Liver Tumor

[Dongyia]

I have just stumbled on this super rottweiler site, pity I did not find it sooner!
Our Rotty, male, 10 years, had a hard lump at the end of his ribs last year, it was really strange, sometimes it was there and sometimes not. It did not seem to disturb him. End of last year it was there permanently, the vet said it was some sort of bone growth, but if it does not disturb him leave it. About a month ago it became very sensitive at times. The vet wanted to do a biopsy, but we decided against that as a 1st measure and did an ultra sound first. The result of which was that he has a massive liver tumor, the agressive cells obviously spread to the ribs, causing the 'lump'.
He is drinking much more than usual and then ofcourse has to pee more, we have had a few 'accidents'. In the last couple of days he has had excessive saliva, he regularily runs about with saliva threads.
Generally he is much quieter, I really do not know if he has pain all the time, I would say not. Yesterday he was obviously not well, and I thought I would phone the vet today. Today he seems a little better, even barked when the door bell rang and came to greet me when I came home.
Does anyone have experience with liver tumors and this excessive saliva, is the amount he is drinking and the peeing all part of the same thing (the vet gave him pills for that, they helped a little)?

[brunie's mom]

Sorry to hear about the liver tumor.
The excessive saliva is probably because of nauseau...he feels pukey. The liver has such a vital function in the body and his must not be clearing out the toxins..and he feels sick.

Please remember that Rottweilers are very stoic, they will be in a great amount of pain and will not show it....by the time you see him in serious pain...he most likely has been suffering.

Is he still able to eat? If he is having accidents in the house...it must be bothering him terrible.
Can the vet keep him comfortable with medication till you are ready to say good-bye??

I'm sure he has been a great dog for all of these years, please do not let him suffer. The kindest gift we can give our pets is to relieve them of pain and suffering when it's time.

Gina

[livertw]

I'm so sorry. Your dog has had a good long life. When our vet could feel the tumor in my old cocker spaniel's abdomen, she said it was time to let him go. He threw up a lot and stood drooling with his head down. He went peacefully to the bridge at age 14. Best darn dog ever. Now I'm crying and he's been gone nearly eight years.

[Dongyia]

Thank you for your kind replies.
Gina, yes he does still eat - he likes his food. A couple of weeks ago he refused to eat for a couple of days, the vet gave him an appetite jab and all was well again. I think my vet doesn't agree with 'medication for an extra day or two', I have just phoned him and asked him for something against nausea, he just said watch him during the day and then phone in the evening - which I will do. We have the peeing under control, he just goes out more often. See what the vet says later.

[llwaxan]

Dongyia, I am sorry that your boy is ill. In Dec. I had to PTS my Sammy after a similar diagnosis. His symptoms were similar and I know that he suffered in silence long before I was able to see how sick he had become. That is a Rotties nature as has been said-stoicism.
Your boy's peeing isnt under control though. He is just not peeing in the house because your letting him out more. But his excessive urination hasn't stopped. If he is going on and off his food and is sporadically having "good days" and "bad days" and is drooling from nausea than his quality of life is failing despite the love you obviously have for him.

If there is no medical intervention available to him (ie, removal of tumor, etc) then your vet MUST treat his symptoms to allow him some comfort and life quality.

I am not a big fan of a vet that will take a wait and see attitude with a 10 year old dog diagnosed with a liver tumor. Benign or malignant, the very location of such a tumor will inevitably cause your dog to be unwell. If your vet will not aggressively act to provide symptom relief than it is either time to get another vet who will provide relief or if relief cannot be provided because of the nature of his illness than it is that awful time to make a decision about letting your boy go to the bridge.

This is among the most important responsibilities you have as a dog owner. No matter how hard it is to do, this is when our dogs need us most. Please don't wait and see, he is sick now and needs you to act now; one way or another.

My heart goes out to you and your boy.