Cancerous Tumor In My Dog's Mouth

[Mandymax]

My 6-year-old chow mix was just diagnosed with a malignant melanoma on his tongue. He's in for x-rays today to see if/how far the cancer may have spread, and we see a doggie oral surgeon later in the week.

His bloodwork is good, and up until I happened to look in his mouth and see this thing when he yawned, he's been perfectly normal - happy, eating, drinking, playing, being goofy.

Has anyone had experience with this before? I'm scared to death I'm going to lose him. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. And if you don't have any thoughts or advice . . . could you just cross your fingers for us?

[Imperfect4]

Fingers crossed, Mandymax.

Here's hoping whatever it is, is confined to his mouth.

[drip~drop1]

My 6-year-old chow mix was just diagnosed with a malignant melanoma on his tongue. He's in for x-rays today to see if/how far the cancer may have spread, and we see a doggie oral surgeon later in the week.

His bloodwork is good, and up until I happened to look in his mouth and see this thing when he yawned, he's been perfectly normal - happy, eating, drinking, playing, being goofy.

Has anyone had experience with this before? I'm scared to death I'm going to lose him. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. And if you don't have any thoughts or advice . . . could you just cross your fingers for us?

awww, I'm so sorry your baby is sick.:crying:
what is his name so we can say a Prayer for him.

[Mandymax]

awww, I'm so sorry your baby is sick.:crying:
what is his name so we can say a Prayer for him.

Thanks, you guys. His name is Bear.

[R~O~S]

Prayers for Bear & his family who love him. :rose:

Please keep us updated, until then all fingers and toes are crossed for good measure.

[kitty1182]

Good thoughts and prayers going out for Bear..

[incidentally]

Prayers for Bear. I don't know if you feel this will help or hurt but I believe being informed is important.

http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/mel.html

[Noahs ARK]

Sending prayers to Bear....:wub:

[True2Blues]

I'm praying for Bear!

Our Basset Hound Piper is 13 1/2 years old and she's had to have two cancerous tumors removed in the lat year. One was just inside her vagina and the other (which grew suddenly huge and then broke open) was on the side of her face. It's a slow growing kind that usually stays in the tumor.

With her age we were concerned about surgery, but she still enjoys life and takes anestetic very well. Both surgeries got all of the cancer out in the tumor. It can recur in tumors in other places so we keep watch, but it's only been a month since her last surgery and she's doing great.

One of my nieces has a yellow Lab, Dixie, who had the same type of cancer on the back of one leg, and it's never come back in 4 years.

Hang in there!

[Spyder88]

:rose: Prayers for Bear and his family.

[withay]

Prayers for Bear's quick and total recovery.

[Mandymax]

Good news! The x-rays came back clear! It hasn't yet spread to his lungs!

Now we're digging in for the hurdle of surgery on Friday. I'm extremely fortunate to live in an area with tons of vet specialists, so he's going to the best of the best, cost be damned. Let's hope they can get the whole thing out, and if they can't, let's hope they can get out as much as possible so we still have a few more years with him.

I know this kind of cancer is aggressive in dogs, especially given its location. At least the fact that there's still something we can do will give me time to get used to the idea that I'm probably going to lose him earlier than I thought. Plus, by the time that happens, I'll know I've done everything I could possibly have done to save him, and that will make it easier. Not that it's ever easy, but easier.

Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers and crossed fingers. :-) Keep thinking and praying and crossing for us!

[Mandymax]

I'm praying for Bear!

Our Basset Hound Piper is 13 1/2 years old and she's had to have two cancerous tumors removed in the lat year. One was just inside her vagina and the other (which grew suddenly huge and then broke open) was on the side of her face. It's a slow growing kind that usually stays in the tumor.

With her age we were concerned about surgery, but she still enjoys life and takes anestetic very well. Both surgeries got all of the cancer out in the tumor. It can recur in tumors in other places so we keep watch, but it's only been a month since her last surgery and she's doing great.

One of my nieces has a yellow Lab, Dixie, who had the same type of cancer on the back of one leg, and it's never come back in 4 years.

Hang in there!

Glad to read that! Keeping Piper and Dixie in my thoughts!

