Dog Community

Adenocarcinoma in the colon

Posted : 4/24/2006 4:09:29 PM

I'm not sure what to do. My dog Frosty Paws was a rescue 8 years ago. I guess him at about 10 years old. He was left on the freeway for dead after being hit by a car in the rear end.  He then developed blood in his stool about three years ago. I freaked out and took him to the vet.  He was diagnosed with Irritated bowel syndrome. A few weeks ago, he began to bleed heavily after going to the bathroom.   I went back to my vet who gave me more antibiotics.   The symptoms seemed to get better for a few days.   The bleeding then came back. I went to another vet for their opinion. Again, I was almost out the door with more antibiotics when they did a rectal exam.   She felt something. She said it was probably just a polyp and it could be removed.

This was good Friday.   I then got a phone call from this vet. It was far worse then she thought.   She would have to do a rectal pull through.  She said what did we want to do. I could go to a specialist or she thought she could get it.  He was under anethsia so I said please get the mass out. Meanwhile, she would send the biopsy out to get tested.

She couldn't get the mass!!! I put him through the procedure for nothing. He was in so much pain.   His stictches started coming out and we had to rush him to an emergency clinic.

Thank goodness he came through surgery so far. It has been a week.   Now the specialist is looking at another rectal pull through.   I'm scared to death. Is this really what I should put this happy dog through again!

Any advice or guidance...would be so much apprecriated.

I wish I got more opinions or pushed more on his disease instead of blindly accepting his diagnosis. I don't want to put him through all this again and lose is quality of life.   What are you thoughts and prayers. Thank you....

Thank you,

dyan

Posted : 4/24/2006 6:11:12 PM

Oh my gosh, I wish I had advise for you! I know how much you love your Frosty Paws,,,,I can feel it in your post. I'm sorry that you are having to deal with this. I hope someone comes along with some advise. May I just say I wish you and Frosty best wishes...I hope you can solve his problem!

Patti Spycher

Posted : 4/24/2006 6:20:58 PM

Thank you Dyan. Thank you for listening and responding. We just got back from a walk around the whole block. His tail wagging. I know I'm not supposed to give up hope but I am torn up about a second surgery in the exact same area. All the tests have not come back as far as the spreading. I will find out in the next few weeks.

Thank you,
Patti and Frosty Paws

P.S. His name is Frosty because when they found him on the street he was covered in frost, but he can warm anyone's heart with his happy disposition. Thank you again.

cakana

Posted : 4/24/2006 6:21:30 PM

I wish I could help with answers, but sadly, I can't. I too am sorry you and Frosty Paws are going through this. It does sound very painful and if he's just recovering from the first surgery, a second must be a scary option. Is it possible to wait for some time to see how he does after this surgery or is the bleeding issue just going to continue until a second surgery?

dyan

Posted : 4/24/2006 6:29:09 PM

Thats right, you can't give up hope... Hey, Frostys tail was wagging on his walk, he is happy. To him, thats all that counts. He is not worried, just happy. And if he can wag his tail and go for a walk he is not feeling that bad either. Try to relax a bit, and wait until the results. The vet (new one) will know how safe it is to do the surgery again. And yes, like Cathy said, it would be good if you can wait to get him some strength back...but then if the vet thinks its okay to go ahead, it might be well to get it all over with.

Sandra TH

Posted : 4/24/2006 6:31:55 PM

I will keep you and Frosty Paws in my thoughts and hope for a positive outcome.

calliecritturs

Posted : 4/24/2006 6:45:36 PM

A couple of suggestions:

First is to put him on a cancer diet -- that simply means no grain carbs and a diet high in Omega 3s and high in anti-oxidants. There are a TON of different diets -- given that you'll need to keep the stool soft, I'm going to suggest you get in touch with Doggie Dietician for a specific cancer diet in this case: [linkhttp://www.monicasegal.com]http://www.monicasegal.com[/link] -- and she is an AWESOME lady.

next -- you might want to try a whole different vet approach-- not as "instead" of but in "addition" to -- a vet who does traditional Chinese veterinary medicine has a wide assortment of treatments (like acupuncture) that can help augment ANY sort of treatment and help healing AND help cancer not grow.

[linkhttp://www.chi-institute.com]http://www.chi-institute.com[/link] -- Truly can help so much -- with everything from control of pain to helping any treatment work better. Even such stuff as maitake mushroom (available at better health food stores) helps so much because it 'protects' healthy cells from cancer.

