Thanks Laurel.

The vet tells me she has only had one other case of prostate cancer in her 32 year career so it must be very rare. I have had opinions from three vets now and they all say the same about surgery options.

I am also giving him a natural remedy for his prostate that contains saw palmetto, lycopene, zinc, selenium and pygeum. Probably it will not help at all but at least it makes me feel as if I am doing something positive for my boy.

I came across the rimadyl/piroxicam treatment whilst spending hours googling prostate cancer treatments for dogs. Then I consulted with the vet and she said she had used it successfully on a terrier with cancer. She said he stayed alive for months longer than expected but the owner discontinued treatment of the dog in the end.

I don't know how rare it is. I don't really know many dog people but I even know an Irish setter breeder who lost her dog to it.

There is a blog that might be useful to you, don't know if you found it already, http://www.dogcancerblog.com/
It's hard to find the info because it is a blog format, but if you have time to read through it is informative.

The only thing I think has helped any of my dogs with cancer was giving lots of fish oil and feeding foods high in fat and low in carbs. My other dog had mast cell cancer, so not the same, but he ate well and lost very little weight for many weeks even though the tumors had already spread far and wide. He was on several supplements but there is no way of knowing what if anything they did for him. There is a Hill's prescription diet for cancer with high fat, but I think a person could do better quality with home cooking.

I'm so sorry to hear about your boy, especially because he is so young. I've not had to deal with canine prostate carcinoma, but I know a little about treatments for human prostate cancer because of a couple of family members.

Is radiation a possibility? How about some form of hormone treatment to decrease the size and progress of the cancer?

I second the recommendation to get an opinion from a specialist in cancer treatment for dogs, maybe at a vet school.

Again, I am so sorry about your boy and the suffering that cancer brings. I wish you wisdom and courage in your journey with him.

Hi Kate. Apparently hormone treatment would actually make it worse! The vet says prostatic cancer (as opposed to the usual benign prostate enlargement) is more common in neuters than entires. My boy is entire.

I have spoken to the top animal surgeon in my region and she says surgery is not an option because the cancer is hard to eliminate totally even with radical surgery. Also any operation on the prostate can render the dog incontinent. Palliative care is all that is left.

I will continue with the rimadyl until I think he is in pain and then let him go while he still has some dignity and quality of life. At least I will have had eight years with my boy and he has been loved and treasured more than some poor dogs would have had in 16 years of life.

I'm glad you can still have some quality time with him. May wisdom and love guide your actions.

saw palmetto helped shrink my guys prostate. Also had him neutered. We use Deramaxx rather than Rimadyl easier on the liver. Enjoy the good times as long as you can. JMO

I think at this stage of so many animals having Cancer, as often as their humans, that a rectal exam should be done on a yearly basis. We humans do so the dogs should as well. Maybe ask your vet when you go in for that next vaccination. I am so sorry to hear of any of our beautiful dogs suffering.

Too bad they aren't using proton therapy for dogs, works great on humans for cancers that don't move, like prostate.

Did your vet suggest a lower carb diet? This has seemed to work in slowing some cancers in dogs.

Good luck, hope he is comfortable and always pray for miracles, they happen!!!

My brother has been diagnosed this past week with prostate and bladder cancer. I personally spoke with the surgeon last Friday. We are awaiting test results on the bladder cancer in the hopes that it actually originated in the prostate and spread to the bladder, rather than originated as primary bladder cancer. The reason is that prostate cancer has a much better prognosis than other cancers, including those which originate in the bladder. The surgeon explained that the Nobel was won by Dr's who discovered that prostate cancer can only thrive in the presence of the male hormone testosterone. Thus, they are using antiandrogen drugs (which reduce testosterone and are used in my field of work as sex drive reducing medications) with good success in the treatment of prostate cancer. I have no idea if these principles apply in dogs, but this is very up to date information in humans with prostate cancer.

unfortunately this cancer is probably very different from the human kind - so sorry for your boy.

Regarding carprofen - the actual incidence of acute liver failure on carprofen is quite low. With proper monitoring, if a dog is having a crisis, the issue can be addressed. The only reason labs were implicated as more likely to be affected by this drug is that it was tested on many more Labs than any other breed. Deramaxx can have just as many serious side effects and has also been implicating in causing death. All NSAIDS have the potential to have serious (often fatal) side effects - for people and dogs.

Get your facts, people - Don't be a lemming! I'm amazed at how many people will take what they want to hear/read as gospel.

Hepatocellular toxicosis associated with administration of carprofen in 21 dogs.
(PMID:9638189)
Abstract
Citations
BioEntities
Related Articles
MacPhail CM, Lappin MR, Meyer DJ, Smith SG, Webster CR, Armstrong PJ
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association [1998, 212(12):1895-901]
Type: Journal Article

Abstract Highlight Terms
Gene Ontology(1) Diseases(1) Genes/Proteins(1) Species(2) Chemicals(1)
A diagnosis of hepatocellular toxicosis attributable to carprofen administration was made in 21 dogs on the basis of development of clinical signs and clinicopathologic abnormalities associated with hepatic disease and histopathologic documentation of hepatic necrosis. Clinical signs of toxicosis were anorexia, vomiting, and icterus. Hyperbilirubinemia and high serum activities of alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and aspartate transaminase were the most notable clinicopathologic abnormalities. In 7 of 9 dogs in which urinalyses were performed, abnormalities suggestive of renal tubular disease were detected. Clinical course of toxicosis was variable; however, most dogs had resolution of clinical signs and improvement or resolution of biochemical abnormalities with discontinuation of the drug and administration of supportive care. As with any medication, clients should be informed of possible adverse effects and reactions associated with administration of carprofen. In the event of those signs, clients should be instructed to immediately discontinue administration of carprofen to their dog and contact their veterinarian.

Quite honestly I would give my boy any drug if I thought it would help! At the moment he is full of life, eating well and looks a picture of health with a shiny coat. The tumour measured 4.8 cm x 2 cm on the ultrasound and it has not spread to any other organs besides being in the vicinity of the colon wall and the prostate. It is a very irregular shape.

I have been reading results of studies that seem to indicate that giving high doses of turmeric (curcumin) also slows the growth of carcinomas of the prostate. It works in a similar way to Rimadyl etc.

There is a supplement for dogs that has Cumin and Turmeric, it also has antiinflammatory properties as well as use for cancer. It is called Curcuvet, it's also really inexpensive. FYI it may result with your dog producing odiferous gas until he's used to it. It was recommended by my dogs accupuncturist.

http://veterinary.thorne.com/articles/introducing-curcuvet.jsp

Thanks Tiffany. He can blow out as much gas as he likes! I will give anything a try.

I have not used rimadyl for cancer but did have a patient with a uncommon cancer on his nose that I used the piroxicam per Auburn's oncology folks. It is more expensive but I was amazed at how well he did and how long it was before he needed to be euthanized. He did happen to be a lab. Debbie Darche, DVM