my girl has squamous cell carcinoma in her digit

[lanka1]

Hi Everyone,
I just got the call I was dreading from the vets. Last week Nik was diagnosed with osteomyelitis which is a bone infection. The vet removed her outside toe and felt that he had gotten all of the infection. He sent the tissue/bone away for pathology and it returned today saying it was squamous cell cancer in her nail bed of that toe.

Nik was doing quite well after surgery until today when I had to remove the wrapping off her foot. I'm not sure if the pressure of me holding it was painful, but it took a few hours of rubbing, massaging and hugging to get her to relax after I took it off.

I know that I'm going to lose her eventually, I would just prefer it not be right now. I love this dog so much, she is so much entertainment and the best companion in the world.

If anyone ever notices any odd type of changes in their dogs nails, be sure to take notice and see a vet. I have been reading more about squamous cell carcinomas of the nail bed since I got this news and it is very important to get treatment right away.

I'm thinking with Nik that I didn't catch it soon enough. She has been limping for a few months now and when I took her to the vets, they diagnosed her with arthritis or a sprain. It wasn't until I noticed her outside toe nail on her left foot sticking up at a strange angle that I realized that it wasn't arthritis or a sprain.

When the vet called he didn't mention any options besides lets just "wait and see how she does". The one thing I can say for sure, Nik lets me know immediately when she's not feeling well. She will sit at my feet, pushing between me and whatever I happen to be doing at the moment. I typically know when she's in pain, the guessing game is typically "what is it" that's bothering her. She also will drool a lot which is the first indication that something isn't right.

If you could keep Nikki in your prayers, I would appreciate it. I think we need all the help we can get right now. Thank you and best wishes to all of you and your babies.

Sandi

[Anne]

I would suggest you see an oncologist. I'm sure my osteosarcoma dog is still living a good life many months after diagnosis because of the care and treatment given by the oncologist. We did not do chemo or amputation but there are a few protocols available to improve quality of life of our beloved dogs.

I'm so sorry to hear that Nik has cancer. I will keep you and her in my thoughts and prayers.

[AngelBunny]

I am thinking of your girl and wishing her well. I am so very sorry Nikki is afflicted by the monster, cancer. So many many of our dogs are, alas!

[harleychik66]

It seems far too many of us(and our dogs) have suffered from a cancer diagnosis. I will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.

[Sheenagirl]

I am surprised your vet didn't go ahead and amputate her entire toe.
The one thing you don't want is the cancer jumping the joint and getting into the bone above that joint.
Please ask your vet about this before it is too late.
I will keep Nik in my thoughts and prayers.

[lanka1]

Thanks everyone for your replies. Sheenagirl, the vet did amputate the entire toe. The wrapping came off yesterday and it actually looks pretty good. Now I just have to keep an eye on her and keep her from ripping out the stitches.

The odd thing is that once the wrapping was off, Niks behavior changed immediately. She acted almost depressed. I am wondering if she saw the missing toe and knows something is different now. When it was wrapped up, maybe it felt tight and secure and now that its not wrapped, it doesn't.

Anne I'm just curious what type of care and treatment was prescribed by your oncologist since I don't think that a full leg amputation is something that Nik could handle? I also hope that your dog continues to live a long and happy life. I've dealt with OS before with my first rottie Lanka and after an amputation and $7000 worth of bills for surgery and medicine, I still lost her 6 months later. In looking back, I feel guilty that I stole at least two of those months from her in that she had to heal from the amputation with some pain instead of being able to enjoy her last months with me. But hindsight is a wonderful thing. I certainly wouldnt do the same with Nikki.

I wish all of you the best and thank you again for your replies.

Sandi

[staceymm11]

Back in September my girl had her toe amputated because of Melanoma cancer. I've never heard of squamous cell carcinoma in the digit but after my girl was diagnosed with Melanoma I learned alot of info about it from the Oncologist we took her to for treatment. Rottweilers & other dogs with black fur are prone to Melanoma. And typically it's seen in males more then females. Have you done any research online about the type of cancer your girl has? I would definitely consult with an oncologist to see if there is any treatment that could benefit her. Melanoma is resistant to chemo & radiation but again I don't know anything about the cancer your girl has. How old is your baby? Mine was 11 when she was diagnosed. Did the vet check her lymph nodes? She also had to have her lymph node removed on that same leg that they removed the toe on because the cancer had traveled there. I'm not trying to scare you, I just want you to have any information that may be helpful to you.

