Lung cancer is rather rare in dogs, so it's not surprising that many dog owners haven't gone through this. Several years ago, I was very caught off guard when my Pekinese, Missy, was diagnosed with lung cancer.
She was coughing or hacking a lot, which sounded a lot like a cat with a hairball. We took her to the vet and found it on an x-ray. We took Missy to an oncologist in Walnut Creek, CA who performed the surgery to remove the tumor. Unfortunately, it was in a place where only part of the tumor could be removed.
After the surgery, she had either chemotherapy or radiation (I forget which). Unfortunately, it didn't work and she got progressively worse.
She was 11 years old when she passed away, rather young for a little one. If your vet caught Emmy's cancer at an early stage, maybe surgery does make sense, especially if they think they can get the whole tumor out.
All in all, we spent about $6,000 trying to save Missy. I don't regret spending that money at all. There was a chance she could be saved, but unfortunately it didn't work out. I hope Emmy's story has a happy ending.
Thank you so much. Emmy still feels really good. We only found the mass by accident. We could not find her micro chip...so our vet scanned her and could not find it either. He " xrayed her to find the " non working chip and found the mass. We are having an consult this week to discuss treatment. She is a wonderful little girl....I don't know if I can put her thru chest surgery.
Gail and Emmy
Thank you so much. Emmy still feels really good. We only found the mass by accident. We could not find her micro chip...so our vet scanned her and could not find it either. He xnon working " xrayed her to find the " non working chip and found the mass. We are having an consult this week to discuss treatment. She is a wonderful little girl....I don't know if I can put her thru chest surgery.
Gail and Emmy
Hi Gail,
You might want to send and email to WSU Veterinary Teaching hospital in Washington State. They have one of the best treatment facilities in the USA along with some of the best Doctor's. They may be able to give you some advice as well as recommend a great facility that is close to you. I took my 13 year old boxer there last year to have a tumor removed from her spinal cord and I couldn't be more pleased. My dog got better care than most people do at the hospital and the end result has been as close to a miracle as I could have wished for! http://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/depts-vth/
Good Luck & God Bless
I am sorry for what you are going through. I know it is so very hard. I feel that if your dog is feeling well and is acting happy, just let nature take its course. You will know when your baby isn't feeling well and have to make the ultimate decision. Just enjoy him now and have him live his life to the fullest. God bless.
Very sorry about your pet conditions...
Very hard to decide what to do with somebody else's life...
I had to put down one of my babies few years ago because her conditions were so bad that that was the only thing to do to end her pain....Well, I suffered too much for the decision I took that I promised to myself tha I wouldn't have done it anymore for no pets..,
Then life goes on, the pain eased a bit and I got to understand that that was the best solution for her...but to take a decision is really hard.
Therefore, like Otis said, if there is an alternative that can keep your dog out of her misery til the end, well, that would be welcome
Hugs and prayers for you and your baby
Kiki
Hi,
I'm so sorry to hear about your little Emmy.
I'm guessing with her age and the type of cancer, treatments/surgeries aren't an option. It could be way too dangerous for her. If she isn't showing any symptoms w/ pain or anything she may have a slow growing type of tumor? Did they tell you what type it was? or give you a definitive diagnoses?
I don't have any experience w/ this type of cancer in pups but maybe someone else will post who may know more.
i suppose you could do some research online and see if there is a specific canine forum for lung cancers. They of course would have more knowledge and maybe some ideas as far as natural supplements/remedies you could start giving her and such that may be of some help.
sending you and your little one hugs and smooches and wishing her a content and pain free life with whatever time she may have left. After having to say goodbye to 4 of our furbabies in the past 7 years, who all but 1 lived good long lives for dogs, I believe they are only meant to be here for what seems such a short time to us because they're always so many more out there that need us.
take care
Teresa <3