My Golden Retriever, Tucker 8 years of age developed a 3 inch tumor under the right elbow literally overnight and his health has declined very rapidly.
He was fine Friday, then limping in pain on Saturday when we noticed a tumor/lump under his right elbow that positively wasn't there the day before. We had it sampled and on Monday,the biopsy showed it malignant but localized. The plan was to remove it. But all of the sudden my dog become extremely ill and started throwing up, and was lying around staring at the wall all day showing no emotion. Tuesday morning, he was so sick we took him back to the ER and Vet said my dog was in septic shock which they said was caused by histamine release from acid in his gut which he was throwing up. He had surgery Tuesday (12/4/2012) to repair a hole the acid caused in his gut. How, or is it possible for a Dog to develop a malignant tumor in one day, followed by sepsis and is now in critical care?

The progression was seriously:

Friday=Fine Saturday=Tumor/Limping (not ill) Sunday=Throwing up Monday=Lying in Same Position all Day Tuesday=Grey Gums, Near Death, Sepsis.



What really happened? How come the Vet didn't pick this up on Saturday when the Tumor was there and shrugged it off as no big deal, don't worry blah blah blah. Now my dog may not make it another week. How do you develop cancer in one day?


Thank you
Ben

I don't have experience or answers for you. I can only say I'm so sorry your dog is so ill, and that I hope he pulls through.

There are many on this forum whose dogs have battled cancer and I'm sure they will chime in and try to answer your questions, probably tomorrow. In the meantime, I hope you can take care of yourself and get some rest. There are some riddles for which there is no explanation.

Welcome to GRF, even if under such sad circumstances.

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Kathleen, mom to one human, age 17, three canines, and a bunch of fish.

Every dog is different as is every cancer case This makes it almost impossible for vets or doctors to handle these situations. They are not wise and all knowing wizards as we are lead to believe.

With certain cancers eg hermangiosarcoma you rarely get any warning before the tumour bursts open and the dogs bleed to death.

Our dog has no symptoms other than some occasional weakness and a lump that looks just like all her other fatty tumors. 6 weeks ago we found out that it was cancer and the mental torture began, sometimes it is best not to know Now she is off her food but still quite alert and we never know what the next minute will bring.

I am so sorry that you are going through this. 8 is way too young but surprisingly common. It is beyond intense.
I hope that your pup is granted a peaceful transition at the right time.

We should be grateful that our pups have not been suffering for a long time as hard as it is right now.

Good luck!

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I am so sorry you are going through this. It's easy to want to try to find someone to blame. But like a previius poster said, vets, like doctors, are only human too. They do everything in their power with the knowledge they have. But sometimes it just isn't enough.

I understand the shock you're going through. Last spring our collie went from perfectly normal to sick to having to be put down in a span of five days. He had leukemia and we never knew it. he was two.

I truly hope your dog can be saved.

Please know we are all here for you as a place to vent, a shoulder to lean on and whatever else you need.

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Tina,
Rocket, & Bruce....Gone but not forgotten.

Dogs are stoic, to a point then when the signs are showing often the disease or illness has progressed too far. I am so sorry you are going through this..treasure every second you have left with your dog. You will Be in my thoughts and prayers

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Alison and 2 Furry Kids and 2 non furry kids

Lilly- Golden DOB 1/28/11
AKC name: Goldridge Lights Action Lilly RN CCA
http://k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=433352
Sanford- JRT DOB-9/5/06

Bridge dogs
Toby-Boxer 10 yrs. old (rescue) 9/17/2002-11/1/12
Charlie- Boxer (1st "child" together)2/19/02-3/18/12
Julie- golden retriever ( my heart dog) 5/6/96-3/3/07
Ruby- terrier/chow mix (my 1st dog) 8/1/90-1/15/05
Rusty-shih tzu (million dollar dog) 2/5/99-1/20/04

Welcome to the Forum, despite the sad circumstances.

I'm so sorry that Tucker and you are facing such a dire situation. There are many threads here that describe dogs who were healthy one day and gone the next, with loving people left to mourn and wonder what happened.

I am not a vet, but got some education about canine cancers when one of dogs had a growth on his foot. In your case, it sounds like the tumor is a fast-growing mast cell cancer that suddenly released histamine, possibly in response to the biopsy. That happens and I was told that it is a risk with any tumor biopsy. There are others here who know far more about this than I do and I hope they will chime in. Unfortunately nothing we tell you will make this easier for you or for Tucker. I hope that your vet is able to get him through this crisis and give you more time together.

I encourage you to start a thread about Tucker where you share photographs and stories about him. That can be a powerful way to process what is happening and to find support in this community.

Hugs and prayers,
Lucy

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Lucy, owned by Joker and Sunny, who remember Charlie with me
http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...years-old.html

Praying for Tucker and you!

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[IMG]http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii215

Tonka & Tucker

SNOBEAR at the Bridge
Dec. 23, 1999-March 27, 2010


SMOOCH at the Bridge.
Feb. 14, 1999-Dec. 7, 2010

I'm so sorry you and Tucker are in such crisis. I pray that he is able to pull thru this.

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Betty and the Dallas crew


“Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.” A. France

oh I'm so sorry to read this. I have no experience but I will keep you all in my prayers.

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I'm sorry to hear what's happening.

In answer to your question about cancer: I think the issue is that by the time a tumor shows up, other sites might have progressed pretty far. It may have seemed localized, but that may not be accurate.

If the lump is part of the bone, it could be osteosarcoma, which frequently metastasizes to the lungs. Has there been a lung x-ray?

If it's part of the skin, it could be cutaneous hemangiosarcoma, and there could be other tumors on the internal organs.

I'm sorry you have to go through this. Can you get a consult with an oncologist?

And don't blame your vet too much. Dogs get lumps all the time, and they're typically harmless. If it progressed this quickly, I'm not sure what your vet could have done at that first appointment that would have changed the outcomes significantly.

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