go ahead and do it anyway. And now, if she gets sicker sooner or later, at least we will know what it is from. Our vet was super surprised at the pathology report and said that it may not have even been there a month ago with as rapidly as these tumors spread.

Anyway, as you know, Goldens are very stoic and we have no idea whether she is in pain or not. I think I had heard once that if a dog pants alot — that may indicate pain or discomfort. Well, she always pants alot here in Tucson, AZ summers so we do not know if this is a sign or not. I remember noticing that she was panting more just before summer began (and since) but I have no idea whether if it is related or not and I can beat myself up until I am blue about wondering “back then” if I should have been more attentive.

Other than that there are no outward telltale signs. She has slowed down significantly over the last 10 months because she has hip dysplasia AND she began exhibiting signs of shoulder or elbow dysplasia or arthritis by limping — favoring her front right leg. Ever since her diagnosis of hip dysplasia almost 5 years ago she has been on Piroxicam every other day which has helped her greatly up until about 10 months ago. Five months ago when we were at the vet I asked him if there was anything “more” besides the glucosamine/condroitin supplements which seemed to be doing nothing for her “new” front leg joint pain.

Ironically he said he had been having an ongoing debate with his colleague in the same office as to whether glucosamine/condroitin was more effective IN DOGS or Omega-3s were. My veterinarian was in favor of the latter so we started her on those. They did not do anything.

I remembered he had also mentioned COSEQUIN but only in passing. I told my husband about this and he did some research finding that it was basically glucosamine/condroitin so there was no sense in trying it.
Well, I could not stand to see her limping so I ordered three bottles of it online. Within 30 days she was no longer limping! So we have kept her on that.

Like humans, I think it all comes down to what works for the individual. But now that I know that she has mast cell grade 3 carcinoma — we have no idea how many weeks or months or years she has left. The veterinarian said he removed everything that was there but did not sugarcoat or hide the fact from us that it was an infamously rapidly spreading form of cancer. Which will lead me to another post regarding the thread on omega-3 fatty acids.

Thank you for reading this long post!

Lori Michaelson

Can’t find the one you are refrerring to with that date (8/21/08) — same day as your above post to “se the next blog post….”.

Did you mean the one really dated 8/22/08 covering chemos, intralesional triamcinolone, etc?

Lori

[...] Pain in dog cancer and life quality [...]

My best friend was recently diagnosed with Stage III Mast Cell Cancer, he has multiple invasive tumours, they’ve removed what they can without amuputation. We love our “little man” and don’t want him to be in pain - he’s constantly licking the remaining tumours (and there are alot +12). I asked about these “lumps” previously and was told that he probably just had really bad arthritis (he’s taken to the vet regularly as well) I don’t know how everyone missed it - I can’t describe how we feel - our hearts are broken and the guilt is tremendous - we’ve let down our little buddy and now all we want to know is just how much pain he’s in - if it’s alot (and I’d appreciate a very straightforward answer) then we’ll make the decision that needs to be made - he’s 8 years old and such a good dog it’ll be the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. He’s on medication right now - simply palliative care as we’ve made the decision not to prolong his suffering. I’m very worried that there will be alot of pain from secondary problems, ie. gastro, etc. He’s still eating and appears happy - just tired - lots of meds. I guess I’m looking for two answers - 1 what would his pain level likely be? and 2 - should we be considering ending things for him before he’s in agony? Please - any information you can give me would be appreciated.

Donna - I found out that the type of cancer our little man had was indeed causing him pain, he was still eating an drinking but that was the only way in which he remained normal. He was having trouble breathing because of the prednizone he was taking and the other drugs were making him tired, and unwell and so we made the decision. We said goodbye to our little man today at 9:30 a.m. My heart is bleeding.

We made this decision based on just how much we loved him. I didn’t want him to go through liver or kidney failure or wait until it moved into his lungs and suffer an agonizing death.

I am so very sorry to hear of your friend - I’m crying for us both right now.

