Sharon7
Moderator
Faith turned 11 in October. And was diagnosed end of November. Yes Prednisone is a miracle. It makes me smile to see her so happy and I'm sure you are the same with Katy.
Any experience with lung cancer?
- Thread starter Jason_C
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Piper's mom
Moderator
I had a similar situation with my last dog Riley. He started having difficulty climbing stairs and issues with his hind end…he was also having issues with his liver (his enzymes were high) so we opted to do an ultrasound and the vet did a lot of X-rays on his back and hind end. They found ‘something’ near his pelvic bone that was either an old injury that healed and turned into arthritis or it was cancer.
Treatment wise there wasn’t much we could do if it was cancer so I just prayed it was arthritis. Because of his liver we were limited in what medication he could have and for several months he did seem to be getting better (this all started in September of one year) until the following Spring when he started to decline again. We ended up doing another X-ray and saw the worsening and at this point we knew it wasn’t arthritis.
I must say Riley lived for a full year after his symptoms first appeared (he had just turned 13) and he had a good last year. Hard for us humans of course but he didn’t know anything was wrong. He barked at me every day when I went to work up to and including the last day (he passed away at home suddenly.
We didn’t do a CT or MRI…I did spend a fair amount of money while we were trying to figure out what it was (that took 4 months) and have an amazing vet that was trying everything possible but even if we’d found out a couple of months sooner it wouldn’t have changed the outcome.
I feel for you Jason…I hope and pray it’s just an infection. Given her age your option to treat the infection and do the follow up could be a possibility as well. If it was lung cancer what would the options be then? Hug her and pat her and love her…she has no clue she’s sick with anything.
Treatment wise there wasn’t much we could do if it was cancer so I just prayed it was arthritis. Because of his liver we were limited in what medication he could have and for several months he did seem to be getting better (this all started in September of one year) until the following Spring when he started to decline again. We ended up doing another X-ray and saw the worsening and at this point we knew it wasn’t arthritis.
I must say Riley lived for a full year after his symptoms first appeared (he had just turned 13) and he had a good last year. Hard for us humans of course but he didn’t know anything was wrong. He barked at me every day when I went to work up to and including the last day (he passed away at home suddenly.
We didn’t do a CT or MRI…I did spend a fair amount of money while we were trying to figure out what it was (that took 4 months) and have an amazing vet that was trying everything possible but even if we’d found out a couple of months sooner it wouldn’t have changed the outcome.
I feel for you Jason…I hope and pray it’s just an infection. Given her age your option to treat the infection and do the follow up could be a possibility as well. If it was lung cancer what would the options be then? Hug her and pat her and love her…she has no clue she’s sick with anything.
I talked to the oncologist today, they can't see her until April :-/ So I guess I'll be going to her regular vet for an X-ray next week to see if things have improved.
The theory is that she probably has cancer elsewhere that has spread to her lungs. Which I guess is equivalent to Stage 3 for a human?
Her symptoms are infinitely lesser, though! Only a few coughs today, and she's been running and playing like the olden days
I'm not taking it for granted this time, I'm treating every play session and every kiss like it might be our last. After her stroke, I was so sad to think that if I'd known we wouldn't get to play again, or kiss again, then I would have appreciated the last time so much more! Well, I'm not making that mistake again.
The theory is that she probably has cancer elsewhere that has spread to her lungs. Which I guess is equivalent to Stage 3 for a human?
Her symptoms are infinitely lesser, though! Only a few coughs today, and she's been running and playing like the olden days
I'm not taking it for granted this time, I'm treating every play session and every kiss like it might be our last. After her stroke, I was so sad to think that if I'd known we wouldn't get to play again, or kiss again, then I would have appreciated the last time so much more! Well, I'm not making that mistake again.I know how hard that is, but it's the dream, really. My Bane (the beagle) suffered for a week before a vet could see him (that was in the middle of COVID), and I wouldn't wish that on my enemy! The best case scenario would be for her to go quickly and painlessly... better yet, go to sleep, have a beautiful dream, and just not wake up.
Sharon7
Moderator
That's what we all wish for our pups, Jason. Enjoy all the special moments right now, it's a good way to live life. Katy only knows that she's feeling better.
This leads me to the very hard questions about... "the end".
What should I be expecting and prepared for?
Charlie (my kitty) is my only experience with a pet with cancer. He was undiagnosed until the very end. He had always had breathing problems that the vets shrugged off, so it never even crossed our minds that anything was seriously wrong until he completely collapsed for several minutes! We took him to the vet, who then did a scan and found he was completely riddled with cancer. We had to let him go (euthanized) literally minutes later, so he lived for about an hour after his collapse.
Is that more or less "normal" when it comes to cancer? Seemingly good one minute, then a sudden collapse and gone in about an hour?
Assuming so, my regular vet said that we can call and they'll take care of us, but they don't do emergency services so I think there's an implication of, "if it happens between 8 and 5..." So if she collapses in the middle of the night, do I rush her to the emergency vet that's 1 1/2 hours away? Or is she likely to pass in the car on the way down?
