Adenocarcinoma in the colon

I'm just now seeing this.....I have no words of wisdom to share, but know that you and Frosty are in our thots and prayers.  And yes, idoggers WILL be here for you, no matter what.

Hi Duchpaws, I'm sorry to hear about what you and Frosty are going through.  You've gotten very good advise here and I agree with everyone else that you have nothing to feel guilty about. I did want to ask a question though.  I can't quite tell from your posts, but has the Specialist already seen Frosty in person?  Or at this point, has your Vet just been conferring with a Specialist over the phone?  Either way, after you receive the results of the biopsy, I'd make an appointment with the Specialist and discuss your 2nd surgery concerns with him/her.  If a second surgery is recommended, even though it may be "the same procedure", having it done by a Specialist will possibly yield much different results.  And you and the Specialist can also discuss aggressive pain management for Frosty following the surgery. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.

Continued thanks to everyone.  I totally appreciate it!!  In reply to Minimoms questions on the specialist.  Yes, we went to the specialist yesterday.  He strongly wants to do the same operation again after Frosty heals for two weeks.  I'm scared to death.  The local vet assurred me she couldn't pull any more of the tumor out.  I know he's the specialist but I don't know if it's the right thing to do.   Right now we don't know if the cancer has spread.  I won't find out until they do more tests.  If the cancer has spread then a second surgery will, of course, be less effective...
 
This is one of the hardest decisions I have ever made.   All the information I read says that the bigger the tumor the less likelihood of recovery.  According to my local vet...it was huge.   I will please post anything else I find out.   I have another appt next Monday.....

You know, usually vets are completely honest about things like surgery and if they think they can make a difference or not.  Yes, they want to try to save the animal but I've just read so many times that vets will give an honest opinion on what good the surgery will do. First, not until the tests come back can you even guess anything.   They might come back good, or they might not.   Once they do, ask the vet for his HONEST OPINION as to what Frostys outcome might be after further surgery.  Of course he can only give an opinion, and can't be positive,,,but I think he will let you know what he honestly thinks. 

Excellent advise Dyan!!!!!!!!!!! Two thumbs up!!!! !
 
Dutch,
No matter the overall out come, know without your compassion and love for this animal, Frosty would have most likely lived a miserable life If you hadn't intervened and taken her in. She will let you know when it is time and if you have to help her cross that bridge when it comes, she will thank you for your love, kindness, the warmth and compassion you've shown her all these years.Definitely know we on this forum will stand behind you in the most difficult of times. We as a collective we, know and understand your pain and concerns. We, have had to wear those very same shoes once or twice in our lives. That is part of being a devoted pet owner. You only want what is best for your fur child and never do you want to see them uncomfortable.Hugs to you and Frosty. We will continue to keep the two of you into our prayers.Angel and Crew.

Hi Everyone,
    Just an update...well just a checkin on my Frosty Paws.  He is doing much better health wise.   I take him back to the Specialist on Monday to see how his failed surgery is healing.   His disposition is great.  He wants to go for walks (short ones!) and loves to eat.  His anal region is not a good as expected though.  He has lost his ability so far to expel things.  He does his best.   I follow behind him outside with baby wipes.  He still has the diaper.  He has only had a few accidents..I don't care but he gets so upset when he does.  Panting and all.   Monday if all checks out...we start talking about tests.   We have to see if the cancer has spread..(as far as they can tell).   I'm going to have fun with him all weekend and of course spoil him to death.   We are trying not to thing about Monday until it comes.   I will please let you know what his outcome is....
 
Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers. 

Glad to hear he's feeling a little better and hope the news is good on the prognosis.  Yes - spoil him rotten.  He deserves it after what he's gone thru.

Yay for Frosty!   He will have a great weekend, and so will you guys! Good idea to just enjoy him and worry about Monday on monday!    And hopefully you don't have much to worry about!
HAVE FUN!!

Hi Everyone,
    An update.   Specialist says Frosty will need more surgery because he looks to have a stricture after the first surgery.  He doesn't want to do it just yet because of his healing.  He is completely fecal inconstinent.  I feel bad for him because he knows he not supposed to go so it stresses him out.  He pants...  I have diapers on him when I can't be with him.   I ran home from work during lunch and he had gone again.  They want him to keep loose so he can continue to pass things but he can not hold it..poor little guy.   He is only 57 pound shepard mix so he is not very big.   The specialist is going to do a complete blood work and then a colonscopy to see the extent of the cancer.  If and only if it hasn't spread then he might go after it.   I'm crossing my fingers it hasn't spread just yet...but I'm worried because he is kind of lethargic..unless you bring out the leash since that is walk time!   He's not eating great.   I think his stomache might be upset.  I can get him to eat some boiled chickhen breast.   I was waiting to get the go ahead on other foods from the dr. so I can start up callie's dietary suggestions.  
 
