JP has cancer

quail hound

quail hound

Moderator
JP has two mid grade sarcoma tumors in one of his front shoulders. The vet seems to think they will need to amputate to get them but we're going to see a surgery specialist on the 17th to see what they say. Good news is the Doc says these aren't prone to spread and if they can get them out JP will be done with it. He doesn't seem to be bothered about the prospect of being a tri-pod and says he'll be in the field come fall either way. A lot of you guys have known JP for 9 years now so I figured I share what's going on. Here's a pic of JP and Lady during their run today.

View attachment 8303
 
Hi Robert,

Sorry to hear about JP"s cancer et al and hope an appropriate fix will solve the problem. Please keep us informed on his progress.
 
Hope all goes well.
 
Thanks guy's. We'll see how the consult goes thursday, they said to fast him that morning so they can do surgery if that's what we decide to do. Hopefully they can get the tumors one way or another.
 
Well we didn't get great news from our consult. JP's cancer is in his scapula and humerus for sure and they aren't sure where else without a slew of more tests and scans by an oncologist at UC Davis. I haven't decided what we're going to do yet but in the meantime JP and are going to enjoy doing the things we love to do together like todays nice easy run and swim at the river.

View attachment 8310
 
quail hound said:
Well we didn't get great news from our consult. JP's cancer is in his scapula and humerus for sure and they aren't sure where else without a slew of more tests and scans by an oncologist at UC Davis. I haven't decided what we're going to do yet but in the meantime JP and are going to enjoy doing the things we love to do together like todays nice easy run and swim at the river.

View attachment 8310
Click to expand...

So very sorry to hear of this----best wishes and yes enjoy your time together.
Thinking of you and JP. ---SDJIM---
 
Thank you all again. It's been tough sledding here for me but JP doesn't know what the fuss is about. He's in good health and good spirits as of now. We have an appointment with Oncology at UC Davis Thursday. If they think an amputation can resolve the issue we will go that route but if it's much more involved I'll opt to just enjoy my time with the old boy. He's nearly 10 now and has lead a pretty awesome life as far as a bird dog goes enjoying hunting 12 species of birds in 5 states with me including some of our favorite times spent there in SD with you Jim.
 
quail hound said:
Thank you all again. It's been tough sledding here for me but JP doesn't know what the fuss is about. He's in good health and good spirits as of now. We have an appointment with Oncology at UC Davis Thursday. If they think an amputation can resolve the issue we will go that route but if it's much more involved I'll opt to just enjoy my time with the old boy. He's nearly 10 now and has lead a pretty awesome life as far as a bird dog goes enjoying hunting 12 species of birds in 5 states with me including some of our favorite times spent there in SD with you Jim.
Click to expand...

Hey QH...

Well, crap. Words don't work, mostly. The best I've come up with is the meager solace that comes from knowing that, were it possible for JP to be given a choice, he wouldn't have substituted one day of his time with you for anything else.

Small comfort, if any, I know. Consider what an enormous gift he's been to you.

You have my heart.

Bill
 
We went to see the oncologist at the UC yesterday. They believe there's a chance the amputation can resolve his issue so we're scheduled for surgery next Thursday. After the surgery the tumors will be evaluated better and we will know what they are and if they're a type that is just locally invasive or something that is more apt to spread though there's no sign they have metastasized at this point.
 
I just question if you really want to put JP through this at his age. Sometimes when we get to this stage with our pets we have to ask if we are doing this in the best interests of the pet, or ourselves?? I guess that comes down to a personal decision. Best of luck with JP.
 
I sure hope I am George, I understand your concern and believe me I've agonized over this decision since his first diagnosis, I've lost a lot of sleep over it. He is by all accounts in perfect health besides the cancer, he's physically sound, in great shape and has great energy still. Both options are bad but I believe (and so does his vet) that he has a good quality of life to look forward to. I have tried to set my emotions aside and make a decision based on his best interest and I do hope I've done that.

Here's JP having fun today on our river run.

View attachment 8318
 
Last edited:
JP's surgery was successful with no complications and good margins on the tumors. Less than 20hrs post he is already up and moving around on his own. The surgeons said that he's up faster than they've seen a dog let alone one that is nearly 10 years old.

View attachment 8322
 
Hey Robert - so sad to see your buddy altered, but understand it was life-saving. My thoughts are with you...Max too!

Jon
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top