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Brain Tumor Diagnosed -- All Ideas Welcome

8K views 25 replies 20 participants last post by  marbury 
#1 ·
Hi all,

My 8.5 year old GSD, Abby, was diagnosed with a meningioma brain tumor two days ago. For those unaware, a meningioma is generally a non-cancerous mass that forms on the membrane that covers the brain. Even though it's non-cancerous, as it grows it causes serious neurological problems. The neurologist told me that if I provide just palliative care, I can expect her to live only a couple weeks to a couple months. Because the growth is between the two hemispheres and not on the outside lining of the brain, he says there's about a 20% chance of her dying in surgery and he, personally, would not perform it. His colleague would not either. So bulk removal is out, I think.

This is shocking and devastating news to me. She was the picture of health up until a seizure this Wednesday past. Robust, alert, engaged, happy -- always ready for adventure. She's been my constant companion since I got her from a rescue six and a half years ago. When I say she's my best friend, I know a lot of you can relate. Losing her would be like cutting off my left arm. I would rather this be happening to me. She's the best thing that's ever come into my life.

Here's what I've done and what I've got planned, in bullets. If I'm missing anything, let me know. If there's a specialist I should see, let me know. I will drive anywhere. If there's a supplement or diet I should be using, please reply to this thread or PM me. Thank you in advance.

*Abby had an MRI and a spinal tap with a neurolgist. Concluded it's meningioma. The MRI revealed a lot of inflammation in the brain as well. Abby is getting prednisone, phenobarbital, and gabapentin. I don't like how she's acting on these drugs. She's exhibiting weakness in her hind legs now (phenobarbital?) and is panting a lot (presdnisone?). This is very hard to watch.

*Blood panel looked excellent, for what it's worth.

*Getting a second opinion from a different neurologist on Monday.

*Meeting a radiologist oncologist on Thursday to see if she would benefit from radiation. I'm concerned about the location of the mass, though.

*Received UVB Ozone from a holistic vet this afternoon. Supposed to help with inflammation. It has helped another dog of mine with a different type of tumor. I don't know if it will slow down the growth of the tumor, but I hope weekly treatment will help with inflammation.

*Going on a strictly raw diet to hopefully help with the inflammation in the brain as well.

I wonder if dogs get headaches. I think they do. Why wouldn't they? The neurologist said we don't know. I find it hard to believe that they wouldn't. So I need to get this inflammation under control, at the bare minimum.

That's it for now....
 
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#3 ·
I am sorry this is happening.

Certainly get a second opinion from the neurologist.

I want you to consider something though. Brain surgery may be something you could find someone to do, and maybe there are other outcomes besides death: paralysis, change in behavior -- to the point where the dog no longer recognizes you. Not sure.

Sometimes we are willing and able to foot an incredible bill for a dog, but it sometimes isn't in the best interest for the dog. I know this is hard, but sometimes it is in our best interest.

It is so hard to lose a companion. But if she is suffering, if the prognosis for a complete recovery isn't good, then please consider euthanasia. It only feels like we are giving up on them. It isn't true, what we are doing is ensuring that they do not suffer, when the likelihood of a good life is no longer there. It is truly the last gift we can give our dog.

That said, I really hope the neurologist has some hope for you and your dog.
 
#5 ·
As long as she can be given Tumeric(check medication combos and no surgeries--it's a blood thinner and some illnesses) I would suggest that. I know a couple people that had dogs with tumors that shrunk--it's that good and might help. Good luck and I'm sorry your going through this.
 
#6 · (Edited)
Thanks everyone for the kind words and suggestions.

@Dunkirk: Definitely checking that out. I had seen something about C in passing.

@selzer. I agree on the surgery front. I would not do it if there was a real chance that she'd suffer damage from the surgery itself, notwithstanding the survival rate from the surgery. She's already suffering enough from the anti-seizure meds and steroids. My family has another dog on these drugs and she adjusted, albeit hasn't regained the same spry as before.

