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Has anyone elected not to treat the spindle cell? I am fostering a dog with two spindle sites, one on either side of her chest, measuring about 4-5cm each. The organization I am fostering through told me the vet told them it didn't need treatment, as it wont shorten her life any. She is 8 and otherwise healthy. I worry we are not doing the right thing by just watching it. thoughts?
Has anyone elected not to treat the spindle cell? I am fostering a dog with two spindle sites, one on either side of her chest, measuring about 4-5cm each. The organization I am fostering through told me the vet told them it didn't need treatment, as it wont shorten her life any. She is 8 and otherwise healthy. I worry we are not doing the right thing by just watching it. thoughts?
We were told by several top specialists that, if we did nothing, our dog would have maybe 6 months, possibly-- "it's a stretch" -- a year (but unlikely). It was not encouraging. With holistic care, we were able to give him over 2 years of quality life. I would do it again. The tumor grew from the size of a lime to that of a large grapefruit. He was getting a holistic supplement to slow the growth, but there is nothing short of surgery to stop it.
We were told that these cells don't usually tend to migrate/spread to other areas (but could in some instances). While it is slow growing compared to other cancers, in my estimation ours grew rather steadily and rapidly. With the cells so close to your dog's rib cage, I'd be concerned about the tumors eventually pressing on her lungs or possibly spreading to the lungs.
I think an 8-year old dog is relatively young, even for a large breed. Not an easy decision for you. Good luck and keep checking for other opinions as you gather info.
BTW, If I wanted to give her an extra edge of protection even while I research it, I'd put her on a LOW carb diet, with NO grains at all, lots of dark green veggies -- cooked green beans, spinach, collard greens, broccoli, microwaved med. size sweet potato, and canned mackerel (approximately 20% protein). That's low carb and anti-inflammatory.
First off to everyone posting here a hearty "Thank you" from me! I am a dog walker and I found out about my own dog's spindle cell diagnosis on the day I was taking one of my customer's dogs for radiation therapy at a cancer center. As days go, that one was pretty awful as the dog in question was in distress so the cancer center could only stabilize her and send her to the vet (with me) to try to bring her blood pressure down. The dog I was working with was in pretty bad shape and was in quite a bit of pain which was evident from her panting and also communications from her upon trying to move her (I was fortunate to have a stretcher for transport thank God).
It took some time (a day or two) for me to come to terms with the new information that I got on my own dog who has 2 large nodules on his legs and a series of bumps which seem to be spreading. I took him to the vet and they needle biopsied and the results of cytology were spindle cell. They recommended excising the tumor and at that point I told them I would seek a second opinion and ended up here. Through some contacts I found a practice that incorporates holistic practice with traditional and I have an appointment set up tomorrow to take him. I have switched his diet to grain free holistic food and incorporated salmon. I plan to get him some fish oil as well.
Has anyone done anything with coconut oils? It's supposed to have some great anti inflammatory properties. Just wondering if anyone has done anything on those lines.
Again thank you for all everyone has posted here and good luck to you all!
First off to everyone posting here a hearty "Thank you" from me! I am a dog walker and I found out about my own dog's spindle cell diagnosis on the day I was taking one of my customer's dogs for radiation therapy at a cancer center. As days go, that one was pretty awful as the dog in question was in distress so the cancer center could only stabilize her and send her to the vet (with me) to try to bring her blood pressure down. The dog I was working with was in pretty bad shape and was in quite a bit of pain which was evident from her panting and also communications from her upon trying to move her (I was fortunate to have a stretcher for transport thank God).
It took some time (a day or two) for me to come to terms with the new information that I got on my own dog who has 2 large nodules on his legs and a series of bumps which seem to be spreading. I took him to the vet and they needle biopsied and the results of cytology were spindle cell. They recommended excising the tumor and at that point I told them I would seek a second opinion and ended up here. Through some contacts I found a practice that incorporates holistic practice with traditional and I have an appointment set up tomorrow to take him. I have switched his diet to grain free holistic food and incorporated salmon. I plan to get him some fish oil as well.
Has anyone done anything with coconut oils? It's supposed to have some great anti inflammatory properties. Just wondering if anyone has done anything on those lines.
Again thank you for all everyone has posted here and good luck to you all!
Wow. Not another one. I'm so sorry. However, this is said to be a slow growing cancer, so if there's anything good about the diagnosis, it's that.
I'm glad you have access to both holistic and traditional care. That is excellent. Depending on where the tumors are, and their size, you may want to consider having them removed. It is an option, if they can get it all.
Anti-inflammatory foods are very important. I can't speak about coconut oil (though I use it myself ) for this kind of condition in dogs, but I do know that mackerel is extremely high in anti-inflammatory properties. Salmon is as well, and very good as long as it's not farm raised. Also dark green vegetables are very beneficial -- kale, spinach, collards, broccoli - all are excellent.
Your holistic practitioner will guide you in what he/she feels is best, and I have a feeling you will continue to do your own research as well. That's wise. Question everything, and inquire about it from your vet if it's not something that is being used. Let us know what your vet says about coconut oil, OK?
