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I have braced myself for this day for so long

31K views 333 replies 49 participants last post by  cgriffin 
#1 ·
I have braced myself for this day for so long as Tia is now 12.
The vet thinks Tia has cancer:(

She developed a lump on her side (muscle) which has increased significantly over the past month or so. We thought that it was just another fatty tumor. However apparently it is full of blood and it is growing. The vet thinks that it could be hemangiosarcoma.

The thought of her suffering is unbearable. I have no idea what to expect. I am wondering if it is safe to let her jump out of the car?

She has a history of partial seizures, panting and feeling hot to the touch. We are wondering how this all fits together. She does sometimes talk out of the blue. Other than this she is not miserable or lethargic. She loves to go on walks and her sparkly personality still shines through.

Can anyone offer any insight of what we might expect?
What do you wish someone told you when you first found out?

We have just put an order in for some Yunnan Biayoa and tumeric/curcumin.
 
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#2 ·
Doug

I am so very sorry for the news about Tia.
Is she eating and drinking?
Is her breathing o.k.
Did he give you any idea what to watch for.
Where is the tumor?

My hubby and I have have lost two dogs to hemangiosarcoma. We did exploratory surgery on Snobear, but the cancer was on his liver, so we chose to say Goodbye to him while he was under anesthesia. With our Smooch, who was almost 12, they thought she had hemangiosarcoma or lymphoma. She had gagged up some blood and didn't want to eat. Smooch seemed to be having trouble breathing and did not go upstairs anywhere. She was sick about 2 wks. and the vet thought she was suffering because of her breathing, so Ken and I were with her as she crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
 
#3 ·
Thanks Karen. She seems to be breathing and eating fine.
The lump is on her side with likely muscular involvement.
The vet said that a bleed could happen quickly anywhere at anytime, probably in 3 months.

It so hard to see such a sweet life end like this.
Now I jump at any sound or movement she makes :(
The unknown is the hardest part.

Gosh that must have been so incredibly heart shattering for you:(
 
#4 ·
Doug

DOUG

I know exactly how you feel!! Is there someone at home with Tia most of the time?
I'm glad that Tia is eating and drinking and eating fine!

P.S. The only way Ken and I can get through losing our babies, is to adopt another. We now have Tucker and Tonka (picture in the pool).
 
#5 ·
We both work but our end of year holidays are in sight.
I ended up getting another golden after our cat passed. It sure does help you through the tough times by keeping you distracted. Fur buddies are great healers.
I don't think that this will happen this time around though.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Doug

Glad you have another dog!
There are MANY people on here who have lost their dogs to hemangiosarcoma.
There are a few that have lived for some time with it-they had surgery and chemo, radiation.
Our biggest fear was our Snobear bleeding out while we were gone and as you said, we could not bear to think Smooch and Snobear would suffer at all.
 
#7 ·
I am very sorry to see your post in this section. Will keep your sweet girl in my thoughts and prayers.
 
#8 ·
So sorry to hear this news! As many others here, we have dealt with this. Our Toby was diagnosed when he was 11. Following his ultrasound, the vet came out with tears in her eyes and told me to take him home and make him happy. He had a wonderful 3 months and we lost him just after Christmas. I look back at this as a gift though it was hard to do that at the time. So many lose their dogs unexpectedly but we knew it was coming and had the time to appreciate him to the fullest and make him extra happy every day. I'm sure he felt changes but he never knew he was dying until the end. So sorry for your diagnosis but I hope you can have some wonderful time with your girl until the end comes.
 
#9 ·
I am so sorry to hear of Tia's diagnosis. I will keep her in my thoughts.

My Reno has been battling hemangio for 16.5 months......there is hope!!
 
#14 ·
I am so sorry to read this. We lost our Emmy in April to intramuscular hemangiosarcoma. We had the first tumor removed and she did well but very quickly another tumor came back in the same place and we lost her 43 days later. She was our princess, our angel but her tumor did rupture and her leg was twice the size it should be. When it was time to make that decision we were with her as she crossed to the Bridge.
My only advice is to be careful about bumping the tumor and then enjoy each and every day you have. My thoughts are with you.
 
