Confused and Overwhelmed-Diagnosed Anal Sac Carcinoma (Woody has passed)

Good for Woody!! Having fun and getting away with all the naughty things he likes to do!! Don't blame you for a day of despair and tears but it sounds like there's plenty of hope now. I think both you and Woody have plenty of fight inside. Everyone here will be sending big positive energy your way!!

Barbara

Tracy,
Whip Terry's butt! Woody sounds like he's very strong and there are options. Maybe it hasn't spread to the prostate?

Now that you've done some research, now you're more prepared to assess what to do and if this particular surgeon is the right one.

Crossing my fingers for you and Woody!


,

I say let Woody be a naughty as he wants, he deserves it. He is a beautiful Jack Russell. We are all behind you, you are not alone. We are with you all the way thru this, you can't get rid of us that easy! Blessings
Patti

Evening all - We,ve had another good day, Woody has had a few walks, and has played quite a bit, and his poo is firm again :D He is eating and drinking well and as I type this is running from room to room with his toy in his mouth (its 11pm here lol). The only thing I have noticed is he gets tired often and has to have a little sleep then he,s back up and ready to take on the next walk or the next toy chasing.

I have done a little research today into the oncology department at the hospital we are going to and it seems to get a good reputation, I don't know how to do links but if you google [url]www.glasgowvetschool then go to oncology we will be seeing J Morris.

It looks like a good place and Jo Morris sure seems to have some experience, so we'll all be waiting to see what they tell you.

I'm so glad that Woody is having a blast and lots of fun! Good for him!

hugs,
Sharlene and Molly Muffin

You should feel very good with such a competent specialist. I looked at her page and if you click the grants tab on her write up she's been working on targeted gene therapy for canine cancers, amongst other things. Sounds like you are going to have the best for Woody!!
I hope the meeting goes well and that she gives you the answers you're looking for and options for treatment that will help Woody.

Barbara

Hi Tracy

So pleased to read your latest posts!! I am glad you were able to take the positives out of that link now that you have come out of the initial shock of the diagnosis. I was just wondering how they came up with it, you had mentioned they biopsied the liver and a lymph node, did they feel the anal mass as well?

That's great he is pooping well, I had read that their poop can go all pencil thin because of the mass so I am thinking if they look normal the tumour may not be too big? The prostate is close to the glands so I guess they are looking for local invasion.

Flynn who is Woody's doppelganger :) arrived in this forum with some of the signs of cushings but tested negative, he was eventually diagnosed with the adrenal tumour and we went through surgery. So I am sure no expert on cushings, but hopefully I am some help for those facing surgery. Most doggie parents when facing surgery ask what questions we would ask so I have came up with a fairly standard list of questions to ask the surgeon, these are based on the questions I asked my surgeon. I have tried to focus them on Woody's case, it does look bit of a daunting list when I finished!! you might already have some of them down, so just pick and choose whatever will be helpful for you guys :) Hope it helps!

Questions to ask when considering if surgery is an option for Woody
1. What type of tumour do you suspect?
2. Expected life span for my dog in a normal situation. If your dog is close to, at or past his expected lifespan for his breed is surgery going to be of any benefit?
3. Prognosis for my Woody if we do not operate
4. Are there any other health problems that could impact on a positive surgical outcome, for example: if your dog is overweight or has heart, BP, liver, kidney or lung conditions
5. I have read radiotherapy with surgery gives better outcomes, is this an option for Woody, how about chemotherapy as well? What symptoms would lead you to consider these options? Ie positive lymph nodes etc
6. Is there any sign of tumour spread – prostate? Lymph nodes, lungs? What is the impact of this on prognosis?
7. Are his kidneys at risk (I am thinking here of Woody’s excessive peeing/drinking, periodic high calcium?) is his renal function good enough for surgery, how will you manage this while he is in hospital?
8. Surgeon recommendations – would he/she do it for their own dog?
9. How many operations of this type have you done? What complications have you experienced? What were the outcomes?
10. Please explain to me how you will do the surgery, which part would likely give you the most trouble? Will you be doing the actual surgery or a resident in a teaching situation? If so, is their close supervision?
11. Are you planning on taking the lymph nodes (as recommended in the literature)
12. Will there be a specialist anaesthetist available for the surgery?
13. What are the risks associated with this surgery, including
• Bleeding
• clots
• infection
• Kidney damage
• Continence problems postop
• wound problems
• bowel problems
• anaesthetic risks
• death (sorry but you have to ask that risk too)
14. How long will the surgery take and when will you contact me so I know all is OK, when can I visit after surgery?
15. How will the postoperative period go, how long would you anticipate he would need to stay in hospital? How will we manage pain? Bowels and bladder?
16. Hopefully this will not happen, but if your dog collapses, e.g his heart stops either during his surgery or afterwards what emergency measures should be undertaken, do you want your dog to have CPR, how far are you (the owner) willing to go for your dog to be saved in such circumstances
17. If there are problems when I take him home, who do I contact? Hopefully the surgical team until all is stable.

Half the battle is won already with Woody being in such good spirits. That's great to hear.

It also is wonderful to know that Woody is in such good hands at the vet school.

Keep up the good work and we'll be waiting to see what they have to say.

A link lesson for you -

When you are on a site you want to share with folks, simply put your cursor on the URL bar, address bar, at the top of the page (It will usually start with http or www.). Left click the mouse while the cursor is on the URL bar and it will change colors to blue. Right click the mouse and an option list will appear. Choose "copy" and that link is captured. You then go where you want to share that link, like this forum, and in the reply box right click the mouse for the option list again. Choose "paste" and the link will paste here, or where ever you want to share it. You can save links for your own use this same way but instead of pasting the link you have captured on another web site, paste it in a Word, etc. document and save to your Documents. ;)

It would seem you got a good one with Jo Morris looking at the tons of experience. You and Woody are in my prayers and please trust that things will turn out for the better. It does my heart good to know Woody is enjoying himself and playing. We are all pulling for you both. I said a prayer for your Woody in the hospital chapel today. I went down all the cush babies and included them. I did a special one for my Tipper. I pray God is listening, as there is a huge brass bell outside the chapel in the hallway and you ring it for prayers. Let me tell you they probably heard it all over the hospital when I was done. Blessings
Patti