Brain tumor

[Maisey]

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Hi guys,

My mum told me today that last night she took one of her St Bernard's to the vets after he has suddenly gone blind. (Over about 2 week period).

A few weeks previous to this the vet diagnosed him with back arthritis.

The vet has dealt with all my mums dogs and has been fantastic over the years but he has now diagnosed my mums dog with a brain Tumor and immediately wanted to put him to sleep.

My mum refused as she wanted the family to say goodbye but the thing that gets me the most is the vet only looked into Oscars eyes to diagnose the Tumor.

Oscar is a highly aggressive and before being rescued by my mum he was a protection dog for some low life druggy. He will attack strangers, but with my family he is a loving family pet.

This is the reason the vet hasn't been able to get any closer to Oscar but the vet has even offered brain scans and has told mum not to bother getting a second opinion.

I know that loss of eyesight and unsteadiness are common signs of a brain Tumor but he has been fine of his feet since his episode and is not showing any other signs of a brain Tumor.

I can understand the vet might worry that he we will become aggressive to my family with a brain Tumor but I do feel it is a bit of a quick diagnosis.

Has anyone ever experienced brain tumors in dogs or could advise us on normal protocol of this disease or even just offer some advice?

Are we trying to deny the inevitable or should we get a second opinion?

 

[goldenbear2013]

I have had no experience in this area at all so I'm afraid I cannot share any stories but sympathize greatly with your situation.

In my own opinion, if it was my dog I would take him to another vet and get a CT scan immediately. they will put him under to do this so he will be fine to be handled and have tests done.

You wouldn't accept it if your doctor looked into your eyes and told you that you had a brain tumor and you were living on borrowed time! You would straight to the hospital for scans and tests and that's exactly what I would do with your boy.

It will be worth it, even if it confirms your worst fears at least you know where you stand and what you can do to make him better, or make that horrible decision to let him go if there is nothing that can be done, especially if he is suffering.

Please let us know what happens with you boy.

I love St Bernards, they are one of my favourite breeds!

Sophie x

 

[Chatterdog]

I would have to agree with goldenbear2013, if it were mine I would seek some kind of second opinion or test. Not because the vet is wrong but confirmation, even if there is nothing that can be done.

My lab has a heart condition, diagnosed at the local vet but I had second opinion as I too had a smiliar response of putting her to sleep (because she was old even though she was fine in herself). She was 14 at the time now 15 years and although we cannot do anything for her she is in good condition and we will make the decision when the time comes.

If your mums dog is not suffering then no decision has to be made right now. Perhaps it is a bit much and too soon for her to look past the diagnosis at the moment. Perhaps revisit the topic in a little while.

Best wishes to you all xx

 

[Raven oaktree]

Im so sorry, its hard when you get awful news... ok, i know they can tell by eyes if a brain tumor is present because my friends brain tumor was found by the optician..i also understand your vet not wanting to risk sedation in such a big dog or one with aggression issues. I understand about that, we had a hugeeee anatolian shepherd cross rescue boy who was a total baby with us but has serious fear aggression issues with people he didnt know. he had serious injuries and needed o have alot of treament and sometimes we had conversations about vets putting staff at risk by nursing him..basically we had to sedate him at home, muzzle him then get him to the vet really quickly..sometimes he woke up and by god was he cross!!!! I would suggest asking for seattion , get the tests done and offer to stay to deal with him afterwards..

 

[eingana]

I'm so sorry to hear that Oscar is so ill

There are tumours that can be seen very categorically by looking in the eyes, like neuroblastomas (these are the ones that can be diagnosed just by looking at a photograph of a child, for instance) but I would expect a vet to be able to explain that if he was asked. My instinct would be not to trust any diagnosis which made that sort of proclamation with an expectation of putting the animal to sleep but without a full explanation of why the vet feels that his information is correct, but it's quite possible that the vet is presenting valid information never the less.

In this instance I'd be considering sedating the dog so that scans can be taken without putting anybody at risk, but if the original diagnosis was correct I would think that the outcome would be that the dog would never be woken up after that sedation, so you really do need to be prepared I'm afraid. I have had friends die of a brain tumour and I know that if we could have saved them from suffering the later stages of that tumour by giving them an injection so that they didn't wake up then that's what we'd have done (because my friends were begging for it) and we'd have prevented an awful lot of pain, sickness, blindness and fear. Brain tumours are a particularly unpleasant way to go, sadly.

I hope that your family find a way forwards to get the answers needed which will provide a proper way forwards for the family and for Oscar