[drip~drop1]

Good news! The x-rays came back clear! It hasn't yet spread to his lungs!

Now we're digging in for the hurdle of surgery on Friday. I'm extremely fortunate to live in an area with tons of vet specialists, so he's going to the best of the best, cost be damned. Let's hope they can get the whole thing out, and if they can't, let's hope they can get out as much as possible so we still have a few more years with him.

I know this kind of cancer is aggressive in dogs, especially given its location. At least the fact that there's still something we can do will give me time to get used to the idea that I'm probably going to lose him earlier than I thought. Plus, by the time that happens, I'll know I've done everything I could possibly have done to save him, and that will make it easier. Not that it's ever easy, but easier.

Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers and crossed fingers. :-) Keep thinking and praying and crossing for us!

That is such good news Mandymax, all considering. Let's pray that this lump in Bears mouth can be fully taken out and he has no other issues from it. I'm glad you have so many specialists and resources in your area.
Bear will stay in my Prayers for all things good. My Rox sends Bear big kissies.:wub:

[True2Blues]

Good news! The x-rays came back clear! It hasn't yet spread to his lungs!

Now we're digging in for the hurdle of surgery on Friday. I'm extremely fortunate to live in an area with tons of vet specialists, so he's going to the best of the best, cost be damned. Let's hope they can get the whole thing out, and if they can't, let's hope they can get out as much as possible so we still have a few more years with him.

I know this kind of cancer is aggressive in dogs, especially given its location. At least the fact that there's still something we can do will give me time to get used to the idea that I'm probably going to lose him earlier than I thought. Plus, by the time that happens, I'll know I've done everything I could possibly have done to save him, and that will make it easier. Not that it's ever easy, but easier.

Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers and crossed fingers. :-) Keep thinking and praying and crossing for us!


That is good news! Hopefully they can get it all out of there.

[incidentally]

Yay! Wonderful news. I hope everything goes well for your baby, Mandymax.

tally

[Spyder88]

:rose: Here's hoping everything goes miraculously well. :thumbsup: :beer:

[Mandymax]

Stopping in to give an update:

The tumor turned out to be too big and in too precarious a place on Bear's tongue to remove surgically - they would have to take out his entire tongue in order to be sure they got it all. The surgeon recommended Bear see a doggie oncologist to find out if radiation therapy might be an option.

Yesterday, Bear received his first radiation treatment (of four total) and his first dose of the "melanoma vaccine." The vaccine doesn't treat the tumor itself but instead spreads throughout an animal's body and prevents/slows the development of metasteses elsewhere. It's given in a series of doses and takes up to three months to get up to speed, so they wanted to start him on it ASAP. The radiation may dramatically shrink the tumor or even disintegrate it entirely.

He came through yesterday perfectly fine - incredibly wiped out, understandably, but they don't anticipate he'll become ill or lethargic until toward the end of the treatments.

If all goes well, this may buy us another year or two with him, and a QUALITY year or two at that. Or maybe more - who knows? As of right now - and throughout this whole two-week ordeal - he has absolutely no idea there's anything at all wrong with him. He's been eating, drinking, playing, and being perfectly goofy as always, so he's obviously not in any pain, which is amazing given what this thing looks like in there.

Thanks again to everyone who's sent well wishes - please keep sending them!

[mafitz701]

Good news! The x-rays came back clear! It hasn't yet spread to his lungs!

Now we're digging in for the hurdle of surgery on Friday. I'm extremely fortunate to live in an area with tons of vet specialists, so he's going to the best of the best, cost be damned. Let's hope they can get the whole thing out, and if they can't, let's hope they can get out as much as possible so we still have a few more years with him.

I know this kind of cancer is aggressive in dogs, especially given its location. At least the fact that there's still something we can do will give me time to get used to the idea that I'm probably going to lose him earlier than I thought. Plus, by the time that happens, I'll know I've done everything I could possibly have done to save him, and that will make it easier. Not that it's ever easy, but easier.

Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers and crossed fingers. :-) Keep thinking and praying and crossing for us!

