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KellyBarratt
KellyBarratt
my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jun 7 2009, 10:51 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 7 2009, 10:51 AM EDT
hi all, i have just bn told my 12 yr old retriever x has a tumor near his spleen, 6cm by 7 cm the vet is not certain on if its cancer or not and would only be able to tell if he were to operate, Bj my dog is showing no signs of discomfort or pain and living his elderly life with alot of fun still enjoying his walks and food and chilling out with me, i can go ahead with the operation which may be a success or can bring his life to a end, blood clotting complications as he is 12, i just want to do whats best and am finding it hard to find the right answer? im hoping you all can give me some much needed advice? thank you. 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
meyati
meyati
1. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jun 14 2009, 10:25 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 14 2009, 10:25 AM EDT
I featured this and hope that somebody with experience with this will share with you. I'm sorry that I didn't see this earlier-but i've been off-line. There's a thread called golden retrievers cancer. You might want to do a search on the key words retrievers-cancer and read what other members wrote about their experiences and beliefs. Even without the cancer-your dog is 12 years old, you say that the dog is comfortable and even playful. I'd think about letting nature take it's course. We have a dog with arthuritus, which we keep healthy and off pain killers by diet. Our vet said that a steady dose of pain killers will ruin the kidneys, which is very painful. I go to a vet that even uses stem cell therapy for different things-but I won't be using anything like that. My son's girlfriend had a cat that was diagnosed with cancer-my son recommended that when cozzie became uncomfortable-to have the vet put her down. Now his girlfriend has 2 cats-one that she got from a kill shelter and one that wandered in from the street. She feels that she did the right thing for Cozzie and cried for almost a year. I'll send you 2 sources-one is a retired vet that's a member of this site, and the other is a $9 fee site set up by vets, so a person doesn't have to run from vet to vet or get misinformation. I was told that I should bring my dogs back for their second rattlesnake shot in 3 weeks-no later-and 4 weeks-no sooner at the same vet office-Okay- the site said that they used to say 3 weeks-but recently found out that a 4 week wait is lots better-the answer just depended on the experience of which person that I asked. I talked to the vet about other things like the effectiveness and the dogs general health-not when to go back. 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
meyati
meyati
2. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jun 14 2009, 10:49 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 14 2009, 10:49 AM EDT
helpfulbuckeye is the X-vet. he's in Illinois or Indiana. go to search this site or go to members and enter his name. It will take you to his profile page. It also lists his veternary adcie page-it's free and helpful.
the pay site is <JustAnswer.com> enter dog- then ask question-then they give you a choice of different amounts to pay and you can pick out how much you want to pay- $9 $15 and I forget how much the last amount is. they don't charge the credit card, if you think that the answer isn't any good. I was very happy with my answer. They also give you the background of the person answering your question-i had a vet assistant/dog trainer-my question was read thoroughly and carefully. I had opted for $15. I live in a small community and I didn't want any vets talking about how I went from vet office to vet office or called different offices up-caller ID. I wanted the opinion of someone outside of this area-since I got different instructions in the same vet office. I took the second dog home and looked at the paperwork for the shots for the first dog-then I had questions-and I didn't know whom to trust. When I took the dogs for the booster-I mentioned that I was given different instructions by the staff and I went on-line. he said that 4 weeks was best and he'd talk to the staff. most people here don't have retrievers-pointers or hounds-just pit bulls and chihuahuas. let me know how your baby is doing and you have my deepest sympathy no matter if the tumor is benign or cancerous.
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littlalex
littlalex
3. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jun 16 2009, 12:39 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 16 2009, 12:39 AM EDT
Hi - Sorry to hear about your sweet old guy. I lost my sweet dog in January to Hemangiosarcoma. Please ask your vet if he thinks this is what your dog has? Vet's can have a pretty sure idea without actual surgery; blood tests and xrays should be enough for him to have a good idea. Then please google Hemangiosarcoma. Please be forewarned that there is not very much positive stuff about this disease and lots of horror information. I decided to euthanize my best friend, only after getting all the info I could about this. If this is the case, the end usually comes hard and fast and ugly.

