Canine Oral Melanoma | Give Cancer the Paw

Spanky was a victim of oral melanoma.

 Ignorance can reap a bitter harvest.

That's the alternate title of this blog post about my Spanky and his death from canine oral cancer.   

This is not the post I planned to write.  However, I decided to leave out the pathos because what is really important is to make checking inside your dog's mouth a normal weekly activity.

Know what normal looks like and head to the vet immediately if something just doesn't seem right.

At a routine health checkup when he was almost 9 years old, the vet recommended a dental cleaning for my black Lab mix, Spanky.  We were preparing to make a cross country move, so after some discussion about the anesthesia and procedure, I agreed.  We decided that it would be best if his regular vet took care of this instead of having to worry about it after the move when we were getting settled.

Spanky did fine with the cleaning.  When I came to pick him up, he was already out of anesthesia, walking around and charming everyone in the vet clinic.

A few months later we made our move and we soon realized that something was wrong.  Spanky's breath had become killer.  We needed a vet.  ASAP.

There were only two small animal veterinarians in our immediate area.  Note: when you live in a rural area, choices (in many things) are quite limited.  Anyway, one vet came highly recommended by many. 

We told Dr. L about the bad breath and recent dental cleaning.  Spanky had no other symptoms.  So, imagine our shock when we got the diagnosis:  malignant melanoma.    Dr. L called our previous vet who told her that she'd also removed a small "skin tag" from one side of Spanky's upper gum almost on the roof of his mouth.  She not only did not do a biopsy, she did not inform us.

Now Spanky had cancerous growth on the roof of his mouth.  Spanky was scheduled for surgery the next day. Though the surgery appeared successful, the cancerous growth came back with a vengeance.  At the time, chemo and radiation therapies were not recommended.  The cancer was far too aggressive.  

Within five months of diagnosis, Spanky's quality of life was such that we made the very hard decision to let him go.

Even if Spanky's original vet had biopsied the growth and he'd had surgery much sooner, he probably would have only lived a few more months at best.  Canine oral melanoma can be a very fast killer.

The most common oral melanomas are found on the lips, gums, palate and tongue.  They may be pigmented or unpigmented lesions.  As they grow they spread to the jaw, neck and head, plus can metastasize to any part of the dog's body.  The life expectancy of a dog with advanced canine oral melanoma can be as little as five months.

Canine oral melanomas occurs more often in:

• Black or dark dogs 
• Male dogs
• Dogs aged between 9 - 12 years 

Symptoms include:

• Severe halitosis or bad breath
• Excessive drooling
• Bleeding from the mouth
• Facial swelling
• Preference for soft food over hard food
• Chewing changes or difficulties
• Swallowing difficulties
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Chronic cough
• Depression and dementia due to neurological changes

Spanky was black, male and nearly 10 years old.  The only symptom Spanky had was the first:  terribly bad breath.  Otherwise he seemed to be in perfect health and spirits.

Standard treatment is surgery to remove the cancerous legion(s) and surrounding tissue.  This sometimes means removal of part of the jaw or face.  Radiation may be prescribed, as well as chemotherapy.  Early research results of a new oral melanoma vaccine may extend life expectancy from five months to about a year. Recurrence of oral melanoma is very common.

I learned the hard way to regularly check my dogs' mouths for signs of anything at all unusual, to make sure my vet checks and keeps me informed.

Since Spanky's ordeal, there have been major developments in fighting cancer.  When caught in time, cancer does not mean a death sentence.

Talking Dogs is participating in the Give Cancer the Paw blog hop, hosted by Pooch Smooches and Peggy's Pet Place.  Join us with a  tribute to a lost pet, personal experiences, tips, research - anything related to pet cancer.

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

National Weatherman Day | Wordless Wednesday

In honor of National Weatherman's Day... 

I give you one of my favorite snow dog photos of Rosie.
Rosie loves any weatherperson who predicts snow! 

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

Chocolate Walnut Biscotti | Tasty Tuesday

Today I'm sharing a wonderful recipe that would make a tasty Valentine's Day treat!  

No, it's not for dogs (though Jeffie, Rudy and Rosie do their best to to get a taste.)  

Fabulous with coffee or tea, these are just perfectly crunchy.

Without further ado, here's one of our favorite recipes.