His next checkup is in two weeks.....

You may think I'm nuts, but I think it helps to tell him you are not upset with him for not being able to hold it.  Just the tone of your voice may reassure him.  Dogs that are used to being clean in the house really do get upset over this.  They realize the potty is outside...
At any rate, I'm glad that he is doing a little better than before, and we'll pray it hasn't spread yet.

Good to hear that Frosty's still doing okay.  Poor guy.  I can imagine how crummy he must be feeling with not being able to control his bowels.  I hope that the colonoscopy shows that the cancer hasn't spread and they can get what's left.  Give him lots of hugs and kisses (and boiled chicken) []

I too am happy that he is still doing alright. I'm glad he is eating something, I think it shows that he is trying also.   He knows he is loved and that is important. I give you so much credit, its so hard with all that worrying.  Hang in there.   Give him a hug and belly rub from me too, and another hug for you---you deserve it!

Patti, it was wonderful talking to you today.[]
I am so happy to hear that Frosty is feeling a bit better.
How did he enjoy the walk???
Hopefully all will go well when you see the surgeon again.
Please keep us updated.
More prayers coming your way
(((hugs)))

Hi Everyone,
     We saw the specialists on Monday but I'm still confused.  Thank you Lena for talking with me on the phone last night!   Everyone please share your opinions.  The specialist this time said the types of treatments that could be done are chemotherapy, radiation and surgery.  He consulted the Oncologist about Chemotherapy.  She concluded that this type of cancer does not respond well to chemo.   There is a brand new report out on a certain combination that may help but nothing has been really studied yet.  Radiation is very painful in that area.  He has already sustained one surgery so radiation would be very painful for him.  The last being surgery.   I guess I'm confused because when I saw him a week ago, he couldn't give me any information on success rates or anything.  This week he said there was a 70 percent chance that if the cancer is removed it could be curative.   That seems fantastic.  However, he is convinced he can do the same surgery the local vet did.   I am very confused.   She had three other vets attempt to get the tumor but she said if she removed the tumor there would not be enough colon to reattach.   So, all she did was put it back in and sew it back on.  Gosh this sounds so awful!!  Where was my head that day!!!!
 
Then he said that type of cancer is slow growing and dogs usually have a lifespan of 15 months.    So if I didn't want surgery that is what I could expect.  I am confused if it is slow growing why is he convinced it just started.  I am fearful it was the cancer all along...Which is quite some time.
 
Sorry for this all over the place post.   So he gets evaluated in two weeks.  They will take him in the night before it he looks good enough.   Do blood tests that night and get the results in the morning.  If those results are good, then they will take him in for an ultrasound.  If it doesn't look like the cancer has spread...then they will put him under anesthia and perform the colonscopy.  The colonscopy should tell them just how massive this tumor is.  Then they will perform surgery.
 
If nothing else, they still have to perform surgery on his stricture which will close his area shut and he will not be able to go to the bathroom.
 
Does this sound like a normal process?   I thought you would at least check the blood work before hand....maybe even the ultrasound. 
 
Let me know your thoughts.  Thanks again....
 
He said he needs to talk to the local vet about the size of the tumor.  She described the tumor as massive.  She said it was consuming almost the entire colon area.  It was 80 percent blockage. 
 
This is the game plan...Does this make sense???
1.  He goes back again in two weeks to get evaluated.  Right now he still needs to heal more.
2.  If he is ready.  

Did you ask the specialist what he would do if it was his dog?  The answer is usually a good guide to go by.  
 
My personal opinion FWIW is to go ahead with the scheduled procedures: bloodwork, ultrasound, then maybe colonoscopy & surgery depending on the results of the tests.  Seems a logical course of action to me. 
 
If it helps any to know - I currently have a 13 1/2 yo kitty diagnosed with breast cancer last October who I just elected surgery on - no chemo and no radiation since she is semi-feral.  She was given 6 months to live and we are on number 7 and still looking very strong!  Doctors give you their best educated guess - they still can't predict the future. 
 
Good luck with whatever you decide - please know everyone here understands and empathizes with you and we are here if you need us.