Not treating cancer?

[EAO76]

I'm very sorry to hear about Fluffy's cancer. I have a friend with a boxer that has the same type of cancer as Fluffy's. They have opted for no treatment. She was diagnosed approximately 5 months ago. They keep her very active, at least a mile walk every day and also offer toys that mentally stimulate her, to keep her busy. She has become fussy with food so they allow her to eat whatever she wants. As a result she has lost some weight. At this point she is still quite happy, though she does sleep a lot. The docs did not say how long she would live, only that it is terminal and to enjoy every day. So that is what they are doing and so far, so good.

Thank you so much for your post. Can you share anything else about your friends boxer? 5months and still hanging in is great. Did she have surgery at all to remove the tumor? Do you know if she is having any issues with her bowels? One of my fears is that Fluffs tumor will make it difficult to poop. Right now it doesn't seem to bother her.

 

[pairofboxerz]

I agree with the people here that this has to be a personal choice. There are many factors to consider such as the dog's age, the financial cost (reality is that as much as we want to do everything we can for our dogs, we all have our financial limit though we may hate it), the dog's temperament (a dog that hates/fears the vet with a passion may not do well with weekly vet visits for chemo treatments), etc. to consider in your decision. We initially decided against treatment for our 3-1/2 year old Boxer girl, Clari, because I thought it would be cruel and selfish, that the chemo would make her sick and that wouldn't be fair to her just so I could keep her with us longer. But, after watching her slowly decline, I started doing a lot of research and, as Lodadog stated, found out that chemo is different for dogs than it is for people. Luckily, we had just received our tax refund as that is what we used to treat her with - I don't think we could have afforded it otherwise. We were lucky in that she stayed in remission for 4 years but we knew going in that the likelihood was much less. She had no side effects and stayed a happy and active dog up until the end. All of this being said, I can't say I would (or even could) make the same decision for the Boxers I have now though I certainly don't love them any less than I did Clari.

As to prednisone, it is strictly palliative - it gives them the best quality of life until it stops working.

I'm so sorry you have to go thru this - give Fluffy hugs and kisses from us and you are all in my prayers.

 

[SherylM]

Thank you so much for your post. Can you share anything else about your friends boxer? 5months and still hanging in is great. Did she have surgery at all to remove the tumor? Do you know if she is having any issues with her bowels? One of my fears is that Fluffs tumor will make it difficult to poop. Right now it doesn't seem to bother her.

Yes, I think 5 months is great too! No, there was no surgery to remove the tumor. There have been no problems with her bowels at this point but they make sure she gets a lot of fiber in her diet. Fortunately she loves green beens and they are used as a treat! The exercise seems to help keep her regular as well. I will check with her to see if there is anything else (supplements) that she is doing to help.

 

[sandy's mom]

We lost our Sandy to cancer in October. I was not going to put her through the treatments just to have her with me a little longer, it was not fair to her.
Surgery was an option, but her tumor had taken over a big part of her small and large intestines and the two vets that checked her out said that it would only buy her a few months at most.

Deciding what to do has to be the most heart breaking decision to make.
But, you really need to think about the quality of life for Fluffy...

Good Luck with your baby...

Napoleon and Bella send lots of boxer hugs and kisses...
group lovicon

 

[Tuff Love]

I'm so sorry to hear Fluffy and your family are going through this. Did you ever find out if the cancer had spread? When our boy was sick with GME, the specialist presented the option for radiation and chemo to help his condition. Although I was tempted because he was still so young at just 5 years old, I was told that a cure/recovery was not in the cards and the amount of quality time he would have left would likely be the same wether we treated with chemo or the Prednisone. At that point he was having so much trouble with his balance and walking that I needed to help him with the back door stairs to go potty and had to help him stay up when he was going so he wouldn't fall over. It was heartbreaking, but we chose to treat with the Prednisone alone and got 4 more wonderful months with him after the initial diagnosis. He did really well on it for a time, and when his bad days started outnumbering his good days we had to come back to reality and let him go. As everyone else has said, treatment options are very personal. I think for us, I would not opt for chemo unless there was some hope that there would be a long term of remission and superior quality of life when compared to treating with Prednisone. Age of course is a factor and when they're older you have to figure what would put more stress on them and how you can give them the best quality of life. I know you have the best interest of your babies at heart and will make the right decision for Fluffy. Wishing you strength during this time group

 

[EAO76]

Piroxicam???

We met with the vet again this week when Fluffy got her stitches out. We haven’t done the ultrasound yet. Trying to get that scheduled with the specialist that travels to various practices that way we can just do it at our regular vet’s office. I asked the vet about using prednisone for Fluffy and she told us about another drug that is affective for colorectal tumors (What Fluffy has) and some other cancers (bladder cancer, nasal tumors, mammary cancer, oral and prostate cancers) it’s called Piroxicam. Anyone familiar? It’s been shown to shrink tumors and extend the lifespan in dogs with the above mentioned cancers. The only potential problem is that it’s in the NSAID family and Fluffy had a bad reaction (bleeding ulcer) to Rimadyl a few years ago. Its unknown if this drug would cause her the same trouble. Also Fluff’s liver isn’t 100%. I don’t know if I have mentioned it in these posts before but Fluffy may also have Cushings disease. Her blood work (liver levels and a few other things) indicates that as a possibility as well as she has symptoms (drinking a lot, excessive hunger, pot belly, hair loss). When they do the ultrasound they will look at her adrenal gland and that should give us a better idea if she has Cushings.

Poor old girl is a mess :( she also has an awful odor because of the tumor in her bum :(

 

[Cami]

I see that drug mentioned a lot at the yahoo canine cancer group I am on.
There is SO MUCH info in the group regarding every single type of cancer and drugs used it is like a canine cancer encyclopedia! Very encouraging members as well (like here on BW) and it is all about cancer and treatments not to mention highly supportive.
Just do a search of "canine cancer yahoo group" and you will find it. Easy to join too. You will start receiving answers to questions very quickly. People share their experiences openly.

 

[chrystel]

Hi
I am so sorry for Fluffy. I have wanted to discuss, but I cry all the time, as it reminds me of my childhood dog, Sam :(

He was my 10th birthday gift, and he was my best friend during those awkward teenage years lovicon

When I was 19, as I was laying down with my Sam, I felt a lump on his throat. I was so scared I kept quiet. But the day after, I felt lumps under his armpits and inner tighs.

I remember not telling my mom and I took my best friend to the vet. The results showed "advanced lymph cancer". After discussing with the vet, he told me both options - either treating or not.

I chose not to treat. Sam HATED the vet office, and having to bring him there during his last months would have been hell for him.

I chose to spend the last few month, happy with my pup.
One Thursday after school, maybe 3 months after the diagnosis, I came home and Sam was just not the same. He came slowly, head down. It had been a week since he had last played. His appetite was so low - him who we called "vacuum" as he would eat anything aytime!

So I slept with my Sam for the last time and brought him to the vet for the final good buy on that Friday.

I sometimes thougth I should have done treatment? Or maybe I gave up too fast?

But then I think he had 3 amazing last months, with no vet, no stress, and no meds.
The vet said maybe the meds would have give him 2 extra months?

I remember promising my dog to never be selfish towards him.

I hope you get answers about Fluffy. It is not an easy decision.
Good luck.
I will keep on sending (((((((healing vibes)))))) to your baby Fluffy lovicon

 

[EAO76]

Thanks again to everyone that posted. Fluffy is at the vet now having her ultrasound so I should have some more answers by the end of the day. Wish us luck!

 

[Cami]

Best of luck and many prayers for additional answers today.