Sunday, March 03, 2013

Why Have Our Dear American Golden Retrievers Become Cancer Time Bombs?

(ORIGINAL VERSION PUBLISHED IN 2006)
It's not hard to see why Golden Retrievers are among the most popular breeds in the U.S. year in and year out. They're cuddly cute as puppies and beautiful as adults. They're great around kids, energetic, intelligent, intensely loyal and easy to train. In fact, they often train their owners. 
But American golden retrievers are also are ticking time bombs. An extraordinary six of every 10 Goldens succumb to cancer well before living to the once typical 12- to 16-year life expectancy. The mortality rate for other dog breeds, as well as for humans, is three in 10. 
While any dog that has lived beyond its normal reproductive years is at increased risk for cancer and Goldens are not alone compared to other breeds in this regard, anecdotal evidence suggests that an inordinate number of Goldens are dying before they reach middle age 
This post has become somewhat of a Wailing Wall for people who have lost their Goldens. Some 73 of them have shared stories of their losses as of this date. The average age of these dogs is 8.4 years.


* * * * *

The outlines of the Golden epidemic have been clear for over 10 years, but organizations like the Golden Retriever Club of America (GRCA), while on the one hand funding studies on and supporting research into the cancers, have done little or nothing to rein in greedy member breeders who play God in knowingly selling interbred, cancer-prone puppies to unsuspecting buyers who end up heartbroken.
 
Their rationale, in so many words, is that it's not their job. The GRCA's homepage contains no mention of the epidemic and the association has not updated its National Health Survey of the breed since 1999. 
The GRCA has gone so far as to recommend that owners give their Goldens a regular regimen of a drug that has been shown to inhibit cancers, which is not unlike a car manufacturer recommending that drivers wear crash helmets when using vehicles that it knows cause an inordinate number of fatal accidents. 
Meanwhile, it would seem to stand to reason that if breeders only bred Goldens whose parents were long-lived, progress could be made against the epidemic. 
Alas, many breeders seem to be in the business only for the money and have little interest in improving the breed. No surprise there. Purebred Golden pups can fetch upwards of $2,500 and the alternative to selling dogs with shortened life expectancies is to stop selling them. Period. 
And while the canine genome has been successfully sequenced, the fine print of the genetics of Goldens and their cancers is still not understood well enough to hold out hope for Goldens less vulnerable to cancer in the foreseeable future.
* * * * *
I know of the Golden Retriever cancer epidemic all too well. I have lived with and been acquainted with a dozen or so goldens over the years. I have midwifed their births, taken them to the vets, helped breed them and cradled them in my arms as they drew their last breaths.
It's hard to name favorites, but Ruffie (Medford Ben's Ruffles was the snooty name on her pedigree papers) would have to be at the top of my list. 
Ruffie was special from the time she opened her tiny eyes. While she played with her litter mates, there was an unpuppy-like serenity about her which grew deeper as she matured. She in turn seemed to impart a Zen-like quality on her own offspring, who included Cody, the companion of a good friend, and a sweetheart by the name of Luna.But despite careful attention to their diets, plenty of exercise, regular visits to a terrific vet and the love and devotion of their owners, Ruffie departed this world well before her time, a victim of lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system) at age five, while Luna died at age three, also of lymphoma. Cody, meanwhile, lived to the relatively ripe old age of 11 before succumbing to hemangiosarcoma (cancer of the blood). 
While hemangiosarcoma and lymphoma are the leading killers of Goldens, the breed also is at increased risk for osteosarcoma (cancer of the bones) and immune system diseases -- primarily allergies and hypothyroidism -- that can comprise their ability to destroy abnormal cells before they can cause cancer. 
In fact, it may be that the first litter of founder dog Goldens -- a cross between a registered Tweed Water Spaniel and unregistered yellow flat-coated retriever bred in 1865 by a Scottish land baron who was seeking a superior sporting dog -- carried genes that have led to widespread immune system dysfunction in the breed.
All purebred dogs are technically interbred, but as Rhonda Hovan, an Ohio breeder and health and genetics writer puts it, Goldens may have a very similar inherited "germ line" that put them at greater risk. 
"One gets cancer, another becomes hypothyroid, another gets lots of hot spots, and another has food allergies -- but the underlying genes that put them at risk for cancer and which are passed on to the next generation, may be very similar," Hovan explains. 
This situation is further complicated because cancers usually don't appear until after a Golden is no longer bred but has passed on its genes to multiple puppies.
* * * * *
There is little that Golden owners can do to detect cancers in their dogs and they often are too advanced to treat when discovered, although there have been strides in treating the cancers with Palladia, the first FDA-approved cancer drug for dogs, as well as some of the same chemotherapy drugs used in humans.

Such treatments can be quite expensive, $26,000 in the instance of one owner who managed to prolong her Golden's life by only a few months, while some pet health insurance policies have cancer riders that do not cover hereditary conditions.

There are some early warning signs. These include lumps or masses on or under the skin, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, difficulty in breathing and changes in eating habits, but many Goldens seem fine one minute and are deathly ill or dead the next.

Hovan had a Golden who had hiked 8,000 miles by her side and died of hemangiosarcoma.
"As experienced as I am," Hovan said, "I didn't know until 12 hours before she passed away."
 
