Naia

2/24/2013

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Please take the time to visit Naia's fundraising page: http://naiasfight.weebly.com/
 
Thank you to everyone who supported me with this project. I never thought it would become this big, or affect so many people. It was a pleasure hearing all of your inspiring stories, and I'm glad that I could share them with the world. Raising over $200 for the National Canine Cancer Foundation is unbelievable! None of this would have been possible without those of you who were willing to be interviewed, had your dog featured in my movie, and shared my site with your friends and family. Thank you so much! If you were struggling and my site and/or video helped you in any way, please comment below and let me know how this project has impacted you.
 
As you can see from the comments written below, the stories listed on other pages of this site, and from the dogs featured in the Say Woof to Cancer video...you are not alone in this fight with canine cancer. There are other people out there experiencing the same issues you are. Maybe they cannot afford the treatment either, maybe they had to euthanize their dog too, maybe their dog has the same cancer your dog has, maybe their dog is the same breed of dog as yours...no matter what, you all have one thing in common: you are all battling canine cancer along side your best friend. As everyone knows, there is strength is numbers. It's important that you come together to make it more easy to overcome the tough obstacles canine cancer throws your way. Sure, one person can make a significant difference. I, alone, created this site, created the video, collected the donations, and touched the lives of many. However, it would not have been possible without the people who joined me with this project. Together we made the hard times a little easier. Together we helped find a cure. Together we made a difference. I encourage those of you struggling to find a local support group near you, or one online, so you can talk to others about your experiences with canine cancer. Why fight alone, when you can fight together? 
 
The following sites are terrific sites for owners looking for some extra moral support:

http://www.fightcaninecancer.com/caninecancerdiganosis.html- This site the number one resource I would recommend, especially for owners who have just recently discovered their dog has cancer. This site covers information from first steps, all the way to saying goodbye. The best part is, the site creator was the owner of dog with cancer!


http://www.dogcancerblog.com/- This is a wonderful source concerning treatment options. The blog was created by a very well known and respected veterinarian. You can also buy The Dog Cancer Survival Kit through this site. It's packed with just about every possible little detail you could know about canine cancer, and how to deal with it! However, all of the information is a little overwhelming and does cost quite a bit averaging at about $100 for the kit. 

http://redrover.org/- If you're looking for financial aid this is the site to look! Red Rover give grants to pet owners who cannot afford their pets medical treatment. You must apply through their website, but you must meet all guidelines before applying. 



 
There was a quote that I heard once that has stuck with me for years. I'm sure it originated from somewhere else, but I first discovered it from a movie many of you may have seen called "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". 

"We are meant to lose the ones we love. How else would we know how important they are to us?"

I love this quote. It is 100% true, and has taught me to view the passing of others in a whole new light. I think it's important owners realize that their dog came into their life for a reason. Whether it is to be a friend, a working companion, a life savor, or just someone to listen to, your dog is there for a reason. But just as your dog enters your life for a reason, it must leave your life for a reason as well. Sometimes, it may be hard for us to understand why they have to leave when we are not ready to say goodbye, or ready to stop that day to day love that a dog and owner share. It is just part of life. Dogs only live for an average of 12 years, while humans live for an average of 70 to 80 years. If you put it together, that adds up to be around 6 to 7 dogs for a person to own in a lifetime (if you own one dog at a time). That's 6 to 7 lives that we can share with a loving dog; each of which change our lives for the better. So, we are meant to lose the ones we love. If they were always with us, and there was never a possibility that they would ever leave us, how would we know how important they are to us?

 
Canine cancer comes as a shock to owners because there are no prominent symptoms. Cancer is something that slowly grows overtime and is often times only discovered once it is at its most fatal stage, which is almost always too late for a chance of a cure. If you're caught in this situation you may be blaming yourself. "Why did I not see this sooner?" The truth is, you most likely caught the cancer the soonest you possibly could. You should not blame yourself. To try your best at early detection of cancer you should be sure that your dog visits the vet twice a year for a checkup. The vet can check for abnormal bumps or other signs that cancer may be present. In today's society it is hard for owners to even afford a vet checkup, let alone cancer treatment. I recently interviewed  a local veterinarian and vet tech, and I learned some valuable information from them. Cancer treatments run well over $1,000. Many vet clinics will offer payment plans to help the owners afford treatment, but these plans are only offered on a limited basis. There is pet insurance, but it is frowned upon in the animal care field. This particular vet clinic only recommended getting pet insurance if you have a puppy and are just starting out with vet care. Even with these limited payment plans, owners find themselves without the money to continue. This is when euthanasia comes into the picture. Many owners come to a dead end with vet bills, and have no where to turn but to euthanasia. If you are at this point you are probably blaming yourself for the death of your dog as well. Again, you should not blame yourself. Having a dog euthanized is often the best choice for a suffering cancer dog. Euthanasia means merciful death. It is an overdose of anesthesia, and causes the animal's heart to slow to a stop without feeling any pain. I have experienced a euthanization first hand when I job shadowed a vet tech. The dog had mouth cancer, and the owner could not afford treatment so had opted to have the dog euthanized. The vet layed the dog on a table, inserted the needle, and less than a minute later the dogs eyes slowly closed: no pain or suffering involved. It is actually a very peaceful thing, knowing the dog is no longer in pain. When asked if euthansia is ethical, the vet tech I interviewed replied "Oh yes! Why let them suffer?" After experiencing the life of a suffering dog with cancer, I could not agree more. 
 
