Question:
I have a Standard Poodle that will be 14 years old Dec. 13th. Seven years ago I rescued her from a woman who had neglected her terribly. I nursed her back to health and I feel she has had a much better life, as I don't think she would have lived very long in her condition. I immediately had her spayed. She has had mammary tumors removed twice since then and now some more have reappeared. She has a heart murmur also. My question is should she have surgery again at her age? Could she be in pain from the tumors? If we decide not to have the tumors removed, is there anything the vet can do for her for pain if she is having same?

Thanks in advance,
L. Morantine

Answer:
Wow, thats a decision and a half to make. I am sorry you and your dog are going through this.

I don't know what to tell you other then to get a direct opinion from a specialist. There are treatments for cancers for dogs, as you well know. Some of the medications (chemotherapy) require long IV insertion for the drug to work. I just recently saw this done (on tv) at the University Of Guelph

It may be helpful for you to start boosting your dogs immune system with supplements. Shark cartilidge is one of my favourites, add to that glucosamine and vitamin e and fish oil!

Perhaps you can find some helpful information here:
http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/

Or they can give you advise on where to go in your area.

My dog died from cancerous tumours which started in the adrenal gland. I know how devastating this is! It's great you had her spayed, she may not be with you now if you hadn't. The risk of cancer in non spayed females is much much higher.. you have done the right thing!

I found this for you as well:
http://www.afys.slu.se/eva/magltur.htm

Answer:
So sorry to hear this! At 14 years old, this is a difficult call, as it's hard to say if surgery would actually lengthen her life. Even if she were perfectly healthy, that is quite old for a large breed.

However, if your vet feels she is a good candiate for surgery, it may make what time she has left more comfortable.This is really something to discuss with your vet. The tumours are probably not painful at the moment, but if left untreated the cancer will spread and cause much suffering.

Your dog was very lucky to have found you!

Edited to ask: were the other tumours malignant or benign?

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Thank you for your heartfelt concern. I will certainly check out your recommended link.

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Thank you for your concern and reply. I just rechecked her papers to make sure I have her age correct. She was born December 13, 1990 (Alpha's Black Nicole) "Natalie." I am surprised at her longevity, and she still has puppy in her.

Her other tumors were malignant, but she had clear margins. She has 4 now, 2 under each of her last pair of teats (groin end). On one side 1 is more like a small mass, not well circumscribed at all, the other 3 are like little hard peas.

She was so skinny when I got her, I was embarassed to walk her because I was afraid people would think I let her starve. She turned out to be a beautiful dog, never barks except when she sees her boyfriend (Golden Retriever) and puts up with 2 calico cats and a cockatiel whose cage sits on top her kennel. The lady was a breeder who was getting up in age and wanted only to handle her smaller dogs. In retrospect I should have taken her dad too, a chocolate brown standard (Natalie is black). They were apparently allowed to run loose on the lady's property and not separated when fed and she thinks Natalie's dad, (Shank) ate ALL the food. I remember when I first brought her home, you could tell she was missing her dad.

I could go on and on about Nat..she is my dream dog.

Vet visit Monday, I'll see what she says.

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Please keep us posted we're all sending positive vibes!

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I certainly will! It's great to be among people who love pets as much as I do. I have no children, so they are my kids.

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Cajun-lady,I have no answers for you,I just have 3 cats,but I think you have done a wonderful thing for your dog and she has obviously rewarded you ten-folds.Yes,we all here love our animals and most people here are very knowledgable..
I can imagine the struggle you and your dog are going through,just wanted to wish you best of luck!!!
Please let us know what happened!!

Answer:
Here's hoping a minor sugery can give your dog another couple of good years!

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I feel for you, I lost one of my dogs recently due to illness and these types of decisions are very difficult to make. I found talking with the vet about the alternatives very helpful. Our vet gave us honest care and advice, before we made a decision to put our dog down, which didn't happen right away. Our vet told us what we could do to manage his symptoms and helped us to consider what signs to look for so that we could decide when it was time, which gave us a few more months with him.

Good luck, I really wish you the best, I'm sure your vet can give you the pros and cons of surgery vs caring for your dogs condition.

Answer:
Wow! what a great group of supportive people!!
Thanks again for all of your heartfelt support and encouragement.
I wish Nat could read all of your posts. Every extra minute I get during the day, I just hug her and tell her how much I love her.
I'll keep everyone posted.
Thanks a million!
CajunLady

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Can you post a pic of your beautiful Nat? And give her extra hugs and smoochies from all of us!

