We had an appointment for Snuggy with a veterinary oncologist at Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston. The doctor reviewed the x-rays with us again in great depth and reiterate that it appeared that the primary tumor appears to be the large one in the upper lung, and that it has metastasized and formed to smaller tumors on the other side of the lung. Surgery is not an option as the primary tumor is too large and because the cancer has already spread. To remove all the tumors would be major surgery and would leave him with too little lung capacity. The only option she could offer was chemotherapy. For this specific form of cancer they use a drug called vinorelbine. She stated that only 17% of dogs receive any benefit from this chemotherapy regimen. Without any intervention, he probably has 6-12 months to live.
So, the news is not good. We asked the vet about clinical trials and they don't have any to offer. We told her that we were going out for a second option to Tufts University Veterinary Hospital in two days. She thought that if anyone had clinical trial options, it would be them. So off we go to Tufts.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
A Visit with the Holostic Vet
On Saturday we met with a vet who in addition to conventional medicine, also studies Chinese medicines. She is going to order some chinese herbs for Snuggy which hopefully will arrive shortly. She didn't think these could cure his cancer because the type of cancer he has (carcinoma) is so aggressive, but they should help diminish the symptoms and help slow the growth.
I asked her about acupuncture and she told me that acupuncture is great, except for cancer patients. She said it's because acupuncture brings energy and increases blood flow which will just feed the cancer, and obviously you do not want to do this. This was news to me as everything I've heard/read contradicts this. So back to the internet I went and found information that states "you want to be exceedingly careful in using acupuncture with cancer because selecting the wrong points can actually accelerate the cancer growth." The key is to get a very experienced acupuncturist who is knowledgeable about cancer specifically. So for now, we'll skip this option but are still looking at other treatments such as infrared therapy to complement the diet, herbs, and supplements he is taking.
Snuggy remains symptom free, but we have noticed his appetitite has increased. This is common in cancer patients as the cancer is trying to feed itself and robbing the rest of the body to do so. Weight loss is common in dogs with cancer which is why we feeding Snuggy a little more food, concentrated in high quality proteins because cancer feeds on carbohydrates.
Snuggy enjoyed watching the Superbowl last night but was disappointed that the Patriots did not win. However, we can't be too sad about the Giants winning as they support animal charities. Snug hopes he'll be around next year at this time to watch Superbowl XLIII. Go Snug!!
I asked her about acupuncture and she told me that acupuncture is great, except for cancer patients. She said it's because acupuncture brings energy and increases blood flow which will just feed the cancer, and obviously you do not want to do this. This was news to me as everything I've heard/read contradicts this. So back to the internet I went and found information that states "you want to be exceedingly careful in using acupuncture with cancer because selecting the wrong points can actually accelerate the cancer growth." The key is to get a very experienced acupuncturist who is knowledgeable about cancer specifically. So for now, we'll skip this option but are still looking at other treatments such as infrared therapy to complement the diet, herbs, and supplements he is taking.
Snuggy remains symptom free, but we have noticed his appetitite has increased. This is common in cancer patients as the cancer is trying to feed itself and robbing the rest of the body to do so. Weight loss is common in dogs with cancer which is why we feeding Snuggy a little more food, concentrated in high quality proteins because cancer feeds on carbohydrates.
Snuggy enjoyed watching the Superbowl last night but was disappointed that the Patriots did not win. However, we can't be too sad about the Giants winning as they support animal charities. Snug hopes he'll be around next year at this time to watch Superbowl XLIII. Go Snug!!
Thursday, January 31, 2008
The Beginning
Last week we brought Snuggy in to our local vet for a routine anesthesia consult before a tooth extraction. The vet called the next day to tell us that because his albumin level was so low (1.4) that he needed more follow-up before he could have the procedure. They re-ran the test and got the same low test result. In addition, they also ran liver and kidney tests which turned out normal(low albumnin sometime indicates kidney or liver dysfunction).
The local vet referred us to Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston, a large animal medical center with specialists and high tech equipment of every kind. We are all too familiar with Angell as they have cared for many of our animals with serious illnesses. An ultrasound and chest-xray revealed a large solid mass in his upper chest and two smaller opaque tumors in his lower chest. Pathology results the next day confirmed it was carcinoma, with the primary site believed to be the lung. What a shock - he had no obvious symptoms! However in retrospect he had coughed a few times over the last several weeks, but it was so infrequent that it wasn't concerning.
We have an appointment with a veterinary oncologist on February 11th and with a holistic vet tomorrow. In the mean time we have started him on Essiac tea, IP-6, switched him to Beanny's anti-cancer diet (high protein, low carb), and have ordered a variety of other immune boosting and anti-cancer supplements. I am trying to read everything I can find on lung cancer in dogs. In the mean time, he has no idea he is sick. He is eating well and running around with the other dogs. Ignorance is bliss!
The local vet referred us to Angell Memorial Hospital in Boston, a large animal medical center with specialists and high tech equipment of every kind. We are all too familiar with Angell as they have cared for many of our animals with serious illnesses. An ultrasound and chest-xray revealed a large solid mass in his upper chest and two smaller opaque tumors in his lower chest. Pathology results the next day confirmed it was carcinoma, with the primary site believed to be the lung. What a shock - he had no obvious symptoms! However in retrospect he had coughed a few times over the last several weeks, but it was so infrequent that it wasn't concerning.
We have an appointment with a veterinary oncologist on February 11th and with a holistic vet tomorrow. In the mean time we have started him on Essiac tea, IP-6, switched him to Beanny's anti-cancer diet (high protein, low carb), and have ordered a variety of other immune boosting and anti-cancer supplements. I am trying to read everything I can find on lung cancer in dogs. In the mean time, he has no idea he is sick. He is eating well and running around with the other dogs. Ignorance is bliss!
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