I really am so sorry to be typing this kind of post that will surely freak you out. I just feel so strongly about letting a pup suffer when there is really no hopeful prognosis (estimates vary but it's generally agreed that even with the most aggressive care - the most time you can buy a pup with Hemangiosarcoma is two to six months). The horrible thing is that the quality of life will be not very good.

I hope so very much that you dog is not suffering from this nasty disease and can live out his life in relative peace and with all the love you obviously give him.

Peace,
Littlalex
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meyati
meyati
4. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jun 22 2009, 1:39 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 22 2009, 1:39 AM EDT
Taylordane made a post about her retriever-a tumor- somehow it was seperated from your thread, even though it is clear that she was answering some of your questions. You might want to read taylordane and talk to this member- keep us updated. Our hearts are with you. Do you find this valuable?    
Yatahae
Yatahae
5. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jun 22 2009, 7:35 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 22 2009, 7:35 PM EDT
"hi all, i have just bn told my 12 yr old retriever x has a tumor near his spleen, 6cm by 7 cm the vet is not certain on if its cancer or not and would only be able to tell if he were to operate, Bj my dog is showing no signs of discomfort or pain and living his elderly life with alot of fun still enjoying his walks and food and chilling out with me, i can go ahead with the operation which may be a success or can bring his life to a end, blood clotting complications as he is 12, i just want to do whats best and am finding it hard to find the right answer? im hoping you all can give me some much needed advice? thank you."
Hello -
So very sorry to hear about your dog. My ACD had a Spenic hemangiosarcoma. We had the surgery and he only lived for 20 days. It gave us time to say good-bye. Would I have the surgery again - no. BUT, please follow the advice of your veterinarian and not that of anyone on a forum. Research is the best to answer your questions, as is getting a second opinion from another veterinarian. Your vet should be able to do a biopsy and the results will tell if it's benign or cancerous (this is exactly how we knew with our dog). We sent the tissue samples to a specialist in the field of cancer for dogs.

This is a terrible thing to happen, and my heart goes out to you.
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conexxions3
conexxions3
6. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jun 24 2009, 10:55 AM EDT | Post edited: Jun 24 2009, 10:56 AM EDT
Kelly,

There are few easy answers. I wish, any of us wish we had the power to wave our hands and make things better but alas we cannot. But what we can do for our pets ~ members of our families is give them the best shot we can and love them as much as we can. This is what it sounds like you are trying to do. Initially when we find out these things we seem overwhelmed and dont quite know what to do. You dont have to make a decision right away about what to do for BJ. Since its been a couple of weeks that you posted, hopefully you might have some good news for us. If we can be more of an encouragement to you, just let us know we can help. I've said a prayer for your situation hoping it has turned out ok. God Bless.

Jim
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KellyBarratt
KellyBarratt
7. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jun 25 2009, 12:42 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 25 2009, 12:42 PM EDT
wow thank you all for your replies, it turned out BJ also has heart disease so having a dodgy ticker made me feel i couldnt put him through a operation as he probably woudnt pull through, he has bn put on 3 different types of tablets, frusecare, vivatonen and vasotop which seem to have given him a new lease of life, he went to the vets last night and he felt around and said he didnt think the tumor had grown, BJ is my world my soul mate and i dont no what ill do when he goes but i no he will be with me untill i meet him again on the other side, ill keep you all posted thank you again kelly 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
conexxions3
conexxions3
8. Good Luck!
Jun 25 2009, 1:21 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 25 2009, 1:21 PM EDT
Well Kelly, like you said.. the Vet wasn’t really sure if it was a cancerous or not. If its not and hasn’t metastasized then you guys might be ok. As you know, just enjoy all the time you have with him. Those special moments when you can just sit with him and give him one on one time will mean the world to him. Exercise and play are equally as important too to keep a good balance. Just keep a good positive outlook and BJ will respond to that.. dogs really do pick up on those things...and no doubt he knows you love him! God Bless :) 2  out of 2 found this valuable. Do you?    
littlalex
littlalex
9. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jun 25 2009, 8:01 PM EDT | Post edited: Jun 25 2009, 8:01 PM EDT
Kelly - I'm so glad your boy is comfortable and you will have more time with him. Please keep us posted about BJ and about yourself.