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I apologize for not writing back sooner;my husband was in the hospital last week and things were crazy around here.

Natalie has been to the vet and he said the tumors aren't too bad right now. He is all for taking them out if she can tolerate the anesthesia so she will be getting a blood test next month to determine if she can have surgery.

Natalie has a new sister. Her name is Gaby. Gaby is 8 months old and very, very fast on her feet. She is already very attached to Natalie and to see them together is something else. The cats (Puss & Boots) tolerate the new puppy pretty well. I think they would have protested if I'd brought a new cat into the family instead of a dog.

Here is a picture of Natalie right after I acquired her (1997). I'm having problems with my scanner right now so can't scan later pics. Also attached is a pic of Gaby.

Thanks so much to everyone for their caring and support.

Answer:
Nat is beautiful and so is Gaby! The little girl is pretty adorable too!

Hope your husband is feeling better.

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The little girl is the breeder's daughter, Brooke. She is very cute! She and Gaby were best of friends and Gaby was the only dog that would walk up the gangplank and hang out in Brook's treehouse. I was worried when time came for me to pick Gaby up, thinking each would miss each other a lot. The breeder said, No, I couldn't take her Brook home with me. (lol). I think Brooke is used to dogs coming and going at her house. When we were at their house in Houston on Memorial Day weekend, Brooke asked my husband, "wanna come and see my room? to which he grudgingly obliged. Then she told him, "now let's go outside and play." She is adorable.

My husband is doing better. He has new onset diabetes and we are trying to get his glucose under control. He was on insulin IV in VA hospital but now home he is on pills. He was very sick with an acute attack of pancreatitis.
So he has some challenges ahead of him.

Take care!
CajunLady

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They are both beautiful dogs best of luck to you,hubby and Natalie,maybe her playmate will give her a new lease on life

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Thanks Chico

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Wow! They are beautiful dogs!

Wishing your husband a full recovery.

And btw, Welcome aboard...

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Well, the time has come for Natalie's surgery. I dropped her off this morning at 9 a.m. and have been upset ever since. Can't concentrate, can't work. I'm so worried she won't make it, and I'm trying to be positive and hope that she will have a few more pain-free healthy years with us. I am such a baby when the vet gives her the sedative that knocks her out, it really upsets me.
The vet told me she might not make it, she has a heart murmur, but not taking out the cancer would in all probability cause it to spread leading to a painful death..so I guess I have to let go and hope for the best for her. I love her so much. I have to call the vet at 2 p.m., now almost 1 p.m. my time (Central). I'll write back and let everyone know how my girl is doing. :(

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You can't do any better than your best.

We will be very anxious to hear about your girl!

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Thanks. I think this is the hardest decision I have had to make in my whole life.

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The vet said she is doing fine, to pick her up at 4:45 p.m. I'm so relieved
Now to nurse her back to health, pamper her and just spoil her rotten.


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So glad to hear Cajun Lady!!! That's great news!!!

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Thanks Sammiec

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Give that classy lady a big slurpy smooch from Den-Den! He likes older women!

And ((hugs)) to you too for caring for and loving her so much! I know this day has been hard on you.

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CajunLady. That is wonderful news,I wish all the best to you,your husband and sweet Natalie.I am sure I don't need to ask you to give her hugs and kisses,but anyway,give her some from me

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Awwww - I'm so glad to hear this. Natalie is a lucky girl to be so loved and cared for.

Give her some spoilin' from us too!

Answer:
Thanks to you all for so much loving support. Natalie is doing fine, Gaby too and hubby has been back to work for the past couple of months and he's doing much better with a lifted outlook. I'm sorry I haven't been around much, I started selling Avon locally to pick up a few dollars, so between 2 jobs and 4 4-footed children...needless to say

At least life is full and I feel very blessed, tired too, but very blessed. So at the end of the day, I have to say, I'm right where I need to be and I wouldn't trade my life for anything in the world. Funny how our animal friends help us keep a better perspective on life in general.

Happy holidays to all of you from all of us!
Peace,
CajunLady

Answer:
Cajun-Lady,thank's for giving us the good news,I am very happy both Natalie and hubby are doing great,you so deserve it.
Don't be a stranger,I know you are busy,but pop in ever now and then,ok!

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