As with humans, lifestyle can make a difference. Studies show that dogs that are lean and fit have a lower risk of cancer, as well as other health problems, but there is no evidence that exotic diets make a difference. 
Not much of a defense in the face of an unrelenting epidemic without end.

SOURCES
"Pedigree Dogs Exposed," a BBC One documentary first aired on August 19, 2008; "When Cancer Comes With a Pedigree" by Melinda Beck, The Wall Street Journal (May 4, 2010); Winning Cancer Fight: No Longer Automatic Death Verdict Thanks To Advances" by Amy Sacks, New York Daily News (November 14, 2009); "Understanding Cancer In Golden Retrievers" by Rhonda Hovan; Email interview by the author with Hovan.

253 comments:

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Anonymous said...

We just lost our beautiful 9 1/2 year old girl Nala this past Sunday. She was what they call that one in a million dog. Smart, funny, warm, cheerful, everything a Golden is meant to be. She was the kind of dog that would make people who were afraid of dogs feel comfortable. She loved children and they loved her. Where ever she went, people would tell us how beautiful she was. Kids and adults would approach her just to give her a nice pet or throw her ball.

Originally we were treating her for lumps on her head. Then her appetite changed dramatically. Then her activity. Her blood stats were dropping every time we took her to the vet. White blood count and platelet count dropped to severe levels. Nothing helped. She also dropped 10lbs in 2 weeks. We changed her diet, feeding her everything that she liked. We bought her roasted chickens from the supermarket, made her rice, pasta, etc. Some days she would eat heartily and others not at all.

On Saturday, she lost her legs. She got up and was wobbling like she was drunk. The vet had told us previously that this would be an indication that something had affected her spleen. We got her down to the animal hospital and they did immediate blood work. The blood tests revealed that her stats had gone down to critical levels. They put her on IV to hydrate her. By the following morning, we got the call that she had slipped even further and we had to make a hard decision. She was very weak. We sat around her as the Dr. did what was necessary and held her while she passed.

We feel cheated because she went so early. Nine years is too short. However, those 9 years were WONDERFUL and I would not trade them for the world. I would get another Golden but maybe I will be more cautious in investigating the background.

Anonymous said...

I lost my sweet girl, Lily, to peripheral nerve sheath cancer at 8 1/2. My heart is still broken to have lost her so soon.

Mom&stepmom said...

Last April our now 12 year old girl Deze started having grand mal seizures. We thought this was the end....but so far she has lasted 10 months on phenobarbital. She has declined, and is coming to her end. Best dog ever..today we started prednisone and gabapentin. She is not eating, and had a seizure 4 hours after her medicine, just walking 30 feet into our bedroom. I don't want her to suffer anymore.
Meanwhile back last fall, her then 13 year old half brother McGregor was healthy until he bloomed acute lymphocytic leukemia. In one week his white count went from normal to 79,000. So, he died in October. The thought of not burying her on our land is tough, but in NewEngland in February that isn't a possibility.
As sad as I am, I still believe golden retrievers are the most amazing dogs. Thank you for this blog, and place to express my deep overwhelming grief, as well as joy and love of this breed.

Anonymous said...

I lost my golden retriever two weeks ago tomorrow in what has been an extremely painful several weeks. About a month ago, she had severe bouts of yellow vomit over the course of a couple of days and no longer was eating/drinking. I took her in to the vet and after bloodwork/ultrasound, they found that she had a spleen mass in her stomach. She bounced back-and-forth for a couple of weeks, having some good days, and having some very difficult days. I opted to try the Splenectonomy surgery to remove the Spleen mass, but they found cancer in her liver and blood tissue while she was in surgery. I had to put her down that day during surgery, she was only 8 years, 5 months old.

Reading other's stories on here makes me feel a bit bitter. It is comforting to know that I am not the only one going through such pain. Kolbi was my soulmate and I will never forget her.

Anonymous said...

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all who have lost their dogs a too young of an age. A little over a month ago, we lost our beloved Domer, at 4 1/2. About two weeks prior he started acting a little different. He stopped wanting to bend over to eat or drink from his bowl - he would instead lay down. He stopped jumping onto the sofa and bed, and eventually would choose to just lay on the floor. A few days later he would go for walk but was walking a bit slower. We noticed his was favoring his back legs so we went to the vet. Vet believed it was either arthritis setting in (at 4 1/2 ???) or possibly an ACL tear. He was walking slowly, but still walking. Two days later, he stopped using his back legs completely. We rushed him to an animal hospital. His rear legs were paralyzed. We had an MRI done to determine the cause. He had developed an extremely aggressive tumor on his spine which has compressed his spinal cord causing permanent paralysis below his middle back. We had to put him to sleep that day. We lost him WAY before we should have and miss him dearly. He truly brought joy to our family. We started looking at breeders for another Golden. One breeder we found has identified cancer problems from a particular Golden breeder in NJ. We got Domer in NJ. It turns out, our Domer's grandfather and great grandparents were from that breeder. If only there was a way to determine the longevity of a bloodline before acquiring a new member of the family. The pedigree shows the bloodline, but not the life span (and health) of the siblings, parents, grandparents, etc. Cancer in Golden is most likely genetic. Perhaps it will be possible in the future to stop breeding from identified cancer prone bloodline. It is a heartache to the families, and borders on cruel and inhumane to the dogs. Offspring should live a long healthy life.

