Malignant Melanoma in Dogs

[jadewolf]

Wondered if anyone had any experience with this?

So, I took my Zappa, my border collie, in last week to have a small mass (less than 1cm in size) removed from his lip. He’s a rescue who was picked up as a stray in 2007, so we don’t have a solid age on him–he could be anywhere between 7-10 years old now by the vet’s estimate. Got him home from the vet that evening after the surgery, but the suture site kept bleeding.

Ended up back at the emergency vet late that night, getting it re-cauterized and discovering that he wasn’t clotting. Finally got the bleeding to stop and they gave him an injection of vitamin K1 to try and improve his clotting, but had no explanation for the lack of clotting in the first place.

Took him back to the normal vet again in the morning. They ran some blood work on him to rule out autoimmune disorders inhibiting his clotting factor.

Yesterday, the vet called me back. Zappa’s bloodwork came back fine on all accounts, but the biopsy of the mass from his lip turns out to be a malignant melanoma with a high cell division rate. I’m taking him back to the vet next weekend to have a more thorough check of his body to try and determine if the cancer has spread to his lymph nodes or lungs.

From what I understand and what I’ve read so far, the prognosis for a dog with a malignant melanoma is pretty poor (especially if it was located in the mouth). Most of what I’m hearing is that the majority of dogs who develop one don’t live more than a year beyond it.

Has anyone here here had any experiences with melanomas on their dog? Anybody tried any of the (unfortunately very expensive) treatment options with any success? Any advice on quality of life with or without treatment? I’m not sure that I can even afford these treatments (I’ve already ended up spending nearly $1000 so far on this disaster)… and from what I understand they are very hard on the dog and may only buy a few more months of time.

I’m pretty heartbroken. I’ve only had Zappa four years and he’s among the biggest joys in my life. I’m not ready for him to be gone so soon.

A picture of my sweet boy… http://www.flickr.com/photos/jadewolf/2904725404/

[Simkie]

Oh, dear. I am so sorry.

I have not gone through melanoma, but I did lose a dog to lymphoma recently. Here is a thread about it.

What I took from that experience is that if you think you can do the chemo, DO NOT WAIT to start. Go in on an emergency appointment if you need to. Hit it hard, and support the dog with anti-nausea and anti-diarrheals.

I think a week would have made a big difference in my dog. I wish we’d been able to get her into CSU sooner to start treatment.

Cancer sucks

[Kryswyn]

Oh I am so sorry to hear this as I just lost 2 of my heart dogs within the past month, and one was waaaaay too early. My experience with melanoma on the lip is with cats however. One was diagnosed and treated. Kitty died within 4 months. Son of Kitty developed the same thing a few months after his mom died. No treatment other than pain killers and Son of Kitty was gone within 3 months.

My advice, and it’s what I followed myself, is to ask yourself are you treating the dog because you can’t bear to let him go, or because he can be cured? In my case I couldn’t see putting her through operations and treatment just for me. I had her PTS before the pain of her ruptured liver began. She wasn’t ready to go, but I knew it was the right time. She knew no pain and died with dignity.

My heart goes out to you whatever you decide.

[lovey1121]

What heartbreaking news. What a lovely boy.

[QUOTE=Kryswyn;5715794]

My advice, and it’s what I followed myself, is to ask yourself are you treating the dog because you can’t bear to let him go, or because he can be cured? [/QUOTE]

This is great advice. Hugs to you–

[Marshfield]

The statistics on survival time with the new melanoma vaccine are really promising. Cost for the initial series might be around $2100. You can ask your vet to get you set up for an oncology consult.

[tradewind]

The new melanoma vaccine works wonders if you can afford it. I believe that it is still only available through oncologist vets, not regular GP vets. My dogs melanoma was inoperable as it was in the middle of her bottom jaw. I was very sad, as it has a great success rate.

[SquishTheBunny]

So sorry

Step 1 is to get 3 view thoracic radiographs to look for metastasis. If clear, thats great and its certainly managable! You will need to get a referral to an oncologist or internist but it will be well worth it. Lucky dogs can be managed for years. Its at least worth getting a consult to see your options. We had a dog finished treatment 2 years ago who is still alive and doing well. 1 surgery, 1 year of treatment and is going strong into year 3 - no need for this one to be PTS. Hes a bouncy happy agility champion, 3 legged collie!

[threedogpack]

and the information from Marshfield, Squish and Tradewind are why I read here.

Thanks!

tucks information away for future reference

[jadewolf]

Thank you all for the kind words and the suggestions, too.

We’re going back into the vet on Saturday for further checking, so we’ll see what the vet has to say. I’m hoping for some positive news of some kind.

It’s an awful time for this to all be happening. I was recently diagnosed with some serious, chronic health issues myself and I’m in the process of gathering funds to move across country later this year when my job transfers me. I can’t think of a worse time to have my sweet Zappa-pup’s health hanging in the balance.

Anyway, wish me luck on Saturday.

[vacation1]

He has such a pretty face! Oh, so cute. Sorry, collie person myself, can’t resist that head. I have lost 2 dogs to cancer, and circumstances in both cases meant I didn’t do chemo/surgery/etc., so I don’t know much about that. My first dog died very suddenly from an undiagnosed cancer, then I had about a month after diagnosis with my second dog, and I wouldn’t have lost that very hard, emotionally painful month for anything, so don’t underestimate having even a little extra time. Dogs’ lives are so much shorter than ours that a few months is a more significant extension for their lives than it might be for ours. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I read a book about canine cancer earlier this year “Help Your Dog Fight Cancer” by Laurie Kaplan. It was an interesting read.

http://www.amazon.com/Help-Your-Dog-Fight-Cancer/dp/0975479466