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Fight K9 cancer

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dog cancer support

Members: 40
Latest Activity: May 30

After losing our sweet Mouta (pictured here) on August 11, 2008 to cancer, my husband and I are still missing her terribly. She was diagnosed in February 2008 with a sarcoma in her spine. She was a trooper through the pre-diagnosis stage, when we initially thought she had a herniated disc in her spine, to the end. When aggressive steroid treatment only brought her from a stage 4 (almost no hind leg movement to a low stage 2...walking with assistance) we knew it was time for further testing. We drove 90 minutes away for her to have more test...a myelogram, which in turn led to surgery and the diagnosis of cancer. It was no doubt that we would pursue further treatment for her because out of the 4 pup-a-lups (my husband's term) she was our special baby...the calm in the eye of the storm, I always said. With the 4 dogs and cat, Mouta was always laid back and just really loved life. She was the ONLY one who could be off leash in the front yard and not run off 100% of the time! She LOVED being with us too much to venture off.

I did tons of research, talked to anyone who would listen, read everything I could find about cancer in dogs. And there's really not a lot of data out there. One of the deal makers for me when the subject of radiation treatments was discussed was that every question I asked about the success, the risk, the prognosis for Mouta was answered pretty much the same.."We don't know. There's not much data out there because most people opt for euthansia with the cancer diagnosis due to the cost of treatment." I felt that if by treating Mouta there was the slightest chance that we could have her in our lives a little longer and get her healthy again, it would be worth it. We had just bought a new house...I wanted new furniture, but you know, 'things' can wait...life can't. I still don't have the furniture, but we did have Mouta for 6 more months. We celebrated her 10th birthday with a cookout and I even baked a birthday cake for the dogs (you know there are lots of recipes online for homemade dog treats..even cakes!) When she finished her radiation treatments she was acting like a puppy again, not like the 10 year old that she was by then.

So, I started this group as a memorial to our Sharmouta. Anyone who has been through this, or who is facing this is welcome!

Discussion Forum

Remembering Scooby 5 Replies

Started by Bob Graham. Last reply by Ellen Slater May 30.

Murphy's mast cell tumor 9 Replies

Started by Lynne Gunn. Last reply by Andrew Hicks Feb 5, 2012.

Taz' mast cell cancer 25 Replies

Started by Cathy Turnipseed. Last reply by Jill Stout May 1, 2011.

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Comment by Ellen Slater on May 29, 2020 at 10:38pm: Hey Lynn and Kelly. Blast.from the past for me too. Sadie's anniversary is next weekend. You know we are here for you, always. This is how we started and that will never end. Prayers and love my friend. Give Frank a snuggle for me.

Comment by Kelly Meyer on May 29, 2020 at 2:43pm: Hi Lynn,

This was a blast to the past when a post on here popped up in my email! The site that brought all the Mooshkas together!

I know I’ve posted over on FaceBook, but so,sorry you are going through this with SWEET Frank—and the surprise findings yesterday! I pray those are benign, and the treatment gives Frank more years of quality time! XO

Comment by Lynn Pennington on May 29, 2020 at 12:09pm: Hi all,

I am back. This time with my beloved boxer Frank. Frank started out with a small growth on his back that turned out to be a Mast Cell Tumor in August 2018...Same month 10 years after losing Mouta. We were referred to University of Georgia. Long story short, a heart base tumor was.discovered on his initial CT work-up. Several MCTs later, all of which have been completely removed with clear margins and have all been low grade we were in for a follow-up echocardiogram on the heart base tumor and discovered it has grown to the size of a baseball sitting on top of Frank's heart. We, Frank's oncologist and I, decided it is time to do radiation on this tumor to stop or at least slow it's growth, perform surgery to cut a small hole in his pericardium to prevent any fluid accumulation around his heart, and give my boy a better quality of life for 2-3 more years.

We went yesterday, May 28th, for his radiation planning CT to be done. A couple of surprises there. One, upon intubating Frank the oncologist noted that his epiglottis appeared thickened and nodular. Given Frank's history of cancer a biopsy was recommended and performed and thought given to holding off on the CT until we knew what we were dealing with here. Based on the surgeon's opinion that this was likely benign (he has seen it before) it was decided to proceed with Frank's CT.

The initial CT findings included Frank's large heart base tumor and multiple very small lung lesions, presumed to be metastatic disease from the heart tumor. All thing considered, we decided to proceed as planned with the radiation treatment to the heart base tumor, possibly holding off on the prophylactic pericardial window. The only change recommended was to do the radiation treatments every other day instead of every day, for a total of 5 treatments.

A call earlier today from the oncologist said the preliminary biopsy results are indicative of a benign finding on his epiglottis. The final CT report though indicates a small mass in one of Frank's lungs indicating the lung disease is primary lung cancer rather than metastatic.

A big pill to swallow indeed, but after stepping back and looking at the whole picture we are going ahead as planned.

Frank will go in Tuesday morning and stay through Thursday afternoon for radiation treatments on Tuesday and Thursday. I will bring him home Thursday for a long weekend and he will go back Monday and spend the week, receiving treatments on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

I'm not sure how much I will update here as I am not sure many follow this page anymore. If I see a lot of comments and interaction here I will continue to post here. I will keep putting updates on my facebook page.

Comment by Kelly Meyer on March 23, 2014 at 9:52am: That's great Bob. Please let us know what the study proves. Way to go Scooby! So happy you are continuing to beat cancer!

Comment by Lynn Pennington on March 23, 2014 at 2:27am: Yay! Good for Scooby (and you, Bob) for continuing to help fight this awful disease! So glad Scooby continues to do well!

Comment by Bob Graham on March 23, 2014 at 1:46am: I have volunteered Scooby for a study on cancer in Golden Retrievers, being conducted by a canine oncologist at Colorado State. You don't have to live in Colorado to participate, all you have to do is have your vet take three extra blood samples at your next check up and have them sent to CSU. The study is open to Goldens 10 years of age or older. I know sometimes we all feel powerless in the face of cancer, but here is something we can do to fight back. Spread the word to Golden owners and let's help them get the 3000 Goldens they need.Colorado State Cancer in Goldens Study

Comment by Lynn Pennington on October 6, 2013 at 1:15pm: Like Ellen, my heart skips a beat whenever I see that someone has posted here. SO GLAD it;s good news! Scooby, you are one amazing pup-a-lup..an inspiration for all of us that have lost precious pups to this horrid disease. You are living, breathing proof that there is a chance. Cancer is NOT always the victor in this battle. Though you may be showing signs of aging (aren't we all) you look the picture of health and a gorgeous boy to boot! Keep it up Bob & Scooby! Doggie smooches to you!

Comment by Ellen Slater on October 6, 2013 at 7:42am: My heart always sinks when I get a notification of a new comment here. SO happy to see good news! Scooby, you are our inspiration and hope. Good Dog, you keep on kicking butt! <3

Comment by Kelly Meyer on October 6, 2013 at 7:14am: HELLOooooooo Scooby! :-)

So GREAT to see Scooby thriving and still kicking cancer's ass! Five years is HUGE success--and I know he's going to keep amazing us all! So happy for you and Scooby. ♥

Comment by Bob Graham on October 6, 2013 at 4:44am: He's a little older now and age is starting to creep in. Hi muzzle is a little lighter and there's a white spot under his eye. But he's still Scooby and this fall he celebrates 5 years of victory over advance canione lymphoma. Earlier this year we met another Golden owner in Dallas who had a success story similar to ours. His Golden also had canine lymphoma and responded positively to treatment. Take heart my friends. We are making progress over this terrible disease.