Ouch oh Bear! We are pulling for you and Bear to get through this. Its hard. Bear is so lucky to have you and hopefully with all of our prayers and positive energy, you both will come out of this all the better for it. :wub:

[warhorse46]

My 6-year-old chow mix was just diagnosed with a malignant melanoma on his tongue. He's in for x-rays today to see if/how far the cancer may have spread, and we see a doggie oral surgeon later in the week.

His bloodwork is good, and up until I happened to look in his mouth and see this thing when he yawned, he's been perfectly normal - happy, eating, drinking, playing, being goofy.

Has anyone had experience with this before? I'm scared to death I'm going to lose him. Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated. And if you don't have any thoughts or advice . . . could you just cross your fingers for us?


Several years ago we lost an elderly beagle to mouth cancer. Hers were on her gums & lips. I hope Bear's prognosis is better than Jezebelle's was.

[Imperfect4]

Stopping in to give an update:

The tumor turned out to be too big and in too precarious a place on Bear's tongue to remove surgically - they would have to take out his entire tongue in order to be sure they got it all. The surgeon recommended Bear see a doggie oncologist to find out if radiation therapy might be an option.

Yesterday, Bear received his first radiation treatment (of four total) and his first dose of the "melanoma vaccine." The vaccine doesn't treat the tumor itself but instead spreads throughout an animal's body and prevents/slows the development of metasteses elsewhere. It's given in a series of doses and takes up to three months to get up to speed, so they wanted to start him on it ASAP. The radiation may dramatically shrink the tumor or even disintegrate it entirely.

He came through yesterday perfectly fine - incredibly wiped out, understandably, but they don't anticipate he'll become ill or lethargic until toward the end of the treatments.

If all goes well, this may buy us another year or two with him, and a QUALITY year or two at that. Or maybe more - who knows? As of right now - and throughout this whole two-week ordeal - he has absolutely no idea there's anything at all wrong with him. He's been eating, drinking, playing, and being perfectly goofy as always, so he's obviously not in any pain, which is amazing given what this thing looks like in there.

Thanks again to everyone who's sent well wishes - please keep sending them!

Fingers still crossed your baby does okay with his treatments, Mandymax. It's great that he doesn't seem to be affected by any of it so far.

Thanks for the update.

[Meridian]

Praying for Bear, and for you as well.

[drip~drop1]

Still Praying for Bear. May his treatments be swift and may he be cancer free and have many more years with his mommy.

[Noahs ARK]

:rose: Thinking of you and Bear!! :rose:

[True2Blues]

Still praying for Bear. :rose:

[Mandymax]

Bear's hanging in.. Thursday was a rough day - the radiation seems to have hit him then, and he was nauseous and had digestive problems. Since then, he's recovered from that and is eating and drinking normally, but he's quieter than normal - sleeps hard, has a few spurts of energy now and then but mainly just lies around. I'm hoping this is a normal reaction to radiation therapy.

Second treatment tomorrow, and they'll do bloodwork then as well. Here's hoping for another clean report.

Thanks so much for all your good thoughts and prayers - please keep 'em coming!

[beespence]

Huggging both you and Bear in my heart. Thanks for the updates.

[drip~drop1]

Bear's hanging in.. Thursday was a rough day - the radiation seems to have hit him then, and he was nauseous and had digestive problems. Since then, he's recovered from that and is eating and drinking normally, but he's quieter than normal - sleeps hard, has a few spurts of energy now and then but mainly just lies around. I'm hoping this is a normal reaction to radiation therapy.

Second treatment tomorrow, and they'll do bloodwork then as well. Here's hoping for another clean report.

Thanks so much for all your good thoughts and prayers - please keep 'em coming!

poor baby Bear.:crying: I hope his treatments go quickly, don't cause him too much discomfort and completely cure him.
Bear stays in my Prayers!

[Mandymax]

I dropped Bear off this morning for his treatment and mentioned to them that he was quieter than usual and sleeping more. Apparently that isn't supposed to happen after only one treatment - they're normally more wiped out toward the end rather than the beginning. They may put him on pain meds to see if that helps, thinking he's sleeping more to escape pain. I hope that's all it is. My fear is that there's something going on that we don't know about.

Thank you, as always, for all your kind thoughts and words. Please cross your fingers that Bear's just, well, abnormal. :-)

Has anyone had any pets that have gone through radiation? Can you share any insight?

