Detection of cancer/blood tests

[Hammerhead]

Alas, there's no happy ending to this thread as I lost my 11 year old Springer to pancreatic cancer on Saturday afternoon

However there's something I wanted some informed response to. Just over a week before we lost him, he had a blood test taken to see why he was being ill (bile vomiting/lost his 'spring'/loss of general appetite at first and later, towards the end, abdominal swelling plus vomiting). The results came back saying he didn't have any problems with his heart, liver or kidneys so he was prescribed some Metacam and told to see how he went. He seemed to improve slightly but he was still being ill so I took him back last Thursday. This time they put him out and took a sample from his stomach region and did a ultrasound scan and found a tumour. The next day I got the diagnoses as above and was told it was game over.

Is there any reason why the cancer wouldn't have been spotted in the first blood test? I was told this first blood test would have been 'for an old dog' so thought that cancer would have been on their radar.

I'm not looking to point fingers, just work out how these things work.

Thanks.

[condor]

I don't think cancer can be detected by a blood tests but needs more specialised testing.
I was tested for pancreatic cancer and that involved a CT scan and an endoscopy followed a few months later by another CT scan to see how things had developed.
I hadn't got cancer but a cyst on the pancreas.

[Hammerhead]

Hi Condor, thanks for that. Bok had fluid analysis/cytology plus external lab interpretation (for a 2nd opinion) so your response helps join the dots.

Hope you're on the mend

[SPR2]

Sorry you have lost your springer so quickly. My springer too had cancer and they did blood tests but kept her for radiography which showed several lumps on her lungs. She was prescribed Prednicare and Dexedreson tablets. I was told on 17/1/2008 she could make another 6 months but had to go back to the vet on the 28/ 1/08 as she was panting a lot so they increased the tablets but by 3rd Feb I had to go back again. She did not make it as she died in the car on the way there.

The only difference I saw in her was her lack of enthusiasm to go for a walk during the January.

[otolith]

Some cancers have effects which can be picked up in blood tests, but it's not necessarily the case - I guess we'd do a lot more routine screening of humans if it were!

[gd49]

Sorry to hear of your loss OP. Bloods may show some changes secondary to a cancer, and there are a few cancers which do cause specific changes on blood tests, but a lot of cancers won't cause any changes on blood tests.

[Hammerhead]

Thanks everyone for clarifying this for me, it really helps put my mind at ease. Having read a bit more about pancreatic cancer online this evening, it's quite a horrible variety, not that any are 'nice' that being said.

Daphne, really sorry to read how quickly your springer went too. Have you got another since or tried a different breed this time round?

Thanks again, all

[SPR2]

Hammerhead said:

Thanks everyone for clarifying this for me, it really helps put my mind at ease. Having read a bit more about pancreatic cancer online this evening, it's quite a horrible variety, not that any are 'nice' that being said.

Daphne, really sorry to read how quickly your springer went too. Have you got another since or tried a different breed this time round?

Thanks again, all

Incidently she was nearly 13 and a half so a bit older than yours.
I had a litter from her and kept one of her puppies who is now 13 and a half. Her teeth are not brilliant but no problem whatsoever with eating and she has a few lumps, but enjoys her walks still.
Taken last week.
Will you have another one?

[Hammerhead]

Wow, 13.5 is good going! Give her an ear rub from me

Here's a couple of my boy in his prime



I'd definitely have another, Mrs HH thinks a different breed next time. We'll see.

[SPR2]

Lovely photos of him. Was he your first springer?
We had a spaniel when I was a child. Then my Father gave me a minature poodle for my 21st . After that there were 3 very different jack russells the last one going to 18yrs followed by my two springers not forgetting a couple of cats along the way too.

[ali_kat]

So sorry for your loss.

[Anthony Micallef]

ali_kat said:

So sorry for your loss.

+1. My 9 year old Basset has had 2 ops in as many months to remove a cancerous tumour from his leg. Likleyhood is that it'll come back and we will have to have him put to sleep Im dreading that day.

[ali_kat]

I wish we could do this to humans

So unfair that we can put our best mates out of their misery, yet have to watch our family suffer the same indignities

[Hammerhead]

SPR2 said:

Lovely photos of him. Was he your first springer?

Yup, my first that I've had from pup till the end. We had a Corgi and a Springer-cross when we growing up but I had left home by the time they'd gone.

Anthony, fingers crossed you get some extra time.
ali_kat, I agree with you!

[Anthony Micallef]

Hammerhead said:

Yup, my first that I've had from pup till the end. We had a Corgi and a Springer-cross when we growing up but I had left home by the time they'd gone.

Anthony, fingers crossed you get some extra time.
ali_kat, I agree with you!

Thank you We'll get a couple of months more with him at least which is good. The thing that makes me sad the most is knowing that other than the tumour on his leg he is lively and fit.

[Hammerhead]

Anthony Micallef said:

Thank you We'll get a couple of months more with him at least which is good. The thing that makes me sad the most is knowing that other than the tumour on his leg he is lively and fit.

Just had a thought - can they not 'just' amputate the affected leg? Seems to be a fair few tripoded cats & dogs out there