Spleen Cancer - Page 1

Ive just come back from the veterinary hospital after my old girl hannah (nearly 11 years old) collapsed last night. To cut a long story short of last night and this mornings happenings, we decieded to have her operated on a two tumours were found on her spleen which had burst and was bleeding internally. The vet has also noticed changes on her liver too. Biopsys are being sent to the lab and we should get the results later on this week to know if it is malignant or not. If it is, the vet wants to then do chemotherapy to prolong her life or leave her be with medication for the last weeks we have her. Does anyone else have experience of this type of cancer, is it worth putting her through chemo. Yesterday mrning she was fine, bouncing round being nosy and eating, by the evening, she was collapsed on the floor. Happy new year to you all.

Sorry to hear your situation,I did lose a dog to that years ago and this poor GSD was totally shut down the last 24hrs.Do you think that putting her through that kind of trauma is good for her?I would not put a dog of that age through that and I hope your vet lets you know that.I do realize that you love the dog but sometimes we must let go for the dogs sake.Again I am truely sorry Domenic

I'm very sorry about your girl, these are the toughest times... However, what is happening to her is pretty common, we hear about similar situations frequently and years ago as a vet tech, we saw it so much.... I am not a vet but can tell you what you described sounds very similar to hemangiosarcoma, which can present in many ways, shapes and forms.. I think whether to go with treatment or not is a very personal decision.. most chemo treatments do have side effects and the dogs do feel lousy and often suffer from diarrhea and vomiting in addition to inappetance. Eventually the stress of multiple vet visits affects everyone as well. I have never seen any of this type of treatment buy that much more time but it sure does drain your wallet in addition to your heart.. So, my personal decision for any of my dogs in this instance would be to keep them as comfortable and happy as possible for as long as possible, but I would probably not do the chemo. Again, this is my personal decision and we each have to make our own.. Please feel free to email me off list. I don't wish for this to start another slamming and bashing session. These are very hard times and the decisions we make are arrived at the very best way we know how.

So sorry to hear your bad news. I think DKiah has given you some excellent advice. Good luck with whatever you decide. My first GSD had chemo for lymphosarcoma; I myself would never do it again. You will find the right answer in your heart.

I don't say much on this board because of the bashing sometimes but on this subject I have this to say: I have had 2 brothers and a sister that had different kinds of cancer and had the treatments and still lost them. One very quick and the other 2 went on for quite a while.With seeing what they went through, I would never want to go through this kind of pain and suffering. An animal can not tell us in words what they are going through and sometimes we keep them alive because WE do not want to let them go but sometimes it is our selfishness. I know sometimes it seems hard hearted but I myself would not want to go through such a thing and at that age she has lived a fairly good life. It's a hard decision but think of your friend not you losing her. I hope this helps.

I am very sorry about your dog. I have experience with chemo on one pet years ago. It was so hard on him I stopped it. I would never do it again. Let your dog have peace at home with you.

I have spoken with the vet and my old girl all being well comes home with me tomorrow, she will remain here regardless of the test results so we can give her as comfortable a life as possible for what ever days she has left, shes such a fighter but I wouldnt put her through any more pain and reading various sites on chemotherapy I dont think thats the end I want to give her. Thank you all for your comments.

Good luck, Mels. We've all been there done that and feel for you and yours. After 5 years I still cry over my boy.

I wish you and your girl the best. The decission you make will be the right one for you and your girl.

I cannot speak to this type of cancer; however, my Zorba had bone cancer at 11. Following hind leg amputation, he had intensive chemo. I took it day by day. He never lost his appetite, he never stopped playing. I put him down at 14yrs & 2 months - an unrelated issue. Each dog is different. You know your dog, you can tell when the dog wants to keep going as well as when it is no longer worth it to him. I feel for you, I know how tough this road is. Good luck.