Bloody Nose / Throat Tumour

[marshsparrow]

I'm new to this board and wishing I had found it a while back - I suppose I had no reason to search out this information...

A week ago my Burton (10 year old English Cocker Spaniel) began bleeding from his nose and experienced trouble breathing - we rushed him to the vet where he was examined and we were told that he had something causing this (I thought it was just an internal cut to his nose) - they did an initial examination, bloodwork, etc. As the bloodwork and other tests all came back good they recommended that we proceed with a dental as they thought it might have been a tooth or root causing the problem. Thursday was his scheduled dental and prior the dental they did x-rays. Well the long of the short or the short of the long (however that story goes) is that they discovered a tumour of all places but in his neck. So they are certain that this is what is causing all the problems. His nose, teeth and head are fine (from the x-ray). She showed me the x-rays when I picked him up and the tumour is quite large - its in a location of his throat that you can't easily feel it.

So next step is to do an ultrasound and biopsy and determine whether
benign or active - this is scheduled for this Thursday. The vet was cautious to provide a prescription/recommendation until after the ultrasound/biopsy - I specifically asked about removing it and unfortunately the location of the tumour is such that she doesn't recommend an operation as it would probably result in more complications/injury. If benign/active we have the problem that its causing trouble for his throat and his circulation system and she indicated that the blood and trouble breathing would return as his body overcomes the antibiotics. So all around just not good news.

I'm concerned about pain / discomfort. He had a bit of bleeding on Saturday and a bit this morning - nothing like a week ago. He still has a moderated appetite but sleeps most of the day and night - which isn't normal for himself.

Has anybody seen / heard of this problem before?

Hoping for some good recommendations / thoughts.

[glitterless]

I suppose the long term prognosis is dependant upon the biopsy results, although either way it doesn't sound like a good spot for a tumour. I recently heard of something similar in a horse and unfortunately just days after the tumour was found, the horse had to be euthanized.

I really hope that things will be different for Burton and that you can find a way to treat him or at least keep him comfortable. Has the vet prescribed anything for the pain? I'm sure that if you give the clinic a call they could get a prescription ready.

I'll be keeping you and Burton in my thoughts. Good luck.

[marshsparrow]

Glitterless many thx for your thoughts and reply - Burton seems to have a good day and then a bad day - yesterday was a great day. We are keeping him very relaxed and comfortable.

The vet prescribed an antibiotic and advised that all food be soft.

Tommorrow is the ultrasound and biopsy

My #1 priority is to keep him comfortable and not in pain.

[OntarioGreys]

Pawsitive prayers for your little one
Have you been referred to a veterinary onocologist? If the biopsy result come back as positive, I would definitely ask to be referred to one, they are cancer specialists, they would be the best to provide an answer to whether surgery is a possible route, pain management also whether chemo could be used to shrink the tumor. Their knowledge about treating cancer is far vaster than a regular vet. I know there is some pretty amazing research and extensive cancer being done at Ohio State University by Dr Couto where they are using a fairly inexpensive chemo combo and instead on using to treat the whole dog are injecting into the tumor only, and results are turning out pretty good. I know many vets across North America consult with him about treatment options

[sarenab]

Burton is lucky to have you! Good thoughts coming your way, please keep us posted.

[marshsparrow]

Burton was dropped off at the vet this AM for his ultrasound and biopsy.

Positive energy and prayers our way please

[sarenab]

Hope all goes well, many good, healing thoughts coming your way!

[marshsparrow]

Burton did his ultrasound and biopsy on Thursday - poor guy. The procedure went well and from the ultrasound they determined that the growth is encapsulated and not attached to any key organ. They indicated that it appears to be a solid mass. The specialist who performed the procedure confirmed that the location is way too difficult/risky to operate/remove. We should get the biopsy results sometime today.

Seems his appetite is hit and miss. Friday and Saturday were great days and yesterday was lots of sleeping, trouble breathing, not much energy.

Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Also any information/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Hunter's_owner]

I just wanted to say I am sorry for what you are going through, it must be so hard.
that everything will be okay

[marshsparrow]

Well unfortunately we were blindsided by the results of Burton's biopsy. The results showed and confirmed that he has an aggressive cancer hemangiosarcoma - which normally starts on the spleen or heart. To be 100% certain the vet recommended a further ultrasound on his heart and spleen - she suspects that it spread from there and formed an active tumour in his throat.

We are besides ourselves and in complete shock.

Any thoughts / suggestions? My focus now has turned to his continued comfort and not wanting to prolong any suffering/pain.

Continued thoughts and prayers for us and our Burton.

[Hunter's_owner]

So so sorry to hear:sad:

[sarenab]

So very sorry about what is happening to Burton and you.

[hazelrunpack]

Marshsparrow--I'm so sorry to hear the news about Burton. We've lost a setter and a springer to hemangiosarcoma.

In our experience, it does not seem to be a particularly painful cancer--in both our dogs, rimadyl was enough to control any discomfort, and our springer never showed any signs of discomfort at all. So with Burton, the breathing will likely be more of an issue than the pain.