It's painful to watch Abby have a hard time walking. Tonight I had to carry her up the stairs to go outside. She's 93 lbs. Not fun. Going for walks was her top thrill in life. Have you ever seen a dog bounce and almost skip on the leash? I have. I've never seen an animal experience such transcendental joy from a simple walk or a ride in the car. But I've never had a GSD before. They are unique.

I hold out hope that because she wasn't lame and unsteady immediately after the seizure or in the intervening period before the phenobarbital that this drug is to blame and she'll be back to normal after she gets used to it. Whatever counts as normal now.

You know when you take a dog into your home that you will most likely outlive the dog and that you have to prepare for losing them. But I had hoped with Abby that the transition would be gradual and that she could live a nice, long life as she slowly became gray and infirm and that one day she'd pass in her sleep after an afternoon full of companionship and adventure and good food and would do so inside a healthy, albeit old, body. 6, maybe 7 years from now. 3 years from now. I'd take that. But this came like a grenade out of the blue. I feel ripped off. I feel like she's been ripped off. I know a lot of you have had similar experiences. I feel that for you, too.

If I don't get any further ideas or suggestions I'll come back to post the news from the doctors next week and how she's responding to certain supplements. I am giving her 3 in addition to the whole food diet: CAS Options by Resources, Long Dan XieGan a Chinese herb and Di Tan Tang another Chinese herb. I will also give a more general status update as time marches on. Perhaps this thread will serve to help others, even years down the road. Perhaps this even ends happy. -- Joe
 
#7 ·
@llombardo: sorry, I just saw your post. Tumeric -- yes. There's a concoction called "Golden Paste" that you make with tumeric. I'm reading about it now, coincidentally. Good tip on the blood thinning/surgery front. I will speak with my holistic vet about possible interactions in addition. Sounds too good to be true, right? But the fact you know people who have dogs with tumors that shrunk, I'll take that. Encouraging. -- Joe
 
#9 ·
I'm sorry. We lost our senior Boxer to a brain tumor, dx'd thru symptoms not diagnostics. I think we had about 6 month from the first seizure to the last. We gave the curcumin, raw diet (which she had been on for years), did all the things listed above. We chose not to do any chemo treatment, or pursue further diagnostics, because of her age (12 yrs).

IMO, this is all hinging on the type of tumor and how aggressive it is. Is it a tumor that is created from a mast cell, i.e. histamines? Was chemo given as an option?
 
#10 ·
I wish you well with Abby's tx and am so sorry you and she are having to go through this. I can't be of any help, but do send my prayers. I lost my 10 yr. old GSD at T'giving due to what I think was a brain tumor, but will never know. Onset of seizures out of the blue. Put on phenobarb and the vet kept saying ideopathic epilepsy. I didn't get further with diagnostics other than blood work which was perfect. My research led me to likely tumor because of age and onset and I was pondering finding a specialist to run an MRI and we lost him. I too wonder if he had headaches. I hope you can treat Abby and have more time together
 
#11 ·
Here is a product you may want to check into Life One: PetLife Formula
It contains ingredients such as tumeric, reservatol, DIM, green tea and the Coriolus Veriscolor, or Zhi mushroom, that they are using for several other types of canine cancer
Ingredients: The LifeOne Formula – Formulation and Immune Enhancing Effects

Im Yunity (nothing mentioned about meningioma but you could call the company and ask: I'm-Yunity for dogs | Supplement treatment helping dogs with hemangiosarcoma cancer;

