Monday 7 September 2009

Canine Oral Melanoma (Mouth Cancer): Barney's Story


Although anyone who's ever had a pet will tell you what joy they bring to your life, they'll also tell you how hard it is when they are sick. Here, Debbie Mecham tells the story of her dog, Barney, and his battle with mouth cancer - a battle that, thanks to drastic surgery, he's winning. Please do read her story and her blog and remember that no vet will mind a visit even for the most apparently minor symptoms.

Never did I imagine that taking Barney to the vet for a relatively minor stomach upset would result in him being diagnosed with cancer. Not stomach cancer, but an oral melanoma; mouth cancer.

Barney's a 10 year old Golden Retriever/Springer Spaniel. Until I was faced with this horrible disease, I had no idea that this was something that was more likely to occur in black, male dogs aged between 9 and 12 years. Unfortunately for us, Barney fit into every category.

He was diagnosed toward the end of May, when my local vet had spotted a black lump on his gum. Three days later, we were back at the vets for the biopsy. Now we had to await the results.

Finally, a call was received. It confirmed the lump was indeed cancerous. My world was shattered. Barney had been with me since he was just a few weeks old and although he's now 10, he's a very young boy at heart. I wasn't ready for him not to be part of our future.

Things progressed quickly after the diagnosis. An appointment was made for us with an oncologist at a specialist vets. It was a bank holiday weekend so we had to wait 5 days but even that was fast.

We travelled down on the Tuesday, met with Rob, and he went through everything with us. It was all very black and white. The tumour was 2cm in diameter. Anything more than 3 isn't really 'good' according to what we'd read and been told. No promises were made, but he talked about curing Barney, rather than 'prolonging' which made us feel more confident. He advised the best option for Barney would be surgical removal. This would be invasive and would change his appearance. The surgery he spoke of is called a 'Mandibulectomy'. This is the removal of part of the lower jaw. He warned us that Barney would look different, that a lot of dogs' can no longer keep their tongue in their mouth and that eating and drinking could be messy. We were prepared to go ahead, so long as it was fair to Barney. He assured us that after seeing what a young spirited dog Barney is, that going forward with this would be the right course of action.

We left Barney there on the day of the consultation and by 3pm the following day, his surgery was complete. His lymph node had also been removed as a pre-caution in case any cancerous cells had travelled.

We were unable to see Barney until the Friday, when we actually brought him home. I was elated, yet, nervous. Rob had drummed it into us during his updates via telephone that Barney DID look different, and that his tongue hung out a lot. They'd also removed more jaw than hoped to ensure the margins were wide enough to obtain a clear result. This meant that Barney lost 9 teeth, including his canine.

I sat in the waiting room excited and worried, a horrific picture in my head; he'd no longer resemble my Barney, he'd now be a subdued, miserable, lethargic dog... when all of a sudden, I heard a familiar panting and scratching of claws on the tiled floor and there he was. Barney. Just Barney. Yes, he looked different. His tongue was hanging out and his jaw looked exceptionally thin, but, he looked happy. He was as happy to see us, as we were to see him. His after care involved watering down his food and giving him antibiotic and anti-inflammatory tablets. I thought he'd come home with a bag full of medication, but less than 24 hours after surgery, he'd been given a pain score of zero.

A week later, Barney managed to burst all his stitches. This resulted in another 2 night stay at the specialists whilst he was resutured.

The same day, we were overwhelmed to hear that the margins of jaw were clear both sides, and the lymph node was also clear. The cancer had not spread!

Thankfully, Barney's story has a happy ending, as you can see from the picture of him, post-op and healing, at the top.

Many dog owners choose not to go ahead with this surgery because they think that it's too much for the dog to go through. In reality, as brutal as it sounds, it's really not as bad as you imagine. Within a few weeks, Barney was back on his normal food (with biscuit mixer). He's none the wiser as to what's happened to him, the only difference to him right now is that he eats outside, because it is messy. Once winter comes in, he'll eat inside again. Cleaning up twice a day's a very small price to pay to have Barney here with us, healthy, happy and enjoying life.

Checking your dogs' mouth is very important. If your vet offers dental checks, go along to them. Ask them to check your dogs' mouth when he has his annual vaccination booster. The earlier this cancer is detected, the much higher chance there is of the dog surviving. The survival rates of canine oral melanoma are low because more often than not, the tumours are not found soon enough and are too large to remove or have spread beyond the mouth. Barney's tumour was not there in March. I've gone back and studied pictures that were taken and there are no signs of it so it just goes to show how fast it grew in a short space of time.