I know it's so hard. Love him up and make him comfy. Our thoughts are with you all at this difficult time. It sounds like you've given him a very good life--and that's worth the world.

[marshsparrow]

We got confirmation yesterday that Burton has an aggressive cancer hemangiosarcoma. We went to the vet yesterday expecting that we would have to put him down but the good news out of the bad news is that its on his spleen and not on his heart. So we can take the next few days, weeks or couple of months and enjoy him and monitor his quality of life and do whats best when he tells us.

Its still so hard to see Burton energetic and doing his normal thing knowing that he is sick and with us now for such a limited time with nothing for us to do. We'll take whatever days and spoil him to bits!

Thx for all the encouraging words.

[OntarioGreys]

I am sorry about the DX

Only advice, love him and spoil him, allow him to do the things he loves to do while he still can and take plenty of pictures.

[marshsparrow]

Morning - thx everybody for your thoughts and prayers.

We had an excellent weekend with Burton - nice walks, playing in the snow, drive for Timbits (his fav), snuggling and sleeping - the extra time has proven to be rewarding for all of us.

This week I've begun to notice a slowdown - he's eating and drinking about 50% less - still interested in his treats, still wanting to go outside and still wanting to be whereever we are. His tail wagging is significantly less (we always thought his little stub would fall off it moved so fast - and when he couldn't get it to go any faster his entire back end would get going)... lastnight he wasn't interested in going for a walk.

My partner is able to work from home so he monitors him closely all through the day. When I lay with Burton I can see in his eyes that he knows what's happening and it pains me so. I still continue to insist that I don't want him to be in pain but I'm having such a hard time knowing when he's had enough. My previous two dogs just died naturally of old age so I've never had to experience this before.

Keep Burton and us in your prayers. Thoughts?

[Lukka'sma]

Oh boy, sometimes Mother Nature can be so unkind.
I'm sorry for all that you and Burton have to endure. The anguish for you must be immeasurable.
Warm-hearted wishes for Burton being sent.

[Hunter's_owner]

I am sorry to hear about everything you have had to go through as well.
My thoughts and prayers are with you

[hazelrunpack]

Hi, marshmallow. In our experience, although they slowed down near the end, the cancer didn't seem to cause the dogs much pain at all. Is Burton having more trouble breathing or just slowing down?

Our dogs did not seem too uncomfortable with it (a small blessing at an otherwise difficult time)--at the worst they seem to be a big draggy, probably due to anemia. If the tumor does bleed out, they pass quite peacefully, as if falling to sleep.

Our springer didn't need pain med intervention and passed where she loved to be, under the bushes in the back yard, watching the world. Our setter stopped eating toward the end--the hemangiosarcoma had spread aggressively to his lungs. Because he had stopped eating, this time we had the vet come out to the house. Gauge passed quietly on his bed in the living room. He also didn't seem too uncomfortable until that last day--three weeks before, he'd run through the woods like a little maniac on a trip we'd taken up north. He was a little stiff after the trip, so he'd been on rimadyl since then. And that seemed to take care of whatever minor discomfort he was feeling as his lungs were engulfed--we never even noticed him slow down until 4 days before the end.

So there is every reason to believe that Burton is not in much (if any) pain--as long as the tumor in his throat isn't interfering with his breathing too much.

I'm so sorry you're having to go through this. It's never easy, and Burton sounds like a great dog. He's very lucky to have you and your partner. As much love as you're giving him, he's loving back, and that's saying quite a lot. I've been thinking of you a lot this past week. Prayers and good wishes coming your way

[marshsparrow]

Well after a couple of great weeks we put Burton to rest yesterday. Things went bad for him Sunday night and through Monday and finally yesterday he refused to get up, go outside, eat, etc. I could tell through his eyes that he had experienced enough. We had a good last day and he was well through the euthanization - we didn't leave his side and I could truly tell that he was relieved and at peace.

We are so thankful that we had a good few weeks. Now the grieving and the hurt are so real and so painful. Nothing could have prepared us for this but we'll allow the hurt to pass and the memories to begin.

Thx for all your kind words and support. Hugs and prayers forever for our Burton.

[Hunter's_owner]

So sorry to hear about Burton:sad:

[Frenchy]

This is the first time I see this thread, I'm so sorry for your loss. :sad:

[hazelrunpack]

I had just been wondering how Burton was doing--almost sent you a pm yesterday...

So sorry for your loss, marshsparrow, and that you must go through this difficult time.

Pets have a way of repaying their loved ones. The love you gave Burton for all those years will come back to you many times over, and the good memories will soon outweigh the sad ones.

Rest in peace, Burton. You are well-loved.

[cpietra16]

This is my first time reading this thread, and I am so sorry for your loss. I am glad you hada great few weeks with him. It must be comforting to know that he is at peace, playing with all his other furfriends acroos the bridge...RIP

[rainbow]

This is the first time I seen your post as well. I am so sorry for your loss of Burton. :sad: My condolences to you and your partner.

[SuperWanda]

I have been following these posts about Burton and was hoping that you would have a better outcome. I'm very sorry for your loss.