Houndmom Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I got confirmation today that the growth on Merlin's leg is malignant. I noticed the lump about a week ago and it seemed to appear almost overnight. Other than the neuro issue he has surface from time to time Merlin has been a happy 13 year old with no signs of any other issues. The cancer is a particularly agressive kind that growns in the blood vessels of the legs, and is primarily found in larger breed dogs. Off the top of my head I can't remember the name the vet told me for the type of cancer but honestly, I don't much care about the name at the moment. Treatment is generally aggressive surgery to remove the affected area but even with surgery the prognosis is not very good for most dogs. If Merlin was young I would consider it of course but since he is 13 I would never subject him to surgery and other treatments. Since there is little that can be done, basically all there is left is to maintain his quality of life. This cancer grows quickly and I will be watching him carefully. If the growth abcesses or he injures it in any way treatment can be very difficult, especially where it is located on his leg. So, although I am not surprised at the diagnosis of cancer my heart is broken knowing that I will be saying farewell to my crazy and darling Merlin long before I was prepared to. Luckily the neuro issue has reduced feeling in the leg with the growth so at the moment he is not showing signs of being in any pain. Merlin has been with me since he was 5 and a half and has been a great companion. He is quite goofy and I swear has multiple personalities, but he never does anything wrong and is so loveable. I lost Butch last July and then my Hayley in January and although I know that having several senior hounds puts you in a position to face losses close to one another, it is never easy. I generally don't post stuff like this but I guess I am feeling very sad at the moment and just needed to put this diagnosis in words. Please keep Merlin in your thoughts. Our vet is absolutely wonderful and will be taking great care of Merlin as needed. thanks Marina....and Merlin Quote Willow & Trace Butch (11/94 - 7/16/08) Hayley (11/96 - 1/13/09) Merlin (11/12/95 - 5/29/09) GPA - Central New Hampshire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lilythetigerdog Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Oh no. Hugs for you and scritches for Merlin Quote Image removed. Not within the GreyTalk signature guidelines of <15 KB file size limit. Your image was 17.51 KB (17,929 bytes) file size. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest isntitgreyt Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Sending many prayers for Merlin and you. Enjoy the time you have together and love him til the end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest vahoundlover Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I am so sorry Merlin will be in my prayers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 We will have you both tucked very tightly in our prayers. I'm so sorry Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest NHgreys Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobinM Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I am so sorry. I do understand and I know how devastating it is. Quote ROBIN ~ Mom to: Beau Think It Aint, Chloe JC Allthewayhome, Teddy ICU Drunk Sailor, Elsie N Fracine , Ollie RG's Travertine, Ponch A's Jupiter~ Yoshi, Zoobie & Belle, the kitties. Waiting at the bridge Angel Polli Bohemian Ocean , Rocky, Blue,Sasha & Zoobie & Bobbi Greyhound Angels Adoption (GAA) The Lexus Project Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandysMom Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I'm so sorry. Sending prayers for Merlin. Quote Beverly. Missing my happy toy-flinging boy Sammy (Where's Mandrill), (8/12/2009-9/30-2021) Desperately missing my angel Mandy (BB's Luv) [7/1/2000 - 9/18/2012]. Always missing Meg the Dalmatian and Ralph Malph the Pekeapoo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Spencers_Greyt Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I'm so sorry! Hugs to you and Merlin! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BoogieDown Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I'm so sorry. We are sending hugs out to you and Merlin. Just take each day as it comes, and give that pup lots of love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Elaine Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I got confirmation today that the growth on Merlin's leg is malignant. I noticed the lump about a week ago and it seemed to appear almost overnight. Other than the neuro issue he has surface from time to time Merlin has been a happy 13 year old with no signs of any other issues. The cancer is a particularly agressive kind that growns in the blood vessels of the legs, and is primarily found in larger breed dogs. Off the top of my head I can't remember the name the vet told me for the type of cancer but honestly, I don't much care about the name at the moment. \ Is it hemangiopericytoma? If so, as far as cancers go, it is one of the better ones to have. It is very slow to metastasize, according to my vet. I had a hound with it and he lived nearly another 7 years post diagnosis. Everytime a tumor would pop up, we'd have it removed. Elaine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeh2o Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I'm so sorry for your news. Quote Sunsands Doodles: Doodles aka Claire, Bella Run Softly: Softy aka Bowie (the Diamond Dog) Missing my beautiful boy Sunsands Carl 2.25.2003 - 4.1.2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vinnie Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 We are so sorry to hear about the diagnosis for Merlin. Wishing you many days of cuddles, nosey kisses and scritches with your sweet boy. Sending many prayers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbullwinkel Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I am so sorry..keeping you in my prayers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CDNgreys Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I'm so sorry. I know you'll do all you can to make Merlin's remaining time special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FosterFlunker Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I am so sorry. Please give him gentle hugs from our house of nearly all senior hounds. It is so hard to lose them. Quote Make a fast friend adopt a greyhound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HeatherDemps Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I'm so sorry.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest houndlover Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I am so terribly sorry. I can't even imagine what you must be going through right now. Cherish every moment that you have with your sweet boy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NancyB Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Marina, I'm so sorry to hear about Merlin. Sending hugs and prayers. Quote Nancy with Rocket, Umeko and Sasha Missing Albi, Kassie, Ramm, Ruby, my good boy Marvin and Mickey (BT) NANCY B'S COLLARS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytkidsmom Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Thinking of your sweet Merlin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rycezmom Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 How very sad that Merlin has been diagnosed with cancer. I'm sure that OSU would give you the second opinion you may want. How wonderful that he has been blessed to have you as his family to love and care for him all these years. What might his life have been without you? We are given them for such a short time. But in that time they give us so much. Thank you for loving and caring for Merlin and for putting his quality of life and wellbeing first. Hugs for you and hugs for the wonderous hound that is Merlin. L. Quote The more I see of man, the more I like dogs. ~Mme. de Staël Missing my Bridge Angels Ryce, Bo, Jim, Miss Millie, Miss Rose, Gustopher P Jones (Pimpmaster G), Miss Isabella and Miss Star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grey14me Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 Quote Michelle...forever missing her girls, Holly 5/22/99-9/13/10 and Bailey 8/1/93-7/11/05 Religion is the smile on a dog...Edie Brickell Wag more, bark less :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greymama002 Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 to you and Merlin ; that you have much quality time left together with your sweetie! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KF_in_Georgia Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 I'm so sorry to hear this. We'll all be thinking of you--and Merlin. Quote Kathy and Q (CRT Qadeer from Fuzzy's Cannon and CRT Bonnie) and Jane (WW's Aunt Jane from Trent Lee and Aunt M); photos to come. Missing Silver (5.19.2005-10.27.2016), Tigger (4.5.2007-3.18.2016), darling Sam (5.10.2000-8.8.2013), Jacey-Kasey (5.19.2003-8.22.2011), and Oreo (1997-3.30.2006) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndmom Posted March 29, 2009 Author Share Posted March 29, 2009 Thank you all very much for your kind thoughts. I appreciate it and it helps!!! Is it hemangiopericytoma No, this was not what he called it and I will get the written diagnosis this week....wish I could remember it exactly. My vet is awesome, we have a great line of communication and is a great research vet. He is like 99% certain of what it is and I trust him completely. There is really no need for an OSU diagnosis Quote Willow & Trace Butch (11/94 - 7/16/08) Hayley (11/96 - 1/13/09) Merlin (11/12/95 - 5/29/09) GPA - Central New Hampshire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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