Anonymous said...

I found out this morning our sweet Bentley has osteosarcoma. He is only 5 years old. I am so devastated Bently is will leave us soon. I am so sad.

Anonymous said...

We have dealt with too many illnesses with goldens. Our first had a malformed kidney and had to be put down at 5 months. Then we had one that was lucky enough to live to be 8 years old before succumbing to cancer. And now we have a 16 month old who is dying of cancer. We have spent thousands of dollars and endless amounts of energy on them all, and now feel depleted and in such pain from the losses. Devastating and will never get a dog again :-(

Anonymous said...

In memory of my beloved female golden "Madison" who died at the age of 8.5 on May 23, 2015 from bone cancer. She also had hip dysplasia and back issues. She was kind and loving and tried to comfort all of us humans up until her last breath.

We should have had another 4-6 years. This canine cancer scourge is out of control.

Anonymous said...

I had to make the hardest decision of my life and let my beloved English cream Golden "Cooper" go at just a few weeks past his 9th birthday! I had no idea he was sick. he had become picky about food the past week, but I thought its summer and he's adjusting... Then Monday 6/15/15 he came right behind my desk chair and pee'd, which he's never done. I got super worried!! Called the vet and got there an hour early. After all these tests and such... found out he had a mass growth on and in his liver and it had spread and the most horrid part, it was cancer. Its crazy that once the word cancer is said, how quickly it became evident! I took him home and just loved on him as much as I could...
I am still in shock. He was struggling to go potty and barely eating, but was very thirsty. His belly bloated and we were helping him up with his hind legs. I knew he was in terrible pain, but the sweetest most strongest soul... didn't make us know. We had chaos in out home Tuesday night. I could hardly get out of bed Wednesday, frightened by what I would see happening to my beloved Golden. He stopped coming upstairs his last 3 days, he couldn't and my son slept on the couch with him. Wednesday 6/17/15 I called Home to Heaven here in Colorado to come a little before sunset, a beautiful time of day... We followed Coopers cue all day... he knew it was his last day. Before his last walk he could hardly muster to get up for... he came to me and stared at me intensely. My son was already at the door with him, Cooper then turned and looked at the door. I asked if he wanted me to go too? He wagged his tail, which had become rare. So we went on a beautiful walk here in Colorado. The doctor was scheduled to come at 6:30 and we were panicking to cancel or not... when Cooper walked to the door... we followed him. He sat on the stoop and looked west for a long while, the turned to look east and got up to go inside. The doc came from the east, and Cooper was born in North Carolina and lived in Virginia Beach up until last year...
When the doc arrived he jumped up wagging his tail... I said come here Coopie to the best seat in the house, which was his spot on the couch and he got up there on his own. He didn't flinch, he was ready Bless his beautiful soul. I asked the doc how could I have not known? She said he's stoic and endured and so handsome... I said yea he's even more handsome in his soul... he went peacefully and took a part of all our hearts... I'm still in shock.
I had know idea this was so prevalent in Golden's. I waited for him From Golden Creek Kennels in NC. I can't wrap my head around why these breeders are allowed to breed such beautiful animals that will fall to this tragic end???? I saw the Colorado State U research yesterday. Oddly, its just a few miles away from me and I had no idea? I'm mindful that he is not suffering and I truly believe that he is in a better place... He was the Stoic wise sage his last day. The calm in the chaos... Still our heart breaks... the silence without Cooper is deafening. I am comforted to know I am not alone, but I'm also pissed off! It sucks that he had this horrific cancer and to learn it was most probably genetically caused outrages me to find out now.

I'm sorry for all of your losses... I wanted to share Cooper's story so that it may bring you some comfort that my beloved knew and without a doubt is in a higher place now... Not only are Golden's so incredibly loving, but I just learned wise beyond our understanding as well...

See you soon Coopsie I miss you bunches so much! I wubba wubba love you so much! I'll be there with scooby snacks for you! You are such a good boy and who's the best doggie in the world? Cooper is! Remember you're allowed
upstairs too!

Wishing you all comfort in your loss...
Blessings and Light~
Brenda

Anonymous said...

I wanted to add that Cooper's cancer had spread to his blood vessels... My sweet handsome strong boy... never complained and guided us through his last day... I truly want to find out why and be a part of stopping this from happening to the most beautiful breed!
#SaveGoldensfromCancer
Lets do it!
For all they give to us... immeasurable.
I can't have another dog, Cooper is my family and my soul connection...
if anyone wants to help me raise awareness and funds please email BN.Parker@hotmail.com
I thought I wanted to start a foundation for Veterans as I am an Air Force Vet, but my heart wants to save our Golden's after witnessing Cooper's fate!

Look for me on instagram
BNx3
#lifewithcooper #lovemydog #goldensofinstagram #bestdog #bossdog #englishgolden #goldenretriever #prayforcooper #savegoldensfromcancer

Anonymous said...

