Saturday, April 17, 2010

Taking our lumps

One not-so-great aspect of writing about dogs and other companion animals is that you learn just enough about canine training and health to make yourself crazy. If you find a lump on your dog, for example, you immediately conclude that it's got to be cancer, and you put your considerable research skills to work scoping out symptoms, treatments and prognoses.

So when Allie began sporting a lump on her tail earlier this week -- well, you can guess what I was doing.

I've had two other dogs who succumbed to cancer, and I fully expect that some variation of this scourge will claim Allie one day. Golden Retrievers are notoriously susceptible to malignant tumors. According to Golden Retriever health expert Rhonda Hovan, 60 percent of Goldens die from cancer--not quite double the rate for all other dogs. (The full text of Hovan's excellent white paper, "Understanding Cancer in Golden Retrievers," is here.) I knew this, and acquired Allie with my eyes wide open. That doesn't mean, however, that I'm truly prepared for that eventuality -- especially since Allie is only 7. I do know that cancer strikes younger dogs, such as this one, and I myself lost a 7-year-old Sheltie to cancer several years ago. But when I found that lump on Allie, my thoughts coagulated around one plea: "Not yet. Not yet. Not this soon."

Yes, I know that a cancer diagnosis is not necessarily a death sentence for a dog. I'm thrilled that just in the last year a new drug has been developed specifically for treating mast cell cancer (which killed my first dog back in 1994). I'm excited that a simple blood test could be used to diagnose cancer in dogs. I'm intrigued by the idea that canine saliva could hold the key to treating cancer. I also know full well that lumps don't necessarily mean The Big C. Allie herself has acquired a couple of non-cancerous lipomas and has dealt with sebaceous cysts.

So often, though, fear trumps knowledge--so it was with fear that I brought Allie to her vet earlier today.

The verdict: an infected oil gland, probably brought on by an insect bite. The treatment: warm compresses and antibiotics twice daily for the next week or so, then another visit to the vet.

Needless to say, I am greatly relieved. I feel like Allie and I have dodged a bullet. Whatever happens, it's not happening yet. But if and when cancer does strike my Golden girl, it's good to know that there probably will be a lot more treatment options available than was the case the last time I heard that diagnosis about a beloved dog. And in the meantime, I'll cherish each day with Allie, and try very hard not to make myself crazy the next time something unwelcome pops up.

12 comments:

KathyF said...

Speaking as someone who lost my Golden 4 months, 9 days, and 12 hours ago, to osteosarcoma at the age of 8, I'm so, so very happy you've dodged a bullet this time.

May she live long and prosper.

Pat said...

Ach, Sue - I was holding my breath for you until I reached the good news part. Thank Dog!!

Hugs, Pat.

Susan said...

Kathy, I am so sorry for your loss. Damn cancer: it doesn't care about being fair, does it? And Pat, believe me, I was holding my breath, too. It feels good to exhale.

Steve Dale said...

Glad you dodged the bullet....Cancer kills too many dogs. I just wrote an post, interesting how a Purdue veterinary oncologist is traveling across the country to meet old Rottweilers, they have dodged the cancer bullet (so far). What is it about these dogs' genetics and environment which allows them to outlive most other Rotties, and presumably cancer free? If we can learn about this for dogs, cancer is people will benefit too. Dogs, of course, get many of the same cancers we do.

Susan said...

I'll have to check that out, Steve. Thanks!

Shauna (Fido & Wino) said...

I am so glad everything is ok- that must have been terrifying!

Susan said...

It was -- and it never gets any less terrifying, no matter how often you go through it.

Roxanne @ Champion of My Heart said...

I'm so glad to hear the news. Ginko has a lump too, but it's been there a long while, and our vet thinks it's just one of those big fatty things older dogs get. I'll have her check it again at his next exam soon.

P.S. I had NO idea cancer rates in Goldens was so high.

Susan said...

Alas, they are indeed very high, Roxanne. And the two most common cancers are two of the most problematic: hemangiosarcoma, which affects 1 in 5 Goldens, and lymphoma, which affects 1 in 8. Hovan says that together these two cancers comprise about half of those in the breed. But, as KathyF knows, osteosarcoma also affects quite a few Goldens, as does mast cell cancer.

Roxanne @ Champion of My Heart said...

Just noticing my bad grammar there. Sheesh!

Well, anyway, we lost a lab-mix to hemangio, so I know that one all too well. Super sad.

Anonymous said...

Give that Allie a kiss for me, Susan. Great writing as always, and good on you for being such a proactive owner.
Linda R

Susan said...

Kisses bestowed on your behalf, Linda. Thanks on all counts!