Spindle Mast Cancer

Question
Our 11 year Golden Retriever had surgery in December to remove a huge tumour on his side right behind his front leg.
2 months later and within 2 weeks a tumour has resurfaced to the same size if not bigger. Sadly the biopsy showed 3rd stage cancer. Our vet said nothing would prevent the inevitable and would probably happen in late April or early May.  The thing that is so hard for my wife and I to understand is that except for a lump on his side Jack is in excellent health and shape. Can you tell us what symptoms Jack will show as his condition worsens and what will prompt us to call the vet. Will an organ shut down? Does this cancer travel to the kidneys, brain, lymph nodes , etc.

Answer
Dave,
I am so sorry to hear this. It is a much to common occurrence in Golden's. I have seen many go through this.

More than not, this is how the dog will present- with a lump but in good health otherwise. In dogs, the first place this cancer usually metastasizes to is the lungs. While he may start coughing later usually the first sign you will see is weight loss.

In almost all cancers like this weight loss is the biggest sign of the end. He will eventually lose his appetite also but before that point he will get thinner and thinner and maybe weaker and start coughing.

Unfortunately the tumor usually grows also. When the first surgery was done a lung x-ray should have been done to see what condition his lungs were in. It starts small in the lungs too and then grows.

I am heartbroken that you have to endure this with your best friend. It is so unfair that a beautiful, sweet loving dog has to go through this.
One of the worst days of my career was being with a good client that was putting down a dog just like Jack. We were all sobbing - the Jim the Vet, Scott and myself, at the injustice of it all.

I just hope and pray you will be comforted in knowing that at least you have the power to not let Jack suffer-something we humans don't have yet. Please let me know how he does in the next few months.

Maybe you and your wife can prepare a memorial for Jack that he will like now and you will have the comfort of knowing Jack saw it and will approve. Just an idea.
take care and many hugs to all of you.