Brain Tumors - What to look for in our loving breed - important tips for owner families

[Melissa & Gretchen]

IMG_5465.JPGLuLu is a 9 year old golden doodle. She's in perfect health -- she goes on her dog runs twice a day, she eats her food, cuddles with us and is impeccable about sharing energy, loving energy and compassion and yes, more energy!  She's the neighborhood dog, she's everyone's pup.  About one year ago, she starting throwing up her food within minutes upon eating. She would go immediately to her water bowl after eating and line the food bowl with water and travel it with her mouth. She was energetic, she was herself. But something happened within ten minutes of her meal, she would throw everything up and feel badly for doing so. and she was hungry still...  So we did what most owners would do. We called our Vet. We took her in for blood tests and we took a scan of her belly which showed us nothing abnormal. Even the bloodwork seemed normal. So we changed her food and we cuddled more. But every so often, after a few weeks, she would throw up again. Six months later, her left front leg and paw began to shake. One month later, she began to have grand mal seizures. We didn't take this lightly. We ran her immediately to the Emergency Veterinary Hospital in Stamford, Connecticut. After a seven minute seizure (what we believe was her first) we took more tests, and more blood. She didn't have another seizure again for five weeks.  We thought after process of elimination, she got into something in the yard, or she's stressed a bit after we recently moved.  Because the seizures were so far apart, we were told to watch carefully. And we did just that. What we learned is that dog seizures should only last between 2-4 minutes (grand mal). LuLu's seizures were long, she would deficate, and foam at the mouth, her body would tremble and her limbs violently travelled as if she were competing in an Olympic Race for dogs! She would come out of her seizures very limited. She was not herself. She was temporarily blind, and scared and stressed - the "post-ictal" stage lasted about 3-4 hours.  I learned a lot about seizures and we want to save our dog further stress. Three weeks ago, LuLu began to suffer 2 seizures within a 24 hour period. We ran her to the Vet for an MRI scan following her post-ictal stress, and we found she has a brain tumor, small growing Meningioma on her brain.  What we found after several hours with The Animal Medical Center of New York City is that we have hope. This breed is notable for this type of tumor. Your dog may be experiencing the same issues. Don't wait to get help. Meningioma's are not cancer tumors. They are slow growing tumors on the brain. We are lucky. LuLu's meningioma is growing on the front of her brain. This tumor can be treated with radiation. Your dog can regain quality of life. Don't just pick brain surgery. Talk to your Veterinarian. Talk to the Animal Medical Center in NY, like we did. LuLu will begin radiation next week. Although we found a doctor that could operate quickly and promise to remove most of it, that was not the safest route for LuLu and it doesn't provide quality of life and recovery is very traumatic on the dog. Please think things through. Please talk to as many doctors as you can. It is so hard to see our dog go from vivacious loving passionate energetic to lethargic and sleepy, and traumatic epileptic. I know we are not alone, and so I'm posting this blog quickly to help you -- the ones like us who are scared and want our dogs back. You can get your dog back with proper care. We're here for you.  Get an MRI immediately. You'll find it there, slow growing. It can be treated and your dog will survive and live a life well deserved.

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

Thank you for sharing this so that if we should ever come across those symptoms we can ask for the MRI  early on.  I do very much hope that you will have many more happy years ahead with Lulu.

[BG and Gavin]

Gorgeous photo. I am so sorry that Lulu and you have gone through this. Sending positive vibes for a speedy and full recovery. Thank you for educating us by your experience.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am hoping for a total recovery for LuLu. Thanks you for this blog. I know it is going to be a help to many. 

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Lovely photo!  Thank you for sharing your thoughts at such a difficult time.  Hugs & prayers coming your way for recovery of your beautiful Lulu. Keep us posted of her progress when you are able to do so.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Lulu is beautiful and you can tell from your post -- very very loved. I hope she has a total recovery and appreciate your sharing this information.  Sending hugs.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Lulu is a beautiful girl. Thanks so much for sharing her story-knowledge is power!  Sending happy, healing thoughts for her fast and total recovery! 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

 I am sorry that Lulu has anything wrong at all, but I thank you for educating us on this terrible thing so that we can be alert to it.  I hope the treatment plan works well and that LuLu and you have many more years to share.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I embedded your photo of Lulu and you.