So, if you only do one thing today with your dog, especially if they fit the criteria I mentioned above, make sure that one thing is taking as good a look in his mouth as you can get and if you spot anything abnormal, see your vet. A twist of fate saved Barney and we count ourselves as very lucky indeed.

For the full story, more information and more pictures, please visit my blog; http://canineoralmelanoma.wordpress.com/

Please note that Dogs Trust is unable to give any veterinary advice at a distance. Please see your vet if you have any concerns about your dog's health or have spotted any of the symptoms above.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

I lost my dog with the same kind of Cancer, he was a 14 year old Dachshund, we agreed that this kind of major surgery was a little bit too much for him at his senior age, but we gave him a good quality of life until we realised he had had enough and we had to make the horrible heart-wrenching decision to have him put to sleep.
But my boy didn't make it to the vets, he died in my arms on the way there. It was as though he had taken the decision out of my hands and he himself decided it was his time.
I miss him so so much, he was the best little man anyone could wish for.
I love you Rocky, I always will.
God bless you my angel. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Debbie Mecham said...

Catwoman, I'm so sorry you lost your dog to this horrible disease. Too many dogs are lost because the tumours are found so late. I hope with this article and my own Blog that people will become more aware of canine oral melanoma and perhaps that vets will make it a more thorough part of their annual check up too. It's easy to miss lumps in the mouth.

Joanne Casey said...

Being a messy eater is a small price to pay for Barneys extended life.

Dogs Trust said...

@Joanne Casey - too right!

@catwoman1966 - I'm so sorry to hear of your sad story.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your kind words.
xxxxxx

Debbie Mecham said...

Joanne, yes, messy eating is a very, very small price to pay to have him with us. We've lifted his bowl off the floor to make it easier for him to get to his food, so that he's not losing quite so much out the side of his mouth.

As I said, very small price to pay. He's a wonderful boy. My pride and joy :D

morguene said...

Hi Debbie,

Is really nce to hear that success is possible. We brought my 6-year-old cocker-spaniel-Shitzu to the vet last night because we noticed a lump on his jaw last week. Biopsy is scheduled for next week, and we'll have to wait 3 weeks for results...the waiting is going to be real hard. I did a bit of reading on the internet this morning and saw that if it is cancer that the best we can hope for his he fits into the 25% 1-year survival category. So your story has given me much hope that Guinness will be with us a bit longer. Here's hoping all goes well for everyone in this horrible state! I'll be checking your blog often to see how things are going in your world and many thanks again for the story.

Joanne Casey said...

Debbie, hope you have many more happy years with him.

Catwoman, that's so sad, best remembering him at his healthiest, all the great years you shared together.

Debbie Mecham said...

morguene - I will keep my fingers tightly crossed that the results come back as something other than cancer, but, if not, then I hope that the lump can be removed and that Guiness can go on to make a full recovery as Barney has.

Please keep us updated. If you'd like any more information, please contact me through my Blog.

Are you in the UK?

trish said...

Sometimes you can't see where the lump is as was the case for my dog. Her symptom was incredibly bad breath (so bad that you could smell it across the room). Her lump was at the end of her tongue towards her throat. The symptom showed up very quickly. She had just been to the vet for her normal annual physical checkup/ shots, including the usual mouth exam. Two weeks later her breath was so bad we thought she had a tooth infection. We took her back to the vet and they found a golf-ball sized lump in her mouth. They removed it ~ that was in Jan. 08. She was immediately put on the Melanoma vaccine which she responded to very well up until about 3 months ago. Her cancer has returned and she is now on chemo and antibiotics. She is almost 14 years old and she is a golden retriever/chow mix about 65lbs. We are taking things day by day and right now it is all about her quality of life. Here's her story for more info: http://creativepathstudio.com/tag/siwa/

Lucia said...

I'm on the same boat as you. My 10 1/2 years old golden retriever was diagnosed with oral melanoma.
He had surgery, but it was not radical. The melanoma was taken away and his mouth was cauterized . It has been two months now and he is taking Previcox, which seems to have been used with some degree of sucess in oral melanomas. So far he seems better than before surgery and we hope he will live some more time with us. I was devastated to hear about it and sometimes I feel very insecure. The perspective of beeing without him just breaks my heart. I wish you all the luck,

Lucia

Cenderle said...

