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Monday, April 26, 2010

Dog Tumors On Geriatric Dogs . . .

I wanted to avoid this one. I wanted to post happy horse barn photos, or more fun dachshund pictures, something enjoyable to start the week with. This is a post I'd rather skip, but at the same time, I feel it would be dishonest. After all, you my furiends, are braver, and you share both the good and the bad times. I'll join you. 

This past weekend was a bit rough for family. About a year ago, M discovered ... dog tumors, on her beloved Linguini. She was ten at the time and M freaked out. For once, she lost control and the worst thoughts entered her mind. She's not afraid of saying goodbye, she's more afraid of having to make the ultimate difficult and at the same time loving decision. For a couple of weeks, Linguini got tested and retested and finally we were told that she had fatty tumors and to watch them. They're common on geriatric dogs. The general rule for dog fatty tumor treatment, is let it be unless it becomes a problem. Mast cell tumors in dogs are another story, one we haven't had to face, yet.

Dog tumors are camouflaged on a spotted breed

We spent a year, aware of the tumors, but after the first few months, we relaxed a bit. We tried to live a normal life hoping that things could go of like this indefinitely. Friends recommended we gave Linguini K-9 Liquid Health Glucosamine with Chondroitin and MSM. It seemed to work like a miracle, and perhaps it did for a year. Linguini started hopping and goofing around like she was a born again pup! But we knew we were treating her joints instead of the the dog tumors.
Well, this past weekend, Linguini started to limp all of a sudden. M checked and her fatty tumor in her leg joint had more than doubled. Linguini had moments of discomfort when she would start to shake, and she spent all her time within inches of M. When our girl is sick or scared, that's where she finds comfort.
We're taking Linguini to the dog vet in a few hours. We don't know what's to come, and we're all very concerned. Most likely, the offending fatty tumor will have to be surgically removed at this point. They'll have to run a new biopsy to rule out canine mast cell tumor. Geriatric dogs are prone to both types. 
If it's a canine mast cell tumor, nowadays these dog tumors do respond to modern therapy which usually entails a combination of surgery or chemotherapy, even radiation, complimented by immune system enhancers. 

Sometimes though, when it rains, it pours, and Murphy and his Law rule. Unable to take Linguini to the regular dog vet during the weekend, M didn't want to risk the emergency dog vet clinic, she decided to conduct an extensive dog tumor screening. The strangest thing happened. She found a small tumor on Frankie's neck. 

Dog tumors usually are well hidden and can go by undetected
Screen your pets regularly for dog tumors
If you have geriatric dogs, the more vigilant you have to be

So, we have an appointment for both my sissies. Of course, we're all hoping for a dog fatty tumor verdict on both. M even hopes that the chiweenie only has an inflamed gland. We shall see...

The question now is,
who will take care of whom in this equation

We're a bit in shock at the moment, but we're not sad, just concerned. We love our quirky designer dogs and we don't want them to suffer one bit. We have a wonderful dog vet who we trust a lot and we're looking forward to good news to share shortly. 

Twinkie

45 comments:

Remington said...

Please keep us posted....our thoughts and prayers are with them....

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

My mom knows about those fatty tumor thingys. One of the short hairs had that. It was huge (SHE says) and had to be taken out. It was Never a problem again.
Soooo my dear furends... that is what I am going to hope is wrong. That and nothing else.
Keep us posted.
In the meantime... we will ALL cross our paws for both girrrls to be fine and dandy.
On top of MY crossed paws... I am going to send you all some Mighty Dachshund VIBES. They work on everything. OKAY???

Draco and his Mom said...

Hi Miss Twink...I am sad to hear about your sissy's. We hope the vet gives you good news about both of them. Take good care
Draco

kks said...

our paws are crossed for you two!
xoxo

Dexter said...

Hopefully just old dog bumps and nothing more serious, but we will be thinking about you two. Good for mom to check everybody out really carefully. Us dogs are quite brave and don't complain until things are super serious.

Slobbers,
Mango

Anonymous said...

