It is cancer...

AngelsMom · Post by **AngelsMom** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:35 pm

Well, I found out today: Angel's cancer is in fact, oral melanoma cancer. I missed the call from the vet as I was at work and will be consulting with her tomorrow about my options. I researched it and discovered many disheartening things... I guess my options are to treat (expensively), let it go and let her suffer, or euthanize. I feel so put in a corner and sad. I read that she has 75% change of dying within the next year....

Does anyone have experience with this? Is this truly the case? What should I do???

enchantedonyx · Post by **enchantedonyx** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 4:42 pm

I am so sorry. ;(

I don't have any experience with this so don't know what to tell you. Hopefully your vet can give you some good options when you talk to her.

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:09 pm

Sorry to hear about the diagnoses but I kind of thought thats what it was when you first posted. I've been there, been through it. Read what I wrote to another poster then maybe do a search back about a year and a half ago and read my post from the first day I found out Pekoe had/has Oral malignant Melanoma. If you have any questions or need any advice or help just let me know. Its hard to do but don't panic and think its the end. I don't know how far its advanced but the main concern is the cancer dosn't spread to the lungs. don't waste your time looking it up on the net, I did the same thing. it all says the same but its not true.

http://www.chowchow.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6697

3blackchows has been through it also, I think she said her Chow lived another 3 or 4 years after being diagnosed with oral cancer. I think her Chow died from old age and not the cancer.

vicster605 · Post by **vicster605** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:47 pm

I am soooo sorry to hear this, I was hoping that it wasn't cancer. Try not to panic and wait and see what your options are after speaking with your Vet. I'll keep you and Angel in my prayers

Please keep us posted as to what you find out

chowfrnd88 · Post by **chowfrnd88** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:50 pm

I am so sorry about Angel. I agree with the others, try not to panic. Explore your options and try to stay positive. Take Jeff up on his generous offer and chat with him, you see how wonderful Pekoe is doing, hopefully Angel will be the same way. You and Angel will be in our thoughts. Please pm me if there's anything I can do.

Layla · Post by **Layla** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 5:55 pm

I'm so sorry about Angel. Let us know what the vet says & if we can help you at all

WildThings · Post by **WildThings** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 6:33 pm

I'm so sorry to hear about Angel's news. Stay strong...and if you have to talk to numerous vets and specialist to see what Angel's options are then do...I will keep you and Angel in my thoughts.

LEO's mum · Post by **LEO's mum** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:01 pm

So sorry to hear about Angel. As Jeff says there are others that have gone through what you are going through. Pick their brains, that's a major part of this forum, to share in sickness or in health, to cherish our life w/ our beloved Chows. Don't rush to conclusions, breathe deeply and evaluate the options available. You'll be in our thoughts.

Leonora & mum

MoMo1224 · Post by **MoMo1224** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:32 pm

I'm so sorry. I'm specializing in oncology at WSU College of Veterinary Medicine and have also dealt with four different pets with 4 different cancers. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk or want advice. My heart goes out to Angel and you, this is a very difficult time but you'll get through it. Again, I'm sorry. Hope things get better.

Post by **kingalls** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:49 pm

Sorry to hear that it's cancer. You have many resources here on this site that can help you with advice and questions.
Take care,

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 7:56 pm

You can read more about Oral melanoma at University of Wisconsin's site. It doesn't say to much about Melanoma just what they are doing with treatments..This dosn't mean you have to go to the University, just find an oncologest that is working with them or at least knows of them.

http://vmthpub.vetmed.wisc.edu/sa_servi ... efault.htm

http://www.vetmed.wisc.edu/data/news/trials.html

http://vmthpub.vetmed.wisc.edu/sa_servi ... y/Oral.htm

http://vmthpub.vetmed.wisc.edu/sa_servi ... ccines.htm

http://vmthpub.vetmed.wisc.edu/hosp_ser ... efault.htm

What Will It Cost?

http://vmthpub.vetmed.wisc.edu/sa_servi ... y/cost.htm

janet · Post by **janet** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:13 pm

i am sorry to hear about angel's diagnosis. we will keep ypu both in our prayers. we are here for you.stay strong.

pfordeb · Post by **pfordeb** » Mon Jul 30, 2007 8:19 pm

I'm so sorry to hear about the diagnosis. I know it is devastating to hear it, but you are at the right place (this site) to get help and support. I will be thinking about you and Angel too.

Dogdad · Post by **Dogdad** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 1:58 am

I am so sorry.

I hope it was caught early enough and treatment will be affordable

David

sweetpea · Post by **sweetpea** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:09 am

I'm so sorry to hear that. I have no experience with this at all. Talk to Jeff, talk to Momo. And like someone else said, stay positive. We're all here for you.

Judy Fox · Post by **Judy Fox** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:26 am

I am so sorry.

