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[Jellyb]

Hi
 
I hope someone can help me with some advice or words of wisdom.
 
We noticed recently that my 7 year old male was having problems jumping up onto the sofa & climbing the stairs.  Other symptoms were that his tail was down all the time, seemed to be a little hunched over at the back and was finding it hard to squat to defacate.  He was generally very down and not walking around very much.  He has a painful area underneath, just in front of his scrotum.
 
To cut a long story short, he had ultrasounds and x-rays at my own vet and was referred to a specialist vet centre near us.  He had further scans, they carried out a prostatic wash and a suction biopsy as they saw a mass attached to the end of the prostate.
 
They have called me with the results of the suction biopsy which shows some abnormal cells which indicated a possible prostate carcinoma, although they haven't got enough cells due to the method of collection.  A needle biopsy would give a more conclusive result but would accelerate the spread of any tumour.  We can do a repeat of these tests in a couple of weeks but the risk is that they will again be not enough.
 
He is already on painkillers and they are prescribing Metacam drops.  We can also try chemo injections if we wish.
 
I am devastated as, since we picked him up after his tests on Friday, he has completely perked up, almost back to his normal self.  He's walking fine, his tail is up, he seems a lot more “with it” than he was and yet I get this news today.  I was expecting her to say it was an infection or prostatitis so I was completely taken aback.
 
If there is anyone out there who has experience of this particular diagnosis who can give me any hope, advice or recommendations on what I should be asking the vet, I would be very grateful to hear from you.  I'm told that it's not curable and the prognosis is months rather than years so I would welcome any information.

Last night he was running around with my younger dog, he has improved so much in the last few days, I really think they have got it wrong.  I know I sound like I'm in denial but surely a dog with cancer, once they have been so down and poorly, will just progress instead of bouncing back to normal health.
 
Please feel free to email me directly or share with the group.
 
Thank you in advance.
 
Jill

[CLKD]

Nope.  My cocker bitch had lymphoma.  It was the treatment that brought her down, in between she was quite perky.  She didn't know she was ill, like you, I was devasated.  The first thing I did was to make sure I knew what the end result would be, I also sorted out euthanasia and decided to have her cremated, to be returned home.  We scattered her on what would have been her 14th birthday in 2002, she died of old age rather than the lymphoma which was under control. Once that was sorted I could get on with dealing with treatment sessions.  She had biopsy, followed by chemotherapy ........ that was a tale on it's own 

If he is a breed go onto the breed web-sites and ask questions. 

I take it your boy is entire?  I don't understand why a needle biopsy would spread any cells as it will be into the prostate which is an enclosed area.  However .........

Make an appt without your Boy with the Senior Vet in the Practice where he will be treated, taking a list of queries with you.  Months rather than years gives you time to make decisions, liaise with your Vet. and keep your Boy happy and comfortable. 

[Jellyb]

Thanks CLKD,
I'm sorry about your dog.
I have posted on my breed club websites & also forum.  Have had a few suggestions - mainly castration.  Not sure how that would help if the cancer is already there.  He's entire as I show(ed) him.
The "mass" they have seen is on the back of the prostate so I think that's why the needle biopsy would be a risk, as its not actually in the prostate.
The people that I'm dealing with are a vet specialist centre, we were referred by my own vet after they were a bit stumped as his symptoms were not typical.  So, I don't know where else to go with this.
If & when he's in pain then we will make the necessary choices but, at the moment, I don't have a 100% diagnosis and I have a happy dog.  That's why I wonder if there is a chance that they have misinterpreted the test results.

[CLKD]

Doubt it.  Castration was my first thought.  Also talking with other owners, what ever breed, gives insight into the various human conditions are pets can suffer from.

If your Boy had GA for these tests then he will have been more comfortable after so will feel brighter in himself, also Metacam is very useful in pain relief.  It made a 'different' dog to mine    When she had chemo though she couldn't take Metacam and the Vet. suggested Rimadyl for her already stiff/painful joints.

Remember that breeders rarely see their dogs 'through to the end', particularly bitches.  Once the breeding time is up these are often passed on to pet only families. 

How did you feel when talking with the Staff at the specialist centre?  My cocker had dry eye so needed to go to Newmarket for tests because the medication for this was still being trialled  .  I had a working relationship with our Vet Surgery because we were there so often. (neurotic mother syndrome  ).  So I felt I could ask, ask, ask any of the Vets/Nurses about anything at all until it was completely clear in my mind, hence the idea of taking your list and asking questions at the Specialist Centre and with your own Vet..  You could begin by asking 'do these symptoms mimic anything else, I need to be completely sure in my mind that this is the problem we need to be treating'. 

Do you have another Surgery near you where you could go for a chat?  Sometimes Vets specialise, i.e. I have a 'chicken' Vet. as well as ones that treat small animals ..........

[CLKD]

Have googled " Canine Prostate Cancer UK  " and the prostate is difficult to remove.  It is diagnosed in both un/neutured dogs.  Chemical castration is sometimes recommended.  Has your Boy had any lymph nodes removed for biopsy?

Am sending you a PM

[Jellyb]

Thanks - have replied to your PM.
Jill

[CLKD]

In touch now ;-)

[Jellyb]

Hi, just an update on my previous post re canine prostate cancer.
Thank you to everyone who replied to me with help and advice.
My boy remains 100% well and is showing no signs of the prostate cancer that the vet had previously diagnosed.  He had a repeat scan on Tuesday and the "mass" that they saw before is now smaller and less dense.  So, they are now saying that it is more than likely to have been a deep prostate infection.
Such a worrying thing to have been through - 2 weeks ago I thought I was going to lose him and now we can see a future.
Thanks again to everyone who replied.

[CLKD]

 

[Dancinggirl]

Delighted to hear things are OK. Dogs are part of the family so if they are ill it's traumatic.
I have found over the years it is often best to just keep the dog comfortable rather than give them a variety of treatments that give other side effects - especially when they getting older.
DG x

[Greyhoundgal]

So glad to hear you have some better news - dogs are very much part of the family aren't they?

[Jellyb]

Yes they are.  All I could think of when they gave me the bad news a couple of weeks ago was all of the things that I would miss about him - where there would be a Westie shaped hole.
I am treasuring him even more now - think he's wondering why he keeps getting extra hugs and kisses!