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  1. #1
    Puppy
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    Papi has Prostate Cancer

    My 10 year old Black Lab, Papi, was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May.

    Before diagnosis, he was having UTI type symptoms, with elevated WBC's and RBC's and protein in his urine. He was on antibiotics for a while and the levels were still high. So our vet suggested an ultrasound of his abdomen. During the ultrasound, they saw what was thought to be prostate cancer, that same day, they performed a biopsy. It came back positive.

    We declined to see an oncologist to start chemotherapy as the vet said it may prolong his life another 6-12 months. He is taking numerous supplements recommended by our breeder. He struggles to poop regularly. He pees frequently, so far (knock on wood) has been continent. So far, he is eating fine. We know that the two indicators that it is progressing will be when he stops eating or starts vomiting (from blockage) or has inability to pass urine. I'm thankful that he isn't in pain (that I can tell) right now.

    He "semi" ran away this morning. I was freaking out. He never goes out of the yard. He's been trained on the underground fence and hadn't needed the collar for a long time. I found him up the road at my neighbors house. I'm worried that he is trying to run away because he doesn't feel well. or that he thinks he needs to find a better place to poop. Or maybe he is confused? Either way, we won't let him out anymore without supervision (and his collar or a leash).

    I did a search on here for prostate cancer in dogs, and didn't find anything. Does anyone have experience with it?

    -003-jpg

    This is Papi, my heart doggie

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    May 2014
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    I don't have any experience but wanted to send good thoughts and prayers for Papi and for you. Cancer sucks and it is a heartbreaking diagnosis.
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    Maxx and Emma Jean

    Ozzy - 10/2002 - 06/2011 - Rest well my sweet boy. You are forever remembered, forever missed, forever in my heart.

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    papismom (12-08-2015)

  4. #3
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    So very sorry for the diagnosis. I 100% agree with you about not perusing chemo, radiation, etc. Bandit had a cancerous lump on his leg which would not be able to be removed in total, subsequent skin grafts (if they would even take), chemo, radiation for maybe 6 months. Why put him though all that pain and suffering. Turned out, he lived very well for 8 months.

    My heart and prayers go out to you. Enjoy every minute, he is giving you such special memories now. Prayers being sent.
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    Kissing Bandit

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    papismom (12-08-2015)

  6. #4
    Senior Dog
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    I am so very sorry to hear this news about your sweet Papi. I don't know anything about prostate cancer in a dog...but would they remove the prostate like in a person?

    Just curious.

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    papismom (12-08-2015)

  8. #5
    Senior Dog labsnewfy's Avatar
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    No experience either but wanted to send our thoughts to you and Papi.
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    Coleman - CGC blk lab 6/02/97-2/25/08 adopted
    Tootsie - choc lab 10/19/99-8/03/13 adopted
    Bailey - CGC newf/fc 7/12/00-07/15/14 rescued
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    rescued felines - AJ - 8/00 - 1/11, Merlin - 5/20/05-8/23/21
    Tucker - 8/3/10, Penny - 7/7/13, Toby - 6/14/21

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    papismom (12-08-2015)

  10. #6
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    no experience but sending good thoughts and prayers

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    papismom (12-08-2015)

  12. #7
    Senior Dog
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    Prayers and good thoughts for your dear Papi...

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    papismom (12-08-2015)

  14. #8
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    That's not good news, I'm very sorry.

    Oban has an enlarged prostate that is causing repeated infections in his bladder and we most likely will have to neuter him. It's not at all thought to be cancer, (still waiting for some results though) thank heavens, because removing the prostate is a complicated and serious surgery. The urethra runs right through the middle of the prostate making it very difficult to get all the prostate out without damaging the urethra. A thing that a male human friend has been dealing with for over 20 years now, his urethra was nicked and it won't heal up.

    You must be so worried about Papi. His running away could be because pooping or peeing is painful. I know cats will avoid the litter box if they have pain, seemingly attributing the pain or discomfort to the place it happens. Then they keep trying different places, in vain. Perhaps dogs are the same? Good thoughts for Papi and you.
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    Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
    Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
    Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content

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    papismom (12-08-2015)

  16. #9
    Real Retriever blacklabs's Avatar
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    So sorry for your darling boy's diagnosis. Whilst I don't have any experience with Prostrate Cancer, I have unfortunately lost Labs to Cancer and terminal illnesses with a very recent loss to a terminal autoimmune disease so I know how extremely difficult these diagnosis are to deal with.

    Chemo treatment only buys some extra time, it is never a cure and it is completely understandable that many owners don't go down the chemo path. Quality pain free time with much love and spoiling for your boy's remaining time is the most important thing you can do for your beautiful boy as is knowing when to make that gutwrenching decision to end your boy's suffering. It is never an easy decision to make, no matter how many times you have to make it and my thoughts are with you and Papi during this very difficult time.

    With regards to running away, it is quite common for terminally ill dogs to want to spend more time outside, or hideaway or sleep in odd places or spend more times in "safe" places like Crates. When my recently departed Lab boy started going downhill during his last week he started spending more and more time in the crate which he has always loved and the door is always kept open so he and my other Lab boy could come and go when they wanted, but I knew it was different this time when for the last couple of nights of his life he wouldn't come out of the crate to come to my bedroom to sleep on his bed when I went to bed, so I slept in the family room with him where the crate was. He always knew my routine and would always take himself to my bedroom when he heard me brushing my teeth for the night, but when that didn't happen, I knew with that change and the fact he stopped eating so suddenly going from 3 meals a day to just stop suddenly wanting any food and I could only tempt him with a couple of small pieces of hand fed favourite food one day and next day not wanting any food at all, and I couldn't even tempt him with Nutrigel paste, that fateful time had arrived.

    My cancer boy used to spend a lot of time outside lying in a hole he had dug himself in the side garden, which had always been a favourite place of his to cool down during our hot summers when he was outside as I was home with him during his illness and the back door was left open for him and my other Lab boys to come and go outside/inside anytime. I was always worried when he did this as I didn't want him to pass away on his own there, so I always used to go and find him and bring him back inside. His loss of appetite was much more gradual than my boy I recently lost, but when he started developing a cough from the Cancer spreading to his lungs, I knew it was time to make that gut wrenching decision.

    Hope you have lots of quality time with your beautiful boy and I am thinking of you both. The following link might be helpful for you Quality of Life Checklist

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    Java (12-26-2015)

  18. #10
    Puppy
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    "I am so very sorry to hear this news about your sweet Papi. I don't know anything about prostate cancer in a dog...but would they remove the prostate like in a person?"

    Unfortunately, they can't remove prostates in dogs due to the location and size of the prostate of canines. It causes too much trauma to the urethra.
    Last edited by papismom; 12-08-2015 at 03:46 AM. Reason: including quote

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    lovemylabby (12-25-2015)

 



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