Canine Cancer - Our Stories

by A Dog Parent

I am reading the stories in this Cancer Forum with tears streaming down my face. I feel so sorry for all the dog parents who have faced or are facing their dogs having cancer.

My husband and I are no strangers to canine cancer. All our dogs but one had cancer.

Our dalmatian was not even 2 years old when he was diagnosed with cancer in the late 80s. He lasted about 3 months after diagnosis. It was a a rare cancer and was very aggressive. He went from a healthy muscular 60 lbs to a mere 30 bony pounds. He vomited constantly, and was lethargic all the time. we finally had to have him put down. It is not fair for a baby of 2 to have to die of cancer!

We had a lab and she got bone cancer at age 14. It hit her hard and fast. By the time we found out she had bone cancer it was invading her body and she was in great pain. We had her put down. We were saddened and shocked.

We did have one successful canine cancer story.

In 2001 our beagle/collie mix Zeke had a lump on his neck which kept growing. Finally the Vet said he had to operate and get this big lump out. He said it would be a precarious operation. Our dog was 12 at the time so his age was against him although otherwise he was in good health and active for his age.

We brought him into the Vets office at 6 a.m. in the morning. He operated on him right after that. The doctor thought for sure Zeke would have to spend the night. He surprised the doctor and nurse. Zeke was active and walking around by mid afternoon! The Vet called us and told us Zeke was ready to go home at 4 p.m. the same afternoon! The Vet told us to make sure we called him if we ran into any problems over the next week or so. He called us to make sure Zeke was doing well. He couldn't believe how he easily came out of the operation at age 12 and having cancer. He needed no further treatment, no chemo or anything. He went on to live another 3 years and died at age 15 and the cause of death had nothing to do with cancer.

I am here to shed some positive thoughts on canine cancer. It is NOT always a death sentence even for a senior dog.