Tumour in Spleen/Possible Cancer

[YoBeaches]

Hi All,
Had our dog (half la/ half collie) in the vet today as she was in last week with swollen tummy and excessive panting, the vet (locum) last week said to take her off her metacam (for arthritis) and see if she improves. She hasn't. Vet today (normal vet) has done bloods and a scan and found a growth on her spleen which is apparently not uncommon in older dogs and her breed. Its possible the tumour has ruptured, her heart might be damaged (?) and could be cancerous. She's 9.5 years old.

They are going to operate tomorrow and the plan sounds like to a) identify if the heart has been damaged and whether the tumour has ruptured causing internal bleeding. If so then they likely won't remove the spleen and we are looking at end of life choices. Or b) heart seems find then remove the spleen and send for biopsy to identify if cancerous.

if cancerous then outcome looks like 4-6 months post removal.

We're really shocked. Apparantly Cancer of the Spleen often grows silently with no symptoms. DH took her today as I was working but I got the impression the vet was preparing us for the worst.

Anyone have any experience of this, good or bad? She's goes back at 8:30 am tomorrow. DH is already devastated and I'm struggling to process it I think. I think we have to decide tonight if they find the worst tomorrow then don't wake her up.

She's a rescue, we've had her since she was 12 weeks old :(

@MrsZola sorry to hear that. I'm glad she was peaceful at home, I think thats quite rare really.

Well the results are back, and its Lymphoma. Whilt its a different cancer to what we were expecting the outcome is largely the same. If we do nothing, she has 4-6 weeks, or we can give her steroids, which would make her more comfortable, she has 8-12 weeks.

There is an option for chemo, but given how invasive it is, her age, and that it doesn't give her quality of life during the treatment, we've decided against this. At best it would give her 6-12 months.

So that's where we're at. its really sad but going to stay upbeat until she tells us that its time to go. The vet explained that the steroids generally work really well, and then all of a sudden stop working, so we will know quickly when the time has come.

I'm just hoping its the other side of christmas, but what will be will be.

Sorry to hear this @YoBeaches enjoy what time she has left . 💐

I'm so sorry to hear that. Wishing you some good long days together, and a quick painless sleep when the end comes.

I am sorry to read your update. I hope you can enjoy her remaining time. She will already know she is loved but you can help her live her time left with you in a cloud of even more love (if that is possible).

I hope she is well enough to be with you over Christmas but as you say what will be will be.

I will be thinking of you and her waggy little self

Well really sad to say it looks like we are saying goodbye for the final time tomorrow. She stopped improving after last Tuesday, hasn't really eaten since Wednesday, she's not moving all day and seems unsettled.

Vet saw her Friday and we started the steroids earlier than planned as you're supposed to wait for the wound to fully heal which it hasn't yet, and gave her an appetite enhancer too, but 3 days on and she hasn't improved.

It's so hard and I'm dreading it, but at the same time want it to be over for her. She keeps looking at me with these sad helpless eyes, flat tail, laboured breathing.

God it's bloody awful.

I'm not even sure I'll be allowed in with her. We have a check up appointment at 9:30 but I'm going to phone first thing and tell them we think it's time, see what they say.

Sorry to read this @YoBeaches but it sounds like you’re making the best choice for her . 💐

Dear OP.

I hear you. I Knew when you said unsettled. My darling girl was unsettled but only for a few hours. It wasn’t her so I knew.

There are no real words of comfort but you tried and she knows she is loved and you are doing what we never want to do but we do it because of love. Easing her pain and taking it all on yourself.

Would your vet come out? It might make it easier for her.

I’m so sorry. Your girl is loved and knows it. Cling to that. If you can.

My heart is breaking for you.

My girl is on the other side of the bridge. She will not be alone x

(Sorry - but that is what I cling to. I would give everything to see my girl waiting for me too)

I’m thinking of you. x

I’m so very sorry. It happened that way with my little boy too, he suddenly went down hill very quickly, restless, not eating, just not himself. That was on a Sunday, by Monday I knew he couldn’t go on like that so had to call the vet, heartbroken but couldn’t let him suffer like he was by then. I always feel we take their pain away & carry it ourselves in grief. I hope you can be with her, so hard if they won’t let you. Thinking of you both.

Thanks all.

My DH went in with her, he felt he should be the one to be with her as she went to work with him most days until I started mat leave last year. She went quickly and peacefully, I could tell in her eyes she was suffering. It's so sad, our whole family loved her, such a lovely dog. My 12yr old niece has been on the phone in tears.

We're off work this week, so having a glass of wine tonight and going to get out of the house before lockdown.

Thanks again to you all for your kind wishes x

I’m so sorry. At least your husband was able to be with her & she isn’t suffering any more. But it’s tough & heartbreaking. X

So so sorry to hear this. She would not have been scared, with your DH there. Be kind to yourselves.

So sorry

So sorry😞