We got the results from pathology regarding the growth that was biopsied in Louise’s mouth. It is a fast-growing tumor that destroys the jaw called Canine Acanthamotous Ameloblastoma (CAA).
WARNING: Stop reading now if you will get uncomfortable with the details.
Basically, she has a mass in the lower part of her front jaw that is visible and is around her front teeth. The good news is that CAA has never been reported to spread to other parts of the body (metastasize), so it is often called ‘benign.’ However, it is locally aggressive and her tumor is doubling in size every 10 days or so. Underneath what we see it is destroying the jaw bone. It is life-threatening.
The first option for treatment, due to a large amount of underlying bone involved, is to surgically remove a portion of the jaw, called a mandibulectomy (graphic link), and to take large margins around the tumor to ensure it is all removed. For patients, like Louise, where surgery is not an option because of multiple reasons, the second option would be radiation.
Louise turned 12 last October. The normal life expectance of a dog her size is 10 to 12 years. She has pancreatitis and irritable bowel disease. Figuring out what health intervention is in her best interest is one of the hardest decisions we ever had to make. We do not want to put her through either of these options. The surgery would take her lower jaw, which I think at her age would be a difficult recovery to regain function, and the side-effects of radiation are horrible (if her IBD would even tolerate it.)
I have started a Facebook group dedicated to this journey. It is called Canine Acanthamotous Ameloblastoma – Dog Oral Tumors Please feel free to join if you want to follow what is going on. I am not going to fill DogDaz with her medical stuff because it is graphic and sad, so I will put it there.
Keep us in your prayers as we go through this thing. We are heartbroken.
Please, don’t post any negative comments on the choices we have made for Louise’s care – they will be deleted.
NOT Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤ 
Tags: canine acanthomatous ameloblatoma, dog, dog health, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, oral tumor
Charlie, you have come a long way from this adoption picture online (who named you ‘Chi-chi Forest?’).
You are our Mr. Charles, the Mugwump, Handsome.
Happy 5 years of Gotcha days, Charles.
You are a superstar here at DogDaz Zoo.
We are so glad you rescued us.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: adoptdontshop, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, gotcha, lorian lipton, Pet adoption, pet blog, pomchi
Someone likes to be king of the pillow hill these days. Happy Black and White Sunday!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Black and White Sunday, cute dogs, dog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, Pet, pets, pomchi, pomchi mix, small dogs
Louise here. Sofie decided that she was too tired to continue on our walk. She laid down in a neighbor’s yard and just would not move. So Mommy left her there and continued on with me. Sofie wasn’t sure if she liked that idea, but I did. I am tired of those other 2 goofballs tagging along on my walks.
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: dog, Dog People, dog rescue, dog walking, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, Pet, pets
Tags: biopsy, dog, dog health, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, Mischief Monday, Pet, pets, tumor
From our Zoo to yours, may your lights burn brightly,
your latkes be crisp, and
your dreidle always land on ‘take it all.’
HAPPY HANUKKAH!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Blog, blog hop, Cat, cat rescue, dog, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, Hanukkah, lorian lipton, Pet, pets
This picture is from Thanksgiving 2014. Sofie and Louise were just young pups then.
Wishing you all a safe and healthy Thanksgiving! Take care of your pack.
This is also our 10 year blogaversary, DogDaz started in November 2011.
How blessed we are to have made so many wonderful blog friends over the years.
Thank you all.
I especially want to shout out to those pups and kitties (you know who you are) who have kept me going year after year with a comment and a hug. That has meant more than you will know. Some of you feel like old friends even though we have never physically met. We have watched each other get new furfamily and say goodbye to many.
Squash & Me 2007
My health isn’t the best and many weeks blogging is the last thing that I have the energy to do, but I know you are out there and if DogDaz can make at least one person smile, then my day has been a good one.
May 2013
Thankful and grateful – Your friends at the DogDaz Zoo: Lorian, Louise, Sofie Bear, Charles, Noel, Nine, Stella, and Mini Cooper
This is not just another day at the DogDaz Zoo ❤
Tags: blogaversay, DogDaz, Gratitude, lorian lipton, nature, Pet, pet blog, Thanksgiving
Sofie Bear turns 11 years young tomorrow. How did that happen so fast?
I love this goofball! She teaches me so much every day.
Happy Birthday!
Just another DogDaz morning at the zoo ❤
Tags: Blog, dog, dog birthday, Dog People, dog rescue, DogBlog, DogDaz, Dogs, lorian lipton, Pet, pets
DogDaz Zoo 