14 Year Old Bichon Diagnosed with Perianal Gland Adenocarcinoma

My 14-year old male Bichon, Casey, has been diagnosed with perianal gland adenocarcinoma.   Surgery was performed on April 10, 2012 to remove the tumor.  Post surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy was recommended. 

He is currently on piroxicam and pepsid.  The Oncologist is recommending either radiation therapy, which he would have to go out of state for a month (not going to happen) and/or carboplatin chemotheraphy via IV.  Another alternative is melphalan chemo which is given orally daily for seven days then off for 21 days for the rest of his life.  It doesn't sound like their sure of any benefits with the melphalan.

Currently his is not showing any ill effects of the tumor.  X-rays, ultra-sound, blood and urine work has not indicated any metastasis. 

I am torn as to what to do.  I'm trying to think with my head and not my heart.  He's 14 and currently doing well; I just don't know if I want to put him through chemo. 

Any information and/or support would be greatly appreciated. 

I was really hoping for some input from anyong going through this type of delimina.  Knowledge and support would be extremely helpful. 

My bichon is 17 and we have a holistic vet.. run to see one..

perhaps the dog may not be able to overcome the ca, but the vet will be able to make the time more bearable and who knows.

Stay hopeful.

I can't tell you what to do, however my dog was treated for many years for TCC and so we spent a lot of time at the oncologist's office. Dogs tolerate cheno and radiation MUCH MUCH better than human's do.

If your vet says it will extend your dog's life, I would go for it!

Good luck

Marty

You could certainly try chemo, however, my dog was on carboplatin and had a horrible time.  She only received one injection but the tumor grew despite the carboplatin.  I then decided not to continue with any chemo.  I would probably research your dog's cancer and see what the success rates are with chemo.  Certain cancers respond better than others.