First, I am so sorry for all the loss on this blog. I truly cannot read your stories without shedding tears.
I am so scared after reading your heart-breaking stories because I have a sweet, loving 2-year old that is going to the vet today for two orange hairless lumps I found behind her ear. I have already had a Golden I rescued die overnight from cancer, and I am so afraid to hear what the vet has to say. I have owned many dogs during my lifetime, but this one might as well be my child. There is no dog as people-friendly as a Golden, and none that like to chew on her owner's socks and shoes like a Golden! Please keep my golden in your prayers today.

Anonymous said...

I have an 8 week old Golden and have been searching the net for tips and accidentally came across this blog. I wonder if Goldens are more sensitive to environmental effects? Alll the dogs mixed and otherwise that I have owned since I was a child until now (I'm 54) died from extremely old age and I hope Ava, my puppy does too.

The one thing that sets my environment apart from most peoples' is that I have never used Weed and Feed or Round-up or anything that wasn't simple organic treatments. I even stopped taking my dogs to our city park after I heard that they use treated sewage to fertilize the grounds and people were getting boils and all kind of awful illnesses after attending festivals that were muddy. Give a thought to what they are in contact with imho.

Anonymous said...

Last week Wednesday, our sweet Abbey, who was 10 yrs 5 mos, stopped eating and seemed lethargic that evening. We thought maybe she had a cold or something and decided to wait to do anything. Thursday morning we awoke and were getting ready for work and I heard her eating her food, so I took this as a good sign. She greeted us after we came home just like she always did, but we noticed that she didn't drink much that day nor did she eat that evening and again seemed lethargic. Friday, 9/25/15 we awoke and got ready as usual and said that if she still wasn't doing well we would take her to the vet. She seemed her normal self in the morning and greeted us so happily when we returned that afternoon. We gave her lots of love and then went out to dinner. When we arrived home she again seemed extremely lethargic. Later that evening, my husband took her outside to do her nightly routine. She completed both tasks with no problem and then just sat down and wouldn't move. My husband tried to coax her in the house but she couldn't move. She just collapsed. He carried her in the house and she just laid by the back door. We knew we had to do something so we made the decision to take her to the emergency care. I sat in the back of the van for the 1/2 hr trip and she barely moved except for an occasional lift of her head as I petted her and gave her much love. We arrived at the ER and were quickly told the horrifying news that our sweet, loving girl had a tumor on her spleen that ruptured and that we needed to make a decision quickly. We were told that we could do surgery but that she mostly likely would not survive and if she did that she mostly likely would be gone within 1-3 months or we could let her go. As heart wrenching as it was we decided to let her go. This was extremely difficult for us. She was always such a sweet, loving girl who never asked for much and gave everything that she had. She played well well with our miniature poodle, Belle, and our boys as they were growing up. She followed my husband wherever he went and was a constant companion to us all. She loved to run and roll around the yard. She loved to play catch, but then never would return it (we called that keep away). She was always so full of life even up to the last day. Now I come home with no one to greet me at the door (even Belle doesn't greet me as I think she is mourning her too). Our hearts have been broken by this terrible disease that took our beautiful girl. We thought we would have her for a couple more years. Now she is gone. She will never be forgotten, but it is just heartbreaking to hear all these stories of these beautiful angels being taken way to soon.

Rick G said...

My constant companion Buddy of 10 years and 9 months left us two weeks ago today. He developed sudden complications from his tumors Tuesday night while we were up north, and he and I drove home through the night. He passed peacefully in our home. He will be missed by many and this pain in me is getting worse. Every day is harder and harder and harder.. My trips to the North will never be the same. So Long Buddy, there will never be another like you.

Mary Jane Zimmerman said...

I have to say I was horrified at your comment. To simply."prepare YOURSELF" that your puppy will probably die young from one of the many diseases that have been passed on to him because breeders are greedy? It's NOT all about you..Get a retriever mix from a shelter, not from a pet shop, breeder, or puppy mill. Don't encourage more sickness and pain to DOGS by getting a "purebred." In this case, blondes do NOT have more fun.

Rick G said...

To Mary Jane Zimmerman: Here is your comment to me...

I have to say I was horrified at your comment. To simply."prepare YOURSELF" that your puppy will probably die young from one of the many diseases that have been passed on to him because breeders are greedy? It's NOT all about you..Get a retriever mix from a shelter, not from a pet shop, breeder, or puppy mill. Don't encourage more sickness and pain to DOGS by getting a "purebred." In this case, blondes do NOT have more fun.

My reply to you.... What? Are you a little loose? I have no idea how you got all this from my comment of the passing of my Buddy. Yes i knew he would soon pass and you mentally try to prepare for it. Sadly though for some breeders it is all about money, And how you get i encourage "sickness and pain to dogs" is.. well I'm at a loss for word for that comment. Lastly you have obviously never owned a Golden, or at least a purebred one.. Get well soon.

Anonymous said...

