Dog with fibrosarcoma - looking for advice

jn2003 · 04-11-2009, 12:10 PM

Hello

I have a dog that has got cancer and I have some questions for you. I really hope someone will replay to it because I really don't have anyone else to ask.

My dog is a female Howavart, 6 years old, and she has cancer in her chest. The cancer type is called fibrosarcoma.

I discovered it in December 2008 and the tumor (a very big one) was removed from her chest in January. It came from the structure around the lung (pleurae?) and had compressed almost all of her left lung so she had problems to breath, although it had not infected the lung. They also removed about 2 inch each of two ribs since the tumor had grown into them. Since then she has been treated with chemotherapy (carboplatin) once every three weeks. After the surgery she got much better, after one week she was running and playing in ways she had not done for a long time.

But unfortunately the last weeks she has gotten worse again. She doesn't breathe as good as before and last time we were at the veterinarian they took x-ray pictures of her chest. They show that she has a new tumor

I asked the veterinarian what we could do. Her answer was 'I don't think we should do anything'. She means that a second surgery will be more difficult than the first time and that there is no point in trying again. And she doesn't think chemotherapy or anything else will work either. The dog will die and there is nothing to do.

I did not like what she told me. I really don't want to give up. I like to try another surgery. And then maybe some other kind of chemotherapy, possible with higher doses than before, or maybe radiation therapy. My dog has been so happy and full of life since the surgery so I really want to try and treat the tumor again.

Worth noting is that I live in Sweden, and here there are not many veterinarian clinics that can do this kind of surgery (since it is in the dogs chest). There are also very few clinics that do chemotherapy and even fewer (just two) that do radiation therapy. The common opinion here is that when a dog gets cancer we don't treat it, we just let the dog die. I think that sucks. What I have heard it is much more common in outer countries, especially in USA, to try and treat cancer.

The few times a dog gets chemotherapy her in Sweden the goal (according to my veterinarian) is to extend its life for a little while. It is not to cure the cancer. Thus the dogs get much smaller doses of the drugs compared to humans. I think that is strange way of thinking. I'm not sure that is the case in USA?

My question for you is, what do you think I should do? What would you have done if the cancer came back after a surgery?

I'm also interested to know if anyone here has a dog with this kind of cancer (fibrosarcoma) in the chest and what kind of treatment that dog gets?

I have thought of trying some alternative cancer treatments but have not done that yet. I have read about 'Essiac' and thinking of trying it. Has anyone here tried it for your dog?

Finally I also wonder if anyone here knows about a veterinarian or clinic with good knowledge of cancer treatment in USA, Europe or anywhere else that I could contact and ask questions? I feel kind of desperate when there are so few veterinarians here in Sweden that knows anything about cancer, and that the ones I have talked with think my dog is a hopeless case. If I could get in contact with a veterinarian that really knows about cancer maybe he could recommend my dog a different treatment. At least that is what I hope.

Regards,
Johan

Toni DiGiallonardo · 04-11-2009, 02:39 PM

Hi Johan
You have come to a great place to find information. Read all the different posts try boosting her immune system. My prayers are with you. God Bless

Toni & Rusty

mybestfriend · 04-11-2009, 05:46 PM

Hello Johan, Try doing the searches as Toni suggested, I am sorry to hear about your dog. I know here in the states we do have a lot of vets that do deal with cancer. In my case by the time it was discovered it was too late. I wish you all the best. Jim and daddy's girl Dasha

sissy · 04-11-2009, 08:06 PM

Johan,

I wish I had more advice for you. It sounds like your heart it hurting and you have a great love for your dog. It was also too late for my Muffin, there was not much that I could do. Yes, if you can try alternative treatment, I would do so. It would be so worth a try. I'm sure some others here will come forward and give you some wonderful advice. I'm sorry I wish I could help. We all here know what you are going through. It is so hard to see our best friend hurting and in pain. I wish you the best of luck.

God Bless,
Sissy

Benpaws · 04-12-2009, 05:37 AM

Dear Johan,
You have come to the right place for support and information. I am so sorry to hear about your 6 year old puppy. The diagnosis of cancer in our best friends is just heart-wrenching. Our 6 year old schnauzer Benny lost his battle last Thursday to Mast Cell Tumour cancer. He had one surgery and then after months the tumour reappeared and no surgery or chemo or radiation but we did everything to boost his immune system which gave us nine more months.
You might want to contact Dr. Dressler who has excellent advice for people who have dogs with all kinds of cancer. He lives in Hawaii and has a "blog" where you can put you questions and he answers them for you as best he can. I got lots of help during the months Benny was ill.
Here is the link to his website: Problem Solving while having a Dog With Cancer Sure hope this helps.
Also Ted's book is filled with valuable information and really worth downloading. Good Luck! BTW, I used Essiac capsules for Benny and many other supplements as well which definitely boosted his immune system. You could also brew some Essiac tea and put it in the food.