Feel free to email me if you need more info -- I've had a couple of dogs that have had cancer. The diet alone will give you better longevity than anything else.

Patti Spycher

Posted : 4/24/2006 6:50:48 PM

Thank you to everyone with your thoughts and prayers. I am really stressing on the second surgery. He was in a lot of pain the first time around and I don't want him to lose his Frosty attitude. It wouldn't be fair to him. You guys are right...wait until I know all the facts. I got very scared when the regular vet said the specialist called her and confirmed he wanted to do the exact same failed procedure. She is very kind but said if it fails again we could put him asleep right on the table. Freaked me out. Happy dog now and then two surgeries only to put him down.

He is bleeding but not horribly bad. He has drainage and for right now has lost bowel control..as far as getting things out.   He will hold it until he goes outside the poor little thing but he can't finish things.

I feel I failed him because I did not get all the facts.   If anyone out there is facing the same type of dilemma, the very best piece of advice I can please give is really get all the facts if things are not as planned.   Don't make a snap decision because the dog is already under anesthia.    I wish I had more time to research and plan.   I am not blaming the vets in anyway...I just needed to make a more informed decision right from the start.

Everyone said it was irriated bowel syndrome and with his back trauma. I thought it was a reasonable decision.

Thank you everyone for your prayers and well wishes.   I will please write more information as I get it.

Thank you so very much.

dyan

Posted : 4/24/2006 6:57:15 PM

I want to add something. You sound like you are feeling guilty,,,and I wish that you would not do that to yourself. You did what many (most) of us would have done, it was a good assumption knowing his past, AND of course you did not want to put him under anesthesia again,,,, So please don't blame yourself,,, as you don't blame the vets. Just pull together and move ahead. You love your dog, you would not have done anything that would have hurt him in any way, so please don't do this to yourself.

calliecritturs

Posted : 4/24/2006 6:59:53 PM

Wise counsel, Dyan

rredbird

Posted : 4/24/2006 7:06:30 PM

Please let go of the guilt - it it not worth holding on to. I think I am safe in saying 100% of us would say go ahead if our vet felt confident that they could do the surgery especially since he was already under (most of us are more scared of the anesthesia than the surgery!). Things did not work out the way you wanted but hope is still there - follow Callie's advice and you should be in good hands[

].

We will keep you in our prayers! Let us know how things go.

cakana

Posted : 4/24/2006 9:04:50 PM

Patti - it sounds like you rescued this little guy when he needed it, gave him lots of love and still do, and now you're trying to do anything within your power to keep him healthy and painfree. I believe our dogs know all that and very much appreciate it. Give yourself a much needed hug and know that you're going to do your very best to help Frosty through this. That doesn't mean you need to have a plan right now either. Just try to relax and know that you'll make any necessary decisions when you have more information. If you have a good vet, they should be able to help you with that. I always use this question "if it were your dog, what would you do?" It makes them focus on the issue as less of a Dr. and more of a pet owner.

tacran

Posted : 4/24/2006 10:04:08 PM

I don't have any information about that particular condition or surgery, but I wanted to say you have my good thoughts. We had to face some decisions with our dog last summer and fall, and it was very hard to know what to do, never feeling like you had enough time or info to make the best decision, and then thinking it was the wrong one even if you DID have lots of info. I am fully familiar with the feelings of regret and guilt associated with what you're going through. I know everyone can say not to do that to yourself, but it's easier said than done, especially for certain personality types (of which I am one of them!).

I think you'll find wonderful advice here, and I hope for the best for you and Frosty Paws. Take care.

Julie Byers

Posted : 4/25/2006 12:46:10 AM

Patti and Frosty, Mack and I are rooting for you. It sounds like you are an excellent doggymamma, and have your heart and mind in the right direction. Please don't let guilt make your decisions for you my dear, listen to dyan, and callie they won't steer you wrong. Try to google a lot when time permits, it will provide the education and background you need to make informed decisions. There are a lot of big loving hearts on this forum, and even if you don't hear from them directly, I bet everyone will rally around you both with support and healing thoughts. Keep us posted when you can. Love to all, Jules

forpaws

Posted : 4/25/2006 8:21:17 AM

Patti, you have lots of great advice from many well respected posters.
Know we, even if we don't know the answers, will give you the moral support and strength you need to follow through with Frosty Paws. We are here for you.
Thinking of the two of you and sending you comfort and healing vibes.
Dilly D and Crew