So hard to read all these stories of sweet Goldens dying from cancer. My 6 year-old Golden, Kona, now has epilepsy since he was almost 4 years old and a few weeks after his rabies booster vaccine. His ancestors have lived to be quite old but his father died at about 9-10 of cancer and I ran into a man who had a half-brother to Kona who lost his golden to cancer of the spleen at age 6, they both had the same father. However, I am more convinced that most of these cancers are from environmental causes versus "bad breeding". Vaccines have cancer-causing agents in them as well as neurotoxins. Our dogs are getting more vaccines than in the past, just as human babies are getting bombarded with these toxic shots. A concern that I have is that UC Davis is performing the cancer study in Golden Retrievers but they are a big-time pro-vaccine institution. In fact, the infamous Senator Pan who wrote the SB277 forced-vaccine bill and who received mega-bucks from big-pharma to fast-track it through California is an alumni of UC Davis. Would UC Davis be unbiased enough to admit that vaccines may be causing this rapid increase in cancer among not only the "canary in the mine" sensitive Goldens but in other breeds and mixed-breed dogs as well? Autism researcher, Dr. Bradstreet and Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez who both recently died mysterious deaths after the FDA raided Dr. Bradstreet's office to search his records for GcMAF and Nagalase- a cancer and autism causing product put in our vaccines; could they also be in dog/cat vaccines? Also, our poisoned world is covered with Roundup now, very toxic and cancer causing. And years ago, it was shown that WeedBGone could cause lymphoma in dogs who lived/played in sprayed areas.http://www.ecocenter.org/article/blog/lawn-chemicals-linked-cancer-dogs

Bob said...

I lost Lakota my Huggy Bear last sunday to cancer at 5 1/2 yrs. I have no children and I am lost without him.

Alex Neil said...

I appreciate your information on the Brain tumour. I wrote about this, too, recently. More specifically about the causes and cure to Brain tumour.

Anonymous said...

Winner of the 1980 Crufts. Its that simple. Unfortunately he sired over 200 pups, who all got scooped up as "CHAMPION BLOODLINES"

Anonymous said...

I am heartbroken. Our beautiful Kody was just diagnosed with cancer..he is only 3. I am reading these posts with tears down my face. Goldens are the sweetest dogs on thies earth.

Anonymous said...

The sad thing is the epidemic isn't just goldens , all breeds including mixes are getting cancer. It's now one in every two will get it . I have been researching these vaccines for 10 plus years now ,I started because I had to put a 10 week old puppy down because she had what the vet called vacsinosis ,which is a bad reaction to vaccine it affected her pancreas as well as liver ect. I had never heard of it at that time,but now I know more than I ever want to know about the havoc these vaccines do to these animals immune system. Cancer was not a big concern 30 years ago for dogs, now it runs rampant. If people want to really get to the cause of this cancer epidemic ,study vaccines. There are people that do not give any vaccines , and also feed their dogs a raw balanced diet. Their immune systems work beautifully! If they do get ill their immune system is allowed to work as it should. Between a species appropriate diet, and a few generations of unvaccinated dogs their dogs live a long life, even golden retrievers . I've seen these dogs , they are vibrant, white teeth(usually no cleaning needed) they do not shed all year, only twice a year in the season they are suppose to. I could go on and on . Also no harmful heart worm drugs, or poisonous flea and tick meds. These dogs are the he most healthy animals I've seen . Please think about these things and research for yourself. You will see this disturbing picture come together. But the journey will lead you to do better for your pets.

Anonymous said...

I just lost my best friend Aristotle. He was 9 1/2 years old, and I am just trying to make sense of it. I am shocked, devestated and heartbroken, but reading other stories helps. I walked him every day, gave him the best food, filtered water and he had regular check ups. He started getting lumps all over his body within last year. I had one lump aspirated, and it turned beneign and vet said it was a normal part of aging. He ended up having a mass on his spleen that burst, and started to bleed out. We took him to hospital after we noticed he didn't want to go for a walk. I am beside myself feeling like I failed him, and didn't see other little signs he had. I thought he was just slowing down a bit. It will be a week tomorrow, and it is comforting to know that others feel an intense loss of their Golden's. They are just amazing, and do not deserve their short lives. I will get another Golden one day, and pray that they make advances for better preventative and screening.

Anonymous said...

Thank all of you so much for sharing your stories. I had to let my beloved Golden go last night. I feel so completely lost and heartbroken. She was fine yesterday and suddenly become weak and unable to use her back legs. She wouldn't eat and I knew something was very wrong. This dog lived to eat! We were told she likely had cancer, had a tumor rupture and was bleeding internally. Last night was the hardest day of my life. How could my beautiful, faithful, kind, loving, gorgeous dog have cancer? My husband, children and I were all present when we let her go. We took her home to lay her to rest. I have cried my eyes out all night. She was just running circles in the back yard 2 days ago! Why does cancer have to curse these magnificent dogs who want nothing but to love and be loved?!
So many of the stories here are the same as mine and I hope mine will help somebody else feel like they are not alone in their grief. I hope my sweet Scout is having a wonderful time in heaven with your sweet dogs. God bless you all.

Anonymous said...

Like all the other entries on this forum, we lost our beloved Rocky suddenly and out of the blue. In the beginning of summer, he started eating less and less, dropping 20 pounds in a matter of two weeks. Took him to the vet who initially thought his limping was due to arthritis and the lack of appetite might be due to an infection. Did an ultrasound and biopsed the mass. Immediately sent us to the Oncologist who did an MRI to accurately diagnose. The night we got the final diagnosis that there was nothing we could do to save our furbaby but make him comfortable, he chose to pass on. I miss him every single moment of the day. When I would watch a football game, and would jump up and shout, he would scramble up from where he was lying down and come sit next to me for a pet and to calm me down. He was truly unconditional love. I miss hugging him..... my wife and I struggle with a dog less house, but we are nearing our empty nest years and we want to be free to travel, but maybe after we get that out of our system, who knows. I know she misses him too........

