Magdalyn58 Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 Ten days ago, Mittens had a growth removed from her upper jaw/gum line. We met with the vet today and the biopsy came back as malignant melanoma, which is very, very bad. It's an aggressive cancer and metastasizes quickly. She will be thirteen in October. To look at her, you would never know she has something horrible growing inside of her. She is happy and eating, playful and as bossy as ever. Our new vet is a holistic vet. He gave us special supplements and told us what types of food would help her immune system fight this cancer. It seems that further surgery is not possible because they would have to take most of her jaw. We don't want to torture her or make the rest of her life misery. So we will do whatever we can to make her as happy and as healthy as long as possible. He said that he will laser off any more tumor that may grow back, but these things tend to spread microscopically, so you can rarely get it all out. I am so sick of hearing the word "cancer", I could scream. We would appreciate any prayers you can spare. I really can't imagine not having Mittens. She is really my best friend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 Lots of prayers for your lovely girl. I hope you and she will yet make many smiles together. Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest TeddysMom Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I am so sorry to hear the word cancer again. Mittens is so adorable and I know that she had a good life with you. Just enjoy every minute you have with your girl. I hate this horrible disease that robs us of our companions way to quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Houndtime Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I do hate cancer. It is the thief who robs us, everyday, of those we love. I am so sad and sorry to read this diagnosis. I hope you have many more pleasant days with Mittens. Quote Irene Ullmann w/Flying Odin and Mama Mia in Lower Delaware Angels Brandy, John E, American Idol, Paul, Fuzzy and Shine Handcrafted Greyhound and Custom Clocks http://www.houndtime.com Zoom Doggies-Racing Coats for Racing Greyhounds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seeh2o Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I'm so sorry to hear this. It sounds like you have a very kind vet who will help guide you through this. 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...
tbhounds Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 You should research the vaccine therapy for this cancer. Most referral clinics and universities will be able to treat. However, cost may be a factor--can't quote a figure but, I'm not sure if the vaccine protocol is inexpensive. Sorry about the diagnosis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest zoolaine Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I am so sorry to hear about Mittens. I pray you have many many good times left together. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 (edited) I am sorry. This disease truly sucks and takes far too many of our pups. We will be thinking of you and Mittens. Edited July 31, 2010 by Charlies_Dad 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...
MerlinsMum Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 Oh no I'm so very, very sorry to hear this I hope you still have a lot of time together in which to laugh, love and share your beautiful friendship. :grouphug Quote Kerry with Lupin in beautiful coastal Maine. Missing Pippin, my best friend and sweet little heart-healer 2013-2023 Also missing the best wizard in the world, Merlin, and my sweet 80lb limpet, Sagan, every single day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyPoopon Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I'm sorry. I hope Mittens remains comfortable for a good while yet. Quote Standard Poodle Daisy (12/13) Missing Cora (RL Nevada 5/99-10/09), Piper (Cee Bar Easy 2/99-1/10), Tally (Thunder La La 9/99-3/10), Edie (Daring Reva 9/99-10/12), Dixie (Kiowa Secret Sue 11/01-1/13), Jessie (P's Real Time 11/98-3/13), token boy Graham (Zydeco Dancer 9/00-5/13), Cal (Back Already 12/99-11/13), Betsy (Back Kick Beth 11/98-12/13), Standard Poodles Minnie (1/99-1/14) + Perry (9/98-2/14), Annie (Do Marcia 9/03-10/14), Pink (Miss Pinky Baker 1/02-6/15), Poppy (Cmon Err Not 8/05-1/16), Kat (Jax Candy 5/05-5/17), Ivy (Jax Isis 10/07-7/21), Hildy (Braska Hildy 7/10-12/22), Opal (Jax Opal 7/08-4/23). Toodles (BL Toodles 7/09-4/24) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I'm so very sorry. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4greyhounds Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I am so very Sorry... My thoughts and prayers are with you... :hope Quote Darlene Mom to: Aladdin, Sophie ,Pongo, Jasmine, Relic Forever in our Hearts Champ at the Rainbow Bridge. Let a greyhound race into your heart Adopt Bay Area Greyhound Adoptions INC. Naples/ Fort Myers Chapter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MandysMom Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I'm so sorry. I'll be keeping Mittens in my prayers. 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...
PatricksMom Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I'm so sorry--I'll keep you and Mittens in my prayers. Quote Beth, Petey (8 September 2018- ), and Faith (22 March 2019). Godspeed Patrick (28 April 1999 - 5 August 2012), Murphy (23 June 2004 - 27 July 2013), Leo (1 May 2009 - 27 January 2020), and Henry (10 August 2010 - 7 August 2020), you were loved more than you can know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest argolola Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I'm so sorry. I have you both on my prayer list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
macoduck Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I think Arlosmom's sharpei mix had this so I'll send her here. Hugs to Mittens. Quote Freshy (Droopys Fresh), NoAh the podenco orito, Howie the portuguese podengo maneto Angels: Rita the podenco maneta, Lila, the podenco, Mr X aka Denali, Lulu the podenco andaluz, Hada the podenco maneta, Georgie Girl (UMR Cordella), Charlie the iggy, Mazy (CBR Crazy Girl), Potato, my mystery ibizan girl, Allen (M's Pretty Boy), Percy (Fast But True), Mikey (Doray's Patuti), Pudge le mutt, Tessa the iggy, Possum (Apostle), Gracie (Dusty Lady), Harold (Slatex Harold), "Cousin" Simon our step-iggy, Little Dude the iggy ,Bandit (Bb Blue Jay), Niña the galgo, Wally (Allen Hogg), Thane (Pog Mo Thoine), Oliver (JJ Special Agent), Comet, & Rosie our original mutt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest arlosmom Posted July 31, 2010 Share Posted July 31, 2010 I am so sorry about your Mittens. Our Heidi (sharpei mix) had melanoma of the mouth too. It is very aggressive. We did eccentially the same thing you are contemplating with your vet. As it grew she would start to smell very foul and he would do surgery on the growth and cut out what he could of the tumor itself without cutting into the bone. Several of her teeth fell out as it progressed and you could tell when it was bothering her because she wouldn't want to eat. After the surgery, week of healing time and pain meds she would begin to eat better but we increasingly gave her softer and softer food. I bought canned and rice and anything soft she would eat. Otherwise she was the picture of health and ran around an raged at the kittys who would cross our property line and run around with the greys and have fun. She finally started drooling bloody drool. For several weeks we just wiped her mouth and continued with the soft food. One day she ran up on the deck and what came out of her mouth was pure blood. That is when I decided to let her go. My vet came to the house on her lunch hour. Gave her a sedative first and you know the rest. She was 13 and there was no reason at her age to put her through the jaw surgery and chemo. She had a wonderful life to the very last day. I am sorry that you are going through this but you will know when it is time. I could see it in her eyes. My heart goes out to you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest kydie Posted August 1, 2010 Share Posted August 1, 2010 I'm sorry about your friend,,, I vote for holistic care too, white light from western Pa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magdalyn58 Posted August 1, 2010 Author Share Posted August 1, 2010 (edited) Thank you all so much for the prayers, white light and good thoughts. To Arlosmom, thank you for letting me know what to expect. It is going to kill me to put her to sleep if she continues to be as active and happy as she is right now. Would I be able to PM you in the future if I need some advice/support? ETA: Ducky, thanks a lot for contacting Arlosmom for me. Edited August 1, 2010 by Magdalyn58 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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