Your buddy’s wound may not heal - Mast Cell has that effect. If he’s not going to the washroom then please call your vet - I was told that once it got into the lymph nodes it traveled extremely fast - once again I am so very, very sorry - if I could spare anyone the agonizing pain that my husband and I are experiencing I would.

My husband and I will never attempt to replace our little boy as he was so very unique that it would just not be possible - I’ve been “looking” for him all day - and it has ripped out my heart everytime I realize I’ll never see him again.

Thank you so much Donna - it is a relief to be able to talk to someone who knows and understands what we’re going through. I stayed with our little man right to the end - call me stupid but I didn’t want him to be scared - both me and his “grandma” were there - my poor husband had to leave the room.

I wish your family all the best. I sincerely hope that your little buddy is able to carry on for a long time to come.

I don’t know if the vet has suggested this but try 3 tablets of 25mg. benadryl three times each day (8 hours apart if you can manage it - our little man weighed 75 ibs so that is what I’ve based the amount on guessing that your little buddy is close to the same). The mass cells release huge amounts of histamine into the body and cause an enormous amount of discomfort.

Once again - I appreciate the contact and your tears - between us we’ll soon have a river.

We have an 11 1/2 year old pug and he has been vomiting (now stopped)watery diarea,not eating,very tired but tail up most of the time.has has xrays,bllood work ,meds but seems now to have bright yellow urine and dark watery stool.Will not eat.We’re taking him to vet today again .How much should we continuie to do since the vet hasn’t found any thing with all the test.Have’nt done an ultasound but we feel if it is cancer at his age we would not want him to go thru that.What should we do?We love him so much and we can’t bear for him to be in pain.

My heart too has recently been tested. My 11 yr old Yellow Lab, just finished 15 weeks of chemo for Multifocal Lymphoma. I was breathing a sign of releif when he was finished a week ago, & in remission - & doing GREAT! Except for sepsis after 1 round of chemo in Feb, he never suffered nor had any pain.

Fast forward to this week. His 1/2 brother, my 9 yr old other Yellow Lab, starting having what appeared to be a stroke, or maybe seizures. HORRIBLE episodes (4 in 6 days …. 2 really severe ones, 2 minor ones) of screaming in pain, being sort all contracted, crunched up - it looks like almost some sort of nerve compression in his neck & back … or something like that. Its pathetic to witness & Im terrified that he is in horrible pain. Im afaid as well, the leave him alone & have something happen with out me there for him. Upon vet examination, they found a bunch of small masses around his anus. The 1st thought was this was where the pain was coming from (as he also cannot sit down when he has an episode). 3 days later, my own vet saw him, & he found his back popliteal lymph node was the size of a football. Aspirate showed MAST cell Sana already HAD MAST cell, 3X, 3 yrs ago, & all tumors were removed with all clean margins. He has been VERY healthy & active since. No one can beleive he is almost 10.

The HUGE fear is that the cancer has either spread to his brain, causing these neuro type symtoms/episodes, or there is an internal mass or something, pressing on a nerve, his spinal cord, or somewhere, causing all this pain when the episode happens. Pathology came back today on the MAST cell in the leg, we are still awaiting pathology on the small anal masses. My vet said hopefully those are benign - or they too could be MAST cell … or God forbid, another kind of cancer as well.

We dont know if its all related, or if the neuro/pain stuff is a totally seperate issue. I dont EVER want him to be in any pain - but I cant just decide this isnt treatable right now. If it IS a tumor causing the neuro issues, then chemo may help reduce the tumor, & the pressure on a nerve or WHATEVER it is thats causing it, then I need to try.

This is all new b/c my Lymphoma dog really never suffered. This IS suffering when he has the painful neuro-type epidoses … but as I said, its only been 2 bad ones (10-15 min) in 6 days now. But Im terrified it will increase. A steroid shot seems to have helped & he is on Tramadol Q 8 hours.

If anyone has any words of advice, Id be grateful. Thank you