leiomyoma tumor in JRT -- what should I do!

[jamesgol]

My “shorty” Jack Russell Terrier has a large leiomyoma (11 by 9 cent.) It’s in his gastro-intestinal; attached to his colon they think.  We discovered during a routine x-ray a year ago.  It was much smaller then.  We should have gone ahead with surgery but the Vet said we can wait and think about it –‘but it could grow.”  Well it did and I feel terrible.  Winston is a happy, energetic lil feller that loves long walks, horseplay at the dog park and cozy afternoon naps.  His blood panel looks like he’s very healthy.  He’s got a great appetite.  The only symptoms of this benign ‘smooth muscle tumor” is that it takes awhile to do “his business.”  He squats two or three times, (he’s very patient, doesn’t seem to be straining painfully) he might walk on a little bit –then out it comes – and a way he goes!  I didn’t think that was worth putting him through surgery for that.  He’s close to 14 years old.  But now the Vet says it will soon get worse, since the tumor will be pressing on organs.  And there is nothing we can do.  Please, do any of you know something about  this?  Is there any hope?  Obviously, Winston is going to die like all of us but I wish he could be with me as long as possible.  What should I expect?  I won’t let him suffer.  But Winston is a tough little guy.  Any advice or help would be appreciated. We have him on a I/D can diet with a stool softener.  

[ginger899]

Yes, in 1999 I had a dog (a JRT) who was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I tried everything I could think of to extend his life a few more years....The vet said the inoperable tumor was about the size of an orange, but he showed no ill-effects, except he did his business a bit slower than before. He ran and jumped around everywhere, still chased the 'girls', enjoyed his food, had a good time. So I waited to have him put to sleep. That 10 days from diagnosis to the end, I took the whole time off work to chill out with him, we slept together, played together, lay together in the Autumn sun. Then one day he started acting strange, happy, excited,but staring and 'woofing' at imaginary(?) things in the room, following invisible things with his eyes. I felt he was looking at the Next World (I don't know, but that's what it felt like then) And the very next day he stared at me in such a strange way I knew he was calling me to let him go. That night he suddenly couldn't wee. I think the tumor was blocking his urethra or similar. Then the vet tried a muscle relaxant and Rimadyl, neither worked. He stared at me again, and I did what he wanted me to do.......

[arachnaphob]

What a terrible decision to make.  I think under these circumstances you have to trust your vet to know what's right for your little dog. I have been in the situation where you know your dog has a terminal illness and it's just a matter of waiting for the inevitable.  In the beginning I would think about missing her when she did die and I was constantly stressed.  But then, I realised that my little girl didn't know she was dying and I was just transferring my stress to her.  I decided I'd just deal with each day as it came and love her and spoil her every day i had her. In the end she made the decision for me.  I woke up one day and I looked in her eyes and I could tell that she didn't want to be here any more.  I took her to the vet and we euthanased her very gently and peacefully.  I'm not going to pretend that it didn't break my heart, but, I knew I did the best thing I could and I did it out of love.

I believe that I gave her the best life that I could and I gave her the best death that I could. Her death was better than most people experience. You can't show more love than doing that for your pet.

I still have wonderful memories.

Chirley

[Jaybay]

I guess I have to be philosophical in these situations.  Winston is far into his senior years at 14.  You've obviously taken very good care of him for him to be in such great mental and physical condition - particularly considering the tumor.  Since it's inoperable, you can only keep him healthy and happy until the end.  Believe me, you'll know when that time comes.

With his advanced age, I'm not certain I would have opted for surgery a year ago either.  It's a total **** shoot whether to risk death from anesthesia over a benign tumor that might or might not cause problems later.

Since you had the CT scan done, you can still ask for a referral to a high-powered (expensive) specialty or university hospital for another surgical opinion.  Human or animal, it never hurts to get a second opinion.  Well, except maybe in the pocketbook.  

You might try posting your question to Dr. Cheng on the Ask-a-Vet forum.  If anyone can offer an educated opinion or advice, she's the one.  :-)

[ginger899]

I see. Sorry, I re-read your post now and saw you said that.
I can see you are doing the best for him you possibly can, and I apologise for not knowing enough about this tumor, or its effects in the long run. Winston is obviously having a fabulous life right now, is still having lots of fun, has adapted to doing his business in a slow way, and the stool softeners and good diet will help him a lot.
Wait, because other people post here who know a good deal more than I do, and might be able to help you further.
In time to come, I think you will know when it is time for him to leave. He will let you know. I do sense it's not right now, as he's so full of life.

[jamesgol]

I guess I should have said what the vet said -- "it's in operative" Cause it's to large -- that's why I did the CT (at 1200 bucks) in the hope they could do the surgery -- but this outfit says -- no dice --  that's thw whole point

[ginger899]

Has the vet mentioned surgery? Surgery, if at all possible, might give him the few extra years, especailly if he's so fit and well, as he sounds. JRT's are incredibly strong and tough, and if he's in good shape he might fly through an operation fine. He actually sounds in excellent shape for his years. Ask the vet about this possibility.