God Bless You.

Joanne

jn2003 · 04-15-2009, 02:10 AM

Thanks for your replies and kind words!

I have ordered Essiac and will try that for my dog. I will read more on the forum about alternative treatments, this looks to be a great place with a lot of information! A pity I did not found it in january.
I will look on Dr. Dresslers site now.

If anyone else have any more suggestions please reply.

taratess · 04-15-2009, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jn2003

Hello

I have a dog that has got cancer and I have some questions for you. I really hope someone will replay to it because I really don't have anyone else to ask.

My dog is a female Howavart, 6 years old, and she has cancer in her chest. The cancer type is called fibrosarcoma.

I discovered it in December 2008 and the tumor (a very big one) was removed from her chest in January. It came from the structure around the lung (pleurae?) and had compressed almost all of her left lung so she had problems to breath, although it had not infected the lung. They also removed about 2 inch each of two ribs since the tumor had grown into them. Since then she has been treated with chemotherapy (carboplatin) once every three weeks. After the surgery she got much better, after one week she was running and playing in ways she had not done for a long time.

But unfortunately the last weeks she has gotten worse again. She doesn't breathe as good as before and last time we were at the veterinarian they took x-ray pictures of her chest. They show that she has a new tumor

I asked the veterinarian what we could do. Her answer was 'I don't think we should do anything'. She means that a second surgery will be more difficult than the first time and that there is no point in trying again. And she doesn't think chemotherapy or anything else will work either. The dog will die and there is nothing to do.

I did not like what she told me. I really don't want to give up. I like to try another surgery. And then maybe some other kind of chemotherapy, possible with higher doses than before, or maybe radiation therapy. My dog has been so happy and full of life since the surgery so I really want to try and treat the tumor again.

Worth noting is that I live in Sweden, and here there are not many veterinarian clinics that can do this kind of surgery (since it is in the dogs chest). There are also very few clinics that do chemotherapy and even fewer (just two) that do radiation therapy. The common opinion here is that when a dog gets cancer we don't treat it, we just let the dog die. I think that sucks. What I have heard it is much more common in outer countries, especially in USA, to try and treat cancer.

The few times a dog gets chemotherapy her in Sweden the goal (according to my veterinarian) is to extend its life for a little while. It is not to cure the cancer. Thus the dogs get much smaller doses of the drugs compared to humans. I think that is strange way of thinking. I'm not sure that is the case in USA?

My question for you is, what do you think I should do? What would you have done if the cancer came back after a surgery?

I'm also interested to know if anyone here has a dog with this kind of cancer (fibrosarcoma) in the chest and what kind of treatment that dog gets?

I have thought of trying some alternative cancer treatments but have not done that yet. I have read about 'Essiac' and thinking of trying it. Has anyone here tried it for your dog?

Finally I also wonder if anyone here knows about a veterinarian or clinic with good knowledge of cancer treatment in USA, Europe or anywhere else that I could contact and ask questions? I feel kind of desperate when there are so few veterinarians here in Sweden that knows anything about cancer, and that the ones I have talked with think my dog is a hopeless case. If I could get in contact with a veterinarian that really knows about cancer maybe he could recommend my dog a different treatment. At least that is what I hope.

Regards,
Johan

Dear Johan
My thoughts are with you as I know how heart breaking bad news can be. I have two dogs named Tara and Tess. They are from the same litter nearly 11 years old. Tara had a Sarcoma cancer removed last year and it has recently returned. My vet has said no matter what I do the cancer will return and each surgery will makes things worse.She has been given 3months without surgery and 6months if operated on. Her site will ulcerate and will get very painful. Her scar has started to open up and looks sore. I have decided to try and booste her immune system and have been treating her sore areas with alo vera which seems to help as she has stopped licking the site and things look less angry. She seems quite a happy little dog at the moment and I am hoping I can keep her longer than the vet has said.