[incidentally]

I'm praying for Bear.

[angellaw]

I've got you & Bear in my prayers Mandymax..keep us informed.

[Mandymax]

Good news! Bear's bloodwork is all normal, AND the tumor has begun to shrink!

He got his second zapping yesterday and will go back for his third next week, along with the next administration of the melanoma vaccine. They put him on pain medication to see if that perks him up any.

He was absolutely exhausted when I got him home yesterday - they said he didn't nap once, just watched all the activity all day, which means he'd been awake nonstop for almost twelve hours when he's used to spending the whole day napping - and pretty much crashed all evening and all night. He got up with my alarm as usual this morning but then went right back to bed. I figure he'll sleep all day today, so once the sleep deficit is wiped out, we'll see if the meds have kicked in and whether he's back to his normal (for him) energetic self.

Keep your fingers crossed!

[beespence]

Good news! Bear's bloodwork is all normal, AND the tumor has begun to shrink!

He got his second zapping yesterday and will go back for his third next week, along with the next administration of the melanoma vaccine. They put him on pain medication to see if that perks him up any.

He was absolutely exhausted when I got him home yesterday - they said he didn't nap once, just watched all the activity all day, which means he'd been awake nonstop for almost twelve hours when he's used to spending the whole day napping - and pretty much crashed all evening and all night. He got up with my alarm as usual this morning but then went right back to bed. I figure he'll sleep all day today, so once the sleep deficit is wiped out, we'll see if the meds have kicked in and whether he's back to his normal (for him) energetic self.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Great news :thumbsup: give bear a lil rubbin' behind the ears for me !!!!

[Imperfect4]

Great news, Mandymax! I say get that boy a nice, new, soft doggy bed and let him sleep to his heart's content!

I'm sure he'll be back to his old energetic self as soon as the treatments are over. :smile:

[sofiesmom]

So happy for you and Bear, Mandymax. BTW, I had a chow mix named Kodiak, but we always called him "Bear" or "Kody Bear" or "The Bear". He lived a beary long life (almost 14). I hope your Bear does too.

[Adalena935]

I sure will cross my fingers for you and more. I'll put your beloved dog on my prayer list. My SIL's dog had cancer and lived to be 18, many yrs beyond his bout with cancer. Now a days it's curable. Keep the faith. Hope your pup doesn't suffer too much. My vet told me they don't think of it like us humans do. Dogs amaze me how they tolerate inconvenience. God Bless Dogs!

[Mandymax]

Third zapping today, as well as the second dose of the melanoma vaccine. The tech told me Bear's bloodwork still looks fantastic, and there is a thin black line of "necroprosy" (am I spelling that right?) down the center of the tumor, which means it's starting to die off. She said it looks a little smaller again, although it doesn't sound like it's as much of a difference as last week, when she was all excited to tell me about it. But she did say it's amazing how much the swelling goes down after all the radiation is complete. And she said we're definitely on the right track and making progress. :-)

I bought him a St. Roch's medal for his collar - the patron saint of dogs - and am waiting for a St. Francis medal to arrive in the mail. I'm not Catholic, but I figure every little thing helps.

Thanks so much, as always, for all the prayers and kind thoughts! Please keep it up - they're working! :-)

[True2Blues]

How wonderful that the treatment is having a visible, immediate effect! I'm praying it keeps working!

[Imperfect4]

Thanks for the update, Mandymax. Continuing good news! :thumbsup:

[Mandymax]

Bear continues to do well! He's back to his old self, to such an extent that I'm realizing how long he *wasn't* 100%. He's happy, exhuberent, active, alert, energetic, almost like a puppy. I'm starting to wonder now just how long that thing was in there festering and bothering him before I noticed it.

My neighbors came over to visit last night - two of Bear's absolute favorite people. He got so excited he actually jumped up on one of them. I hadn't realized until then that it's been *months* since he last did that.

I took advantage of his big, happy doggy grin to peer into his mouth and look at his tongue. There's still a bump/bulge/bubble, but it's smaller than it was and almost flat, and almost all of the general puffiness on that side of his tongue is completely gone (the bad side used to be puffed up two to three times bigger than the healthy side). Plus his putrid breath - caused by dead tissue from the tumor - is gone.

