Mira, 7yr old Husky - Cushings ruled out; liver cancer (Mira has passed)

[frijole]

Janis, I'm the one whose dog took tramadol and had the runs all night long while I slept. Yes, normal. I didn't know the side effects so that's why I warned you. Didn't want you worrying. If you have any canned pumpkin (plain, no spices) give her about a tablespoon. It plugs them up and works fast. It will harden the poops for you. Plus it is good for them. Just don't give more than one T as it can do the reverse. I learned that trick here and it does work.

It is normal to try to blame yourselves.. don't. Focus on what you have left. I don't know about your family but mine is WORTHLESS at giving me advice on my dog. They aren't dog people like me and they try sometimes but usually do more harm than good... just my experience. You have enough going on and I say leave it to the experts and not the arm chair quarterbacks.

Keep the faith. You got the dx out of the way. Now its onto the treatment phase. You are holding up fine. Feel free to rant to us... we can take it. More hugs, Kim

[Altira]

Someone changed the thread title. That was good!

Kim - thank you for the pumpkin idea. I think I have some canned pumpkin. I always check out new meds for the dogs. I like to know how common they are, if they are the one most used currently and the side effects. But it is comforting to know if others have had the same problems huh? They terrify us with all these things that can happen huh?

I'm so sorry that your family doesn't sympathize with things concerning your dogs. I'm so lucky. My family was all in tears on the 5th too. It's hard to imagine that lossing a child could be any worse. I supose it is but how could anyone keep their sanity? You know? My mom lost her first child at age 1 1/2. Us kids never knew him of course. He choked to death on the changing table strap. They didntknow the danger of it back then. Mom said she felt like her skin was pealing off! It's the ultimate helplessness. Some people just get that close to dogs too. Some poeple can truly see the real value in dogs and we love them so much for it. Personaly if I hear a baby cry it doesn't bother me at all. Butif I hear a dog it tears me apart.

Mira is laying in the kitchen staring at nothing. I don't think she has slept in days. What is she thinking? I'm going to go cook her some hamberger. She has been eating well. We'll go for a short slow walk too.

[Altira]

I find nothing! Anywhere! That there is any hope at all for Mira. I find where it says lung cancer can cause lameness. Everywhere it says chemo makes them ill. Oh but you can do this and this and this and this...................... That can help. Mira is an extremely sensitive dog. I can just see the first treatment sending her into a fit of pain. And my screamer's blood murder scream for real. Two hours later she has a heart attack and dies. Maybe I shouldnt have gone in search of this illness this time. There is nothing remotely good to be found. God I shouldn't have looked. My beautiful girl.
Why didn't they mention lung cancer and lameness? Her leg is not getting better. At her food bowl tonight she started to tip over. I need to buck up and go see a specialist and not wait until Thursday. See what they say. Don't asume your dog is ok. Get chest X-rays, complete blood tests and ultrasounds done often. I havent had to work in years, I rarely leave the house, my dogs are with me almost 24/7 following me everywhere, always in the house near me and I didn't have a clue.

[labblab]

Dear Janis,

I know that every situation is different and that there are no promises or guarantees regarding treatment. But here's a bit of a different perspective to perhaps balance the bad news that you have been reading. This is a quote from one of our Moderators, Debbie, when she offered support last spring to a member who was considering chemo treatment for her golden retriever diagnosed with lymphoma. As you will see, Debbie's own dog who was also treated for lymphoma benefited from many months of remission following chemo:

When I quote you average remission times, please remember that an oncologist is going to give you %'s based on the treatment histories they have seen in their practice experience, some dogs do better, some do not do as well. When B was treated with the dox, the average remission time I was given was 6-8 months. B was one of his oncologist's huge success stories as his remission lasted 16 months with an excellent quality of life. I had serious doubts about treating as I'm a medical lab technologist who works in hematology, & I know what chemo does to people. I was repeatedly assured by B's oncologist that dogs do not respond like humans, chemo actually improves their quality of life. I'm looking at her like, "yeah, right! Do you forget what I do for a living?" She was right. I had a very sick boy who was literally dying day by day in front of me. About 10 days after his first round of chemo, I got home one afternoon from work, B came out immediately to meet me. I was ecstatic. I knew I had my boy back. It was literally like his fairy godmother waved her magic wand & said "You will feel better!"

