Dog w/cancer & sleepless nights

13yr spayed pitbull/chocolate lab mix /inside dog. mammary cancer, 2 masses(1 rapidly spreading to her hind end, nothing has ulcerated. Vet says everything else working just fine.Usually gets around fine, eats/drinks, no loss of bodily functions, eyesight great, hearing is good, and seems happy, responsive, recognizes family members, doesnt seem to be in any pain. The vet gave her a shot of depo medrol,prescription for prednisone 1-3 every other day.She hasnt gotten worse, cant tell if its helping. Been 2 months.The last 2weeks, we've NOT slept. We've had some storms recently, snow, cold weather.Dog at same time each night we go to bed11pm, comes into bedroom, whining, standing under the bedside table, face to the wall. We try to take her outside, but she wont go, sometimes we'll feed/water, and she'll indulge. On 2 occasions, she has gone outside and NOT wanted to come back in, stayed out ALL night by herself .Called the vet again . The vet was thinking maybe she is going blind, but after exam vision seems fine. Vet says maybe cognitive brain dysfunction since she is an older dog, BUT she isnt running into things, remembers family, doesnt get lost, etc.. Vet says maybe cancer is spreading to the brain? So the vet gave her another depo medrol shot, said to lay off the prednisone for 2wks. Also said try leaving the light on. Wait 2 nights to see how she responds to the shot, then give her Proneurozone(to help stimulate brain function) also gave us Cephalexin if the mass area begins to ulcerate which looks like could happen at any time.Last night she was up every 30mins. Wouldnt go out. Today seems to be panting heavily at times. Gave her the first Proneurozone. The vet says doesnt appear to be in pain. We are to call the vet next week to let her know what has transpired and said maybe we will try some new meds then. I dont want to put her down, but I also DONT want her to suffer. Any thoughts?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

I'm sorry about your dog!

Excessive panting could be from the steroids causing a hyperadrenocortism-like state, or a heart or lung problem, if the cancer has spread to the lungs/chest.  If your vet doesn't believe that she is in pain than she probably isn't in pain.

Your vet could give her a medication called Anipryl which helps for cognitive dysfunction and for hyperadrenocorticism.  It may help whether the strange behavior is caused by metastisis of the cancer to the brain or for just cognitive dysfunction.  I would also give her 3 mg. of melatonin at bed time.  This will help to reset her pineal gland which regulates biorhythm function (recognition to be awake during the day and sleepy at night), melatonin can also slow the progression of brain tumors and other cancers.  Melatonin is available at health food stores, some drug stores and online.  Additionally, have your vet perform chest X-Rays to check for metastisis of the cancer to the chest.

[Jaybay]

I'm not the vet, but I can tell you I've seen some really bizarre mental behavior in dogs (and humans for that matter) in conjunction with steroids like prednisone.  I really hope that's all it is.  In my experience with dogs with any kind of end-stage disease, panting indicates stress - usually from pain.  If the mass looks like it could come through the skin at any time, I think it would be reasonable to add better pain management to the mix.  A little tramadol (for mild to moderate pain) would be a good place to start.