He has his last radiation tomorrow, and next week will be another dose of the melanoma vaccine and a full physical exam. I guess we'll decide from there how to proceed. I've been told by more than one person that tumors continue to die off and disintegrate even after the radiation therapy is done.

I know there's a good chance that this thing will ultimately come back, but in the meantime, I'm glad I can give him this period of time where he obviously feels relief.

Please continue the good thoughts and prayers - they're working! :-)

[True2Blues]

Great news that Bear is feeling his old self. I'll pray he continues to get better and better.

[Mandymax]

Quick Bear update: Bear finished his radiation therapy last week. He went in yesterday for an exam and the third dose of the melanoma vaccine, and they said his tumor continues to shrink. His tongue shows no sign of infection (they'd had him on preventative antibiotics), so he can finish out the antibiotics he has left and can also taper off the pain meds. All of his bloodwork thus far has been great. He goes back in two weeks for the fourth dose of the vaccine and chest x-rays - he hasn't had x-rays since this whole thing started. I don't anticipate that the cancer has spread to his lungs, since his bloodwork has been normal all along and he isn't coughing, but just the thought of this makes me anxious.

In the meantime, he's GAINED weight and has plenty of energy and enthusiasm. He can now go back to eating dry food, which he hasn't done since Day 1 because his tongue has been so sore. Considering he adores his beef, bacon, and cheese canned food, this is not going to go over well. :-)

Oh, and he has a new religious artifact on his collar - my great-aunt had had a charm for her charm bracelet of Pope John Paul II. She passed away years ago, and my mother found the charm in a drawer of old jewelry. Bear is now protected by St. Roch, St. Francis of Assissi, the Blessed Mother, and the Pope. And I'll tell you what - the day we started hanging these things on him was the day he started acting like a puppy and everything REALLY started moving along. I'm a believer.

Please continue to keep Bear in your thoughts - we still have a ways to go!

[Imperfect4]

Thanks for the update! :thumbsup:

You might want to get him on a probiotic, or at least some plain yogurt, to get friendly bacteria back into his digestive tract after all the treatments and antibiotics.

[drip~drop1]

Quick Bear update: Bear finished his radiation therapy last week. He went in yesterday for an exam and the third dose of the melanoma vaccine, and they said his tumor continues to shrink. His tongue shows no sign of infection (they'd had him on preventative antibiotics), so he can finish out the antibiotics he has left and can also taper off the pain meds. All of his bloodwork thus far has been great. He goes back in two weeks for the fourth dose of the vaccine and chest x-rays - he hasn't had x-rays since this whole thing started. I don't anticipate that the cancer has spread to his lungs, since his bloodwork has been normal all along and he isn't coughing, but just the thought of this makes me anxious.

In the meantime, he's GAINED weight and has plenty of energy and enthusiasm. He can now go back to eating dry food, which he hasn't done since Day 1 because his tongue has been so sore. Considering he adores his beef, bacon, and cheese canned food, this is not going to go over well. :-)

Oh, and he has a new religious artifact on his collar - my great-aunt had had a charm for her charm bracelet of Pope John Paul II. She passed away years ago, and my mother found the charm in a drawer of old jewelry. Bear is now protected by St. Roch, St. Francis of Assissi, the Blessed Mother, and the Pope. And I'll tell you what - the day we started hanging these things on him was the day he started acting like a puppy and everything REALLY started moving along. I'm a believer.

Please continue to keep Bear in your thoughts - we still have a ways to go!

yeah...such awesome news!
Go Bear---Go boy, you can and will beat this little fuzzy guy. :):wub:

[Mandymax]

Thanks for the update! :thumbsup:

You might want to get him on a probiotic, or at least some plain yogurt, to get friendly bacteria back into his digestive tract after all the treatments and antibiotics.

Really? No one's mentioned that. What would happen if I didn't? Would that be bad for him?

[withay]

Really? No one's mentioned that. What would happen if I didn't? Would that be bad for him?

It will just make it easier (on him) to make the adjustment back to regular food. Less chance of upset tummy. Like eating yogurt when you take antibiotics.

