My 8 year old Labrador started feeling sluggish a few months ago. Our vet discovered a mass in her abdomen in the general area of her spleen. An ultrasound concluded it wasn't attached to any organs. We decided to remove the "mystery mass" and took chest xrays as part of pre-op. Xrays show her left lung had a large mass on it.
We went to University of Florida Small Animal Hospital for CT scans and aspirates. Aspirates of lung, "mystery mass" and a small mammary tumor were inconclusive. We opted to remove the "mystery mass" and mammary tumo, both were negative for cancer cells. The "mystery mass" turned out to be 2 1/2 surgical sponges left behind when she was spayed 3 years ago prior by another vet!!! The body walled off the sponges & created a 5" diameter mass of gunk. Our Lab recovered beautifully from the surgery.
Six weeks have passed since the surgery...four days ago our Lab started acting uninterested in food and slightly lethargic. Another set of xrays show the left lung mass has grown substantially and is pushing her heart high into her chest. Obvioulsy,,.the lung mass is cancer. I know the prognosis isn't good...but she still acts happy and seems to be pain free. She is having fluid retention in her belly, tho'.
I'm looking for direction...homeopathic meds...herbs...hope.
We feed Precise Holistic Complete...but are switching to Precise Grain Free. She gets Grizzly Salmon Oil, vitamin C, pumpkin, apples and green beans daily. I am returning Dr. Bussan's Vet-Zyme Plus powder to her diet. Our vet has prescribed Prednisone and Furosemide.
I have read about Essiac Tea/Capsules and feeding a flax seed oil/cottage cheese supplement daily. Thoughts?
We live in a rural area, don't use pesticides, are a smoke-free home, feed premium food and add fresh fruits and vegetables daily. What are the chances my 8 year old Lab developes lung cancer? Could the cancer be a result of living with a foreign substance in her belly for three years?