Senior dog with anal gland cancer: Are cough and no poop decline signs?

Question

My 9 year old Bichon Frise was diagnosed with anal gland cancer 6 weeks ago. A scan revealed it has spread to her lymph nodes in her spine. The tumour is the size of a clementine. Yesterday she developed a cough and today she has not pooped. I want to know if this is start of her decline. I also wanted to say, it’s refreshing to see an expert giving honest opinions rather than scooting around the edge! Well done! Pet's info: Dog | Bichon Frise | Female | spayed | 9 years old | 28 lbs

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM · Accepted Answer

I am very sorry that Missi is so ill. Unfortunately there is a chance that the cancer has spread to her lungs, which would likely cause the coughing, unless she has a congestive heart condition. Not pooping could be because either the mass has grown so big it is obstructing the rectum and poop cannot pass by it to the outside, or pooping is painful and she just holds it in. So the next step here would be to check if the coughing is indeed caused by metastases or not. An x-ray would be diagnostic. As for the mass in her anal gland, your vet probably is afraid of removing it as it could make your dog incontinent, while not really extending her life as it already has spread to the lymph nodes, and is likely spreading through the body. So, as painful as the thought is, I believe you may need to prepare to say good bye soon in order to prevent her from suffering. Listen to Missi. She will tell you when it is time to let go. Your vet may be able to give her a laxative to facilitate feces to pass, after checking whether there is any gap at all. If there is not, then I am afraid it would be cruel to wait until she has serious life threatening problems with fecal toxicity and constipation. So I am very sorry the news is not better. :isten to Missi. Missi will know. And give her lots of TLC.

Senior dog with anal gland cancer: Are cough and no poop decline signs?

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