My 10yo boy was diagnosed with prostate cancer in late June incidentally during a routine exam. It seemed to be a pretty early diagnosis and with it coming as a surprise (he didn’t have any symptoms) my initial plan was to be very aggressive with the treatment.
We started with 4 weeks of radiation treatment which is what the oncologists thought would be the best treatment. He finished it but it was rough for him at times with vomit and diarrhea and by the end of you could tell he was tired of even being in the hospital. The last week it was a struggle to even get him to go back, but since we were so close to the end I wanted him to just finish it.
Due to it being an aggressive cancer the doctors are now suggesting chemotherapy as well, but I’m at the point throughout this journey that I’m not sure it really is the best thing for either of us. He’s my first dog and my soul dog. He’s been with me through some very tough times in my life and part of me wants to keep going with the treatments, yet another part of me is saying the pros do not outweigh the cons anymore. The reasons are: 1. Financial. I already spent over 15k and exhausted his insurance with all the testing and the radiation. Now they’re quoting me 5-6k for the chemo (plus testing that he’ll need) and I just don’t know if I can do that anymore. 2. His tolerance. I know he’s going to absolutely hate having to even go into the hospital for treatment, and I’m nervous about any side effects (they tell me that the chances of side effects are low but with how badly things were with the radiation at times, I’m afraid he’ll be in the small percentage to have strong side effects). Lastly, I’ve gotten conflicting numbers on the prognosis. The radiation oncologist said that with treatment he could have up to 18 months, while the chemo oncologist says 6-9 (of which 4 of those he would be undergoing chemotherapy)
My question is - has anyone else’s lab been diagnosed with prostate cancer or undergone chemotherapy? If so, could you give me your experience?
Any advice on what to decide would also be appreciated. I’m just so afraid of regretting whatever decision I make.
Why put him thru anymore? I'm not trying to be heartless. It is always devestating losing a fur baby. Sometimes we tend to put our own feelings ahead of what is best for our dog. I would stop treatment and focus on giving him the best life possible for his remaining time. Prolonging it is only going to be harder on the dog. Love him fiercely, with lots of belly rubs and treats. When the time comes then let him go. I am sorry you are going thru this. Prayers for you and your baby.
Thank you. Yeah that is what I’m debating. It’s just such an aggressive cancer that I can take him quickly. Treatment may give him a year or so, but yeah I’m really questioning whether it would be fair to him at all.
Another year would be great for you but what about him? What would his quality of life be? He doesn't know the difference between a month or a year. You are thinking of yourself and I understand that. Quality of life is much more important than quantity of life.
I had to say good bye to my 11 year old lab this past Friday. He was sick with a mass on his spleen and it had a micro bleed. The hardest decision of my life. The night before I had to bring him in I knew in my heart I was making the right decision. I can’t explain it, but I just knew. I knew I couldn’t be selfish and keep him around because I would miss him dearly. I made the decision for him because I did not want him to suffer. It’s still hard and my heart is shattered in 1 million pieces, but I got to hold him, tell him I love him and tell him stories of all the wonderful memories we’ve made. I got to say goodbye and he knew I was there with him to the very end. I didn’t want a catastrophic rupture where it then became a medical emergency and he wouldn’t know I was there with him if he passed from the rupture, which was most likely going to be the outcome. I am so sorry you’re going through this. I don’t wish it on anyone. I’ll be thinking of you and your pup. When I asked for advice with my Charlie several people sent me this quote and it was something I really needed to hear. 🫶
"Better a week (or a month too early than a day too late."
I’m so sorry for your loss and that you just had to go through that. I keep thinking about that quote myself and am definitely trying to mentally prepare myself to make that hard decision that I know will be all too soon. I think that hardest thing for me right now is that though they tell me he has an aggressive cancer, he still hasn’t really shown much signs yet. He still acts like himself and I’m afraid I’m giving him a death sentence by not doing what I still can right now. It’s like I’m weighing the pain of the treatment vs the pain of the disease.
It’s so hard, I know. You said earlier he really had a hard time with the radiation. You and only you know if he’s strong enough for the chemo and if it’s something you want to put him through. I am not judging because I was just there. I wish I had a magic wand. I’ll be praying for you both. I’m so sorry. This was my Charlie. ♥️♥️
I know it doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's actually an amazing thing that your dog has an aggressive cancer and hasn't shown any significant symptoms yet. That is a very good thing. Cherish it, be in the moment, and plan ahead when you can.
