Guest Furmom Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I love my dogs.... but always said I would not keep them alive for myself. I would let them go peacefully to the rainbow bridge. 2010 has been a tough year for us..... elder issues.... slipped discs... and the list goes on. Our non grey Joiya was diagnosed with cancer last night and I spent the whole day in doggy cancer ward. She has a 80:/: chance of beating so we are going to have surgery tommorow.... what I ask myself is am I letting her live for me or for her..... she will be a month recovery, no play, no ball and just sitting quiet.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FastDogsOwnMe Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 How old is she? Breed? Location of cancer? Only you know your girl. If she still wants to do all those things, she must be a spirited girl who wants to live. hugs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest GreysAndMoreGreys Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 80% chance is pretty dang good. If given that option with one of my hounds I would have to take that chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
queenwinniesmom Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 How old is she? If you're comfortable doing the surgery, those are pretty good odds. Sending lots of good thoughts out to Joiya and you. Please let us know how she's doing. Quote Nancy, Mom to Evangelina and Kiva Missing Lacey, Patsy, Buster, my heart dog Nick, Winnie, Pollyanna, Tess, my precious Lydia, Calvin Lee, my angel butterfly Laila, and kitties Lily, Sam and Simon My Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Catsburgandhoundtown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Valencia Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 My boxer had a mast cell tumor on his tail; we amputated his tail. The healing was rocky, and we ended up getting a second surgery, but he healed and was 100% after that. I will be thinking of you and Joiya tomorrow. Quote Shannon, mom to Shae, Jesse James and Linus the Chinese Cresteds,and bridge angels Sydney Sue and Stewart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Furmom Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 How old is she? Breed? Location of cancer? Only you know your girl. If she still wants to do all those things, she must be a spirited girl who wants to live. hugs... She is only 8..... lab/collie.... we got her off of the side of the road and took her to a vet immediatly... she was about 6-8 weeks old. she is still so playful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamborine Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 8 is still young, the odds are good, and she's still playful. I would go for it, if she were my dog. Quote Maryann, Bama (TW Beltram), Stephanie (Tom's Stepinhi) & Henderson the Cardigan Welsh Corgi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Furmom Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 How old is she? Breed? Location of cancer? Only you know your girl. If she still wants to do all those things, she must be a spirited girl who wants to live. hugs... location of cancer is hind,.. our vet said he would operate but best chances were the first cut, done by a specialist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FastDogsOwnMe Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 Is she losing a limb? That mix and her age and zest for life, she will do great if I had to guess. Dogs do pretty good missing a rear leg, as they have the majority of their weight on their front end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Greytluv Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 My springer had a mast cell. We removed it, got clean margins and she died of old age. My Geena girl. She was 16 when she earned her wings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Furmom Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 Is she losing a limb? That mix and her age and zest for life, she will do great if I had to guess. Dogs do pretty good missing a rear leg, as they have the majority of their weight on their front end. thank you so much for the positive.... I needed that First in is the best from what we have been told from the surgeon... no amputation just a hole the size of a softball... which made me immediatly call my regular vet, and reget my decision.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Adrianne Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 I think it's human nature to second guess our decisions, especially in matters such as this. I think sometimes about the choices I made for my Wilbur, and, if I could, there is one point in particular to which I would return and choose differently. Sadly, I couldn't see into the future before making my decisions, and I can't return to the past now that they're made. So I take comfort, as you should, in knowing that I made my decisions out of love for this dog. I considered his health, his personality, the odds of recovery, and all information I had at the time. I tried to be unselfish, and I did let him go when it was time--even though every fiber in my being wanted to hold on to him and keep him with me. I personally think you've made a good decision, and I wish a smooth and speedy recovery for Joiya. It doesn't sound like you're doing this for selfish reasons, and she has a lot working in her favor. Don't live in "what if" because it can drive you crazy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 Those are very good odds with cancer. At only 8 years old, there are many good years left in a pup so I don't think you are necessarily doing this for yourself. Remember all living beings wish to live, otherwise they would not survive period. I hope everything goes well with the surgery. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 (edited) 80% chance is pretty dang good. If given that option with one of my hounds I would have to take that chance eta: I think there's a huge difference between squeezing every single possible second of life out of a dog, regardless of the quality of that life simply because the human can't deal with letting go versus the treatment of a medical condition with a good prognosis. Esp at the young age of 8. Edited May 21, 2010 by KennelMom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SusanP Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 Like you, I'm conservative about what I'd put my dogs through in the name of a few extra months. But from what you say, this is not an unreasonable surgery to do, odds are good, and your dog is young. personally, I'd go for it. Zippy has had malignant tumors removed twice in the last 4 years or so, and she's still going strong at 12. Were they able to determine that it has not spread anywhere? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sweetdogs Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 There is a drug that can be used for mast cell tumors in dogs. Is your vet aware of it?: Palladia from Pfizer Best wishes for your Joiya. Quote Deirdre with Conor (Daring Pocobueno), Keeva (Kiowa Mimi Mona), & kittehs Gemma & robthomas. Our beloved angels Faolin & Liath, & kittehs Mona & Caesar. Remembering Bobby, Doc McCoy, & Chip McGrath. "He feeds you, pets you, adores you, collects your poop in a bag. There's only one explanation: you are a hairy little god." Nick Galifinakis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kydie Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 Luck to your pup, My GSP had mast cells removed last December, that's it just removed, nothing else, He is 7 years old, vet gave me the options, I voted surgery, nothing else, Vet said if they did not come back to the same spots or show up anywhere else He got it all June 28th will be 6 months, all is well, so far so good, I feel the same way as you, as long as they can eat, pee, poop, walk, and have pain control, that is all that I can ask as they age, i will continue to care for them,as long as they can have their dignity, and pain control, keep us posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sabrina Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 80% sounds like good odds for her. no i dont think you are doing this for yourself Quote Caroline, Mom to Daphne (49B-50215) and Penny (41D-55779)Remembering Bridge Angels Margo and Sabrina Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tinams8 Posted May 21, 2010 Share Posted May 21, 2010 My dog has a mast cell tumor towards the back of her thigh when she was 20 months old. They took out a softball sized chunk also and although they warned me, I did not understand how the recovery was going to be. So I understand why you are hesitant. That said, they got clean margins and she is now almost 10. She has lumps now that might be mast cell but they are on her rib cage and I do not want to put her through surgery that would cut into her rib cage. They have not changed much over the past year and I am hoping they will do nothing for a couple more years. It's a hard decision. Ii would look into Palladia for sure. I hope your girl is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Furmom Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 Joiya got bumped for surgery today, we brought her in and I got a call around noon to come back and get her - they had too many emergencies so she is rescheduled for Tuesday. My Vet never said anything about palladia - I will discuss with them. We are just so emotionally drained that I slept most of the afternoon today. But my pup is home with me, we will have a great weekend and then I leave monday for work (something I can't get out of) My inlaws are going to come up and take her in and care for her while I am gone. Thanks all for sharing your experiences It is great to see that so many others have fought it and won! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TeddysMom Posted May 22, 2010 Share Posted May 22, 2010 Boxers are famous for having Mast Cell tumors and all the surgeries we had done were successful unless whomever had them before rescue waited too long and they had spread too far to get clean margins. I would have no problem getting the surgery done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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