Twinkie and Linguini and Frankie - I'm sending you all kinds of good, pawsitive thoughts! I bet you anything everything's gonna be just fine. We all luvs you lots and lots!

Wiggles & Wags,
mayzie

kissa-bull said...

oh twinkie dear we are furry worried now about your sissys
mommish ish going to go right home after woik and light a candle to st francis for boff
in the meantime all 6pack of paws are crossed and we'll be thinking good thoughts and sending pibble healing vibes your way

worried wiggles
the pittie pack

Asta said...

Twinkie

My paws awe cwossed for bog Linguini and Fwankie.We awe also sending tewwiew stwenght and zen and pwaying fow the bestest outcome.Pleez let us know
smoochie kisses
ASTA

the magic sleigh said...

Wooos Twinkie! We will be keeping our paws crossed fur woo friends, I hope all goes well, my old friend who lived with me had some of those too, she had to have one removed, bu the rest just stayed there.
I will send healing sibe-vibes to them
and husky kisses to woo!
-Kira The BeaWootiful

Two Pitties in the City said...

Hopefully it's just the fatty kind and nothing to be concerned about. We will be thinking about you. And thanks for the PSA to remind everyone to be vigilant about this in our own dogs.

3 doxies said...

Oh say it ain't so. Well, funny thing happened on da way to my blog this am...I saw wheres mum posted about my sissy and hers had a tumor removed also when we got her. It was a mammory tumor but was still one of those fatty things.
We are sending out some good vibrations and hope all will be ok.And as Frankie F. said...DACHSHUND vibes...and times that by our 3.
Puddles

JacksDad said...

Sometimes we have to talk about things that aren't pleasant, BUT, you are helping make people more aware so that is a very good thing!! (As someone would say).

Here's hoping for good news!

Nadine, Chewy and Lilibell said...

We have a family dog, Casey, who has those fatty tumors also. We will be crossing our paws and saying our prayers that everything turns out okay at the vets. Please let us know as soon as you find out something.

Waggles & Chi kisses, Chewy, Lilibell and Mom

Smushie Ranch said...

With the good, there is always the bad. That is the way of life. Please keep us posted on both girls, we'll be waiting anxiously to hear about them!

We had an Aussie that had a tumor on his leg that turned out to be a fatty tumor. Hopefully Ms. Linguini has the same thing.

Shannon and the Gang

Brandon - The dog with a blog said...

We are so sorry, you are in our thoughts & prayers, hope all goes well,

Toby's Raiser

Pat Wahler said...

Scarey stuff. We're sending positive thoughts and prayers your way. Please let us know how things go.

Pippen said...

Sending good thoughts your way!

Sam and Pippen

Sagira said...

Wow, this post hit home with us. As we posted we found out that Samick has a mass in his urinary bladder. The vet has now recommended surgery to remove it, but it is going to be $750 and to do surgery on an 11 year old dog, we just are not sure what to do.

I really hope you find out good news at the vet and nothing major has to be done. Our thoughts are with your family...

Anonymous said...

Oh man! I'm so bummin! I sure hope its all benign with your sissys. I know you love 'em and like having them with you. many wags and wiggles and canine kisses to you and your sissys!

Paco,Milo, Maya and mommy Simona said...

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Dear dear friends....
we missed you tons but we have been so busy with Paco....
So pleaseeeeeeeee......forgive us for our absence on your blog....
We're back now and what we have to read!!!
Poor Linguini and Frankie....We send you tons of pawsitive vibes and we'll keep you in our prayers every day!!!!
Paws crossed....we hope your vet will give you good news!!!!
Pleaseeeeeee.....keep us posted ok???!!!!

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!
Sweet kisses and huge hugs to all of you!!!!

brooke said...

Awww Twink... that's rough. Not the kind of discovery you'd like to make at all. Hoping for the best for your sissies! We're sending all the positive thoughts and vibes that you sent Darwin back at you!!!!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Sadly we know only too well the terror tumors can cause in one's mind. Our human sister's lab had a huge fatty tumor on his back leg that was interfering with her walking. It grew very fast and very big - they were worried too, but it turned out to be just a big fat blob. Hoping for good news on both LInguini and Frankie.