Post by **Auddymay** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 6:48 am

How terrible. Heart wrenching diagnosis, I am so sorry. No matter what tough choices you will be making in the future, we are all here for you. I saw on another post that she had surgery, I hope she is doing okay. We send purple and paisley kisses.

MrsSmith · Post by **MrsSmith** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:16 am

I'm so sorry to hear about Angel.

Just wanted you to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you guys.

AngelsMom · Post by **AngelsMom** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 7:31 am

Thanks again everyone.... It really means so much to know that you are all thinking of us. I will certainly research Jeff's suggestions as well as Mo Mo's... I hate thinking that something is hurting my baby and that I can't stop it!

I have a phone consult with the vet at 130 today. I will let you know what she says.

Angel seems fine! She doesn't seem uncomfortable... her allergies seem to have settled for the season and she's stopped eating her paws! She's eating fine and sleeping on my bed all day like always!!

Maybe we did catch it just in time.

They did some chest xrays when they did the surgery so I'll find out today if it has spread that far.

UGH.

TJordan · Post by **TJordan** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 8:23 am

I have not had any experience with this just wanted to say sorry to hear about the diagnosis. Best of luck.

AngelsMom · Post by **AngelsMom** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:12 am

Alright... I had a talk with the vet... She is referring me to the oncologist and we go from there. She said with out treatment Angel's prognosis is 3-6 months.

I'm following Jeff's advice and not letting this get to me. Who knows the real span.

I am trying to patiently wait for the oncologist to call me to set up the consultation.... Waiting is the worst!

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:16 am

As long as I see that word Oncologist in there i'm content, give that vet some credit, she's doing her Job. The Oncologest will have the biopsy report and be able to tell you the gowth rate of the Cancer, Pekoe was slow to moderate. I think the main concern it dosn't spred to the lungs or Kidney/liver but even it if does, depending it could still be treatable. For now read all you can about treatments/nutrition etc so can have some questions to ask.

With Nutrition I was told not to change anything or add anything. The vaccine is still experimentol so they don't want anything fighting it. they won't even give the vaccine if your Chow is taking anything else for cuts or cold or anything. or thats the way i understood it. they cancelled one of pekoes visits becouse i had her on some antibiotic for a cut or something.

AngelsMom · Post by **AngelsMom** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:37 am

I did read that antibotoics fight agaisnt chemo treatment because they cause the cells to grow (good and bad) cancelling out any work the chemo does.

I also read that adding fish oil to her diet may be beneficial (in omega 3 form)...

Still waiting to hear from the oncologist.

Jeff&Peks · Post by **Jeff&Peks** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 10:42 am

I was told Chemo won't work with Melonoma so Pekoe was put on radiation but I think 3blackchows Chow was put through Chemo.

3blackchows chow, try to say that one tree times.

Ask your oncologest about the Omega 3, if they go with the vaccines they are really wierd about adding supplements. Can't see what a little fish oil would do but better ask them first.

kiwani · Post by **kiwani** » Tue Jul 31, 2007 11:07 am

Sending Love and Prayers for Healing to Angel and her mom. I'm so sorry to hear this news.

In addition to the forum archive information on melanoma and diet (omega-3), etc., here's a link to the canine cancer support groups on yahoo, including nutrition, and organizations offering financial support in certain cases.

All best wishes...

Excerpt: http://www.caninecancerproject.com/cani ... groups.htm

The Canine Cancer Project - Canine Cancer Support Groups

Canine Cancer (on Yahoo Groups)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CanineCancer/ With over 1,000 members, it's a fantastic place to find people with similar experiences and a wonderful place to find support through the difficult journey ahead.

Canine Bone Cancer (on Yahoo Groups)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CanineBoneCancer/ Another fantastic list with over 350 members and dedicated specifically to Osteosarcoma or bone cancer. Another great place for information.

Canine Cancer Support (on Yahoo Groups)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CanineCancerComfort/ With almost 200 members, one more place to look for information to compare treatment methods and exchange experiences and support from others.

Endless Love (on Yahoo Groups)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/endlesslove/ 446 members for people with pets with Cancer, yet another highly active list to look to for support and information - and sharing your experiences with others.

Dog Health (on Yahoo Groups)
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DogHealth/ With over 1500 members, a great place to look for nutrition information. It is becoming more accepted among the veterinary community that diet may be the key to preventing some forms of cancer. This is a great place to start.

Financial Support Organizations
IMOM - http://www.imom.org/

United Animal Nations - http://www.uan.org/lifeline/index.html

Help a Pet - http://www.help-a-pet.org/home.html

These organizations can help financially with escalating vet bills. There are strict qualifications, and clearly thousands of requests to sort through, but if you truly cannot afford the treatment your dog requires this may be a valid option for you to pursue.