There's a lot of us thinking about you.
XOXOXO

Littlalex
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meyati
meyati
10. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jul 14 2009, 9:40 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 14 2009, 9:40 AM EDT
I'm glad that BJ is doing better. I'm glad that you shared this with us. I'm glad that others reply as I find myself learning from them. Enjoy the time you have with BJ. Anytime you want to talk-we're here for you. Do you find this valuable?    
KellyBarratt
KellyBarratt
11. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jul 14 2009, 12:15 PM EDT | Post edited: Jul 14 2009, 12:15 PM EDT
hi all, Bj had a couple sleepless nights last week ( so did i) he had a upset tummy and needing the toilet alot i tried to contact my vet as thought best to starve him for 24 hours but didnt no if to continu with the heart tablets he is on with a empty tummy but my vet failed to get back to me so i did a little research and found another vet practise about 20 mins away i took him in on friday and had to go through all Bjs history and the reason why i took Bj to the vets in the first place was because he had a sleepy left eye the new vet put some dye in his eye and turns out Bj has a ulcer on it so on treatment with that, luckily his tummy has gone back to normal still feeding him chicken and rice, which he loves and is back in tomorrow at the new vets to discuss how things are going cuz had to wait for Bjs notes to be transfered, ill keep you posted it really helps me talking to you guys cuz feel like every 1 home here gets fed up with me talking about Bj all the time but you all seem to no what its like to love a dog more than just a dog, love kelly and Bj xxx 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
maximusandz
maximusandz
12. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jul 14 2009, 1:43 PM EDT | Post edited: Jul 14 2009, 1:43 PM EDT
"hi all, Bj had a couple sleepless nights last week ( so did i) he had a upset tummy and needing the toilet alot i tried to contact my vet as thought best to starve him for 24 hours but didnt no if to continu with the heart tablets he is on with a empty tummy but my vet failed to get back to me so i did a little research and found another vet practise about 20 mins away i took him in on friday and had to go through all Bjs history and the reason why i took Bj to the vets in the first place was because he had a sleepy left eye the new vet put some dye in his eye and turns out Bj has a ulcer on it so on treatment with that, luckily his tummy has gone back to normal still feeding him chicken and rice, which he loves and is back in tomorrow at the new vets to discuss how things are going cuz had to wait for Bjs notes to be transfered, ill keep you posted it really helps me talking to you guys cuz feel like every 1 home here gets fed up with me talking about Bj all the time but you all seem to no what its like to love a dog more than just a dog, love kelly and Bj xxx"
Kelly, this is the one place where you can talk about Bj, and post pics, if you want, and we will listen, and listen and laugh and cry with you. That is what we do. Continue writing, my best moments are when my dogs are snuggled in at christmas and I am typing away. you go girl!!! mm
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littlalex
littlalex
13. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jul 14 2009, 9:47 PM EDT | Post edited: Jul 14 2009, 9:47 PM EDT
Kelly and BJ - I'm glad you went through the hassle of finding the other Vet. No excuse for a Vet not getting back to you at all with a seriously sick pup!!!!!!

Let us know how this new vet is and keep us posted.

You can never talk, or feel, or think or even worry to much about your dog.

You've here among your own pack so never hesitate or hold back if you need to vent.

Peace and soft warm snuggles,
Littlalex
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maximusandz
maximusandz
14. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jul 15 2009, 11:19 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 15 2009, 11:19 AM EDT
"Kelly and BJ - I'm glad you went through the hassle of finding the other Vet. No excuse for a Vet not getting back to you at all with a seriously sick pup!!!!!!

Let us know how this new vet is and keep us posted.

You can never talk, or feel, or think or even worry to much about your dog.

