Scooby diagnosed with oral malignant melanoma

Scooby diagnosed with oral malignant melanoma

by Jen
(L. I., NY)

Buddy, Baby & Scooby (l-r)

My dog Scooby, rescued from a shelter, is between 12-13 years old. I love him so much, he is like my furry son and doggie soul mate. I also have a beagle mix, lab mix and 2 cats (all rescues).

Well, Scooby has been diagnosed with malignant oral melanoma. The tumor is on his upper gum, over 2cm (not good). I had a consult with a vet/oncologist, and was told that option(s) include a very invasive surgery involving cutting away jawbone, followed by radiation or chemo and the new vaccine. Even with surgery he may only live 3-6 months (and would obviously be uncomfortable).

I don't think I can put him through this, and he seems fine so far. Without surgery the doctor said 3 months! I am hoping he beats the odds and goes on longer, but I know I can't see him suffer so I would put him down if I had to, heartbreaking as it would be. :(

Any support would be helpful.

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Scooby diagnosed with oral malignant melanoma

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May 14, 2012
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Oral Malignant Melanoma/Puppa
by: Anonymous

So sorry to hear about this, I am going through it too. I hope maybe by sharing we can compare notes and offer support.

My 12 yr old boarder collie/black lab mix Puppa was diagnosed with stage 4 oral malignant melanoma about 2 weeks ago. He was wheezing and hacking quite a bit, sneezing too and I just thought it was allergies. The following day he was spitting or hacking up phelgm. His nose was drippy but clear also his breath had gotten noticeably bad in about a week's time.

I took him to the vet and they looked in his mouth and thought maybe it was an infected tooth but ran some blood work anyhow. We went home, after 15 min of being home he hacked up a pool of phelgm with a little blood in it.

I took him right back and got a different vet. This new vet found an infected hole in the roof of his mouth she described as a portal to his nasal cavity. she said it had an unusual texture or irregular pattern to it. She was worried it might be melanoma or a fungal infection. She did a fine needle aspiration of a swollen lymph node on his neck to find fungal or cancer cells.

The tests came back cancer a few days later - malignant melanoma.

Since then I am doing so many things for him. IP6, Maitake, CoQ10, Fish Oil, Essiac tea, Theracurmin, Quercetin, to name a few. I also just started him on the Budwig Protocol. I'm feeding him a protein/fat diet with a little complex carbs as not to feed the cancer with sugar.

I will keep you who are interested posted as to what happens the next few days or weeks if he has it.

Peace

May 04, 2012
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Same as Scooby
by: Lisa S.

Our dog Autumn was just diagnosed yesterday. It seems like a lifetime ago. All you hear is inoperable oral cancer.

Our dog got the bad Natural Balance Venison and Brown Rice dog food 5 years ago when all of the foods were found poisoned. We almost lost her then. We did everything, and she made it through.

She was diagnosed with diabetes 6 weeks ago and started insulin therapy. Now, she has between a week and 3 months. She is asleep on our bed with us now and seems restless. She has a cluster of tumors on the roof of her mouth and a large one on the back of her tongue.

I pray she just goes to sleep and doesn't wake up. I don't think I can put her down. She is 11 1/2 years old. She is on Metacam for pain and is still eating. I will check in again. Praying for all of us. This is the worst pain I have ever felt in all of my life.

Jan 06, 2012
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My Toby has the same thing.
by: Melissa

I decided to not do Chemo and removing the jaw wasn't an option because the cancer started eating the jaw already. It's been about 6 months since the cancer was diagnosed... He is no longer doing good at all. It really breaks my heart.

This cancer is VERY fast so if you are going to do any treatment jump right on it. Toby (my dog) went to an oncologist and two very fast months later it grew larger and now has started bleeding. He recently lost some weight and is starting to eat less... I think his calling may be coming or here... makes me cry.

Anyway it's hard I know but try to keep your head up and only you can decide what's best for your pup. Sometimes chemo and extreme surgeries aren't worth it but you have to really see what your vet says and how you feel. Just keep Scooby comfy and bring him to all his favorite places and enjoy the time with him while you have it. Good luck hun and I'm sorry you and Scooby have to go through this.

Aug 30, 2011
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Dog cancer diet
by: Anonymous

Update: Prince's tumor has shrunk to nothing. The diet works so far.

He is tired... But we seem to be successfully fighting it. Will see oncologist tomorrow.

Aug 09, 2011
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Oral Cancer
by: Cathy

My fur baby Missy (14 years old) was diagnosed with a cancer on her lower jaw about a month ago. They did the surgery and removed the tumor, margins still "dirty" as the oncologist states so following up with radiation right now. When they removed the tumor they took some of her jaw as well. I live in Knoxville Tn and am luck to have UT Vet School here. She is in her 2nd week and doing great. She is around 14 yrs old. This dog is my heart and I just could not do nothing for her. She doesn't even act sick. They say radiation is not as hard on dogs as humans. If it can give me another year and a half with her I will GLADLY take it. My email is cathy.blalock@gmail.com if you want to talk.

Aug 06, 2011
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Cancer Diet
by: Anonymous

My 13 year old soul mate cocker spaniel was diagnosed with the same 3 weeks ago. It grows fast... I have been hand feeding him little mini meat balls of "the cancer diet" boiled chicken breast, chicken livers, broccoli, and brown rice. being able to pop little balls of food into his mouth, made after food processing it down into a pate, helps him not to get it on the tumor, (his is front lower gums).

I have also been using food grade hydrogen peroxide to wash it with.

We have been to the vet, the oncologist and the radiologist. He is now at the point where the only fight we have is immunotherapy.

I too would appreciate any advice... thanks.

Jul 30, 2011
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oral cancer
by: shelly bradbry

What does the tumor look like? My dog has a tumor as well on her gum. It is cauliflower shaped and pink with whitish spots. Waiting for a second opinion.

Jun 26, 2011
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Scooby news
by: Kathleen

So so sorry to hear about your buddy Scooby - it is SO SO HARD I KNOW to hear this news. It seems like you have a "handle" on things and that he has such a wonderful home. Whatever the outcome - we must have faith that it is whatever "is to be" with these things. I know you will make the very best choices for Scooby - God Bless:)

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