Yes I am very fortunate to have a holistic practice near enough to me to not be prohibitive in terms of time etc. I went today and was very pleased with the entire process. The vet a Dr. Seo did an excellent job of explaining what was happening within my dog's body. We are transitioning to a raw food diet now as the Coastal Catch I was using is good but still has carbs which will feed the cancer cells. We are doing a full blood work to get some ideas as to what is happening inside the body at the moment. The Dr. shared information on a case he had where a dog had been diagnosed with Lukemia and was being prepped for Chemo and Radiation. The owner took a chance on a second opinion and through a full workup of blood and history as well as stool, the Dr. determined the dog had a rare "fluke worm" type parasite. It wasn't cancer at all.
Although that won't be the case for me, I was really pleased with the approach they take at this clinic. We had a long discussion about how the tumors are the body's immune response of trying to push out something which is toxic somewhere. When it can't get it done it goes to it's 3rd kidney, the skin.
Anyway, I will know more next week when the blood comes back. And I'm working on raw foods now, he had his first meal tonight and loved it. Grass fed chuck with spinach coconut puree. Chased down with some Cell Food drop water. Gotta say he woofed it. Tomorrow will be mackerel. Thanks again everyone for all your comments.
Loved your post, jimfromct! That's a great report and I wish everyone had access to that kind of care.
I strongly recommend a book that my holistic vet recommended: The Inflammation Free Diet Plan by Reinagel and Torelli (MD). While it's very helpful to those who are struggling with weight, its emphasis is on anti-inflammatory foods as a way of life, since it's inflammation of cells that causes disease. It's a helpful guide with its very extensive inflammation ratings (IF) of foods from A-Z. (I got mine from Amazon @$16.95 but it can be found in used book stores as well at lower cost -- I didn't want to take the extra time to search for it )
Keep in touch with us here! We all learn from each other, as there are many opinions and approaches, and no one way that is totally "right". We're all still hoping that someday, someone, will hit upon a cure. In the meantime we do what we can for our beloved companions, for as long as we can. They depend on us and we can't let them down.
I'm deeply touched by the love and care I see in all these posts.
It has been a little bit since I have posted anything, just wanted to give a little update. I have a 17yr old Min Pin (Billy) It has been a little over ayear since he had surgery to debulk the tumor and while it has grown some he is still doing pretty well for his age. We recently moved cross country back to CA and he did great on the journey with our other pups. He was happy to see some family that he hadn't seen in a few years. He is still on a grain free diet as well as veggies and fish. We had a slight scare because he had developed a crusty nose, our new Dr was worried about nose cancer, or lupus. Blood tests showed low thyroid levels and further blood tests were done but his thyroid was fine. He was put on antibiotics and has been doing much better ordered some snout soother and his nose is looking beter. He is overall doing well and keeps on trucking as well as keeps our other two in line. He is my little fighter I was recommended to try a spindle cell sarcoma mix and it seems to have given a little extra pep in his step McDowels Herbal Treatments - McDowell's Herbal Treatments
southward bound, I am sorry to hear about Dusty, he is running at the rainbow bridge in no pain I am sure.
minpinmomb, your min pin is adorable! smaller than some of the toys! He fits right in with them. I'm glad to hear he is still with you and doing well at his age. Keep up the good work. It sounds like you're taking excellent care of him.
Hi all, a newly diagnosed 10yr old diabetic husky with a spindle cell tumor upon her front leg. It initially started 2 years ago as a raised bump which my vet and i thought were lipoma. After my dog got diabetes in February, it started to grow a little so had my vet aspirate it and it had clear fluid which she said was inline of a cyst. Over the past 4 months it started to grow and i got worried and now I have found out its Spindle cell tumor. Amputation is out of the question as my dog is diabetic and has some muscle wastage and neuropathy due to the diabetes. I have been told about surgery but was told a graft will be needed. Im also leary about surgery given my dog is older and a diabetic. So im wondering as ive read this is somewhat slow to metastize, that how long would it take to reach the lungs or lymph nodes, months or years? Also i was curious if anyone has tried colloidal silver or k9 immunity( i believe its omega 3 and mushroom extracts)?
Sibhus, my minpin had operation to debulk his tumor as it had grown quite large at 15 years of age. He ended up having to have two surgeries because he had necrosis of the skin the first time he was healing. I was terribly worried. I also know that generally this particular cancer tends to not move to the lymph nodes as it generally stays in the area it is in. If the growth is small enough to take out and get clean margins that is best. I am not to familiar with the products mentioned but I am sure someone on here is. I have noticed an improvement in my pup with the supplements and changing his diet. I hope the best in this journey to you and your pup.
Last edited by minpinmomb; 08-08-2014 at 12:30 AM..
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) for this kind of condition in dogs, but I do know that mackerel is extremely high in anti-inflammatory properties. Salmon is as well, and very good as long as it's not farm raised. Also dark green vegetables are very beneficial -- kale, spinach, collards, broccoli - all are excellent.
Thank you so much for the reply