Chocolate Walnut Biscotti

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
3/4 cup finely chopped walnuts, toasted
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 bablespoon vanilla
2 to 3 teaspoons flour
1 egg white
1 tablespoon water
Sugar - if desired

Drizzle
1 cup real semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 teaspoon shortening or butter


Directions: * Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine 2 cups flour, walnuts, baking poweder, baking soda and salt in medium bowl;  set aside.

* Beat sugar and eggs in a large bowl at medium-high speed until thick and lemon colored.  Add butter and vanilla.  Continue beating until well mixed.  Reduce speed to low.  Beat, gradually adding lour mixture and scraping bowl often, until well mixed.

* Turn dough onto lightly floured surface (dough will be soft and sticky).  Sprinkle dough lightly with 2-3 teaspoons flour;  knead into dough.  Shape into 2 *8x2 inch) logs with floured hands.  Place 3-4 inches apart onto greased cookie sheet;  flatten tops slightly.  Combine egg white and water; brush over top of buscottie.  Sprinkle with sugar (optional and we don't).

* Bake for 25-30 minutes or until lightly browned and firm to the touch.  Let cool on cookie sheet 15 minutes.

* Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees.  Cut logs diagonally into 1/2 inch slices with serrated knife (we use electric knife); arrange slices, cut-side down on cookie sheet.  Bake for 16-20 minutes; turning once, or until golden brown.  Remove to wire rack;  cool completely.

Drizzle - Place chocolate chips and shortening in a 1 quart saucepan.  Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth (2-4 minutes)  Drizzle mixture over cooled biscotti (or slather it on one side of each piece if you're a chocolaholic).


Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.  

We're joining the Tasty Tuesday blog hop today.  This is a blog hop that celebrates good food, sponsored by Sugar the Golden Retriever and Kols Notes.  

Jolly Ball Mystery | Monday Mischief

Those of you who follow this blog know that Jeffie, Rudy and Rosie love their Jolly balls.  At the moment we have three.

Yesterday when I ran out to my studio I realized that there was a red Jolly ball that had lost it's rope on the porch of my studio.  

That's not all that unusual.  We've replaced ropes before.  

So I picked up the ball and took it to the Jolly ball hospital (the mudroom.)

Early this morning the Dog Daddy says to me:  what's up with the Jolly ball rope on the arbor?

Huh?

 

Can you see it dangling down amongst the wisteria vines?   
There it is.  No Jolly ball, just the rope.

  

The arbor is 9 foot off the deck.  There's no way the dogs flung it up here.  I didn't do it.  The Dog Daddy didn't do it.  It's a pretty heavy cotton rope that is a little over two feet long, so it is doubtful Skeeter or a bird did it.

Cue the Twilight Zone music.


Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.

Thank you to Snoopy’s Dog Blog, Alfie’s Blog, and My Brown Newfies for hosting Monday Mischief!   

Adopt Jellyfish a Pitbull Mix Dog @StrayRescue

This beautiful girl is Jellyfish.  She's a two year old Pitbull terrier mixed breed dog available for adoption at Stray Rescue St Louis.

Jellyfish has an adorable wry little smile and her black and white coat is gorgeous.  She's a medium size dog at 54 pounds.

According to animal shelter staff and volunteers, Jellyfish came into the shelter nervous and shy.  These days she's become more relaxed around all of the people she sees every day.  She's a friendly girl who seeks out human attention.  She's a sweetie that greets you with tail wagging enthusiasm.  

Jellyfish does well with not only humans, but other dogs as well.  She enjoys her walks and is working on her leash manners.

Take a look at Jellyfish's dog adoption video and contact Valerie at 314-771-6121



 Founded by Randy Grim, Stray Rescue of St Louis sole purpose is to rescue stray animals in need of medical attention, restore them to health, and place them in loving adoptive homes.  Virtually all of the pets they save have been abused and neglected.  Stray Rescue is a no-kill organization that believes rescued animals often make the best pets.  Given a second lease on life and in return for a little affection and attention, these remarkable animals reward their new owners with a love and loyalty unmatched anywhere.

On Tuesday we'll be participating in the Tuesday's Tails blog hop hosted by Dogs N Pawz.  This is the blog hop that features shelter pets.  Find a pet at your local animal shelter or rescue and join us!  Please help spread the word about these beautiful animals via social media and let's find them forever homes!

Talking Dogs is the official blog of For Love of a Dog Jewelry.