Dog diagnosed with nasal tumour - cost of chemotherapy?

Holly Hocks

Holly Hocks

Well-Known Member
Joined
1 March 2010
Messages
5,402
Location
England
Visit site
My gorgeous 13 year old dog has been at the vets today for more investigations into unilateral nasal discharge which had been getting worse for a the last three weeks. Initially the vet thought that it was allergy, but after three weeks on steroids and no improvement he has had x-rays today and scope.
The x-rays have shown a mass on the side of the discharge and the vet has said that he is almost certain that it is a tumour. Because of the location, he couldn't get a biopsy of the actual mass, but put a needle through the roof of his mouth to the area identified on the x-rays to get some cells and they have been sent away for diagnosis. We should know by Friday.
I know that this is one of the worst cancers that dogs can get - there is no cure and it seems that the life expectancy after diagnosis is anywhere between 2 and 6 months. It is inoperable because of its location. I am not prepared to put him through radiotherapy which is invasive, although I would consider oral chemotherapy.
Has anyone put their dog through chemo and any idea of cost? Although cost isn't the deciding factor, I don't want to spend thousands of pounds just for it to extend his life a few weeks - I would prefer palliative pain relief and a dignified end for him when he is ready to go....so has anyone been through similar and what treatment option did you go for? Thanks
**crying again now!**
 
Thanks Oberon - he's had half a large ready roasted chicken for tea tonight and an extra chew - and he will be sleeping in the bedroom from now on, where he's previously not been allowed to sleep. I'd tried to convince myself that it was just a cyst or polyp but it wasn't to be. Vet is going to await confirmation on Friday and he said that he will then phone Liverpool as to the best course of action. As long as we can keep him pain free and happy til the end, that's what matters. :(
 
In my experience it would always be a combination of intravenous chemotherapy (normally done weekly) and oral chemo. This is certainly the regime we do at the practice I work at anyway.

I'm so sorry, if he was my dog I'd let him enjoy the time he has left until the time comes xxx
 
Supertrooper said:
In my experience it would always be a combination of intravenous chemotherapy (normally done weekly) and oral chemo. This is certainly the regime we do at the practice I work at anyway.

I'm so sorry, if he was my dog I'd let him enjoy the time he has left until the time comes xxx
Click to expand...

Those are my thoughts too really, Supertrooper. I always think that if chemo is just going to extend the life span, then really we're doing it for ourselves, not the animal. But it's hard to think that I have to let go whenever that may be. We've had him since he was 5 months old - he's a rescue dog and is just such a wonderful friend, it's devastating news. And although he's 13, he's still spritely and full of life. x
 
I'm so sorry to read this.

My old girl Dusty had the same thing, about 10 years ago. She wasn't very old. My daughter and I, after discussion with the vet, decided to give her painkillers for a while and let her have some happy weeks with us then pts before it became too painful.

I couldn't bear the idea of intrusive treatment, I felt she'd just suffer too much with no guarantee of a good outcome.

The last day of her life she went for a long walk in the park and ran and played with her friend Jess until she was exhausted, then came home to pig out on all her favourite treats and the vet came out so she could end her life at home. She was wagging her tail to the end, unaware anything was amiss.

It was hard parting with her when she was still young and fit, but it felt like the right choice for her.
 
I would agree with those above - that's a good age for any dog but quite an advanced age to be considering chemo IMHO. My rottie was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in December, we opted for amputation of the affected limb as that was the only feasible pain relief available, but chose not to go the chemo route and were told 5 months was the median life expectancy. He's just about to celebrate 6 months since the diagnosis/op in a couple of days time and as yet is happy healthy and loving life despite being a tri-pawd. He had the most marvellous holiday a couple f weeks ago and played on the beach every day. I would definitely vote for making the most of the time you have left while keeping her as happy and pain free as possible.
Thoughts are with you - I know how hard it is to face these decisions.
 
Holly Hocks said:
Those are my thoughts too really, Supertrooper. I always think that if chemo is just going to extend the life span, then really we're doing it for ourselves, not the animal. But it's hard to think that I have to let go whenever that may be. We've had him since he was 5 months old - he's a rescue dog and is just such a wonderful friend, it's devastating news. And although he's 13, he's still spritely and full of life. x
Click to expand...