Prayers for you and Abby
Moms
 
#12 ·
Thanks again to everyone. Thanks for your prayers. They are welcomed and deeply appreciated.
@Momto2GSDs: I will check those out myself and also run them by the holistic vet I'm using for ozone therapy and nutritional advice. The CAS Options tabs I'm using might have some of the same ingredients. Will check. Im Yunity -- interesting. Will call them. Good advice.
@steven2zach: Thank you. Abby could use them.
@jax: It's a primary tumor, so they say. Meaning it originated on the brain membrane, not from anything else -- though she did have some growths that were deemed non-cancerous awhile ago. One was removed. Chemo -- interesting you should say that, I'm looking into a drug that might have been found to help with tumors like this. It's not clear.
@Daisy: thanks for caring. I appreciate it.
@truckola: I actually mentioned Cyber Knife to a 2nd neurologist I saw today. I'm seeing a radiation oncologist in Virginia on Thursday and will run it by him. He uses something else that sounds very similar. From reading the respective descriptions, one might be Coke and the other Pepsi; though I would drive to New York if Cyber Knife is better.

Thanks again to everyone who has bothered to reply. Means a lot to me. Most people don't understand, frankly. They say it's just an animal. Those who do are wrong. I know anyone who frequents this site and takes the time to post on my thread feels like I do.

*Update: I saw a well known neurologist today for a second opinion, not so much on the diagnosis but for his thoughts on surgery. I was very impressed by him and, as with my first, respect his opinion. He would not recommend surgery either. As such, I've pretty much crossed that off my list.
 
#13 · (Edited)
I am so sorry . I'm sending thoughts and prayers for Abbey and you. The second opinion sounds like a good idea.Tumeric paste is helpful w/ many things.I just read that you have al ready had a second opinion. No advice just sending hugs.
 
#14 ·
I am so sorry you and Abby are going through this. I lost my Fox Terrier, Buddy, to a brain tumor 3 years ago this month. When I read about you carrying Abby to go outside it brought back memories of carrying Buddy outside and holding him up so he could do his business. He was only 17lbs so a much easier task compared to a gsd. I do use high doses of Vit C with my Scottie who has bladder cancer. I have since his diagnosis which was March 2015. At that time our Vet did not see him surviving more than 6 months. We are now 13 months. Its hard to say if the Vit C has contributed to a longer life for him but I dare not stop at this point.


I wish the best for you and Abby and will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers.
 
#15 ·
I am so sorry for you and for Abby.
My Traveler was DX'd with hemangiosarcoma 90 days ago. I have him on:
I'm-yunity
Apocaps**
Ganoderma lucidum spore powder reishi powder
SP canine enteric support
Yunnan baiyao capsules (I pulse on and off days at a time) You likely don't need this as it is for bleeds and bleed prevention
Boswellia complex
Turmeric (also pulsed) I think it may be giving him a tummy ache.
Krill oil

**Re the Apocaps, this is a combo ingredient capsule designed by a guy they call the Dog Cancer Doctor (Dr. D. Dressler-the author of the Dog Cancer Survival Guide). You've probably run into him already in your research.

I was giving so many pills to Traveler I think I was killing him with kindness so I've really backed off by pulsing some and some I just give once in a blue moon. Some I've dropped off altogether.

One think I do rather religiously is give him homemade bone broth and also "meatballs" fed raw that are made from the saw shavings at my local butcher shop. The mass contains a little meat, little bits of bone, little bits of fat, and little bits of marrow.

I don't know if any of this helps.

I see someone mentioned Cyber Knife. Worked wonderful for my husbands prostate. No pain, no cutting, no side effects, no loss of urinary control, etc. It was the most amazing thing.

I do have to say I agree with Selzer tho. If Traveler was in any pain, I would do what would undoubtably be the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I would do it because I love him so much.

Lynn & Traveler
 
#16 ·
I join many others in wishing Abby recovery (I truly hope for a happy ending).

I'm about to suggest something that may drive some people nuts (no offense! he-he:)) but I'm actively looking and considering garlic for my little guy for general health benefits and more so against fleas and ticks. But give how most that I talk to talk about garlic for dogs as if it's ricin.
I'm by no means forcing the idea on you, but given that nothing else works (or not as good as you hope), maybe try adding some garlic to her daily diet. Maybe ask your vets too. Here is an interesting article (one of many that I read) that question the whole "it's deadly to dogs" theory.