The member to whom Debbie was writing did end up opting for chemo treatment, too, and her dog has also tolerated the chemo without problems and is still doing well six months after starting treatment (and recently celebrated his 12th birthday in style!). Once again, I realize that Mira's cancer is of a different type, and therefore an oncologist's recommendations may also differ re: possible chemo treatment and likely outcome. But I do strongly encourage you to hold onto hope until you have had the chance to talk to the specialist. It may be impossible to gain as much extra time with Mira as you would wish and pray for. But it may still be possible to give yourselves at least a number of quality days to savor and fill with love.

Marianne

[Altira]

Angels I tell you. Marianne you never fail to make me feel better as I ride Hells Rollercoster. I'm not going to read any more about it. At least i hope i dont. (hmm someone is peering at me from under the coffee table, i love you Mira) The doctor said we were somewhere in between but it looks to me we are at the very bottom. With this lameness (which is said to be related to lung cancer) I think there is more then we know about. I pray it's not headed to her brain. We didnt look there. I tried to brush her tonight but she didn't want me to.

CARDIAC: large L lateral thoracic mass effect (suspect pulmonary) 6.2cm x 8.8cm identical appearance to hepatic masses.
(mass overlying cardiac silhouette on lateral views. Remainder pulmonary parenchyma WNL)

LIVER: two large confluent hepatic masses (mixed echogenicity no cavitations but swirled appearance with hyperechoic foci (not obviously mineralized) within L liver 12.3 x 8.1cm (together) third mass (appearance identical) within caudate lobe 3.2cm diameter not obstructing GB/billiary tract. Remainder hepatic parenchyma WNL.

Is that first one lung cancer or something else? Why would it be listed under cardiac?

[Altira]

No chemo...

My brother read the records he says it's too late. His daughter has been a receptionist for a vet for years and years says don't do it, do that other natural thing. His wife tells of two horrible experiences with her pets and horrible deaths. Everything I read says it won't work. I don't think the chemo poeple will tell me the truth. They want to do their tests. I don't blame them for that.

Me and Mira went for a long walk. Two miles maybe. She loved it and did well, even pulling some. She was not happy that I took Kira after that briefly. She was telling me off I think. I will take her again in a while. And again and again until she doesn't want to anymore. Until there is no more happiness in life.

[labblab]

Dear Janis,

We will totally respect any decision that you make. Because we know how dearly you love Mira, and that you are wanting the best for her. The only comment that I know to add, however, is that sometimes "chemo" can be something as simple as giving a dog prednisone tablets or steroid injections. I know your top priority is keeping her as comfortable as possible, and that you will be the best judge as to the quality of her life. But if the visit to the specialist is not too burdensome for you financially, you may still want to at least hear what they have to say. You don't have to pursue any treatment that you are not comfortable with. But they may have some prescription medication suggestions that you would want to consider, even if it is only for the short run.

Marianne

[Altira]

Oh GOD Mira just walked by looking like her back leg was glued to her hip!!! It held her up but didnt move at all Then she drank a half a bowl of water. *I'm so scared. It's a little better now. But it was fightening to see her do that. My god she was fine two weeks ago. *She hurt herself on our walk last night? I gave her some Tramadol.

[Altira]

Dear Janis,

We will totally respect any decision that you make. Because we know how dearly you love Mira, and that you are wanting the best for her. The only comment that I know to add, however, is that sometimes "chemo" can be something as simple as giving a dog prednisone tablets or steroid injections. I know your top priority is keeping her as comfortable as possible, and that you will be the best judge as to the quality of her life. But if the visit to the specialist is not too burdensome for you financially, you may still want to at least hear what they have to say. You don't have to pursue any treatment that you are not comfortable with. But they may have some prescription medication suggestions that you would want to consider, even if it is only for the short run.

Marianne

Money is not a problem. I'm so confussed and scared.

[Altira]

Now my KIRA is coughing and I'm lossing it..