I'm so sorry to read about your bad news, I haven't had a dog or cat with a nasal tumour, but they've had other sorts of tumours and this far, I've only chosen surgery (when it actually could be and luckily turned out to be a cure) or no treatment. But that is what have felt right for me, you should do what feels right for you.

You have my sympathy about that it is hard to realise that the day is coming when you will have to let them go, it is difficult when they're still enjoying life and you still feel that they could have a few good years left, but on the other hand, as my mother have said to me a few times, is that not how many of us wants our ending to be, being old and happy, not having too much problems, still being able to enjoy life and then one day it just ends? If you hope that your last days won't be a struggle, then hope the same for your pets.

Can't say that I always agree with my mother, but I agree with her about that. With lots of sympathy and ((((((Hugs))))))
 
I'm so sorry to hear your news :( I had a whippet with a nasal tumour, due to the shape and structure of her skull they wouldnt consider invasive surgery (nor would I have wanted that) and chemo is never something I would personally consider for my dogs.

It was a really hard decision when I had to let her go, she appeared well in so many ways, but I knew it was the right time for her :(
 
Yes, my MIL had her Rhodesian Ridgeback bitch treated with Chemo. It is not something I'd do to a dog. MILs dog had to be PTS anyway after undergoing treatment unsuccessfully.

All the best keeping her comfortable and happy for a while, and when the time comes will be thinking of you.
 
I'm so sorry to hear your news. I lost my old girl (15) to cancer last October. She'd had a cancerous tumour removed at 13 and we were told then it would almost certainly recur within a year. We got 2 and I'm grateful for that. The last few months were uneven, sometimes she wasn't right and I'd think it was time, then she'd perk back up and carry on as if nothing was wrong. In the end, it was all very fast. She'd had a lovely day playing with the younger dogs at my parents' place in their huge garden, racing around like a fool, came in, lay down and wouldn't wake up. We took her to the vet then and there, they found enough to confirm the cancer was back and she was pts within the hour. She never did bother to wake up except to snuggle in closer and lick my hand as the needle went in. I decided against chemo and all the other invasive procedures after the first op (which was an easy one, age concerns aside). I was offered the options again the second time but I didn't take them and I don't regret it. She was happy and, apart from the odd day or two, comfortable (with painkiller support when needed) and I think that was better than trying to prolong things any further. I was still in bits when she went. I hope, whatever you decide, that you and your boy enjoy the time you have left.
 
Thanks everyone. I remember watching a programme a while ago - can't remember whether it was the Rolf Harris one or not where a dog was having chemo/radiotherapy for cancer. I remember at the time thinking that I would never do that to my dog if he was ever diagnosed with cancer as my thought was that the owner was doing it for himself, not the dog. I think we'll deal with it via pain relief, although at the moment he is on Metacam for his arthritis anyway so isn't actually in any pain at all - just has this mucus/nosebleed.

We had a lovely walk tonight on the fell, just for 30 minutes. He clearly still has his sense of smell as he managed to eat some sheep and cow poo and found an old tennis ball. He even managed to chase a few rabbits. I must be the only dog walker who has to go out not only with poo bags, but with tissues to wipe the dog's nose with as well.
His appetite is still good - it's so hard knowing I'm going to lose him, probably quite soon.
I keep hoping that when I phone the vets on Friday for the biopsy results they'll tell me there are no cancerous cells there, and it's just an infection, but I know it's not going to happen. His dinner tonight was roast chicken with steamed broccoli and steamed carrots - my tea was a left over tub of cottage cheese on crackers! When I start crying, he does that thing that dogs do, where they put their head questioningly on one side, trying to understand. I feel like I'm going through the grieving process while he's still here....
 
Holly Hocks - I also grieved before my old girl left. I had a year knowing I would have to make the decision sometime.

I cried and shouted how unfair for the year. But when it finally came time, although it hurt so much, I was up and mobile quite soon after. I think I'd had so much time to get used to the idea, it didn't break me so much.

You get to spoil them thoroughly and throw the rule book out the window.......

If Xara wanted chocolate, she got chocolate :o
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top