10 year old dachsund with liver cancer

[maryann]

Hi, all,
I have a 10 year old doxie with apparant liver cancer. He had 3 nodules in his liver and we did not want to put him through the pain, etc. of a biopsy or surgery.

He simply refuses to eat, but somehow still musters up enough energy to play with his 'soccer' ball evenings. he appears to be in no pain, but does have some nausea which is being treated with Reglan.

Does anyone have any experience with a pet with liver cancer and is there anything I can give/do to 'whet' any appetite? I figure if he will eat something, he might last longer. Thanks so much.

[macassie]

I'm so sorry about your dog. Although I haven't had any pets with liver cancer, I did have a cat with oral cancer. When she had trouble eating, I would give her baby food. But eventually, she let me know that it was time to say goodbye.

It might help to try the baby food, just to hopefully give him something to enjoy, but it doesn't meet any nutritional needs for a dog. It's really just a comfort measure.

He sounds like a little trouper - wanting to play soccer! Best wishes to you and your pup.

[maryann]

Thank you for your reply and your suggestion. It is nice to know others care.

[Cocoa's Mom]

I'm so sorry to hear that your pup is sick. You can also try giving him some boiled hamburg and Gerber Baby Rice Flakes. I know it sounds strange but it's bland, smells delicious and might help. I know when my Lab Cocoa has been sick in the past, I would feed him this and he would eat all of it. Good luck with your little guy.

[maryann]

Thank you. Will try that as well.

[Furbaby Mom]

I'm so sorry about your doxie! When my Ellie Mae was diagnosed with oral cancer with 30 days to live, we put her on the "love and cheese danish" plan. Danish or bagels for breakfast, canned dog food and table scraps the rest of the day. Since we had never given her any of this in her life, she absolutely loved it! With a 30 day prognosis, we also figured out we couldn't hurt her. She also spent most of her time on the sofa with us, and we would sleep on the floor with her in the living room (she was too big to carry to our bedroom and couldn't climb the stairs). She lived 18 months on this plan.

[maryann]

Thanks, Amy for your reply. I am giving Chili about anything he will nibble--------plus lots of loving.