It has been months when we first saw a small mass in the front gums of Tiny's mouth. We thought it was nothing serious -- something that will just disappear eventually.
Mama, discreetly concerned, asked her friends who have dogs what could it be. Mama's friend recommended human antibiotics which we didn't take seriously. But it seemed to be growing which caught our attention so finally, 2 weeks ago, Mama and Papa brought him to their veterinarian friend. The doctor didn't exactly say what the mass is but she just prescribed ampicillin -- which we've been giving Tiny for a few days already. The cause -- old age. I, still not convinced that it was just old age, today brought Tiny to a different vet. I didn't like the diagnosis.
It is oral canine melanoma -- similar to skin cancer on humans only it appears inside the mouth of dogs. In Tiny's case, the tumor grew in his front gums beside his lower teeth. The more I research about it, the more worried I become. Articles say oral melanoma on dogs is usually malignant -- which requires surgery and chemotherapy. If ever the tumor is successfully removed, there is a big possibility that the cancer cells have metastasized somewhere else like in his lungs, or lymph nodes. Upon diagnosis of a malignant tumor, a dog is expected to live not beyond 5-8 months. Weirdly enough, the cause is unknown but it normally occurs in old dogs and based on the vet's computation, Tiny is already 70 years old (in dog years, of course).
Today before lunch in the animal clinic
VET: He has melanoma. (with just one look at Tiny)
My sister: Haha! Isn't that cancer? Skin cancer? *she says while looking at me*
Me: Yeah, that's what I know too. *turns to look at the vet*
VET: Yes, it's cancer.
Maybe my sister and I thought we heard wrong that's why we laughed but we did hear the correct word. The doctor said we'll observe Tiny for 2 weeks with the medication she prescribed plus the vitamins she gave. If there's no improvement, he has to have a biopsy and a test prior the surgery (because of his age, he has to take other examinations before undergoing the surgery). If his tumor is malignant (which I'm praying so hard not to happen) he will be needing a monthly chemotherapy.
Tiny is a relatively healthy aspin. He doesn't even show other symptoms other than bad breath and the growing mass in his gums. It's really hard for us to swallow this whole ordeal -- at least for me it's true. I'd really do everything just to save him.
あっちこっち 「Acchi Kocchi」
Currently hooked with this anime! I love the subtle and high school-ish love story between Io and Tsumiki!
KAT-TUN 2012
Kinda true for Nakamaru BUT I believe he's more kakkoii now!
Photo and editing not mine. Credits to the owner.
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