Unknown said...

I have just stumbled across this blog as I'm looking for ways to make our almost 9-year-old female Golden Retriever (October 26) as comfortable as possible. We just found out on Friday that she has cancer....liver, spleen; fluid in chest cavity & belly; mass in belly; mass around hip area. The vet hospital wanted almost $5K to drain fluid, but we just can't afford that (we are also dealing with my mother-in-law being in hospital since before Labor Day with acute renal failure, UTI, blood infection, dementia, etc.) nor the cost of treatment pending outcome of any additional testing. We've chosen to bring her home and enjoy whatever time we have left with her. By looking at her and seeing the way she's acting (other than occasional difficulty in breathing), you'd never know she was dying. It's breaking our hearts...especially our 18-year-old son who has just started his first semester at Texas State University. This is his baby girl. She was his Christmas present back in 2007 while my husband was deployed to Afghanistan. So, he's taking it really hard...very angry at vet because he thinks she/they should've caught it earlier, etc. :(

We know there'll come a time -- possibly soon -- when we have to let her go; but I almost wish that when it's time, she'd just go to sleep and not wake up all on her own.

So, we are spoiling her even more than she already is and trying to keep her calm (because, again, she still thinks she's a spring pup and wants to over-exert herself) and comfortable to the best of our ability. If anyone has any suggestions on how to do that, any other tips/advice, that would be GREATLY appreciated. We are currently giving her Tramadol that vet prescribed to help her sleep and for any discomfort/pain.

We love our "princess" -- Freedom is her name.

Anonymous said...

Hi everyone, I am truly sorry for the loss of your Golden Retrievers. I had to put my Golden Retriever who's name was Marley to sleep he day after Christmas due to having a tumor in his stomach which burst. My heart is still breaking so bad, he was such a wonderful dog,running around playing, he loved his swimming pool, he loved the mail man and everybody else. My house just feels so empty without him and I don't know when the tears will stop. I was told to get another dog, but I just cannot do that right now. So sorry for everyone's losses. Nancy.

Heather said...

I just put my beautiful golden retriever, Bella, down today. She just turned 7 years old 4 days ago. She was diagnosed with lymphoma 8 months ago. We are so grateful to a holistic vet we found who gave us the gift of many extra months through herbs and supplements. Our hearts are broken and I can't stop crying but wouldn't have traded the last 7 years for anything. I had no idea of the stats for cancer. So heartbreaking.
Miss you so much, Bella.

Heather said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Shaun Mullen said...

I am so sorry for your loss, Heather.

Herbal remedies can help alleviate or in some case reverse a condition, and it sounds like Bella was able to gain at least a few months because of your vet's help. I would just caution readers that there is virtually no clinical research into the effects of herbal therapies on dogs, so proceed carefully and when you don't have the guidance of a vet, just go with your gut.

Our dear Jack (a chocolate Lab) was on a Tibetan herbal formula for several weeks when his diabetes and a urinary tract infection had laid him so low that he could barely lift his head to eat. The formula made a huge difference, but please move cautiously and be careful.

fahiam said...
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Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

Admin please help share my story! My wife was diagnosed with inoperable Brain tumor in august of 2015 which was measuring about 12cm X 9cm X 9cm in her frontal lobe the tumor had probably been there for years and took up around 68% of her brain pushing through her sinus cavity as well. This was like a hell of a news for me because she just delivered our 7 months old son and i was deeply terrified as to what her fate will be because the doctor said her case was very severe and she needed urgent attention because she had just about less than 6 months before the cancer take her away from me. To summarize it all i was able to get a permanent cure for her after all the several modern treatments and therapies and save her from the cold hands of death and cancer from Dr. Joseph who treats cancer with pure natural herbs and extracts with his herbal medicine called elixir. All my life i have never seen any usefulness of herbal medicine not up till this moment that it saved my wife. I had to wait two years to write this so i can be really convinced she is permanently cured, up till now she is still very much healthy. I am overly grateful. If you have brain tumor, brain cancer, and any other forms of brain diseases do not hesitate to contact Dr. Joseph on
Josephalberteo@gmail.com for more information about his medicine and possible solution. keep your hope alive.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

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Michelle R. said...

My family has lost 3 dogs in the past 3 years, 2 Goldens to Cancer. The first was our rescue Golden, more than 3 years ago. She had osteosarcoma. She was 11. Then, our Chow mix, Pucker had to be put down, due to old age. We lost our boy Moose to hemangiosarcoma at 13. He was fine, just old, one day, and the next, I was calling my husband, telling him to hurry home if he wanted to say goodbye. It's been a devastating few years. I can't even see a picture of a Golden, without bursting into tears. We rescued a pup last year, but the Golden itch has started. Our 4 & 6 year old children are begging us for a Golden. We want another one so badly, but we are scared. 60% is too many. These dogs need to be saved. They deserve to be saved. None of our dogs deserved to die like this. I'm so sorry to all of you, who have suffered such devastating losses. I miss mine so much.

Anonymous said...