[Mandymax]

It will just make it easier (on him) to make the adjustment back to regular food. Less chance of upset tummy. Like eating yogurt when you take antibiotics.

I never did myself. Jeez, I've been screwing up MY digestive system AND Bear's! :-)

I talked to his radiation tech about it, and she said she gives it to her own dogs and they love it, and it can't hurt Bear to give it to him, so I'll pick some up on the way home tonight. Although the way he's been diving into his Purina Beneful, he doesn't seem any the worse for wear without it, but I've been spoiling him the last two months. :-)

Thanks!

[beespence]

So happy to hear Bear is doing so well !!!!:thumbsup:

[Imperfect4]

Really? No one's mentioned that. What would happen if I didn't? Would that be bad for him?

Probiotics (friendly bacteria) aren't a favorite subject of traditional veterinarians or physicians, so I wouldn't expect your vet to mention it. I have noticed more physicians recently suggesting their patients eat yogurt when they start them on a course of antibiotics, so that's encouraging.

Thing is, all kinds of stuff can throw the intestinal bacterial balance out of whack, in particular antibiotics and medical treatments (this applies to both humans and our pets). Antibiotics don't just kill the bad bugs -- they kill the good ones as well.

Approximately 85% of our immune system (and the immune systems of animals) is in our digestive tract, so it's really important to keep things healthy in there with a good supply of friendly bacteria.

We just fixed our golden retriever's 8 weeks of digestive issues set off by a change in his food with a probiotic supplement made for pets. Nothing else was working -- not the chicken/rice diet, not the canned pumpkin, not the Immodium, not the expensive pills from another vet. Twelve hours after we gave him the probiotic with his food, he completely turned around. I'm not exaggerating -- it was amazing!

Sorry for the long post. Given Bear's challenges over the last several weeks, if I were you, even if he doesn't seem to have any digestive issues right now, I'd still give him some yogurt every day with his food. Can't hurt.

[withay]

Probiotics (friendly bacteria) aren't a favorite subject of traditional veterinarians or physicians, so I wouldn't expect your vet to mention it. I have noticed more physicians recently suggesting their patients eat yogurt when they start them on a course of antibiotics, so that's encouraging.

Thing is, all kinds of stuff can throw the intestinal bacterial balance out of whack, in particular antibiotics and medical treatments (this applies to both humans and our pets). Antibiotics don't just kill the bad bugs -- they kill the good ones as well.

Approximately 85% of our immune system (and the immune systems of animals) is in our digestive tract, so it's really important to keep things healthy in there with a good supply of friendly bacteria.

We just fixed our golden retriever's 8 weeks of digestive issues set off by a change in his food with a probiotic supplement made for pets. Nothing else was working -- not the chicken/rice diet, not the canned pumpkin, not the Immodium, not the expensive pills from another vet. Twelve hours after we gave him the probiotic with his food, he completely turned around. I'm not exaggerating -- it was amazing!

Sorry for the long post. Given Bear's challenges over the last several weeks, if I were you, even if he doesn't seem to have any digestive issues right now, I'd still give him some yogurt every day with his food. Can't hurt.

Imperfect, I am glad to hear that your Golden is now feeling better also. I had wondered how he was doing.
And the other thing about yogurt is that they usually love it! Mine do! It's great not having to syringe something they don't want in their mouths....

[angellaw]

Was just checkin in on Bear..so glad to see he is coming along nicely..always a good idea to have hime "protected" from Above too..IMO.


{{{{HUGGERS}}}} for Bear & Mandymax too :rose:

[Imperfect4]

Imperfect, I am glad to hear that your Golden is now feeling better also. I had wondered how he was doing.
And the other thing about yogurt is that they usually love it! Mine do! It's great not having to syringe something they don't want in their mouths....

Thanks, withay! :smile:

It is such a relief to have him back to normal. We were tearing our hair out. Next challenge will be when we stop the probiotics (we got a 30 day supply from the vet). Hopefully the problem won't return.

[withay]

Thanks, withay! :smile:

It is such a relief to have him back to normal. We were tearing our hair out. Next challenge will be when we stop the probiotics (we got a 30 day supply from the vet). Hopefully the problem won't return.