The Shocking Truth About Dogs and Garlic

But the benefits may be enough to kill tumor cells. It sounds like there is some warning regarding blood and going for surgery - not to give garlic then, but if there is nothing like that on the horizon, might as well try and see if it helps. :( Abby is not even mine, and my heart aches!
 
#17 ·
I worked in specialty veterinary neurology for over a year before returning to ER a few months ago. Every dog is different, every meningioma growth pattern is different, but generally they're slow growing. We see patients with 14+ month survival after initial onset. It sounds like perhaps your dog was more advanced than we typically catch on MRI, though. Sounds like you're doing everything correctly. Mind if I ask which neurologists you saw?
 
#18 ·
Thanks again for all the replies. I saw a radiation oncologist on Thursday. It was an encouraging meeting, all things considered. Be back to post again tomorrow when I have more time. I know some of you may not care about all the details, but I'm thinking someone, perhaps years from now, might have gotten a similar diagnosis for his or her dog and this thread will offer some direction and hopefully reason for optimism.
@marbury: PMing
 
#23 ·
Thanks again for all the replies. I saw a radiation oncologist on Thursday. It was an encouraging meeting, all things considered. Be back to post again tomorrow when I have more time. I know some of you may not care about all the details, but I'm thinking someone, perhaps years from now, might have gotten a similar diagnosis for his or her dog and this thread will offer some direction and hopefully reason for optimism.

@marbury: PMing
I hope she gets better soon! Looks like you are taking great care of her and do everything that is possible.

Good that you will keep updating. I often search for threats to concerns just to find the poster never updated them. I agree updating them can help someone even years from now.
 
#20 ·
try this : sodium bicarbonate

studies shows that cancer have one carecteristics with each other, an acid everionment, if you google you will find a italian scientists that got his research shudown when he found some interesting results he notice that the majority of his patients with cancer had aftas as well that are know to grow and developed if your organism are acid. so he started treat this with sodium bicarbonate and makes ph get high( lower ph are acid, and higher are base).

actually i found people on internet who treated their dogs with sodium bicarbonate like a teaspoon per day mix on water and the cancer was gone or got smaller.

exemple if you drink coca cola the ph of this s... are so acid that you need dring 5 liters of water to balance the ph.

and even the water can have acid ph you should look too drink water that have at least 7.45 ph or more.

what you dog eat?
 
#26 ·
try this : sodium bicarbonate



studies shows that cancer have one carecteristics with each other, an acid everionment, if you google you will find a italian scientists that got his research shudown when he found some interesting results he notice that the majority of his patients with cancer had aftas as well that are know to grow and developed if your organism are acid. so he started treat this with sodium bicarbonate and makes ph get high( lower ph are acid, and higher are base).



actually i found people on internet who treated their dogs with sodium bicarbonate like a teaspoon per day mix on water and the cancer was gone or got smaller.



exemple if you drink coca cola the ph of this s... are so acid that you need dring 5 liters of water to balance the ph.



and even the water can have acid ph you should look too drink water that have at least 7.45 ph or more.



what you dog eat?

Super sorry, but big red flag on that. Our oncologist hates this 'recommendation' that is floating around on Dr. Google. The body is NOT designed to operate outside very specific basic or alkaline parameters. Maybe it could help disturb the environment for cancer replication... But it'll do a lot of other damage in the process.
 
#24 ·
I am so sorry to hear this - and hope that the last week has brought you some hope for your girl


Lee
 
#25 ·
send me your address -

Ellagic acid - https://www.cancertutor.com/ellagicacid/
https://www.cancertutor.com/ellagicacid/

the article also mentions artemisinin -- which I have and the ingredients are wormwood 4:1 , curcumin (c3 redux)
black walnut hull , quercetin, cinnamon bark 20:1 , thyme leaf

can source it for you

however , if I may , Sunday Sundae has ellagic acid , quercetin, curcumin, cinnamon -- let me send you some gratis

if I can't say this , moderator please remove.
 
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