If you could spare a kind thought for Larry, he sure would appreciate it. He had surgery this morning for what I thought was an infected tooth. Unfortunately, x-rays showed that he has an oral tumor. The vet removed as much of the tumor as she could and took a biopsy. Of course, I love my boy and am hoping for the best outcome. I have been getting teary-eyed this afternoon when I think about him. These furry critters really get in our hearts and become a family member, don't they?

Oh no, I am so sorry! Sending healing prayers for your beloved Larry boy.

Hugs!

Hope everything will be okay.

{{{ Hugs to you and your Larry }}}

Hope you will be getting well soon, Larry! Rosebud, hugs to you!

((((HUGS)))) for poor Larry & Rosebud!
I'm so sorry, I wish you the best of luck.

Sending white light to you and Larry. It's always very stressful when a furry baby has health problems.

I hope Larry feels better soon, Lisa!

I am hoping for the very best of health for Larry and good luck with the results of his biopsy.

Sorry, Rosebud, I am praying for you all.

AW! Hope Larry is o.k.!

{{{{{{{{{{Larry}}}}}}}}}

Good luck to Larry, hope he is on the mend soon.

Good luck!

Our littlest one had a mouth tumor and the first surgery got most of it but it came back. We went back for a slightly more aggressive surgery (but not to the extent the vet recommended), and he's been tumor-free for over a year now.

Now the pooch has a heart murmur. And a limp :(

How's he doin', Lisa ?
And you ?
Praying for you both.

Yes, they do indeed become part of the family. I hope everything goes well.

-Noelle

{{hugs}}

Please let us know how he is doing.

Pets are like children who never grow old/up.

Larry came home yesterday a.m. His mouth is, of course, very sore and a bit swollen on the left side. He is taking some pain meds for a few days so hopefully he doesn't feel too much pain. He is eating fine-- I'm giving him canned food until he's healed some. He has some stitches, but they are the dissolvable kind. He seems to be a little more alert tonight and even wags his tail for me. We just took a slow stroll all over the yard after dinner....he enjoyed the nice breeze and the smells.
Thanks everyone for your kind messages. Hugs from Lisa and Larry.

Thanks for letting us know. Speedy healing wishes going out for your boy.

wishing a quick recovery for Larry

Oh Rosebud, I do hope your Larry will be alright.
Sending big hairy vibes your way from Oscar, Rosie and I!!!!

Thanks everyone. The biopsy results just came in and it's not good news. I'm at work feeling very weepy. It's a squamous sarcoma, I believe the vet said and there is some involvement of the jaw. My vet told me that if this hasn't spread and I want to try to treat him, I can consult with a vet she knows that could do laser surgery on Larry. Now for the difficlt decisions....he's ten, should I put him thru this? If it affects the quality of his life for the worse (the surgery), I don't want his last weeks/months with me to be painful. Not sure what to do. I'm going to talk to my vet tomorrow.

My best wishes and prayers go out to you. I have an old doggie too.

Oh, Rosebud, I'm so sorry. What a difficult decision. I'll be thinking about you.

OH DEAR!!! Our most trusted and loyal friends to the end are in DANGER!! NO human person could ever take their place.

Lisa, my beloved wolf/chow rescue, Maxi had a tumour under her tongue when she was three years old.
From the minute I saw the tumour, I knew it was bad.
The biopsy confirmed it and they didn't give Maxi long to live, as it was a very aggressive cancer.
Well, a veterinary surgeon couple had just moved into the area...and we took her there at the urging of one of our regular vets and they performed the first laser surgery on a pet, done in this area, on her mouth and jaw.
They thought they might have to remove her entire bottom jaw, and we were quite horrified about that, but the docs calmed us and explained that she would adjust and that for dogs, every day is a new day and they aren't like human beings, in terms of concern over looks and such.
Anyway, Maxi only lost a little more than half of her bottom jaw and she only looks like she's sticking her tongue out at us, at times.
That was eight years ago.
Our darling has been cancer free since that time...and she is our best baby, in behaviour...and temperament.

I can't give you any advice, really.
Maxi was a good bit younger than your baby, but she did very well with the surgery and it was not horrifying to see...and she never seemed to be in bad pain.

I'll be keeping you in my thoughts...and hoping that you'll be able to make your decision without much turmoil.

Oh Rosebud - I was so hoping things would be alot better . What a difficult decision. I would let the Vet guide me.
Sending our best wishes.

I'm really sorry. Sending you my best wishes.

Thank you everyone for your kind words and good wishes. (hugs)

The saga is even a bit bleaker now. I was petting Larry and noticed that he had a rather large lump on the opposite side of his neck. I assumed it was a lymph node. Informed the vet of this Friday when she called me to report the biopsy results and she wanted me to bring him in Saturday a.m. My fiance and I took my boy in to see her and she did a needle aspiration on the lump and a chest x-ray. Later she called to tell me that the needle aspiration didn't show any cancerous cells, but she saw some suspicious spots on Larry's chest x-ray. :( My poor dude. I have been reading most of the afternoon about soft tissue sarcomas in dogs, possible treatment, etc. I told my vet Sat. that I was going to think the situation over and make a decision over the weekend on how to proceed. I am still thinking and I have no idea what is the right or best course of action. I am fairly certain I am going to make an appointment with the vet that my Mom takes her pets to, though, just to have another opinion on the situation. Regardless of whether he tells me any differently about the tumor, at least I will know I have consulted with another vet.

Larry is such a good boy----loving, loyal and goofy. I just want to make sure he enjoys the rest of his days.

P.S. Yesterday after the vet appointment, my guy and I took him for a hamburger. Last night Larry laid on the sofa with his head in my boyfriend's lap, snoozing. :) Today Larry and I walked in the woods for a long time. He enjoyed all the smells, breezes and the sunshine. He's also getting overloaded with pats and kisses. :)

Thanks again everyone for your thoughts and messages, it's very much appreciated.

Hugs.

I think the second opinion is a great idea, Rosebud, especially given his age and the possible spreading of the cancer. You're a good dog mom.

I hope things work out for the best. You're a good dog mom and Larry is lucky to have you.

I'm sorry to hear about your furbaby, Larry. I hope everything turns out ok for him.

Hugs to you!