Please help..advice on cutaneous melanoma

[Alice Byrne]

Hi, I’m new here but desperate to find anyone who has experience with a dog having cutaneous melanoma. My little rocky is only 3, he’s a smooth haired dachshund and he is my baby. I found a tiny lump on his side which I had removed promptly, all margins were clear but unfortunately it came back as a malignant melanoma, the MI index is 16 which is aggressive. He’s had a CT scan and lymph nodes checked and all clear, he’s just had second surgery to get even bigger/deeper margins and was due to start the melanoma vaccine but it’s in short supply and the specialist vets don’t think they’re doing to be able to get any till the new year. So I’m in horrible place really, do I give him the chemo tablets or injections which can have side effects, or do I wait and start the vaccine as soon as the vets get it..even though all studies have been done on the effectiveness of the vaccine when the dog starts on it immediately at diagnosis. If anyone has had any dealings with something similar I would be so grateful of any advice. I’m so worried I’m going to loose my little boy, I know at some point it will get him due to it being aggressive but looking for that hope. Thanks for reading

 

[JudyN]

Hi - I'm afraid I don't have any advice to offer, but just wanted to say hello and welcome to the forum. Have you asked the specialist what they would do if they were in a similar position, and/or what they would advise?

 

[Alice Byrne]

Hi - I'm afraid I don't have any advice to offer, but just wanted to say hello and welcome to the forum. Have you asked the specialist what they would do if they were in a similar position, and/or what they would advise?

Hi, Thankyou for replying, yes he’s under oncology specialist but no one wants to give their opinion it’s just all left up to me, they would advise giving the vaccine but can’t get a supply of it which is really frustrating. I don’t want to give him chemo injections and make his life a misery so I was considering either starting the melanoma vaccine late and seeing what happened or starting him on the palladia medication to see if that helped prolong his little life

 

[JoanneF]

I also wanted to add my sympathy, I hope you can find some supplies of the vaccine.

 

[arealhuman]

So sorry to read this, I know what you're going through as our dog had cancer. We did try chemo but I don't think it helped, so we settled on metacam and lots of love. I do hope your vet can source the treatment soon.

 

[Hemlock]

No advice to offer, but wishing you strength and sending you kindness.

 

[Flobo]

I too am so sorry to hear your predicament and send kind wishes to you and your little Rocky.
My only advice is that all though your vets won't give you their opinion, as you are obviously distressed by this you have every right to ask them more questions to maybe help you make a decision. For example, prognosis and side effects of each option, possible outcomes if you wait for vaccine or choose palladia now, what happens if you do nothing, absolutely anything you're unsure of basically. The more info you have the better and don't be afraid to ask and ask again if you're not sure. My heart goes out to you...

 

[RGC]

I’ve had no experience of your situation but thoughts with you. I would only ask how Rocky is coping now? Is he happy, comfortable and enjoying life currently? Would embarking on chemo affect his quality of life? I must repeat, I’m no expert, never having been in the same situation. Positive thoughts to you both.