Hugs and Woos - Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Paws khrossed fur positive news...

Mom doesn't have anything to ofFUR from experience...

Thanks fur sharing...

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

houndstooth said...

We had a good friend, a lab mix, who had several tumor removed that were mast cell tumors, and he lived another five years. They changed his diet significantly and gave him some herbal supplements. He lived to be a very happy old dog!

My mom's got a little bichon/maltese cross who had a toe amputated last year because of the tumor growing on it. He went through chemo and has been a cancer survivor for a year now. Chemo in dogs is not nearly as bad as it is in humans.

We have our paws and fingers crossed for Linguini and Frankie!

Bunny and her mom

houndstooth said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sally Ann and Andy said...

Twinkie,
Please tell Linguini and Frankie to be strong. My sissy, Sylvie, had a fatty tumor under her right leg, and she had skin cancer once. She survived both of these things. The doctors never told Mommy that the bump of Sylvie's back was cancerous. She lived 5 years after the original diagnosis. Please tell them to be strong, and Twinkie you must distract them from any worries.
Sally Ann

PICKETTTTTTTT said...

We're saying big paw-rayers over here!

Two French Bulldogs said...

Ahh..our paws will stay crossed for you
Benny & Lily

Sonic said...

Oh no! That's so scary!

Paws crossed for both of them. Everyone here sends their best out to your sis'.

Sonic

Golden Samantha said...

We are sending a bazillion golden vibes to both pups and crossed paws. Please keep us posted.
Big Hugs xoxoxoxo
Sammie and Family

Remi said...

Hoping for the bestest of pawsitive news for the both of you!

Yas said...

Sending pawsitive vibes and prayers your way!!
Do keep us posted!

Cheers,
Maxx

Martine said...

Twinkster & family,

we hope the dog doctor has good news. Waiting is the worst. We are thinking of your pack.

Xo martine & the kiddlets

Sally Ann and Andy said...

Twinkie,
We'll be sending you Eskies kisses and Welsh hugs.
Sally Ann

the booker man said...

miss twinkie,
i've got my paws crossed that miss linguini and miss frankie will be okie dokie and that it's just those fatty tumor thingies.
*woof*
the booker man

The Oceanside Animals said...

hello twinkie its dennis the vizsla dog hay we ar wagging owr tails for gud nooz too!!! ok bye

Lorenza said...

I have my paws crossed for Linguini and Frankie.
I hope everything is going to be ok!
Take care
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Kate said...

Paws crossed for positive news!

Koda

Ina in Alaska said...

We love Linguini and Frankie and we are also adding out paws to the others to bring comfort to all of you!! Stay strong kids!!! xoxoxo

My Mind's Eye said...

Twinkie
Madi and I are so sorry to learn of this news. We hope and pray by the time you read out comment you have received good news and both Linguni and Frankie are on the mend. YOu are all in our thoughts and prayers,
Madi and Mom

KB said...

I agree - when it rains it pours. In our house, we never have just one vet issue at a time - we get a whole string of them right in row!

But, my paws are crossed. Hoping that those tumors are nothin' but fat.

animal lover, quilt lover said...

I have a dog with the fatty tumors too. She has under gone surgery for 5 of the turmors and she needs to have 3 more removed. She is 12 and a half now and I worry so for her. Those turmors grow back at least in Bambi's experence!!
Thanks so much for this informative post!!!!
Hugs, Fern

Sketching with Dogs said...

We are keeping all our collective paws crossed for you and sending lots of kisses, mwahh!
Wags, Dip Bridge and Elliot xx

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

We are praying that everything is ok. Mama always gives Bilbo and me "puppy massages" from head to tail once a week to just "check things out". Thanks for sharing this with us!!

Smileys for Luck!
Dory

Oskar said...

Paws crossed that everything turns out o.k.

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