Sarcoma malignent

[vic and max]

Hi My Max has been diagnosed with Sarcoma,which was determined by a cell/blood test ,. She is 9 years old, recoverd from a battle with parvo @2 yrs, and is the most amazing animal in the world . She has a lump in her front right shoulder . The vet would like to put her under anethstetic to get a tissue sample to better dtermine our course of action

1-I am unsure why we need to to that ,would it not be wiser to just remove when she is under anethstetic? or plan a course of action now,why more test .She really gets stressed out and so do I with repeat visit to the vets

2-I f I don't and just keep giving her Mdican for pain , she eats and chases skunks ,she limps , but what will happen ?

3- What are her chances is and timeline if we do act , or do not ?

I love my animal almost as much as she love me , I never had a dog up until she stepped into my life , the thought of not having her breaks my heart a t the same time I would like to know /honest opinions, if any one has experienced this before ,please any input would be appreciate

Love Vic and Maxi

[RottiMomCT]

First, let me say how very sorry I am that you have to make these decisions for your girl - but she's had a long happy life with you, 9 years old....what a good age.

Sadly, too many of us here have had to deal with cancer of some sort with our beloved breed.

What kind of sarcoma does she have?? What does he vet say regarding just making her comfortable versus amputation or other treatment options?

We lost our old girl 5 1/2 months after diagnosis to Osteosarcoma, bone cancer. The affected limb was amputated (right shoulder/leg) and she was pain free until a tumor began to grow at the amputation site. It also metastisized to her lungs, which we knew would happen.

Thelda was not given and chemo or anything like that - we removed the painful limb because even pain killers were not helping. Post surgery we gave her pain meds and made sure she was comfortable.

She had a great summer, lost some weight, had MORE energy than before she was diagnosed, and to be honest, I think she was REALLY happy. She spent her time post amputation laying in the sun on the porch or under a tree in the shade.

Spoil your girl, don't coddle her, but let her know just how special she is. Enjoy your remaining time with her.

One thing I do recommend (learned it form these very forums) is to make a list of your dogs 5 favorite things to do (going for rides, playing fetch, etc...). When she is unable to do these things, then it is time to make a decision regarding sending her to the Rainbow Bridge.

Don't worry about your life without her just yet...she's still with you - make the most of that time you have left...

[vic and max]

Thank you for you reply. I am grateful . She has just been Diagnosed ,(2 days)I am going to speak with the vet before I go to work today .
Max still had the abilty to hop up on the bed with me last night . I f I ask her to go for a walk she is up and ready to go ,not our 3-4 kilometer ones , but sniffs and pees evrywhere
After the needle(Cell sample) yesterday I noticed that her leg and shoulder is puffy today , she still chewing her rawhide ,and rubbing her head in my lap , she is still following me around the house . And hangs out in the kitchen and has no problem with peanut butter and toast.
I really don't have the money to try too many courses of action ,( just started my karate school and am on borrowed money) I live in toronto Canada (dtn.)thats why I want to get it out asap or let it take its course , I never want to put her down . Do you know any good people here that could help me in any way?
What can I expect to transpire now, knowing this .
I am trying to act as normal as possible with her , but I cant stop hugging her, not that this something new, now.
Many Thanks
Vic

[JeanT]

The life expectency of Rottweilers is less than for smaller dogs. Some, but not very many at all, live to be 12-14. Bone cancer (osteosarcoma) is common in Rottweilers and many of us have lost our dogs to bone cancer, some at very young ages. Nine years old seems young compared to many other dogs, but it is fairly well up there in age for a Rottweiler.

I am very sorry for you that your dog is sick; I hope that you do have more years with her because there are never enough, no matter what.

I do not know what kind of sarcoma Max has, but when you find out more specifically from your vet, post that information. It is likely that someone here will have gone through the same thing and will be able to give you specific advice. For the same reason, post what your vet says are the treatment choices you can make.