#18 ·
Doug,
I'm so sorry to read this.
I feel your pain like so many here do.
We lost our young 6yr old to hemangiosarcoma a year and a half ago, he was diagnosed the day before we lost him (long weird story, won't bore you with it). Our 13+ girl was recently diagnosed with hemangiopericytoma after a mass was removed from her front leg. It's so hard to see them age.
Just love on your pup and be thankful for the time you have with him.
We have 2 younger goldens too, doesn't replace the ones lost, but helps heal your heart!
Take care and give your pup a hug every chance you get! :)
 
#19 ·
I am so sorry about the diagnosis. I also do not have useful suggestions. But sending you many many hugs and prayers.

My immediate thoughts:
Second opinion to confirm possible best treatment? Dog ramp - get her to familiar with it if still need to use the car for transportation very often. Work arrangement - to see any more flexible schedule that can fit your family. Spoil sweet Tia every day with extra extra love.

Keep us posted.
Hugs
 
#20 ·
I am so sorry to hear about Tia. I've gone through cancer twice with dogs. One we let go on the surgery table and the other we took through chemotherapy. I wrote a list of questions to ask the vet if you dog is diagnosed with cancer and I think it's a Sticky on this subforum. I hope those questions can help you with making the tough ones you will need to make in the coming days.
 
#21 ·
Thank you so much guys!! I could not sleep last night and tossed and turned throughout. I woke up early feeling like rubbish. To see your very kind messages is truely special:)

We noticed the lump had got significantly larger after my 2yr old GR bumped into her after a happy dance when we returned home from work. Could this have caused a bleed? Is this what made it appear larger all of a sudden? Is this why the vet can see so much blood in her fine needle aspirate?

I have read conflicting reports about whether 'the end' is painful. This is my greatest worry right now. I'm not sure if she will drift off in weakness or be in terrible pain.

To be honest we have been in crisis mode with Tia for a year now. This time last year her leg weakness and stumbling began. 3 months later we had to start medication for seizures. We have installed carpet and have ramps set up for her. We even sleep with our mattress on the floor. We often take her in the car to restaurants or go for walks around different parts of the city. She is indeed very spoiled and deserves to be.
Tia's photo link: Tia

Reno is a great inspiration :) !!!!! Whoo hoo! Way to go Reno!!!!! :D
 
#22 ·
dOUG

Doug

I am no doctor, but i don't think your 2 year old bumping into Tia caused anything.
As far as the blood when they aspirated, they aspirated Snobear and found blood and then took an xray or ultrasound and saw a shadow/mass. They couldn't tell if it was on the spleen or the liver and we were hoping it would be on the spleen and they would remove it and we might have a little more time with him. In the exploratory surgery they found a mass on the both lobes of the liver and they were 80% sure it was cancer. We said goodbye to Snobear while he was under anesthesia. We just couldn't take the chance that he would bleed out and suffer.

What does your vet say?
 
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#23 ·
Our vet has already warned us two months ago that we are on borrowed time due to the seizures at her age as everyone suspected a brain tumor.

Our vet says that surgery would be very difficult given the location. I have yet to ask her the question about physical movement but she did say that a fast bleed could happen anywhere even on a walk.

In true golden style Tia is happy as can be this morning and is begging for my breakfast:) I cannot imagine having to end it all right now. So surreal.
 
#26 ·
I am so sorry you are going through this, I am also in the same boat as I just found out my rescued boxer has stage V lymphoma. Right now it's a matter of keeping him comfortable and enjoying every day with him. Also, to make sure I don't let him suffer and to send him to the bridge when it's time. I always worry that I will wait too long but most of the time my dogs have told me when it's time. Just follow your heart and listen to your dog..you will know when. Prayers to you and Tia.
 
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#28 ·
Right now it's a matter of keeping him comfortable and enjoying every day with him. Just follow your heart and listen to your dog..you will know when. Prayers to you and Tia.

Very well said....I am sorry you and your dog are going through this tough time. Cherish each and every moment. You both are in our prayers.
 
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