I hope all is still well. We found out just over a week ago our 11 year old Baby Rhubarb, dachshund mix, had malignant melanoma on the back of her tongue and we had an appointment to see the oncologist this Wednesday but we did not make it. It was not good we were all sitting watching tv and she started having a violent seizure which scared us all. We rushed her to vet after hours and her kidneys and liver were failing we had to make that horrible choice we said our goodbyes as she raised her head to try to see us go. We wish could have done something but it was too late. Her brother wonders where his sister has gone. Just don't ever give up hope that you can help your dog. As long as they are healthy and not in pain keep doing what you can to make them better. We were on our way to get her help but we were to late. God bless all of you! R.I.P Rhubarb 9/24/2010

amy said...

I went through every single emotion possible reading Barney's story. Our 10 year old weimeraner (Bebez) was diagnosed with oral melanoma last week and is having his surgery this coming Wednesday, January 26th. It was not a hard decision at all for us to have the expense to enjoy him as long as possible. All of his test have come back negative that it has not yet spread. After reading your story, I guess we can't really be sure but we need to just hope and pray for the best. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

Anonymous said...

Our wheaten terrier just had the radical surgery yesterday. I did not want him to go thrombin any pain. I was outvoted by the family as they did more research han me. We saw him today and took him for a walk around the vet hospital. He wagged his tail! It certainly is major surgery but he appears better than I thought. now we wait for the results...


Thank you for sharing your story.

Anonymous said...

I was encouraged to read your story, and know that Barney is doing well. My beautiful, McDuff, a black Scotty was diagnosed on Nov. 30, and the oncologist told us that he did not believe the vaccine would work in our case. McDuff is now bleeding from his mouth, the cancer has grown rapidly and we can feel it going down his throat. He was originally given 3-6 months, and at the end of this month he will start his 7th month, and we are so thrilled. My question is, how do we know it is time? His breathing is labored, he salivates constantly and licks constantly, and is now bleeding. I want him around forever, but don't want him to suffer. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I am heartbroken. We love him so very much, he still eats like a little piggy, but just so lethargic, and bleeding and sleeping so much, don't know what to do. Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Seven & Moe said...

I am so sorry to hear about your baby. We just found out about that our 13 year old Anatolian has oral melanoma. We will see an oncologist tomorrow. We will do surgery unless something else comes up. Seven has a great appetite and drinks a lot of water. But he is always tired except when he goes in for accupuncture. We are in love with our baby and can't imagine life without him. He has brought so much joy and love into our lives, I can't even begin to tell you. What should I expect from the oncologist appointment? I hope I make the best decision for seven.

Michelle Holt said...

My Dog Henry was diagnosed on Thursday 21 July 2011 with mouth cancer, he is almost 15. He is blind and deaf but an amazing wonderful cocker spaniel. We go on holiday in 3 1/2 weeks and I am so worried about what to do, he sleeps loads but I always put that down to being old. We noticed a bad smell of his breath and the vets did tests and said his kidneys were ok and they would operate and clean his teeth, all was ok until about a week or so later and the smell started to return. I had noticed a bumpy part on the inside of his mouth that did bleed but thought it was just his age and it must rub, and the vets had cleaned his teeth and never mentioned this so I thought it was ok. I feel Henry is probably too old to go through more surgery, he has a perferated ear drum also. I do not want to let him suffer but am worried about being on holiday and leaving him with a friend. I am going to the vets on Monday and hope that he will give me some clearer answers. I am completely gutted but also knew at almost 15 he was probably on borrowed time. We lost his brother almost 3 years ago. I completely feel for everyone else going through this, and just hope that I can do everything I can for Henry as he is a huge part of our family.

Anonymous said...

We've taken Jazz to the vet this morning. He's a handsome gorgeous 9 year old Golden Retriever. He has a tumour of the mouth, scheduled for biopsy/removal on Tuesday then 10 days waiting for the results :(. We can also feel a lump in his side. We are hoping and praying that this isn't malignant and hasn't spread. He's our boy and is such a huge part in our family's life

Steve said...