Sometimes vets are overly optimistic about treatments and that can raise expectations unnecessarily, as well as costing a lot of money and sometimes suffering by the dog for treatments. I'm not saying that you vet will do this, or do it intentionally. Human doctors also do it. It is up to the owner (patient) to take the information and research further before making a decision. If you get the information (write it down as you are being told) and post it here, there are many people who have personal experience and opinions that may help you understand more, so you can make the best decision for you and Max.

[moondog]

If this is a soft tissue sarcoma, that could be a reason the vet wants a tissue sample to identify the type before discussing options. Some cancers are very aggressive, some are slow growers...that makes a big difference in decisions regarding care and prognosis.

Sometimes the best thing that happens from posting on a forum like this is it helps us articulate the questions we have for the vet. You are asking good questions here, and questions I would ask the vet. Ask him why a tissue sample is needed and what difference it will make for Max's future.

For a bone cancer or aggressive soft tissue cancer, where it is likely to be throughout the body at a cellular level and not just at the tumor site, and likely to come back with a vengeance, that is one thing. If it is a self-contained slow grower where removal gives her a good chance on down the road, that is another.

I'm sorry Max and you are faced with this...it's never easy, it's downright scary, but we have no choice but to face it because our dogs rely on us to do that for them. The important thing is to understand how the decisions that are made for her will affect her quality of life going forward and for how long she will have a good quality of life. I personally feel that for conditions that are not survivable the dog should not be subjected to heroics in treatment, but should be released from suffering.

[apandres]

My Shelby (9 1/2 years) was diagnosed a month ago and so far is feeling pretty good. Her tumor is inoperable - on her pelvis and is not causing her any discomfort for now. She is on Tramadol for pain (arthritis). You might ask your vet about this. It seems to be pretty effective and not too expensive. I am just trying to maintain a good quality of life for her as long as I can. There is a Yahoo chat group for osteosarcoma that you might want to check out. My heart goes out to you and good luck.

[vic and max]

Thanks , For your supporting words of encouragement. I hope Shelby is feeling good today. Max has lost the swelling , I think that came from the vets trying to keep her still when they were taking exrays and tests . I Am adding " Noble Herring Oil Omega 3" today , she will get that regularly It is supposed to strengthen their immune system . Two walks per day now . Slow pace , but she keeps wagging her butt and peeing, and she is happy as heck when I get home , she still put me before herself what an animal! She is eating pretty good , but I am making special dinners , so its tempting .
I will speak with the Vet tomorrow and will know more Iwill post here to update.
Many Thanks
Vic and Max

[vic and max]

Hi I called the Vet ,for more information,. They assistant had pulled her filed ,but could only tell me it is a "Soft Tissue Sarcoma". The doctor is out until Thursday?
I have heard that when the do a biopsy that the cancer can spread at a rapid rate? is this true? also any body who has had dealings with this before please share some info , all of it is useful.
I am also trying to give her a better diet ,so that will be useful too I want her to be as comfortablre and happy as possible .
She is her usual self , other than the limp she is sitting here , telling me its time for our walk . She loves the fish oil.and the "Metacam" is working well ,
I feel better ,not happy, but more informed ,
Thank you
Vic and Maxi
O by the way I just realized she is actually 10 and will be 11 Jan.10th . I guess time flies when your loving your pooch.

[vic and max]

Well Here we we are again , I thought I would inform everyone that Max has been taking some pain meds ,she seems fine other than her limp , we get out for our short walks , still hopping on the bed ,and off Too ,man she is tough, I am massaging her hurt area , she loves that I think it is a form of "reiki energy " She is beeter than last week. We had a great big sirloin steak last night each , and some chicken breast today , so she is still eating , that vet tried to sell me on a holistic approach a vile a day $10 in the cancer area ,stops the spread, ,only in Europe ,"Isacador, " has anyone heard about this ,any results ?
So I am giving her the best I can ,and her bum still wiggles when I come home ,I think it is better to do this ,she is 10.8 yrs old ,
So any advice ,would be appreciated
Love
Vic and Max

[pazzo]

so sorry that you are faced with this. I know how very difficult it is. I have been there with different types of cancer. I don't have anything to offer because you have been given the best advice already. There is a web-site for cancer dogs that I found very informative, it is as follows:
caninesincrisis.com but the 5 things list, is great advice, again we must give them thier dignity first. You are im my thoughts.