You've here among your own pack so never hesitate or hold back if you need to vent.

Peace and soft warm snuggles,
Littlalex
"
Kelly, use the top of this page, click "easy edit" and make a diary for you and BJ, The page will expand and it will give you a place to write and post photos, etc.
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KellyBarratt
KellyBarratt
15. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jul 15 2009, 2:42 PM EDT | Post edited: Jul 15 2009, 2:42 PM EDT
Hi just got back from the vets and he seemed really nice and interested in Bj he is a bit concerned about his ulcer on his eye not improving and put this green solution again in it which came out his nose (meaning Bjs tear ducts are working) he then put some antiseptic stuff in it and sweeped it out with a bud which has made his eye pretty swollen but needed to clean it properly and has all results back from old vets and he says things really arnt that bad and to stay positive, there is no actual evidence to back up any of the last vets conclusions so keep with heart tablets and chill for a bit, Bj was really good the vet said a ideal patient bless him, When Bj was a puppy he was really naughty, i remember coming home from school and he had chewed up my mattress, my new school shoes and my phone charger, then looked at me with his puppy dog eyes as if to say where have you bn you have missed out on all the fun, he has done everything with me and always bn there when ive needed someone, he is my rock .xx love to all xx Do you find this valuable?    
conexxions3
conexxions3
16. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jul 15 2009, 3:07 PM EDT | Post edited: Jul 15 2009, 3:07 PM EDT
"Hi just got back from the vets and he seemed really nice and interested in Bj he is a bit concerned about his ulcer on his eye not improving and put this green solution again in it which came out his nose (meaning Bjs tear ducts are working) he then put some antiseptic stuff in it and sweeped it out with a bud which has made his eye pretty swollen but needed to clean it properly and has all results back from old vets and he says things really arnt that bad and to stay positive, there is no actual evidence to back up any of the last vets conclusions so keep with heart tablets and chill for a bit, Bj was really good the vet said a ideal patient bless him, When Bj was a puppy he was really naughty, i remember coming home from school and he had chewed up my mattress, my new school shoes and my phone charger, then looked at me with his puppy dog eyes as if to say where have you bn you have missed out on all the fun, he has done everything with me and always bn there when ive needed someone, he is my rock .xx love to all xx"
Good, i'm glad! A caring Vet is a fantastic thing. I really cant say i've met too many bad ones. Lets just keep hoping that Bj's health continues and you guys have many more years together.
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littlalex
littlalex
17. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jul 15 2009, 4:42 PM EDT | Post edited: Jul 15 2009, 4:42 PM EDT
Kelly - glad to hear the news and ecstatic to hear you have a Vet who's for real, like connexxion3 said, they're as a species, pretty damn good humans 8^).

Give the old boy a soft stroke down his back for me.

Peace,
Littlalex
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meyati
meyati
18. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jul 16 2009, 1:22 PM EDT | Post edited: Jul 16 2009, 1:22 PM EDT
I'm glad that you have a much better vet. You are really fortunate that BJ got sick during the night, as it worked out that now you have a good vet. There really isn't any reason for the other vet to have missed the eye ulcer, especially since you went in for an eye problem. At least BJ has to be feeling better because of the treatment for his eye. That's a plus. We're all in this together and we know what it's like to worry. Family members and friends seem to tune out-they usually just feel helpless and overwhelmed because they can't do anything about it. They just don't know what to say. If they say something sort of snitty, it's because they just can't handle seeing your pain and feel helpless. Thanks for keeping us up-dated. 1  out of 1 found this valuable. Do you?    
fings
fings
19. RE: my old boy has a tumor near his spleen
Jul 22 2009, 10:37 AM EDT | Post edited: Jul 22 2009, 10:37 AM EDT
Check out new technique called cyberknife, for tumors normally unoperable. Here's an article....http://dogblog.dogster.com/2008/09/08/cyberknife-radiation-for-dogs-the-story-of-ginger/#comments

Good luck with everything. We'll keep you and BJ in our prayers.
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