Swollen Glands in Neck Detected

[Katacus]

I have a beautiful Cocker Spaniel who has showered me with love for the past ten years. Two nights ago I noticed that a gland on the left side of her neck, just below her jaw line is swollen. It is not visible. But clearly a firm mass has formed. I took her to the Veterinarian last night and he did not like what he was seeing. The Veterinarian has looked after her since she was a puppy. He put her on amoxi-tabs, 100 mg twice a day. She is scheduled for a biopsy next Tuesday.

She is not showing any signs of illness or any other problem. I am absolutely crushed. I know I shouldn't worry, but she is my little girl and I love her so much. I have spent two night now reading everything I can find, and the outcome is always bad. I just can't possibly imagine my life without her.

Needless to say, Im a wreck. I lost Brandon three years ago. He was a black Cocker Spaniel. I had to put him to sleep when he was 16 years old. He was blind and death. He developed heart murmur and went down very quickly. I'm still morn over his passing. I can't even think of a fate like that for Breann. She is so sweet and loving. How could this be?

[Katacus]

Breann had a biopsy last Tuesday.

Tuesday night and Wednesday, she seemed to be recovering fine. However, on Thursday I notice her tumor has swollen perhaps twice the size it was.
She seemed to be playful Thursday night. She would not eat her normal food (Science Diet + Pedigree Gravy). I typically feed her fish oil with her normal dose of Rimadyl. She vomited a couple times and has a little bit of diarrhea. I was told she may have these symptoms after her surgery. Today she did not vomit. Tonight I just gave her Pedigree and Rimadyl. She did eat. However her neck continues to swell. She sleeping more with little energy. I don’t think she is running a temperature. Her noise is cold. I did notice that when she tries to pant, she coughs on occasion.

This morning she ate and took her meds. The vomited again this afternoon. She still has diarrhea, but its a liquid now. She is sleeping more.

I tried to contact the Veterinarian...emails and phone calls. I live in a rural area, so I wont have a Veterinarian until monday.

Any advice would be helpful at this point.

Thanks

[Katacus]

Im thinking that she having the side effects of taking Amoxi-tabs since April 1st. I'm taking her off the meds. She been taking them for 12 days and she doesnt have an infection. The Veterinarian gave it to her to prepare for surgery.

[pats123]

I just happened upon this and I really feel for you and your doggie. I hope she feels better and good luck. I wish I could give advice. Sometimes antibiotics can be harsh to the system, so I think you are doing the right thing.

[Katacus]

Breann passed away on April 15, 2008. I was able to take her to a hospital on Sunday. Blood work indicated that her kidneys where failing. She was given an IV, but her kidneys would not come back.

To further my grief, the biopsy came back negative for cancer.

I was told that a dog can have 35% kidney function and have a normal life. At this level of function, the blood work will not detect failing kidneys. The Veterinarian told me that Breann was probally somewhere between 25 - 35% and the surgery itself was enough to cause her kidneys to completely fail.

Needless to say, I dont have a lot of faith in vets. She basically gave up her life to tell us that she didnt have cancer. Just a swollen salivatory gland, which is treatable. I had no idea that she had a condition with her kidneys. She had no symtoms. She was also on rimadyl, which Im told is hard on kidneys. I also wonder why she was on Amoxi-tabs for so long. It very hard to justify what happened.

I am in utter shock over all of this. She was such a beautiful little spirit. She was my angel and I will miss her. Her last couple months of her life was the best. She went of several trips with me and she had the best time. She was so happy. Even when she was sick, she still wanted to play. Im going to miss her. This is just too hard to express into words how upset I am over her passing. God bless my little Breann.

[Katacus]

I received a call from the Veterinarian this morning. I had made arraingements to have Breann cremated. Vet stated that their was a mix up at their office and she was sent to the County landfill.

Could this get any worse. Im so upset. My little Breann, Im so sorry.

[latergatorj]

That is terrible!!! *hugs you* I am so sorry you lost your little girl. :-( And with the mixup with her body. <p>I don't know if this something you're interested in, but there is a pet loss chatroom that I've been going to that has helped me grieve - The Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement - take a look. <p> Sorry for your loss :-( <br>-Jackie
<p>

[Katacus]

I mad Im upset Im all the things I could say, should say, ...Im hurt, those b*stards, Breann needs to be at home, not in a landfill.

Im trying so hard..Im trying to understand, have faith, forgiveness, Im trying...

Im soo sad She was so happy two weeks ago, now she in a landfill.

what is wrong with this world. Im so sorry Breann, please forgive me..

[doggluvr]

my deepest sympathys are with you for the loss of your little girl. she was beautiful and i'm sure a dear friend. please don't hesitate to check out the pet loss support sites the considerate person posted earlier. i know you can find a friendly shoulder there.