[moondog]

I've not heard of Iscador before, but here's a site with study results. This site refers to it as a complementary treatment, not an alternative treatment. If you do a google search for "Iscador" you'll come up with a ton of info. I'll be going back to read them myself:

http://articles.weleda.com/List.asp?...ordsPerPage=25

My experience, in general, is that there is a wide variety of "natural" treatments that work really well, when used appropriately and in tandem with conventional medications, especially for serious medical conditions. I used them alongside conventional treatment for my dog's intestinal disease and they improved her condition considerably.

Your girl sounds like she is still enjoying life - that is the stick that is most important for measuring quality of life. As long as she is truly happy, enjoy every minute.

[apandres]

Just wondering how Max is doing. I had blood work done on Shelby last week and there has been no change, so that is good news for her kidney-wise. We have added Doxycycline to her meds since it has some anti-tumor effects. Her tumor has grown a little, but still is not causing her any problems, for which I am grateful. The vet said her tumor was in a very unusual location (of course) and shouldn't result in any broken bones. She is happy and eating well. The vet says 4 to 5 months, which is so hard to believe.

[GenHannibal]

My 9 1/2 bitch had soft tissue cell sarcoma. It was on the lower part of her foot. While it took several surgeries, one involving some skin drafting, she is now clear. Tumor was removed and they had clear margins around it, which usually means they removed it in its entirety. Her prognosis is very good. We are also giving her homeopathic remedies and keeping a good watch on her to make sure no other lumps appear. At this time, having just turned ten, she recovered quite well. My question would be to the vet is there any way to remove the tumor? Instead of doing just a biopsy. I hope that it works out for your dog.

[vic and max]

Hi
Thank you both, for your emails I guess. Good to hear Shelby is well ,! Just keep her happy and don't act sad ,or she will too! I found that with Max ,she knows you better than you know you.
I am also glad to hear a success story . I will ask my vet more , but I am sure I am unabble to afford these surgeries, Tahnk you for writing

Max and I just came in for our mindight walk , the heat does not help us at all but man she is a tough animal , still pissing ad sniffing also trying to pick fights with skunks ,though she knows bette , she has been sprayed 2 x's in the last half year.
The lump is a size of my fist, I am a human version of a Rotti, so it is not so small. I am bringing her to the vet and try the homopathic approach,( injects isador) I keep telling her we can kick this thing , she keeps telling me <'ya, I know Daddy, let's go chase some Raccoons!
Any how I will inform you all and how things go, but I am preparing for what is inevitable , But quality is fine ,
bya

[vic and max]

Hi everyone . I thought I would update you all . Max has been way better, the bump on her shoulder ,shrunk, she is on a tuna diet I have added fish oil and no dog food diet, also I attribute this to prayer , I am spiritual and I don't want to come accross as a Bible thumper but , I prayed and asked that she just not die from a nasty disease and just to expire on her own time,such an animal with unconditional love for me should not suffer ,since then 2 weeks now she has improved ,still limps a bit , she will be 11 yrs old in January, she plays tug of war and howls with the sirens still ,and she won't stop following me around.lol. I still give her her dose of medicam and she is still very much alive . I felt the need to share my experience with everyone who know my Max.Thank you all for you support and you too Rottimomm,we say cancer shmancer . God power!
o yes she is not spayed and is going through a heat cycle too .
I hope I sent this to the right spot.
Vic and Max