Paddy My Beautiful Golden Retriever has Cancer

by Linda
(Hatboro PA USA)

Requesting prayers for my beautiful Golden Retriever. His name is Paddy, he lives in Hatboro PA with his Mommy and Daddy. Mommy got Paddy as a birthday present back in 2005. She got him from a breeder in Morgantown PA at 10 weeks old.

Paddy was born on December 6, 2004, went to live with his Mommy and Daddy on February 18, 2005, the happiest day of Mommy’s life. Family and friends came to visit but Paddy hid in a corner. Two days later we took Paddy to the Vet and were told to return him as he had Stage 4 of 6 Heart Murmur. Mommy’s heart was broken. I called the Breeder and she told me that they had a very good veterinarian school who would love to have a Puppy to operate on, at that time Mommy and Daddy said no way. The following week we took Paddy to a Cardiologist. Dr. Miller said give Paddy back he will cause you heartache as he will not live to be a year old. I am proud to say Paddy turned 7 on December 6, 2011.

Paddy’s diagnosis was a leaky mitral valve and a hole in his heart. We didn’t care - we loved him and wanted him anyway. Dr. Miller gave us lots of medicine for Paddy. We had a few trips back to Dr. Miller but not many, once Dr. Miller adjusted his medicine and we haven’t had a need to see Dr. Miller in 2.5 years. In the interim Paddy has knee problems, almost totally blind, can basically see shadows but continuously wags his tail, he is so happy.

Around the holidays Daddy found a lump in Paddy’s groin area. On Tuesday January 10, 2012 we received the fateful call from the Vet saying Paddy has cancer. They say it is a cancer that will not spread to his organs but it will continue to grow and burst and the infection will kill him, and they recommend it be surgically removed as soon as possible. Of course with his heart condition Dr. Miller needs to give his okay.

On Tuesday 1/17/2012 at the advice of our Vet Paddy had x-rays done of his chest and blood work to ensure there is no other cancer in his body. The Vet said from what he could see there was no other cancer.

On Thursday February 2, 2012 we went to Dr. Miller who gave Paddy the thumbs up for surgery and we spoke to a surgeon immediately. The surgeon said they would have to do a CAT scan and for that they would have to sedate Paddy so we decided to come back the next day so after the CAT scan they could do the surgery immediately afterwards.

On Friday February 3, 2012 we took Paddy to the surgeon. A few hours later the surgeon called and said the cancer was in other parts of his chest and they did not recommend surgery. To remove the tumor they would have to resection Paddy's stomach, penis etc. and he probably would not survive. So we brought him home.

No one can seem to tell us what to expect, how long he will live. He will not eat his dog food, so I have been cooking for him and he eventually eats. He mopes around but sometimes has a spurt of energy. I don't know if he is hurting or not, it doesn't seem to be, he still enjoys his morning walk with his Daddy and is excited when Mommy comes in from work.

I have been rubbing Paddy down with Holy Water and Holy Oil every day.

I just wish someone could guide me because I love him more than anything and want his quality of life to be a good one.

Paddy beat the odds with the heart but I do not think he is going to beat this one. God has other plans for Paddy as the tumor is growing rapidly.

The Vet says it may burst, but I don't know what to expect if it does, or I don't know what to do.

I guess I should be quiet now, thank you so much for reading Paddy's story and if anyone has any advice please let me know.