If there's just not enough time, how will "passing naturally" work? Are we talking hours of pain and suffering (like when my Chihuahua passed with congestive heart failure), or out like a light?
What should I be expecting and prepared for?
Charlie (my kitty) is my only experience with a pet with cancer. He was undiagnosed until the very end. He had always had breathing problems that the vets shrugged off, so it never even crossed our minds that anything was seriously wrong until he completely collapsed for several minutes! We took him to the vet, who then did a scan and found he was completely riddled with cancer. We had to let him go (euthanized) literally minutes later, so he lived for about an hour after his collapse.
Is that more or less "normal" when it comes to cancer? Seemingly good one minute, then a sudden collapse and gone in about an hour?
Assuming so, my regular vet said that we can call and they'll take care of us, but they don't do emergency services so I think there's an implication of, "if it happens between 8 and 5..." So if she collapses in the middle of the night, do I rush her to the emergency vet that's 1 1/2 hours away? Or is she likely to pass in the car on the way down?
If there's just not enough time, how will "passing naturally" work? Are we talking hours of pain and suffering (like when my Chihuahua passed with congestive heart failure), or out like a light?
Ann
Moderator
I've lost my dogs to cancer and other illnesses, all at or over 13 years of age except for Ivy, who had bladder cancer and we lost at 11, and Pixie with a brain tumor at the same age. I've always looked at quality of life as a guide, starting with when, or if, they stop eating or show a reluctance to eat, engage with you, or show any enjoyment of daily life.
As hard as it is, I believe that "Better a day too soon than a day too late" is imperative for them, although not for us. My first Sheltie passed in crisis, and I don't ever want to see a dog go through that again, as you've learned from your Chi. I'd rather they leave peacefully in my arms than in pain. That's a choice we make though...you have to decide what's best for Katie when the time comes. You know your dog best; trust your instincts and your love for her. It's a horrible decision, and never an easy one, but I believe a peaceful end is the last gift we can give them.
As hard as it is, I believe that "Better a day too soon than a day too late" is imperative for them, although not for us. My first Sheltie passed in crisis, and I don't ever want to see a dog go through that again, as you've learned from your Chi. I'd rather they leave peacefully in my arms than in pain. That's a choice we make though...you have to decide what's best for Katie when the time comes. You know your dog best; trust your instincts and your love for her. It's a horrible decision, and never an easy one, but I believe a peaceful end is the last gift we can give them.
Cindy
Premium Member
My boy Gavin was on hospice (that's what I call it now) for a year.
Looking back, he had some internal bleeding (from cancer most likely) and I nursed him though some episodes.
That last year, we went to the beach every weekend. In his wheelchair or cart. I walked him 3x a week in his stroller so he could get outside.
we took things a bit slower than before, but he was happy. He just slept more and moved slower.
I took him to my Mom's when I helped her through Chemo and he got to enjoy pottering around her big backyard for a few months.
I kissed his little snout everytime I had the chance (he couldn't hear so that was our thing).
The episodes were getting closer together, the last 2 were getting worse and were only a month apart.
His last bleeding episode when he was 17 was severe (think vomiting all over which was new) and he was PTS.
That last year was beautiful and I will always cherish our extra time.
I pretty much took over the forums with my Gavin mega threads; I had no idea how much time we had.
(Gavin was in a wheelchair/cart/stroller for the last 4 years, early on he was pretty active but the last year less so)
Looking back, he had some internal bleeding (from cancer most likely) and I nursed him though some episodes.
That last year, we went to the beach every weekend. In his wheelchair or cart. I walked him 3x a week in his stroller so he could get outside.
we took things a bit slower than before, but he was happy. He just slept more and moved slower.
I took him to my Mom's when I helped her through Chemo and he got to enjoy pottering around her big backyard for a few months.
I kissed his little snout everytime I had the chance (he couldn't hear so that was our thing).
The episodes were getting closer together, the last 2 were getting worse and were only a month apart.
His last bleeding episode when he was 17 was severe (think vomiting all over which was new) and he was PTS.
That last year was beautiful and I will always cherish our extra time.
I pretty much took over the forums with my Gavin mega threads; I had no idea how much time we had.
(Gavin was in a wheelchair/cart/stroller for the last 4 years, early on he was pretty active but the last year less so)
Sharon7
Moderator
Jason, it's impossible to answer this without knowing if it's a metastasized cancer or what is really going on. It may be the mass grows so large she won't be able to breathe. Cancer can be very painful if it's reached the bones especially. The one thing I can tell you is it seldom is the scenario you've prepared for. At least in my experience. Are there any mobile vets in your area? Would your vet give you something to give her (a sedative) to tide you over till you reach the emergency vet if it is off hours?
Every medical case is different - I know from being a hospital RN. Good to prepare mentally and practically but you just never know how it's going to go. I'm very sorry. I am pondering the same things with Faith.
Every medical case is different - I know from being a hospital RN. Good to prepare mentally and practically but you just never know how it's going to go. I'm very sorry. I am pondering the same things with Faith.
Sharon7
Moderator
I have not but several folks on here have used it and thought it did work. Hopefully they will weigh in.