04-11-2009, 12:10 PM	#1 (permalink)
jn2003 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2	Dog with fibrosarcoma - looking for advice Hello I have a dog that has got cancer and I have some questions for you. I really hope someone will replay to it because I really don't have anyone else to ask. My dog is a female Howavart, 6 years old, and she has cancer in her chest. The cancer type is called fibrosarcoma. I discovered it in December 2008 and the tumor (a very big one) was removed from her chest in January. It came from the structure around the lung (pleurae?) and had compressed almost all of her left lung so she had problems to breath, although it had not infected the lung. They also removed about 2 inch each of two ribs since the tumor had grown into them. Since then she has been treated with chemotherapy (carboplatin) once every three weeks. After the surgery she got much better, after one week she was running and playing in ways she had not done for a long time. But unfortunately the last weeks she has gotten worse again. She doesn't breathe as good as before and last time we were at the veterinarian they took x-ray pictures of her chest. They show that she has a new tumor I asked the veterinarian what we could do. Her answer was 'I don't think we should do anything'. She means that a second surgery will be more difficult than the first time and that there is no point in trying again. And she doesn't think chemotherapy or anything else will work either. The dog will die and there is nothing to do. I did not like what she told me. I really don't want to give up. I like to try another surgery. And then maybe some other kind of chemotherapy, possible with higher doses than before, or maybe radiation therapy. My dog has been so happy and full of life since the surgery so I really want to try and treat the tumor again. Worth noting is that I live in Sweden, and here there are not many veterinarian clinics that can do this kind of surgery (since it is in the dogs chest). There are also very few clinics that do chemotherapy and even fewer (just two) that do radiation therapy. The common opinion here is that when a dog gets cancer we don't treat it, we just let the dog die. I think that sucks. What I have heard it is much more common in outer countries, especially in USA, to try and treat cancer. The few times a dog gets chemotherapy her in Sweden the goal (according to my veterinarian) is to extend its life for a little while. It is not to cure the cancer. Thus the dogs get much smaller doses of the drugs compared to humans. I think that is strange way of thinking. I'm not sure that is the case in USA? My question for you is, what do you think I should do? What would you have done if the cancer came back after a surgery? I'm also interested to know if anyone here has a dog with this kind of cancer (fibrosarcoma) in the chest and what kind of treatment that dog gets? I have thought of trying some alternative cancer treatments but have not done that yet. I have read about 'Essiac' and thinking of trying it. Has anyone here tried it for your dog? Finally I also wonder if anyone here knows about a veterinarian or clinic with good knowledge of cancer treatment in USA, Europe or anywhere else that I could contact and ask questions? I feel kind of desperate when there are so few veterinarians here in Sweden that knows anything about cancer, and that the ones I have talked with think my dog is a hopeless case. If I could get in contact with a veterinarian that really knows about cancer maybe he could recommend my dog a different treatment. At least that is what I hope. Regards, Johan

04-12-2009, 05:37 AM	#5 (permalink)
Benpaws Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oakville, ON., CANADA Posts: 895	Johan Dear Johan, You have come to the right place for support and information. I am so sorry to hear about your 6 year old puppy. The diagnosis of cancer in our best friends is just heart-wrenching. Our 6 year old schnauzer Benny lost his battle last Thursday to Mast Cell Tumour cancer. He had one surgery and then after months the tumour reappeared and no surgery or chemo or radiation but we did everything to boost his immune system which gave us nine more months. You might want to contact Dr. Dressler who has excellent advice for people who have dogs with all kinds of cancer. He lives in Hawaii and has a "blog" where you can put you questions and he answers them for you as best he can. I got lots of help during the months Benny was ill. Here is the link to his website: Problem Solving while having a Dog With Cancer Sure hope this helps. Also Ted's book is filled with valuable information and really worth downloading. Good Luck! BTW, I used Essiac capsules for Benny and many other supplements as well which definitely boosted his immune system. You could also brew some Essiac tea and put it in the food. God Bless You. Joanne Last edited by Benpaws; 04-12-2009 at 05:50 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

04-11-2009, 02:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Toni DiGiallonardo Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Colorado Posts: 52	Hi Johan You have come to a great place to find information. Read all the different posts try boosting her immune system. My prayers are with you. God Bless Toni & Rusty

04-11-2009, 05:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
mybestfriend Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Niagara Falls, NY Posts: 181	Hello Johan, Try doing the searches as Toni suggested, I am sorry to hear about your dog. I know here in the states we do have a lot of vets that do deal with cancer. In my case by the time it was discovered it was too late. I wish you all the best. Jim and daddy's girl Dasha

04-11-2009, 08:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
sissy Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Arlington, Texas Posts: 25	Johan, I wish I had more advice for you. It sounds like your heart it hurting and you have a great love for your dog. It was also too late for my Muffin, there was not much that I could do. Yes, if you can try alternative treatment, I would do so. It would be so worth a try. I'm sure some others here will come forward and give you some wonderful advice. I'm sorry I wish I could help. We all here know what you are going through. It is so hard to see our best friend hurting and in pain. I wish you the best of luck. God Bless, Sissy

04-15-2009, 02:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
jn2003 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 2	Thanks for your replies and kind words! I have ordered Essiac and will try that for my dog. I will read more on the forum about alternative treatments, this looks to be a great place with a lot of information! A pity I did not found it in january. I will look on Dr. Dresslers site now. If anyone else have any more suggestions please reply.