I get the notion that people look down upon cancer dogs. We feel sympathetic towards the animals, which we naturally should, but I believe that owning a dog with cancer should not be frowned upon. Think about if you were a cancer dog...would you like it if people always looked down at you with sad eyes and frowns? I think dogs have the kind of nature where their emotions are highly effected by the emotions of the people around them. If you were always looked down upon by sad faces, wouldn't that make you sad too? I'm not saying you should throw a party for your dog when it's diagnosed with cancer, but I ask that you don't think of the cancer as a curse or a burden. A dog who has cancer should be cherished. They are inspirations. Each cancer dog helps broaden the research for  treatments and cures for cancer. Each cancer dog is a guide for people with cancer. Each cancer dog has a story to spread hope and support to others. Each cancer dog was diagnosed with cancer for a reason. Sometimes it may be hard for the owners to understand that reason, but everyone should know it is not a bad reason at all. Instead of looking at cancer as a disease, as evil, or as a retched thing; view it as a lesson, as a guide, almost like a blessing. Cancer in humans has brought us farther in medical research and influenced greater technology, it has taught us the importance of living life to the fullest, it has turned us into fighters -never giver upers-, it has taught us the true meaning of hope. All of us animals lovers agree that animals are no different than humans. Cancer in dogs has brought us those same things. Is canine cancer really a curse on your dog, if something good is coming from it in the end? 
 
As part of my research I have been interviewing owners whose dogs have been affected by cancer. The more people I interview the more I respect each and every person who is experiencing the battle with canine cancer. Each time I hear or read the responses of an owner it brings tears to my eyes to hear their heart breaking stories and tough struggles. I could never even imagine myself being in their shoes. 


I know that if I ever discovered that my baby, a 7 year old chihuahua named Chloe, had cancer my whole world would crash down. As I have previously posted, half of all dogs over the age of 10 will develop cancer. I can't help but to ask myself "will my dog be part of that half?" If she happens to be, I now know how to deal with it through my research for this project. However, actually dealing with it is a completely different story. I feel that most owners who first discover their dog has cancer go into a shock like state of mind. When I imagine my dogs vet telling me "Chloe has blah-blah cancer that is spreading to the blah and is already at stage blah. She may only survive for about blah more weeks" I see myself staring blankly at the vet in disbelief. I hear myself denying the vets diagnosis despite how trained he is. I see myself beginning to cry as the vet proves to me his diagnosis is in fact correct. I feel my heart sinking into my stomach; feeling more like a 10 ton weight being thrown at me, knocking me down so hard that I think I won't be able to move for a few days. I feel like I wouldn't be able to entirely move for a few days...that I would shuffle around school with my head down and never say a word to anyone in fear that if I open my mouth the only thing that would come out would be the tears running out of my eyes. Being a curious person who lives by the quote "nothing is impossible, the word itself is I'm possible" I know for a fact I would search for every possible thing I could do to help my dog. But also being a person who easily shuts down when being put down I could see myself coming up with all of these things to do but them becoming discouraged and never actually doing them. 


Throughout my journey so far with my project I have discovered that the best possible thing you can do for your dog is to never lose sight of hope. Hope is the bee to your suffering flower. Hope is the key to the locked door. Hope is the biggest underlying part of canine cancer. You cannot, no matter what, let that hope slip out of your hands. Every morning when you wake up next to your dog think of the hope and allow yourself to smile. When your dog becomes a cancer dog don't let that title discourage you, think of the hope and accept the title as an honor. If your dog passes or is euthanized as a result of cancer, still do not lose that hope. Your dog may no longer be with you, but it's time is through and it's purpose is fulfilled. Now you can help and support others going through what you experienced in the battle with canine cancer. Above all, never lose hope

I may stumble, but I will not fall
Things may be hard, but for you I will conquer all
I promise you the one thing I can
I'll never lose hope as long as I stand
 
 
 
Mastocytoma in dogs (Mast cell tumors)

About mast cell tumors:
 Mast cells are cells that "reside" in the body's connective tissues. They are most commonly seen on the skin, lungs, nose, and mouth of the dog. They will appear on the dog as a reaction from immune system reactions, allergic reactions, or inflammation; most commonly due to parasitic infestations, tissue repair, or angiogenesis. The mast cells are "derived" from the bone marrow. 

Mast cells are graded according the following: location in the skin, presence of inflammation, and on how they are "differentiated". The more differentiated a cell is, the more it is like a normal cell.

