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Sadly, I report that Dusty is beginning to wind down. His strength is waning and he has to go more often, as the tumor is putting pressure on some of his internal organs including the bladder. He can only hold it for a few hours, then begins a slow leak. Overnight is the most difficult, as we now often get up at around 3 am to take him out. I don't think he's drinking enough water and he doesn't get up to go to his bowl but barks to have us bring it to him. To increase his liquids, I add broth from cooked veggies to his meal -- not so much that it becomes a soup, but a little bit on the bottom of his bowl. Vet told us a couple weeks ago that he only has another 2-3 weeks left. It's a heart-breaking decision we need to make, and we want to let him go to the Bridge before he gets to the point where he knows his body is failing. I think that would put a fear into him that we don't want to subject him to. Animals know when they are at that point, and it becomes stressful for them. It may be this week that we have to say our good-byes.
I want you all to know that I will continue this journey with you as long as you have questions or need the encouragement. Those of you who have decided against surgery know -- as we did -- that there is no cure and at some point it comes to an unavoidable end. We had a happy dog for many extra months -- over 2 years, to be exact -- and we know we did everything for him that we could. I encourage you all to hang in there even when the going gets rough, and take care of your companions the best you can. They can't tell you that they appreciate it, but you'll see the love in their eyes, and that's enough day by day.
Farewell Dusty, farewell...
My tears well up with sadness - so sorry you had to go, so sorry there was no other way, but thankful for the extra time we had with you. I look at your favorite spots in the house and they are quiet and empty; no longer do I hear the thumps of a happy tail and I miss you terribly. I know you appreciate what we did for you. You showed it in so many ways.
You accepted the hand you were dealt in life with grace and courage, with a high tolerance for the pain in your joints, and a happy outlook regardless. You greeted each day with joy and expectation. You taught me a lot in 14 years, a long time, but still not long enough. As your muzzle grew gray and you began to slow down, so did we. Age-wise, we are about the same so we understood what you were dealing with daily, and we did our best to lighten that load for you. And, as you were by our side always, we were with you till the end. Of all the furry companions we’ve had, you were one of the best and, knowing your loyalty and devotion, I’m sure you’ll be waiting for us when we get to the other side. In the meantime, say hello to your canine buddy Maddy, and kitties Salina and Rosie, especially the latter, who was your Velcro cat and preceded you to the Rainbow Bridge.
We have tears for the loss, but a smile for a life well lived. With a painfully aching heart I bid you good-bye and say, “thanks for the wonderful memories, the love and the lessons you taught us."
"I think God will have prepared everything for our perfect happiness. If it takes my dog being there [in Heaven], I believe he'll be there." ... Rev. Billy Graham
I am soo sorry... No doubt Dusty's blessed soul takes with him your love & caring as he leaves behind a tired body.
My prayers are with you for your lost :'( and my blessings go with Dusty to the rainbow bridge <3
Thank you for your kind words and thoughtfulness. This has been a bittersweet journey, but one of triumph as well.
I will be with you as you each travel your own journeys, and sending prayers and good thoughts for strength and courage to do the best you can and see it through. You will be glad you did when you look back.
Hopefully, everyone will keep posting and updating me and others here, so that everyone can learn and be encouraged!
I just found this thread while looking up information about spindle cell tumors.
First of all, my deep condolences for losing Dusty... You guys had quite a journey, and I would count it as a successful one! Extra two quality years for an older dog is a wonderful achievement, even without cancer. You managed to keep him well despite his illness for so long, and that is the best gift we can give them.
My 2 1/2 year Boxer grew this lump on the side of his neck base, it grew very fast. He is extremely strong and active and healthy otherwise. My friend vet got a needle biopsy from the lump sent to the lab. They can't tell for sure what it is, but they suspect it can be sarcoma. There are spindle cells present. They want bigger biopsy to test more substantial sample, in order to be able to conclude what kind of tumor it is.
But I am hesitant starting cutting into it. I want to try holistic treatment first, to see if the tumor would shrink some. There is still possibility that it is not cancer, but it can't hurt to give all correct supplements to make his body stronger and more immune.
I started giving him 1000mg of vitamin C daily, he is on a tablespoon of good quality extra virgin first cold press olive oil daily for about a year already, which I am going to continue. I feed him Blue Buffalo dry food mixed with grain-free variety. There is some rice and sweet potatoes and oats in the ingredients. I could switch to grain free food all together.
I also ordered for him vitamin B17 supplement, also called Amygdalin (from apricot kernels) as I am taking that as preventative supplement against cancer and recommend that to my all friends. I am also considering ordering Zinc supplement, Essiac tea extract capsules, turmeric (curcumin) capsules and omega 3 supplement, as I found through my researches that these highly boost immunity, work as antioxidants and reduce inflammatory processes each respectively (my mother had breast cancer removed couple years ago, so I had researched a lot of info how to keep her cancer free; so far she is doing great!)
I am also thinking about increasing olive oil dosage double or triple, because apparently cancer can't survive on fat but 'feeds' on carbs (as you have mentioned already).
I am very interested in any holistic treatments that any of you guys used, as I am sure, I don't know all options. I will highly appreciate all advices and recommendations! I will do all I can to give my dog best boost possible to make his body strong to fight on its own, rather than opting for possibility of multiple surgeries. Radiation and chemo is just not an option, as I saw more damage caused by those treatments than good result. I do not believe in damaging body any further and calling it treatment...