It shouldn't...surely 30 days will be long enough for the good bacteria to re-establish in his digestive system.

[Mandymax]

Bear went back today for his fourth dose of the vaccine as well as chest x-rays. The good news is that the radiation worked and the tumor is essentially gone. His bloodwork is great, and he's happy, energetic, and enthusiastic - he's even gained yet another pound.

The bad news is that they found two nodules on his lungs that weren't there two months ago. This is not good.

Chemo isn't much of an option for his kind of cancer - it has only a 27% success rate, and the oncologist didn't have high hopes if we were to go this route (by no means was she making that decision for me - she was just laying it all out on the table).

Instead, what I decided to do was put him in a clinical trial for palladia, which is basically at-home "chemo" for dogs. Based on the results thus far, it has a much better chance of, if not killing, then controlling the nodules and at least giving him some semblance of quality of life.

We'll do another set of x-rays in six weeks. The nodules will have either shrunk, stayed the same, or grown by that point. If they've grown, then the palladia obviously isn't working, and we'll try the chemo then.

It hurts - I wasn't expecting this, especially given how great his tongue looks now and how he's been acting like a puppy the last few weeks. I figured there was no chance it had spread to his lungs if he was in such great physical health, as even the oncologist says he is. It's more of a blow this way than if he'd been dragging around lately and not acting like himself.

On the other hand, I see it almost as a blessing in disguise - at least this way, if the palladia doesn't work, I'll feel like they might learn from it so another dog down the line can be saved. It makes this whole thing less senseless and random.

Please, please, please pray for Bear.

[True2Blues]

I'll be praying for Bear! I hope this new at home chemo is the answer for him.

[withay]

Oh Mandymax... sorry to hear about this about Bear. I was so hoping the chemo would take care of his problem. I will remember Bear and you in my thoughts and prayers.

[Imperfect4]

Praying for Bear, Mandymax. I'm so sorry to hear the latest news.

[Mandymax]

Bear had his first follow-up after his first round of Palladia yesterday. His white cell count is good, so we're okay to continue with treatment. He had some mild tummy trouble at the beginning, but they put him on three additional GI meds along with the three he was already on - and will be on throughout the duration of the treatment - and that took care of the problem. He continues to be happy and otherwise healthy. Only four weeks till the next chest x-rays!

His oncologist told me that if the Palladia works in either keeping the tumors stable or shrinking them, Bear will need to be on Palladia for the rest of his life.

As of right now, because this is a clinical trial, I get the drugs at no cost. However, come January, I'll need to pay. I don't know how much the cost will be, but my gut tells me it won't be cheap.

I don't know what to do. I don't want to have brought him this far, only to let him die, but my credit card will soon be maxed out. The hospital doesn't have payment plan options. I live paycheck to paycheck, and I have barely $100 in savings. My family is graciously helping with costs right now, but they can't do that forever.

I'm applying for financial assistance through two canine cancer foundations, but those amounts are limited.

Please help me. Any and all ideas are appreciated. My first thought was to try and find him a sponsor, but I don't even know if those exist, let alone how to go about finding one.

[Noah]

Can't the Oncologist tell you how much it'll cost? :confused:

[Mandymax]

I'm going to ask her the next time we go in (in two weeks). There's also the possibility that this is a moot question because the Palladia will turn out to have NOT worked. But I'm trying to make preparations now. So far, from all I've read and learned from other vets who have tried this treatment, it has very good and encouraging results, so hopefully Bear will be another successful patient.

[True2Blues]

I hope and pray this is the answer to Bear's problem.

[Lqqkout]

Oh, and he has a new religious artifact on his collar - my great-aunt had had a charm for her charm bracelet of Pope John Paul II. She passed away years ago, and my mother found the charm in a drawer of old jewelry. Bear is now protected by St. Roch, St. Francis of Assissi, the Blessed Mother, and the Pope. And I'll tell you what - the day we started hanging these things on him was the day he started acting like a puppy and everything REALLY started moving along. I'm a believer.

Please continue to keep Bear in your thoughts - we still have a ways to go!

Never underestimate the power of prayer. I am a living testament to it's power.

