QUESTION

My dog had developed a cough, he was also coughing up white thick substance. I took him to the vets who had stated that he had Kennel Cough (but he had been into the kennels). Medication was perscribed - antibiotics and antihistimimes. He was no better after four days so I took him back to the vet, who changed his medication. New antibiotics were given. He was still sruggling to breath, he was not eating or going for his walks. So I took him back to the vets, who stated that I was not giving the medication chance to work. After two days I called the vet. I took him in and he said he looked hot, but he was trying to breath from his stomach, he did an x-ray which showed he had a white mass in his chest, which he felt it was cancer. There was no hope for him. I feel as though he has been robbed off his life, as two weeks before he was going on his long walks and swimming in the river. I will go in to see the vet and discuss this case as I felt that he did not listen to me, he also let my boy down. I know that it would not of changed the out come, but he struggled for five days. Does this happen in such young dogs? I am trying to find a justifcation of what happened. How long do you think that he had this before the cough, as the cough came overnight? Please could you help me. Please do not think that I am blaming the vet as I would not do that.

Debbie

ANSWER

Dear Debbie,
I am very sorry to hear of your dog's passing. loss of a pet at any age is distressing, often more so when the onset is as rapid as you have described. Chest masses do crop up in all ages of dogs, of course, the older dog have a higher incidence. Often they are presented as you desribed, and we would usually get a chance to examine and diagnose them over a longer time span.there are limited therapies for lung tumours, and often the treatment has no improvement for the patients. early signs may seem like an infection, and often the reason is that an infection has come on top of the tumour. You arre right wanting to talk to your vet - we want you to feel as peaceful as possible about sudden problems such as you have gone through. You will need to ask them to see you at a time when the surgery is less hectic, for both of you to be able to dicsuss the dog with dignity. I hope this helps.

James Haddow