We lost Scout the Honey Biscuit during her afternoon walk yesterday. She turned 6 years old last month. She was crazy and mean until she turned 6 months old, and spent the last 5 1/2 years making up for it by being the sweetest smartest dog we ever had. Last week she was lethargic and threw up for a couple of days, but her blood work came back fine. Yesterday she rolled in the grass, laid at my wife's feet, and never got up. Gone that quickly.

Anonymous said...




Here is my story. greatful

My wife was diagnosed with a cancer, ( before i learnt of Rick Simpsons oil / RSO ) the hospital said to do chemotherapy and radiotherapy.. she did.. and went through a lot.. but no cure, after a while the doctors said the cancer was spreading and we could look for alternatives.. i searched the internet and found out about the oil.. asked alot of questions.. watched the videos etc.. we made the oil our selves but it couldn't just work out we were doing more harm than good and the cancer was still there spreading, i searched more on the internet i found a testimony on how a lady got the oil via an email, ricksimpsoncannabisoil96@gmail.com immediately copied the email: i wrote to this very email ricksimpsoncannabisoil96@gmail.com and in an hour later i got a reply back asking me some few questions, and enlightened me on how to get the oil in the next 48hours, i placed my order and in the next 48hours the medication oil got to us. immediately my wife started using the oil, it been two months now, since my wife has been using the medication oil and the cancerous problems are gone this very fact was clarified by the doctor.

i put up this piece of testimony for the sake of those once who need this oil to please don't die in silence their is a cure for your cancer today email: ricksimpsoncannabisoil96@gmail.com and get the oil.

Anonymous said...

We just said goodbye to our beautiful girl Winnie this morning. She just turned 12 on September 9th. The Sunday before last we did a 5 km hike over challenging terrain an remarked that she ran like a puppy. Last week she had a seizure and found out on Friday she has a brain tumour. This morning she had a second seizure and we rushed her to the vet. Saying goodbye is the hardest thing we have ever done. Winnie was human like in that she knew when you were upset, would cuddle when you needed at was at our side constantly. She was my best friend and this is going to take some time if ever to get over. She made me a better person.

Shanaya said...

I found it when I was looking for a different sort of information but I am very interested in these blog..

SHELLY DENT said...

WHAT A GREAT MIRACLE THAT I HAVE EVER SEE IN MY LIFE. My names are MONICA HARRY I’m a citizen of United Kingdom, My younger sister was sick of breast cancer and her name is SHELLY HARRY I and my family have taking her to all kind of hospital in UK still yet no good result. I decided to go to the internet and search for cancer cure so that was how I find a lady called peter Lizzy she was testifies to the world about the goodness of a herbal man who has the root and half to cure all kind of disease and the herbal man email was there. So I decided to contact the herbal man for my younger sister help to cure her breast cancer. I contacted him and told him my problem he told me that I should not worry that my sister cancer will be cure, he told me that there is a medicine that he is going to give me that I will cook and prepared it and give it to my sister to drink for one week, so I ask how can I receive the cure that I am in UK, he told me that I will pay for the delivery service. The courier service can transport it to me so he told me the amount I will pay, so my dad paid for the delivery fee. two days later I receive the cure from the courier service so I used it as the herbal man instructed me to, before the week complete my sister cancer was healed and it was like a dream to me not knowing that. it was physical I and my family were very happy about the miracle of Doctor so my dad wanted to pay him 5 million us dollars the herbal man did not accept the offer from my dad, but I don't know why he didn't accept the offer, he only say that I should tell the world about him and his miracle he perform so am now here to tell the world about him if you or your relative is having any kind of disease that you can't get cure from the hospital please contact drosedebamenherbalhome@gmail.com or whatsapp him +2347036842735 for the cure, he will help you out with the problem.

robert mary said...


WHAT A GREAT MIRACLE THAT I HAVE EVER SEE IN MY LIFE. My names are Robert Mary
I’m a citizen of United Kingdom, My younger sister was Sicking of
breast cancer and her name is Robert Jane, I and my family have taking
her to all kind of hospital in UK still yet no good result. I decided
to go to the internet and search for cancer cure so that was how I
find a lady called Sarah peter she was testifies to the world about
the goodness of a herbal man who has the root and half to cure all
kind of disease and the herbal email was there. So I decided to
contact the herbal man for my younger sister help to cure her breast
cancer. I contacted him and told him my problem he told me that I
should not worry that my sister cancer will be cure, he told me that
there is a medicine that he is going to give me that I will cook it
and give it to my sister to drink for one week, so I ask how can I
receive the cure that I am in UK, he told me
That I will pay for the delivery service. The courier service can
transport it to me so he told me the amount I will pay, so my dad paid
for the delivery fee. two days later I receive the cure from the
courier service so I used it as the herbal man instructed me to,
before the week complete my sister cancer was healed and it was like a
dream to me not knowing that it was physical I and my family were very
happy about the miracle of Doctor so my dad wanted to pay him 5
million us dollars the herbal man did not accept the offer from my
I should tell the world about him and his miracle he perform so am now
here to tell the world about him if you or your relative is having any
kind of disease that you can't get from the hospital please contact
Dr.ogididanspelltemple@gmail.com or WhatsApp him +2347067393105 for the cure, he will help you out
with the problems.

