My doggie has cancer

You see how devastated I am I had to say it twice.

So very sorry! Sending hugs!

Thanks R2. :(

So sorry, OP. I've been there myself and I know what you're going through. I join R2 in the hugfest.

It's not cancer if it is not malignant, by definition. Hopefully. A week will make no difference. Listen to the vet. Good luck.

Aw. That sucks.

We had a dog who had the same kind of issue (turned out to be benign) but had to undergo a major surgery at the age 11 since her spleen tumor was roughly the size of a football. She lived for another 5 happy years after that, so things may not be as dire as they seem right now, OP.

I always tend to look at things from a really dark perspective. So my mind goes immediately to the worst case scenario. I’ve been dealing with depression, anxiety and addiction for years and she was a great help to try and fight it to be there for her. All I can think about is how hard I will crash if she goes.

I’ll try to keep a more positive outlook. Thanks all for your hugs

Prayers

I'm sorry, OP.

I lost my dog to this exact thing when she was 11. Didn't even know she had it until the evening she died. Also was going to go through with the surgery (vet said it might extend her life for 3 months but there was a good chance she would die during the op), but when she was under I kind of came to my senses and ended it there. I'll always regret that she suffered (I just thought the slowing down was aging), and I think you should keep that in mind when making a decision. The urge to keep them here is SO strong, the hope is so real, but when they're gone you will regret it if you let them suffer. Not advising to have your dog put down, finding out if tumour is malignant or not would be useful (because if it isn't, surgery is an option), just relaying my experience.

I wish the best for you and your dog friend. Wish we could let them know how much we love them.

Sending positive energy your way, and your dog’s. My last dog had a mass on his spleen that was thought to be a tumour but it turns to be benign.

Been there and it sucks.

Just curious, does any of you feed your dog/dogs with tap water?

Yes regarding tap water. But we had to switch our dog to home made dog food (the mixture of ground beef, rice, and powdered shark cartilage, I think) after that major surgery, per vet's recommendation.

I only give my dog purified water, never tap. I live in a country where tap water is suspicious to say the least.

Awful, OP. Wishing you and your pup the best.

I'm really sorry and hope that she will be okay but if she isn't don't make her suffer because you don't want to let go.

R11 was coming to essentially type the exact same thing

Sending you and your sweet girl lots of love. Stay strong.

Hope all will be well

Sending you a hug and some hope. Please check in and let us know how it’s going. I’ll be watching this thread because you and your dog friend matter to me.

I am very sorry, too. I hope there is hope, but, if no nope, then peace.

I'm so sorry OP - consider yourself hugged

btw OP what is your dog's name?

(((Hugs OP)))

Been through this. It’s heartbreaking

Her name is Fiona, named after Fiona Apple (who coincidentally is a big dog lover) R25

Thanks for all the good vibes everyone, I will keep you updated once I know more.

god bless you sweetheart

Get well soon, Fiona. *hugs across the world*

Thanks for answering OP and know you are getting lots of love from DL

My Boxer Jackpot is nearly 11 and that's old for a Boxer. He's got tumors all over so I know how you feel. He just sleeps most of the time, but he's still eating!

- R21

I would like to see all of the good pups

R14 Filtered water. I used to buy bottled water but bought a pitcher filter when the pandemic hit.

OP, I think it's fair to say we are here for you... I'm sorry this is happening to you.

That's awful, OP. Hug your pup extra from me.

So very sorry OP. ((()))

So sorry, OP. I wish you and your good girl nothing but good health and peace.

I visited my vet today to get her blood work before the surgery. We talked a little bit about what to expect. She said that due to the size of the tumor she suspected it is malignant. She also said that in her experience, an overwhelming majority of spleen tumors are cancerous. She basically tried to make me have a more realistic outlook and not get my hopes up. But, she also said we’ll know for sure after the biopsy results and then we’ll see if chemotherapy is an option to extend her life.

Fiona is in good spirits, so the vet also told me there’s no need to rush any decisions or start thinking that it means she’ll be gone soon. Overall I feel a lot of comfort because she gave me a balanced, realistic idea of what to expect.

Going through it now with my Westie. Surgery 2 1/2 years ago followed by on and off chemotherapy. Although every six week check up finds that it’s not totally gone, it is under control. He’s happy with a wagging tail for a lot longer life than I first imagined when I heard the news. Don’t give up hope.

All the best to you and Fiona, OP. I'm sending positive vibes your way, for what it's worth.

Aww, I’m so sorry about this, OP. I know how frantic you must feel. Sending strength to you both.

My doggie has cancer, too, OP. Hope you can take yours to a specialist.

I'm sorry, OP. I hope your dog will be ok and that surgery will give you more years.

OP, wait for the test results and give her as much love and care as possible between now and then and do the same for yourself.

It’s going to be OK. Just stay in today.

A friend once said to me that perhaps God gave us dogs, with their short lifespans, to remind us how precious all life truly is.

Hugs OP. You and Fiona stay strong!

That’s so awesome. I’m happy to hear your doggie is chugging along :) your story does give me a little bit of hope. Thanks

So sorry to hear that, R43.

^^ Thanks. My dog is ill witb bone cancer. He'll die soon but we've had a year and a half since diagnosis with just radiation which was suggested by a DL vet. Very grateful for that.

All the best to you and your doggie.

Decades ago when people didn't spend tens of thousands at the vet, our vet told us that our 16 year old cat was losing weight because she had a grapefruit sized tumor in her abdomen which probably cancer. She could die during an operation. He predicted she had three months to live at most without the operation. Since the cat was in no pain, eating and was going about her normal life. Our plan was to leave her be, if she started experiencing pain we would put her down. I'd still do it like that. However, three months later she had gained back the lost weight. The cat lived another four years and died at the ripe old age of 20.

