question:
Ranger is a 9 year old Austrailian Shepard. He has just been diagnosed with spindle cell sarcoma, a cancer. What should I do to keep him comfortable? How will I know when it is time to put him down? His vet, (Dr. Collett of Sylmar), thinks he has a year to live.
answer:
I am very sorry to hear about Ranger's diagnosis. Your question is probably one of the hardest for any veterinarian to answer, and also, unfortunately, one of the most common. First of all, It is a little difficult to answer your question specifically, as every type of cancer is different, and the location of the tumor and severity of the biopsy can be key findings. A spindle cell sarcoma means a malignant tumor of connective tissue oroign, of which there can be several subtypes, some more aggressive than others. Find out if the tumor was 'graded' by the pathologist who interpreted the biopsy. A low grade sarcoma (meaning slow growing or less invasive) is more manageable than a very high grade (meaning very aggressive and more damaging) sarcoma. If you have not already, consider enlisting the help of a veterinary oncologist, who may be able to give you a more accurate idea about expected progression of the disease, and possible treatment options. There are many ways to keep him more comfortable, not only with the large variety of pain medications available to us now, but also, consider altering Ranger's environment to make life easier for him. Soft food, warm, soft bedding, ramps to get around on, etc. Again, these kinds of changes will depend on how the tumor is affecting him (is it on a leg, his side, in his mouth, internal organ?). If it is very early in the disease, and your dog is acting normally, treat him normally, go on walks and do the things you would normally do that he enjoys. In general terms, I tell clients to keep a 'quality of life' score on a calander to help give yourself more infornation to decide when it is time to help your pet die with dignity. Make a list of the things that your pet enjoys now, such as walks, playing ball, eating, interacting with the family, etc. When you notice that he is having more bad days than good on your calender, it is time.
Ann O'Brien, DVM
Noah's Ark Veterinary Clinic