Devastated...

On Sunday, we came home from a mothers day lunch and found our just turned 9 year old Golden Retriever, Riley, limping and panting in pain. We thought he had done something to his back and took him off to the emergency vet. Vet was looking him over and felt a lump on his butt and said what is this? I said it was a fatty cyst, that our vet had looked at back in November and diagnosed and said if it got too big we could take it off, but it should not be a problem. The look on the emergency vets face said it all... so we paid for all the appropriate tests, took painkillers and antibiotics home with us, and set about waiting to find out.

So Riley's vet called today, and it was not the news we wanted-- it is cancer, a type of tumor called a spindle cell tumor which can be aggressive, or moderate/mild, depending on grade, which they won't know without a full biopsy.

We have some options, and will be starting with an ultrasound tomorrow to find out if this thing has spread to any other organs. If it has, then basically we are just looking at maintaining his quality of life for as long as we can.

If it has not spread, then we will meet with a veterinary oncology specialist. S/he can do a surgery to remove the tumor and get clean edges without taking his leg. So long as the cancer does not/ has not metastasized, this will keep it from being an issue and will improve his longevity. I feel like I already let him down in not insisting on a needle biopsy of this stupid lump when it was tiny. Praying I get the chance to make up for it.

Vet said his lungs and heart are totally clear and his blood work looks great. Just a matter of seeing how his back end is. I am totally devastated and struggling with anger over the whole situation and guilty feelings that I failed to do right by him and have basically killed my dog.

Sorry to hear that [emoji17]


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Hey Hyp, my deepest and sincere empathy for you in this hour of grief. All your feelings are expected in this situation. However, you must know that you can't blame yourself for what you didn't do in the past. You did what you thought was best at the time and you shouldn't wallow in that it was wrong. Listen, you found it now so this is a new page and it has to be tackled with the best that is possible now. Grief reactions have several stages but just know you cannot blame yourself. Best wishes and let's get him well. Good luck! Stay in peace and not in pieces....

I'm so sorry for y'all and Riley. I've been in your shoes a handful of times in my lifetime and it just doesn't get any easier when these precious pets love us so unconditionally.

Don't beat yourself up, Albert said it best.

I am so deeply saddened to hear of this, goldens are amazing dogs.

I feel for you man. It's incredibly hard . Thoughts and prayers your way .

Sue the vet

I feel for you for sure, sorry.
I lost one of my staffies to nerve sheath. I feel so bad because I wanted more time with her and put her through the pain of removal twice.
I wish I had not put her through the pain and I only got about 6 more months.
Enjoy the love while you still have him there.

I'm so, so sorry to hear that. I wish you and Riley the best. Golden's are truly man's best friend.

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I'm so sorry to hear this. I'd like to share a story that will hopefully be of some comfort. I've worked with quite a few dogs that battled cancer and the strength and determination of these dogs will to survive is always wonderful to see. I've sat with dogs that received chemotherapy and watched them happily wag there tails. I've helped dogs recover from a leg amputation and watch them quickly get used to walking on three legs like they were born that way. I've seen so many dogs fight through the pain of dealing with cancer but still go through life with a little bounce in there step. I'll never forget seeing a golden come in one day for a check up and him having a huge cancerous tumor on his chest that wouldn't stop growing. One of the sweetest and happiest pups I've seen. I'm sure he must have been in pain and very uncomfortable carrying so much weight on him but that never broke his spirit. He was sadly put to sleep shortly after his visit but I'm sure he went down peacefully. Basically what I'm trying to say is use this time to get even closer with your pup and cherish these precious moments with him. Stay strong for your pup because he will stay strong through his battle so he can continue to be a loving part of your family. Please keep us updated on your pup. I hope my little story was comforting and helpful in some way [emoji4]


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Thanks everyone for the comments. We dropped him off today for the sonogram. Since all his bloodwork and chest xrays are totally normal, I am very hopeful that it has not spread, and we will be able to do the surgery. If it has spread we will make his life the best it can be for whatever time he has left.

Prayers and best wishes for you and your dog. Lost our pit girl a few years back to cancer. My daughter raised her with a bottle as when she came to us she didn't even have her eyes open yet. She was about same age as yours when we found out but with some treatment we actually go probably a good year of quality time for her. Yours sounds lie it could be a much better outcome with treatment and I sure hope the best for you guys.

I am truly sorry that you and your pup are going through all of this. I will be praying and sending positive vibes your way.

We got some wonderful news today-- he is cancer free inside, so the surgery can go and with care should be successful at clearing out the growth. Please keep the positive thoughts coming-- it is helping! The mass actually looks much better today, and seems smaller.

Nice. :gj::gj::gj::gj::gj::gj::gj::gj::gj::gj::gj::gj:

We had a beloved golden retriever that was diagnosed with breast cancer. We had a mastectomy done on the affected side but unfortunately it did not get all of it as it had already begun to spread. Our vet gave her a couple months to live.
My wife, in desperation, found out about a study using acai berries to treat cancer in k9 patients and had some success. If I remember correctly it was done somewhere inear Florida.
We used that as well as graviola. She ended up living another 12 months and ended up passing due to congestive heart failure. Our vet was so impressed he asked for info on our treatment.
I do not want to give false hope and I am not claiming this cured her completely but it gave us more time with her and I hope it helps do the same for you. We loved our golden, she was awesome.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by enginee837

We had a beloved golden retriever that was diagnosed with breast cancer. We had a mastectomy done on the affected side but unfortunately it did not get all of it as it had already begun to spread. Our vet gave her a couple months to live.
My wife, in desperation, found out about a study using acai berries to treat cancer in k9 patients and had some success. If I remember correctly it was done somewhere inear Florida.
We used that as well as graviola. She ended up living another 12 months and ended up passing due to congestive heart failure. Our vet was so impressed he asked for info on our treatment.
I do not want to give false hope and I am not claiming this cured her completely but it gave us more time with her and I hope it helps do the same for you. We loved our golden, she was awesome.

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Thank you. I have also heard that tumeric paste on the food helps with reducing growth of these types of cancers. We are going to try it. Anything to keep him healthy. It can't hurt. He still has a lot of years left, I think. Just two weeks ago, he was swimming in the Bay and retrieved half a tree... literally.

Just an update on Riley. The tumor had not spread to internal organs so we had it removed yesterday. The surgeon thinks he got all of it, and they are going to do a biopsy. So now we have Cone Head Zipper Butt living with us for a while. We go back to the vet in 2 weeks for staple removal.

Glad to hear it went good

You are so very, very lucky that the cancer was in an accessible place and you were able to get it all. I had to have my Boston Terrier PTS last August after a long fight with a brain tumor. Enjoy every minute of your reprieve with her, and please give her a pat from me!

So sorry to hear about your Golden, I have two of them a brother and sister and I too would be devastated if anything happened to either one.

Once you've experienced a Golden there's no going back.

Our hearts are with you.

Brian