Denielle said...

We just found out today that our 8 yr old female GR Emma has tumors in her lungs, stomach and bones. The tumor mast in her stomach is growing rapidly and pushing the kidneys to an abnormal degree. Surgery is not an option for her because of the location of the cancers. I am heartbroken and crying my eyes out as I am writing this. Emma was the first puppy that me and my husband got when we were newlyweds. She has been our family companion through many things, family gatherings, my miscarriages, the births of my two boys and a playmate to my eldest. She is currently on meds to make her comfortable. Her pain level is not bad yet according to the vet but she is lethargic. Basically we treat her now like a sick elderly lady in a hospice. I don't know what the future holds, but I do know for certain that I never want her to suffer. This feels like a sword over my head! :'(

Anonymous said...

My beloved Tagger died 2 weeks ago from cancer and until now we can't move on and the pain still in my heart. Thank to our friends and to the pet cremation in hampton roads for giving our Tagger a great arrangement. By the way, thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

I have a 10 yr old golden with lymphoma. He has been on Leukeran for 1 year with prednisone and doing incredibly well...thank God. Now his oncologist wants to get him off the meds due to long term possible irreversible side effects like bone marrow toxicity and low white blood cells. His bloodwork has been normal. I'm shocked and had no idea she'd want him off his meds when he's doing so well. Does anyone know about whether to keep my dog on the meds or wean him off? I'm worried either way, feel really sick about it. Any advice would be welcome. Any suggestions on other info or sites regarding cancer in golden would be appreciated. My email is lgvscout@sbcglobal.net
My name is Lisa
Thank you.

S star said...

The method of grading dog breeds according to their intelligence is a complex process. One might think that a dog is only intelligent as the willingness of his owners to put time and effort in training him, but there are certain inherent qualities in some breeds.

Click here to know more information smartest large dog breeds

Anonymous said...

Golden Retrievers are one of the most friendliest and fun loving dog breeds that have a very gentle and playful temperament. Log on to https://goldwynns.com to get more information and get your own English cream golden retriever.

Anonymous said...

I lost my beautiful Maggie to osteosarcoma last week at the age of seven. A year ago we lost her brother Max to lymphoma at six. I lost their predecessors Buster and Buttercup at eight and nine to hemangiosarcoma. I treated Buster with surgery and chemotherapy at great expense. He only lived for another eight months, three of which were in cancer chemotherapy treatments. I lost Max 1 to lymphoma at the age of six. I am agonizing over whether to get another. Goldens are a wonderful breed. I love their personality, temprament and intelligence. I can not bear to go through this pain every six or seven years. The blood related cancers are in the genome and every American golden seems to carry the mutation for these cancer genes. Goldems should live at least 12-15 years. I doubt that any still do. At this point there does not appear to be any cure.

Joe

gopipatel said...

amazing Article, Thanks for sharing!
How to Train Your Golden Retriever Dog?
February 2, 2020 by Roy Ross

Clara david said...

WHAT A GREAT MIRACLE THAT I HAVE EVER SEE IN MY LIFE. My names are Clara David I’m a citizen of USA, My younger sister was sicking of
breast cancer and her name is Sandra David I and my family have taking her
to all kind of hospital in USA still yet no good result. I decided to go to
the internet and search for cancer cure so that was how I find a lady
called peter Lizzy she was testifies to the world about the goodness of a
herbal man who has the roots and herbs to cure all kind of disease and the
herbal man email was there. So I decided to contact the herbal man @herbalist_sakura for my younger sister help to cure her breast cancer. I contacted him and told him
my problem he told me that I should not worry that my sister cancer will be
cure, he told me that there is a medicine that he is going to give me that
I will cook it and give it to my sister to drink for one week, so I ask how
can I receive the cure that I am in USA, he told me
That I will pay for the delivery service. The courier service can
transport it to me so he told me the amount I will pay, so my dad paid for
the delivery fee. two days later I receive the cure from the courier
service so I used it as the herbal man instructed me to, before the week
complete my sister cancer was healed and it was like a dream to me not
knowing that it was physical I and my family were very happy about the
miracle of Doctor so my dad wanted to pay him 5 million us dollars the
herbal man did not accept the offer from my dad, but I don't know why he
didn't accept the offer, he only say that I should tell the world about him
and his miracle he perform so am now here to tell the world about him if
you or your relative is having any kind of disease that you can't get from
the hospital please contact dr.sakuraspellalter@gmail.com or whats app him
+2348110114739  you can follow him up on Instagram @herbalist_sakura for the cure, he will help you out with the
problem. And if you need more information about the doctor you can mail me
davidclara223@gmail.com 

Unknown said...

My heart goes out to you! I had 2 Gold Rush Goldens: Cody died of cancer when she was 7, Toby died of cancer 2 week before her 5th Birthday. Both magnificent friends...I miss them dearly!
Will I get another Golden? Maybe a rescue but not a purebred from a breeder.
I think about my two little pups every day’😢

Jane said...

Looking for a friendly and gentle family pet? These English cream golden retriever puppies for sale are perfect. Well-socialized and healthy, they make fantastic companions.

Jane said...

English Cream Golden Retrievers have Friendly and gentle temperament, perfect for families.

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