Sad story of Boxer with tumour in her ear - long post, sorry
Discussion
Hello all,
My 8 year old boxer has a tumour growing in her ear. I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience.
As far as we can ascertain, it isn't hurting her too much at present. She shakes her head from time to time, so it is irritating her, but her eyes are bright and she's keen to play.
The vets have said they can't do much, they've taken a fine needle aspiration and think it's malignant, but I won't let them take a surgical biopsy because of the stress it will cause the job.
We've had a few instances of cancer in the family and I'm not one for disturbing it unless absolutely necessary. The vets have said that due to the type of tumour they'd need to take a 2-3cm margin, and that's just not possible due to the location.
I reckon it's probably a secondary as we think she has cushings. The tumour is also infected, looks ulcerated, and isn't responding to antibiotics.
Here's the problem (for us!)...
It stinks. I mean **really** stinks, like a bucket of fish heads thats been left next to a radiator.
We've been bathing it 3-4 times a day to try and mask the smell, but she doesn't like it.
Also, it bleeds. We can't stop it bleeding (I know, bathing isn't helping!). We've also tried a post-surgical wound type stuff that the vet gave us, used to seal deep wounds. That didn't do much either.
Anyway, every time she shakes her head we have blood up the walls, which isn't particularly pleasant.
I'm really not keen to have her destroyed as she appears to still be happy and have decent(ish) quality of life. The vet agrees.
I suspect that she doesn't have long before the cancer starts damaging that quality of life though.
Any ideas what we can do about the bleeding? Vet won't cauterize as she says it'll scab then just bleed again after it falls off.
Sorry for the long post!
My 8 year old boxer has a tumour growing in her ear. I was wondering if anyone has had a similar experience.
As far as we can ascertain, it isn't hurting her too much at present. She shakes her head from time to time, so it is irritating her, but her eyes are bright and she's keen to play.
The vets have said they can't do much, they've taken a fine needle aspiration and think it's malignant, but I won't let them take a surgical biopsy because of the stress it will cause the job.
We've had a few instances of cancer in the family and I'm not one for disturbing it unless absolutely necessary. The vets have said that due to the type of tumour they'd need to take a 2-3cm margin, and that's just not possible due to the location.
I reckon it's probably a secondary as we think she has cushings. The tumour is also infected, looks ulcerated, and isn't responding to antibiotics.
Here's the problem (for us!)...
It stinks. I mean **really** stinks, like a bucket of fish heads thats been left next to a radiator.
We've been bathing it 3-4 times a day to try and mask the smell, but she doesn't like it.
Also, it bleeds. We can't stop it bleeding (I know, bathing isn't helping!). We've also tried a post-surgical wound type stuff that the vet gave us, used to seal deep wounds. That didn't do much either.
Anyway, every time she shakes her head we have blood up the walls, which isn't particularly pleasant.
I'm really not keen to have her destroyed as she appears to still be happy and have decent(ish) quality of life. The vet agrees.
I suspect that she doesn't have long before the cancer starts damaging that quality of life though.
Any ideas what we can do about the bleeding? Vet won't cauterize as she says it'll scab then just bleed again after it falls off.
Sorry for the long post!
Difficult situation.
Whereabouts on the ear exactl?. Could they debulk it as a controlling rather than curative. Could you have her referred to a surgical specialist? The stress of the surgery is short term and should not be used as a reason not to try a surgical route, you've already said she hates it being bathed which is obviously stressful for her everyday 4 times a day.
Is she on antibiotics of the right sort(has it been swabbed to check right a'bios used)
I hope you can find a way, but please don't use the word destroyed, I can't think of a more awful way to term saying goodbye to a dear and loved four legged friend
Meant to add, JasandJules know quite a lot of natural remedies so they may know of something you could apply to clean/ dry it up etc, most things I know (eg medical grade honey) needs to used with a dressing)
Whereabouts on the ear exactl?. Could they debulk it as a controlling rather than curative. Could you have her referred to a surgical specialist? The stress of the surgery is short term and should not be used as a reason not to try a surgical route, you've already said she hates it being bathed which is obviously stressful for her everyday 4 times a day.
Is she on antibiotics of the right sort(has it been swabbed to check right a'bios used)
I hope you can find a way, but please don't use the word destroyed, I can't think of a more awful way to term saying goodbye to a dear and loved four legged friend
Meant to add, JasandJules know quite a lot of natural remedies so they may know of something you could apply to clean/ dry it up etc, most things I know (eg medical grade honey) needs to used with a dressing)
Edited by bexVN on Monday 24th February 17:35
Edited by bexVN on Monday 24th February 17:46
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