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Thread: Raven's cancer *Final recheck, pg 38 (post 568)*

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
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    Canada
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    4,837
    Any word from the pathologist yet?
    Hopefully no news is good news!


    "Did you ever notice when you blow in a dog's face he gets mad at you?
    But when you take him in a car he sticks his head out the window." -- Steve Bluestone

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    New Jersey
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    9,862
    Just checking in for the latest update on our pretty little girl. You sure are growing big and tall Ms. Raven, but that pretty Tasha girl will always be your "big" sister.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
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    Chicagoland, IL
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    8,499
    It is a squamous cell carcinoma and cancerous.

    Will post more when I can.
    Mom to Raven and Rudy the greyhound

    Missing always: Tasha & Tommy, at the Rainbow Bridge

  4. #4
    There is a prayer thread posted in Dog General. Sorry rather upset and I forgot to mention it earlier.

    Thanks Jess for the great sig of my kids!


    I love you baby, passed away 03/04/2008

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2001
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    18,335
    *HUGS* She's a fighter Jess and can beat this.
    ~Kimmy, Zam, Logan, Raptor, Nimrod, Mei, Jasper, Esme, & Lucy Inara
    RIP Kia, Chipper, Morla, & June

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Wiltshire England
    Posts
    1,650
    OH! Oh no! Poor Raven. I am sure she can fight it! What happens now?

    *Hugs*
    -Ellie

    'If everyone else's opinion is what matters, then do you ever really have one of your own?'- Jodi Picoult, Nineteen Minutes

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    North East Ohio
    Posts
    11,760
    Many hugs and prayers for you and Raven!!
    ~Angie, Sierra & Buddy
    **Don't breed or buy while shelter dogs die!**

    I suffer from multiple Shepherd syndrome



  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by K9soul
    It is a squamous cell carcinoma and cancerous.

    Will post more when I can.
    In general a young dog has a better prognosis with cancer than an older dog. Also some suggestions females have a better survival rate over males in the literature. At least you have those two positives going for you.

    SCC tends to be invasive locally. You'll probably want to discuss with the Vet about getting an ultrasound of the body cavity just to make sure metastasis hasn't occurred.

    Most likely the Vet or a referral to an oncologist will end with the recommendation of local radiation treatments in an attempt to clean up the margins from the surgery. Follow up radiation after surgery seems to be the standard treatment. Although Photodynamic Therapy involving lasers and a photosensitizing agent is also starting to be used. With the site being away from the eyes and nose, that may make it easier on puppy.

    Discuss with your Vet whether or not Piroxicam should be given in addition to the radiation. Piroxicam is a Cox-2 drug where in addition to its anti-inflamatory and pain relief properties has been shown to be effective against SCC. Downside of the drug is its ability to cause ulcers. Also quiz your Vet about the use of sucralfate during radiation treatments. It tends to help the tissues in recovering from radiation burns, and decreases gum infections. Not only that but it would protect the stomach if Piroxicam is prescribed.

    Diet wise cancer cells crave carbohydrates. Likewise most are unable to metabolize fat with any degree of effeciency. Thus diets low in carbohydrates (sugar worst case), and high in fat plus protein are best. But don't get carried away with too much rich food, else you'll end up with fat puppy. Assuming the dog is not losing weight, probably keeping it on the current dog food is best.

    There is quite a bit of data out indicating the Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil help to slow down the growth of cancers through their anti-angiogenesis (i.e. inhibition of blood vessel growth) properties. Do a search against Ogilvie GK, who has conducted quite a few Veterinary studies in dogs comparing the effects of fish oil on survival rates. He also discusses the use of amino acid supplements such as Arginine. Even after cleaning up the cancer with radiation you may wish to keep the dog on fish oil the rest of its life. I fed my Lymphoma puppy 6000-8000 mg a day during her illness. Worst case if the amount given is too high would be soft stools.

    Hopefully follow up radiation will take out the cancer cells left behind from the surgery.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Chicagoland, IL
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    8,499
    Thank you everyone for your posts, support and thoughts.

    Dragondawg - She is on Innova EVO RM formula supplemented by raw (no grains in her diet), so hopefully I am on the right track on diet though I will ask my vet more about that too. I will also write down the things you mentioned to ask him about.

    I tried to do some research but can't handle it as there is a lot of grim articles about oral cancers out there and the prognosis.

    The conversation is a bit hazy in my mind because I was in a state of shock, but I do remember him saying it was well differentiated and that is another plus. I understand some of what that means due to being a medical transcriptionist.
    Mom to Raven and Rudy the greyhound

    Missing always: Tasha & Tommy, at the Rainbow Bridge

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Oct 2000
    Location
    Los Angeles, CA USA
    Posts
    12,031
    Mmmmm, I offer you my prayers for Raven. I am so glad that you have Pet Talk to come and talk about this. You are getting such good advice.

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by K9soul
    Thank you everyone for your posts, support and thoughts.

    Dragondawg - She is on Innova EVO RM formula supplemented by raw (no grains in her diet), so hopefully I am on the right track on diet though I will ask my vet more about that too. I will also write down the things you mentioned to ask him about.

    I tried to do some research but can't handle it as there is a lot of grim articles about oral cancers out there and the prognosis.

    The conversation is a bit hazy in my mind because I was in a state of shock, but I do remember him saying it was well differentiated and that is another plus. I understand some of what that means due to being a medical transcriptionist.
    Your diet sounds fine. But no more ice cream on the side.

    The worst part about having a puppy dog with cancer is the initial shock and often having to make treatment decisions while still being in a haze. Been there, done that with lymphoma. Learn as much as you can about the SCC in dogs, so you know what to expect, and can anticipate any future problems.

    A well differentiated cancer is sort of like saying the cells involved know what they want to be in life- associated with the gum or oral tissues. They are committed genetically to differeniate into that type of tissue. Undiffereniated means the cells are more likely to drift off via metastasis and try to become lung cells, or some other tissue mimic. Thus differeniated cancers are less likely to be agressive and undergo metastasis - a definite plus.

    Unless an ultrasound picks it up elsewhere, chances are follow up radiation will clean things up.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jan 2002
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    Riding my bike somewhere...
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    26,408
    Everyone, please take a look at Vela's thread in General.
    http://www.petoftheday.com/talk/show....php?p=1794774

    Jess and Raven will need our help.

    ~Kay, Athena, Ace, Kiara, Mufasa, & Alice!
    "So baby take a axe to your makeup kit
    Set ablaze the billboards and their advertisements
    Love with all your hearts and never forget
    How good it feels to be alive
    And strive for your desire"

    -rx bandits

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