Pet insurance has been fantastic for us.

I actually just yesterday had a psychic give our dog a reading and it was fabulous. Our dog told the psychic certain thing that the psychic would have NO way of knowing and told us what she needed from us now. She knew she was sick but was not ready to go just yet. She also did not want to return to the cardiologist we took her to the last time because he wasn’t as nice to her as the woman was. It was very interesting and she told the psychic how much she loved us and wanted an additional bowl of water left out for her. I’m so glad I did that for her.

OP, I'm so sorry. Our beloved dog had an hemangiosarcoma, which forms in the lining of blood cells. It often appears in the spleen, liver, and heart. It's more common in some breeds, such as the Golden Retriever. I had never heard of it before his diagnosis.

It does not cause pain until it leaks, and then it will be painful until the body absorbs the fluids. A hallmark sign is a dog who shows symptoms, then miraculously recovers only to repeat the cycle again.

Our boy was very healthy and had just had an excellent physical with blood work and x-rays a month before he died.

It's a fast cancer. They offered chemotherapy, but after seeing my vibrant boy suffering, I just couldn't ask him to endure anything else for us. I'll never forget the look in his eyes when he was hurting and couldn't tell us what was wrong.

My reprieve is knowing that he didn't suffer long. Once we knew what was going on after the first episode, we made arrangements to say goodbye. He recovered the night before euthanasia, which was heartbreaking in its own way. I wanted more time.

It's a comfort knowing that he had an excellent quality of life, right up until the end.

You can't ask for more than that, realistically, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt like hell losing them.

Dammit, OP. I'm sorry for your worry and hope your dog has the very best outcome.

I'm going to go cry now for my sweet dog, for you, and all the other people going through this.

She really is young, OP. I hope there's a better explanation than malignancy and you get more years together.

My sweet thoughts for you,OP. There's nothing worse than saying goodbye to a sweet loyal friend. Many of us have been there.

That's awful to hear, R53. So sorry for your loss.

My dog, apart from the vomiting, has not really shown any symptoms. The vet says the gastric discomfort might be because the tumor is pushing against the organs. I hope it hasn't ruptured and isn't bleeding already.

^^ can radiation not help?

I'm so sorry to hear about your doggie best friend. I have no advice. All I can do is send hugs your way.

Thanks everybody for all the hugs and good vibes. Tomorrow's the big day. I'll update when she's out of surgery and I know more.

R57 I will know if radiation / chemo is an option after the biopsy results are in.

Keeping my fingers crossed, R59, and wishing really hard for a positive outcome.

We're pulling for you, Fiona.

All the best from Colorado.

M'Lynn, you're in my prayers, honey.

what kind of dog is Fiona?...

are her issues in particular to the breed she is?...

I had to have both of my beloved dogs put down on the same day 12 years ago, and it didn't occur to me to whine about it to strangers until just now, for comparison's sake.

People are immature, selfish, lack self-respect and certainly lack respect for strangers.

Cue the Frauen to play herd-comfort. Yet again.

OP, I am so, so sorry... I'm pulling for you and Fiona here in NYC.

Bully for you, R65

She's out of surgery! They didn't find any other tumors or evidence that it had spread so that's good news. Now we wait for the biopsy results to see what we're dealing with. One more time thanks everybody for your support, except R65! : )

Thanks for letting us know! So far, it's looking a lot more positive. We'll hope for the best.

R65 You'd HAVE to whine about it to strangers, because a vile, bitter cunt like you clearly has no friends.

OP, glad to hear about the promising news......

OP, that's wonderful news! I hope the biopsy results are favorable.

Best news I've heard all day. Happy for you,OP.

Wonderful news, OP.

Hello all! I have wonderful news! The biopsy came back negative! When the doctor called he said "I have good news" and my heart soared. Turns out it was just a "hemangioma" so it's not cancerous at all. Fiona didn't even realize but my family and I were happy as hell. Now we have to take extra care of her because she'll be living without a spleen but it's nothing compared to cancer. Thank you so much to everyone who supported us and kept us in their thoughts. You are awesome. Fiona says "hola" and "gracias". Yes, she speaks Spanish. '

, god bless u both. she will be fine.

Allow me to introduce Fiona. (yes she's a frenchie. please don't talk about how awful the breed is right now, I understand. let us enjoy this happy occasion).

Aw fantastic news, OP. Every day's going to be a celebration now. Here's wishing you both all the best.

thank you R75. I'm so happy!

So happy for you and Fiona💜

Thank you R79. You can't imagine how elated I am. Once she recovers from surgery I'll take her out to the countryside and have her run around and chase squirrels. We have lived through so much together and she's always been at my side.

YAY !!!! DOGS IS GODS

Sweet, R81

Wonderful news, OP! I'm so happy for you and for Fiona. Hearing about this has made my day.

Thank you Lucy! It made my day too. I'm so happy I get to share the good news with "strangers" on the internet. I really appreciate it!

Great news OP! You should celebrate(Covid proof of course).

yes R85! I had some wine and my Fiona got some (unsweetened) peanut butter. She went crazy.

Chemotherapy/radiation for dogs? Health insurance....for dogs? Isn’t that kinda selfish? To put an animal through that? Not to mention aren’t there children that require that kind of care that can’t access it? Lol the indulgence. And its a French bulldog. Because of course it is. R65 is the only person on this thread with a shred of self respect.

FUCK YOU R87.

Fiona, you're a beautiful girl and DL loves you!

Sylvia you're the sweetest! I am aware of my frenchie's challenges and I've done everything I can to keep her healthy. Thanks for your support :))