My previous dog passed almost three years ago. He was 12, a Boxer as well, and he succumbed to a very fast and aggressive cancer at the end. However, he only was sick couple of months, before that he was playful and happy guy, so I knew he had a good life and not much suffering before his time came.
This young dog that is our love now is like incarnation of the first one, I swear! It was a destiny for him to be our dog - the way we found him, the way he acted when we first brought him home - all of it. I m determined to keep him strong and happy and healthy for many years to come, so I am looking forward to hearing about your experiences with natural ways and treatments!
Joana J ~
I'm so sorry to read your post. Each post, as they came along, was a sad thing to read. There is far too much cancer in our world, and when it hits a beloved pet the only ones he/she has to depend on are us!
It sounds like you have come across some good supplements, both from experience and research. I hope other posters will look into those for the treatment of their own dogs. It's all worth looking at when dealing with a destructive disease that has no known cure.
You would be right to cut out all grains. That's the first thing I would do even before I am able to formulate a consistent dietary program. I'd also cut out all poultry, because that is inflammatory to the system. Inflammation weakens cell walls and allows disease to set in.
I also fully agree with your views on radiation and chemo, and the damage it does to the body. Sometimes, though, in some cases, that may be a course of treatment and perhaps the only alternative that will work. It depends on the individual. We opted not to go that route and specialists said, afterward, that we made the right choices in our case. They were amazed at how well Dusty did, how great his coat looked, how happy he was for so long. Since his cancer wasn't curable aside from total amputation of the leg, we tried to keep it in check as long as we could, and keep him pain free for the duration. If he had not been born with such severe hip and shoulder dysplasia we might have gone with the amputation in spite of his age, but even as I engage in "monday morning quarterbacking" I'm not convinced I would have wanted to put him through the pain of that and the recovery period would have been difficult. Remember, at 12 years, we had no idea he had another 2 years in him! We wrestled with it and said, what if...what if we do that and he only lives another few months? There are always the "what ifs"...I think of you all as you go through your treatment options, and wonder..."what if...?"
I'm sure you will choose the best you can for your dogs, and you won't really know until you get to the end of that road -- you will know you did well, but not be sure you did the best. Don't second-guess yourself.
Work with your vet, do your homework, talk to as many sources as you can, and embark on a course that seems best. Even if you opt for surgery and radiation (I believe the consensus with this cancer was that chemo is "not that effective"), know that you can do a lot with diet afterward to minimize return of the cancer, and maximize recovery and good health. Even with our healthy dogs, I'm convinced that people
don't pay enough attention to diet, and too readily trust the marketing/advertising of commercial foods that are there -- let's face it -- to make a profit for the company.
Good luck to you, JoanaJ, and to everyone else here. My thoughts are continually with all of you!
Can anybody tell me the name of the holistic treatment used by previous posters in this thread?
Our 6 year old bullmastiff had a tumor removed in January 2014 and it is back again just as big. I can have it surgically removed again but it leaves me with the question - how often am I going to put her under? Four times a year seems a bit much...... Brachycephalic breeds don't fare well under anesthetic under the best of conditions......
Any input on the holistic treatment ?
She is raw fed and has been since birth.......
We have an 8 year old Lab/Retriever mix that has been diagnosed with Spindle cells. Its on his left hind leg. We found a golf ball size lump last week and rushed him to the emergency vet. I was floored when they started talking cancer. When we took him to the vet they said he had a high temperature and the mass was basically from close to his spine down to his "knee". They did a needle biopsy, put him on antibiotics, steroids, pain meds and told us to give him Benadryl. Since then his mass has gone down, his fever is gone and he is eating again. That trip pretty much wiped out our bank account. I have to take him to our regular vet today to discuss our options and what is best. My heart is breaking and I feel so overwhelmed. I wish I could say that money will not be an issue, but unfortunately I can't. My friend found this website for me and it is very helpful. I hope and pray that our vet apointment goes well this afternoon and will be back here tonight for help.
We have an 8 year old Lab/Retriever mix that has been diagnosed with Spindle cells. Its on his left hind leg. We found a golf ball size lump last week and rushed him to the emergency vet. I was floored when they started talking cancer. When we took him to the vet they said he had a high temperature and the mass was basically from close to his spine down to his "knee". They did a needle biopsy, put him on antibiotics, steroids, pain meds and told us to give him Benadryl. Since then his mass has gone down, his fever is gone and he is eating again. That trip pretty much wiped out our bank account. I have to take him to our regular vet today to discuss our options and what is best. My heart is breaking and I feel so overwhelmed. I wish I could say that money will not be an issue, but unfortunately I can't. My friend found this website for me and it is very helpful. I hope and pray that our vet apointment goes well this afternoon and will be back here tonight for help.
Just sent you a dm. There is a way that the program we were on could be cut down to just bare essentials, I think. If money was an issue, with what I know now, I would be able to pare it down such that it would be helpful and healthful -- just the bare bones essentials -- to maximize nutritional benefits and health.
In fact, I'm putting my other three dogs (shelties) on a modified program based on what we did for Dusty, just for a quality diet. They are on a good commercial food, but it's still commercial, which I'm convinced isn't the best - even if it is 'one of the best', if you all know what I mean.
Let us know how your vet visit went! My heart goes out to you, and to everyone else dealing with this.
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Farewell, Dusty...