The grade scale is listed below:
Grade I: These cells are well differentiated with a low potential of metastasis
Grade II: These cells are intermediately differentiated or undifferentiated with a high potential of metastasis  
Grade III: These cells are poorly differentiated or undifferentiated with a high potential of metastasis

 The following dogs are more prone to Mastocytoma than other breeds: boxers, bulldogs, pugs, and Boston terriers. The average year for a dog to develop this type of cancer is 8 years old. 

Signs of Mastocytoma:
·        Tumor on the skin or under the skin (subcutaneous), may have been present for days to months

·      Tumor may appear to fluctuate in size

·      Recent rapid growth after months of inactive or subtle growth is common

·      Recent onset of redness and fluid build-up is most common with high-grade skin and subcutaneous tumors

·      Extremely variable; may mimic or resemble other types of skin or subcutaneous tumors (benign and cancer); may resemble an insect bite, wart, or allergic reaction

·      Primarily occurs as a single skin mass or subcutaneous mass, but may have multiple masses located throughout the body

·      Approximately 50 percent of all mast cell tumors are located on the trunk and perineum (the area between the anus and vulva in females, or the anus and scrotum in males); 40 percent are found on the extremities, such as the paw; and 10 percent are found on the head and neck region

·      Lymph nodes may be enlarged around the area of the tumor and may develop when a high-grade tumor spreads to the lymph nodes

·      Masses may be itchy or inflamed due to the higher level of histamines in the tumor

·      Enlarged liver and enlarged spleen are characteristic of wide-spread mast cell cancer

·      Vomiting, loss of appetite, and/or diarrhea may occur, depending on the stage of the disease

Symptoms:
Symptoms are mostly related to the stage of the stage of Mastocytoma your dog is experiencing. Below is a list of the four stages:
Stage 1 is characterized by a single tumor without metastasis
Stage 2 is characterized by a single tumor with metastasis into the surrounding lymph nodes
Stage 3 is characterized by multiple skin tumors, or by a large tumor that has invaded subcutaneously
Stage 4 is characterized by the presence of a tumor, with metastasis to an organ or wide spread mast cell presence in the blood

 How is my dog diagnosed with Mastocytoma?
When taking your dog to the vet for a checkup, you should always be sure to tell the vet everything you know about your dog and what it's experiencing in order for a more accurate prognosis which can lead to a quicker diagnosis. In order for your dog to be diagnosed with Mastocytoma your vet will have to put your dog through several tests. The most important test is an examination of the cells taken from the tumor. The vet will examine the cells by using a fine needle to draw fluid/matter from the tumor. Your veterinarian may also examine a sample of your dogs lymph nodes, bone marrow, kidney, or spleen. To discover the grade of mastocytoma and the stage of cancer, a surgical tissue biopsy will be required. Also, to help discover the stage of cancer and the location of the tumor, your vet with take x-rays and/or ultrasound images of your dog’s chest/abdominal area. 

How is my dog treated for Mastocytoma?
Having surgery can cause histamines to be released into the blood stream from the tumor due to "manipulation". Large amounts of Histamines in the blood stream can cause negative effects to organs. Your veterinarian will prescribe antihistamines to help relieve the symptoms caused by this. The most sought after treatment is aggressive surgery to remove the mast cell tumor. A "microscopic evaluation" of the removed tissue will have to be done to determine whether or not the surgery was successful, and also to predict the "biological behavior" of the tumor. A more aggressive surgery may have to be performed if the affected cells move too close to the "surgical margins", if the lymph nodes become affected, or if the cancer spreads in general (however, this has minimal benefit for the dog). Chemotherapy is recommended after surgery to help reduce the chances of the cancer coming back (this is estimated to benefit the dog up to 2 months). Sometimes the cancerous tumor and/or the lymph nodes that are affected cannot be completely removed. In this case, the chemotherapy following the surgery will only have "short-term" benefit, while some effects of cancer will still be shown. Recovering period following surgery is between one to four months. In a case where aggressive surgery is not possible, radiation is the best treatment to pursue. Radiation may be done before surgery to reduce the tumor to a "microscopic volume" allowing for a better response to surgery. 

What do I have to look forward to?
Your vet will regularly "microscopically evaluate" your dog to check for new cancer, or growth of grade 2 or grade 3 tumors, If your dog is getting chemotherapy your vet will perform regular complete blood count tests. Your dogs immune system can be greatly affected from "cancer fighting drugs" so it is extremely important to keep your dog on a strict immune boosting diet.

The information in this post was found from petmd.com: a veterinarian approved site on pet health and nutritional information.


 
When your dog is first diagnosed with cancer, you may feel suddenly overwhelmed as millions of questions flood your mind. "What kind of cancer does she have? How did she get it? What are her chances of recovering? What can I do to help?" and so many more. One of the main reasons why this blog exists is to help you along the journey of owning a cancer dog. If you have any questions you've been pondering, comment them below. I will be basing my next few posts off of these questions.