Please keep me posted on how your girl is doing. I have been in your shoes & know how devastating it is to hear the word cancer. I literally broke down in the vets office because my baby girl was my entire life & I couldn't imagine my life without her. She passed away in January, 2 days after her 12th birthday & it feels like she has been gone forever. I miss her more then words could ever describe. I still haven't been able to post in the rainbow bridge forum yet because it still doesn't seem real. She didn't pass away from the Melanoma, she ended up having a tumor on her spleen & liver that was bleeding internally. It all happened so fast. I had 12 wonderful years with her but my time with her could never be enough. She IS my soulmate & I can't wait to be with her again.

[Anne]

Originally Posted by lanka1

Anne I'm just curious what type of care and treatment was prescribed by your oncologist since I don't think that a full leg amputation is something that Nik could handle? I also hope that your dog continues to live a long and happy life. I've dealt with OS before with my first rottie Lanka and after an amputation and $7000 worth of bills for surgery and medicine, I still lost her 6 months later. In looking back, I feel guilty that I stole at least two of those months from her in that she had to heal from the amputation with some pain instead of being able to enjoy her last months with me. But hindsight is a wonderful thing. I certainly wouldnt do the same with Nikki.
Sandi

Hello Sandi, the original suggestion by the oncologist was to amputate her mandible followed by chemo. I refused this treatment for Sophie because I haven't yet seen amputation result in a cure. It can buy time but much of that time is taken up by the adjustment, pain and recuperation of the amputation, as you mentioned. This isn't the way I want Sophie to live out the time she has left.

Sophie has osteosarcoma in her mandible and has a steadily growing tumor on her gum caused by the bone cancer. She was not expected to live beyond the middle of January and she's still doing very well 4 months later. Apart from the gum tumor you wouldn't think she was a terminally ill dog. Her exercise level is good as is her appetite and she looks very well.

The oncologist decided on a metronomic protocol which is a course of a number of drugs in tablet form that I administer at home. One of these is a chemo tablet given every 48 hours. It's taken with a diuretic to ensure it's flushed out of her sytem within the 48 hours so it doesn't cause liver or renal damage. The chemo tablet is to inhibit the progression of the tumour. She takes a tablet to strengthen and grow bone, strong antibiotics daily as well as strong pain relief (Piroxicam and Tramadol). The dose of Tramadol is left up to me. I dose to prevent pain rather than deal with established pain. This way Sophie is kept pain free.

I also give Sophie coQ10 and milk thistle tablets and she is on an organic cancer starving diet. She takes metoclopramide for nausea which is a side effect of every tablet she's been prescribed. She did have nausea so I stepped up the metoclopramide and she now has no nausea.

I doubt Sophie would still be with me if not for the excellent care and advice of the oncologist. I do believe an oncologist is the way to go. Sophie is happy, lively and feels well.

I wish you and Nik all the best and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[lanka1]

Thank you Anne for all of the information you gave me. I'm sure it took awhile for you to type that all out and I want you to know I appreciate it alot. I am also really glad Sophie is doing well.

Staceymm11, I understand what you are saying about losing your girl. This is my second time dealing with a rottie who has cancer, however, my first rottie named Lanka, had osteosarcoma and that was such a nasty and sad disease. It literally broke my heart when I lost her. She was my best friend and such a joy. I am praying that this cancer is curable and that Nik doesn't have to face the same fate as Lanka did. So when you say that your girl was your soulmate, I understand. It's a tough thing to go through.

I really want to thank all you wonderful people on this board. I have to tell you that the idea of cancer is really making me nuts and I think one of the things keeping me sane, or somewhat sane, right now is being able to come here and post. The last thing I want is Nikki to pick up on my anxiety, which I'm sure she already has. I just need to be as chipper as I can be and try not to live with the C word hanging over my head.

She's doing quite well now, 10 days post surgery. She had her stitches out yesterday and I think this was quite a relief. She got her special ride in the car, loves going to the vets even after this procedure and came home and passed out on the couch for a long sleep. She walks without a limp and doesn't seem bothered at all while walking that one of her toes is gone. So all in all, things are on the mend.

Thanks everyone. Have a great day!!