Daisy is our English Bullmastif, she is barely three years old and was diagnosed with oral cancer yesterday
We only took her to the vet because a gland in her neck was swollen but were told straight away it was a lymph gland and he checked her mouth to find a lump on her left jowl, the vet instantly informed us it was very serious and further checks were needed
This morning she is in for a biopsy but have to wait 5 days for results to come through
We love Daisy so much as does her litter sister who is already wondering around the house looking for her as they have never spent a moment apart since they were born
My wife and I are truly devastated and pray we dont loose her at such a young age as we have so much still to do together.

pammyg said...

We lost our female Gordon Setter Ruger at 11 years old to oral melanoma. The first symptom we noticed was that one of her toenails died, went hollow and fell off just as the toe swelled with tumor. It was after this melanoma was found in her mouth. Our vet didn't recommend treatment; once we saw she was failing we had to let her go.

She's been gone nearly 10 years now and is still missed...

Anonymous said...

Hi My dog is a 7 year old cocker spaniel and has just had a tumour removed from her lower gum .. she had one removed a year ago (in the same place) she has has chest x ray and its clear ... both tumors were malignant! im looking into whether the vaccine would be the next move for her as im not at all keen on the surgery.... has anyone out there had a slow growing ? tumor in their dog that has not ended up spreading ?

Cockermom said...

My 12 year old Cocker was diagnosed with oral melanoma August of 2011. The tumor was removed, he received 4 weeks of radiation, 4 initial injections of the melanoma vaccine and continues to get the melanoma vaccine every 6 months. He is still cancer free, but now has necrotic tissue from the radiation on the opposite side of his mouth. In general he is doing well and we are hoping for lots more quality life for him.

Jackson Henry said...

My Bailey a 12 year old male lab was brought to OSVDH because he was having trouble breathing. During physical exam a growth was discovered. This growth was inhibiting his air intake. Within an hour, surgery was performed and Bailey was breathing normally. Cancer in Dogs

Anonymous said...

My loving 9 year old husky retriever was diagnosed today March 27, 2012 with oral cancer. I consider my first born and always said I would do absolute anything to save her. Now the vet tells me that it would take approx $7,000 to perform surgery and I am so torn. MI don't have the money but don't want to lose my little girl!! Any comforting words for a broken hearted mother!!

Anonymous said...

My little poodle mix who is 13 years old was diagnosed with cancer in her mouth, but because her veins are brittle and of her age, the doctor does not recommend surgery. He gave us some meds to use for her when her pain is bad, but now, everyone once in a while she will throw up with blood. I can't afford to keep her at the vets for tests and I don't want to lose her. Any suggestions?

Jakki said...

I have just found a pea sized lump on my Boxer Kaos's bottom gum, she has an appointment at the vets this thurs, I am worried sick , she is nearly 5 but I suppose cancer knows no restrictions to age or anything, I am praying it is benign, it has come up so fast it's unreal , I feel for everyone on here after reading your stories x

Anonymous said...

Our Archie - the most intelligent dog we've ever had - was recently diagnosed with oral melanoma, on his tongue. The mass was removed, we proceeded to the vaccine, but the mass has returned. I truly don't want to upset anyone on this blog, but can anyone tell us what to expect? He's 11 years young, pretty happy, active, etc. but has horrendous breath (of course). I think it's been about 3 months since diagnosis. Thank you for this blog, the sharing and my heart goes out to all!

Unknown said...

We noticed a lump on Abbey, my beagle, in January of 2013. We thought she had an infection from a broken tooth. When we took her to the vet, he told us it was oral cancer. He put her on antibiotics for a few months because he said that even with chemo, radiation and surgery, the chances were very good that it would return within a few months. He wanted to spare us the expense and heartache and told us to just enjoy her for as long as possible. He said she would have about 4 months. The meds were about $300 a month, but our vet wanted to give her a break from them for a while. At that time I had read quite a bit about natural remedies and found research about how ginger root shrinking prostate tumors, along with other natural substances and their benefits. I figured it can't hurt to try them. I began feeding her Newman's organic can dog food mixed with tumeric fish oil, evoo and acv formed into meatballs, because it was easier for her to eat that way. Inside each ball was a small piece of ginger root and garlic. I've been doing this 2x a day for several month's. Her tumer has shrunk and her bad breath is gone. She feels great. As a cancer patient myself, modern meds saved my life, but I've begun to use this remedy for extra protection.

Unknown said...
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