[AMS]

I'm going to ask her the next time we go in (in two weeks). There's also the possibility that this is a moot question because the Palladia will turn out to have NOT worked. But I'm trying to make preparations now. So far, from all I've read and learned from other vets who have tried this treatment, it has very good and encouraging results, so hopefully Bear will be another successful patient.

Sending good thoughts and prayers to you and Bear!

[Postergeist]

Can't the Oncologist tell you how much it'll cost? :confused:

from what I could find on the 'net Noah, it doesn't appear that any vets will know just yet

http://www.kbvetcenter.com/advanced_treatment.asp

This no cost for Palladia program from Pfizer is likely to end in
Dec ’09 or Jan ’10. Pfizer has not given any guidance on what the
ongoing price will eventually become.

http://dog-care.suite101.com/article.cfm/fda_approves_new_drug_for_cancer_in_dogs

The cost of Palladia has not been disclosed yet, and only a select few veterinary oncologist specialists will have this drug before 2010. Plans are for Palladia to be available to all clinics in early 2010.



~my positive thoughts go out to Bear

[Mandymax]

Next Tuesday, November 10, is Doggie D-Day: we'll do the chest x-rays to see if the Palladia is working.

Bear is doing so well these days that I actually almost wish we could just not do them. If the cancer is spreading, I don't want to know. But I know we have to, if only to figure out how to *keep* him doing so well.

It's been three months since he was first diagnosed, and he has never once looked or acted like a sick dog. It's hard to believe he even has cancer in the first place.

Please keep all your fingers crossed for him.

[withay]

Fingers crossed, Mandymax, fingers crossed.

And prayers sent also.

[Spyder88]

Next Tuesday, November 10, is Doggie D-Day: we'll do the chest x-rays to see if the Palladia is working.

Bear is doing so well these days that I actually almost wish we could just not do them. If the cancer is spreading, I don't want to know. But I know we have to, if only to figure out how to *keep* him doing so well.

It's been three months since he was first diagnosed, and he has never once looked or acted like a sick dog. It's hard to believe he even has cancer in the first place.

Please keep all your fingers crossed for him.

Fingers, eyes, and toes crossed for your Bear and you. Some prayer for good measure, too. :rose:

[Noah]

Fingers, eyes, and toes crossed for your Bear and you. Some prayer for good measure, too. :rose:

Same here! :wub:

[SayItAgain]

Same here! :wub:

Tagging on. :wub:

[True2Blues]

Hoping and praying the news is all good for you and Bear. :wub:

[Mandymax]

We had our oncologist appointment yesterday. The palladia isn't working - Bear's lung tumors are growing. Chemo isn't an option. The oncologist gave him maybe three months.

Right now, he's still perfectly Bear. The tumors aren't big enough to be obstructions to his breathing just yet, and the tongue tumor has remained flat and small. He hasn't lost any weight, and he's not in pain.

Truly, the palladia was wiping him out to the point where I'm not sure I would have opted to continue him on it even if it was working. All he wanted to do was sleep. He didn't want to eat much. The cure was almost worse than the disease. What would be the point of keeping him alive longer if he couldn't enjoy that life?

He hasn't had any meds at all in more than 24 hours, and you can see the old Bear coming back - happy, energetic, playful. This is how I want him to enjoy his last few months.

HUGE, HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU who kept Bear in your thoughts and prayers. This is a sad ending, but in many ways, it's a relief. Now we know. No more wondering and worrying. Now Bear can be spoiled rotten and thoroughly enjoyed by all. :-) He had Chinese food for dinner last night. Tonight he might have pizza.

I appreciate all of your support more than you know. Thank you.

[coffee1950j]

So sorry for the bad news. However, I do agree with you that Bear should enjoy the rest of his life to the fullest. Give him all the love you have (as if I had to say that) and know that he has had a great life with you.

Hugs to Bear. Enjoy yourself dear boy.

:crying:

[incidentally]

I'm sorry, Mandymax.
tally

[True2Blues]

I'm sorry Mandymax. :crying:

[Noah]

I'm so sorry. :crying:

[withay]

I am sorry to hear this Mandymax. But I agree with you about now knowing what time you have left. The good thing is that he will never have to know why he is suddenly getting treats and extra love! Overload Bear with Love and treats.