Not to be harsh, but the death sentence is already there. With or without the cancer. As it is for all of us. There is no "doing it too soon" when it comes to stuff like this. Only doing it too late.
I struggled with this as well. Being 8 years old, our lab was entirely normal and active at diagnosis and we felt it was just terribly unfair. I’m so sorry you’re dealing with this.
I was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at 23. I'm 32 now. I would also question whether my double digit age dog would be able to handle what I went through. A younger dog I'd probably be more inclined to give it a shot with.
I’m so sorry you had to go through that. They say that chemo for dogs isn’t nearly as harsh as it is for humans, with low probability of side effects, but having seen it one too many times in family members it really is still such a difficult thing to envision him going through. Thank you for your advise. I hope you’re doing better now and continue to do so.
I never did radiation, only surgery, chemo, and targeted therapy. But treatment is brutal and part of treating the side effects is recognizing them. Something even I had trouble doing and I speak human lol. Dogs can't speak up for themselves. But I'm also not a vet.
But that being said when an oncologist tells you the odds. It's important to remember that's an average. There are cases like me that do better and unfortunately cases that'll do worse.
I was expected to die by 12/5/2022. I'll be considered "cured" in 14 days. 5 years remission.
I'm sure tons of dogs have incredible cancer survivorship stories as well.
You're welcome to look at my post history if you want some cancer inspiration. Survivorship advocacy is very important to me. Human and dog.
My dog went through chemo a couple years ago because her Mast cell tumor spread into her lymph nodes. Chemo was every other week for 4 months. She did really well, but she’s always been very high energy. I’d do it again because she was only 8, and i wouldn’t have her here with me if I hadnt. But the surgeries and treatments related to the cancer were financially crippling. I’m only now getting back on top of the debt after 24 months
Yes, I think if it wasn’t for the financial aspect it wouldn’t be such a a hard decision for me. I fear regretting not doing the treatment because I didn’t want to put myself in further debt. Luckily I did have insurance which covered most of the radiation at least. Mine just turned 10 so I also feel like I just haven’t had enough time with him yet.
Yes, such a tough situation. At age 13 our sweetie pie chocolate lab was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma (anal gland cancer). We had the tumor surgically removed after an ultrasound showed that it had not metastasized. 6 months later and she is doing pretty great. Back to daily swims in the stream, etc. Expensive and worth it IMO given that it was a tumor that could be removed and no chemo or radiation. No easy answers, go with what seems like the best course of action for your dear pup.
So my (8yr) lab has cancer in his prostate and bladder, we found out in January. Essentially they are unsure which of the two was the original source, so I can’t necessarily speak to prostate cancer alone. However we have done chemo since diagnosis and I can share my experience for what it’s worth.
Firstly, chemo has cost us significantly more than the original quote. That’s definitely important if you are worried about the budget. Our first talks with the oncologist included 5 sessions of chemo and were given estimated costs. However those costs didn’t include things like extra lab work, medications, and additional ultrasounds we’ve done to reassess the state of the cancer. It looked like $3-5k for us originally and at this point we are still treating him and are probably nearing $15k+.
I will say that the chemo has worked in extending his life, at the very least. Without chemo, he likely would have passed in Feb or March and his bladder is currently doing ok, with no additional growth in the prostate tumor. That said, he now has respiratory symptoms, so it may have spread to his lungs.
It’s definitely hard to weigh finances against your dog’s life, but at a certain point you need to decide if extending life by a short time is worth X% of your income or savings. This is a terminal disease with no cure. Nothing you do will change it, it will only slow it down (maybe, if you’re lucky). You need to ask yourself, if I spend $5-10k more on this, and he only lives a few more months, or if it doesn’t work at all, can I live with that?
My 4yo girl black lab went through chemo for lymphoma. I put her down too early. What I mean is that she was getting to the uncomfortable pain of cancer.
It was the right thing to do. I cannot describe the loss I still feel. Even 2 years later, and a new lab.
Our job is to take care of these wonderful creatures. Ensure they are taken care of in every way. This also includes death. We all would be so lucky to die without feeling pain.
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u/Malahia 5h ago
Why put him thru anymore? I'm not trying to be heartless. It is always devestating losing a fur baby. Sometimes we tend to put our own feelings ahead of what is best for our dog. I would stop treatment and focus on giving him the best life possible for his remaining time. Prolonging it is only going to be harder on the dog. Love him fiercely, with lots of belly rubs and treats. When the time comes then let him go. I am sorry you are going thru this. Prayers for you and your baby.